She/her
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Diploma of Languages (French)
I am studying a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Diploma of Languages (French), and I expect to graduate at the end of 2025.
I became a student representative to continue giving back by ensuring students’ voices are heard, particularly during changes like the upcoming university merger, and to advocate for a positive, inclusive, and enriching campus community. As an executive member of a student club, I’ve enjoyed supporting students, collaborating with USASA, and enhancing the university experience - something I’m passionate about continuing in this role.
In 2025, I aim to work towards having all UniSA students feel supported and their voices heard, focusing on representing those from smaller campuses like Magill during the university merger. I also want to help build a more inclusive campus community and work towards improving access to resources and support for all students.
I’m based at Magill Campus, and my favourite thing about it is its calm atmosphere. I love studying outside in the sun on nice days—and occasionally spotting a koala!
Have a go! What you put into your uni experience is what you’ll get out of it. Even though I get nervous, trying new things has helped me meet amazing people and learn valuable skills. Everyone feels nervous, but it’s always worth stepping out of your comfort zone.
Good music or a great playlist always puts me in a good mood. Otherwise, I love spending time with my two dogs, especially after a long day at work or uni.
I would choose Deepika Padukone to discuss her career in Bollywood, her advocacy for mental health, and her journey of self-empowerment. I find her work in breaking the stigma and raising awareness about mental health, as well as her film career, very inspiring.
I would likely work in a role where I can give back to others or help them grow, probably in psychology or teaching, as that aligns with one of my core values.
It has been wonderful to be able to start my new role as the Magill Undergraduate Student Representative this year. I look forward to working alongside the 2025 USASA Board Members and be part of the university merger and transition process.
The last couple of months have mainly consisted of training for the role to ensure I am sufficiently prepared for the year ahead. The USASA Clubhouse Launch was a very successful event and saw both staff and students collectively enjoy the new space. Both the USASA Symposium and the Clubhouse Launch were great opportunities to be able to meet and network with the other Board Members, UniSA and USASA staff and students. I look forward to working with them throughout the year.
It has been really lovely to have students back on campus and see the university coming back to life with SP2 officially underway. March has been a busy month in terms of Orientation and Campus Fairs, but I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting with and speaking to so many students across different campuses.
I attended the Magill Brekky Bar once during March. It was a great way to speak to students, both new and familiar, about the new year ahead of us and check in with how they are feeling about their studies and the merger. I also met Robert Cook, the new Magill Student Engagement Officer, and look forward to attending more Brekky Bars over the rest of the semester.
Shefali and I met a few weeks ago to discuss our goals for Magill Campus. After much discussion, it was decided that our main priorities are to make ourselves known to students by attending events, organise the USASA pin-up boards in the corridors, as well as get some definitive information about the future of the Magill Campus to share with students. We have been in talks with Oliver (president) to come up with a plan to achieve these goals in the correct manner and will keep everyone updated.
The future of the Magill Campus has been a particular concern for students, with students having no definitive answer from anyone about what is happening. We have reiterated that the campus will not be closing next year, and that there have been talks to create a 5-10-year plan with the campus.
I attended both the City West and Magill Campus Fairs as part of USASA Student Board and a UniSA Psychology Society executive member. It was wonderful to see so many students engaging with all the different stalls and talking to the different university services. Several students came to the USASA stall and had a chat with us. The flyers with our services were very useful to give out, particularly to new students. Students were encouraged to follow us on social media to keep up to date with everything, and I encouraged the Magill students to hesitate either myself or Shefali if they have any questions or concerns.
I have now completed my Preclusions Appeals training with Prashant and can now sit in on any upcoming formal inquiries if the opportunity arises.
I hope everyone has been able to rest and recharge over the teaching break. April has been a quieter month in terms of my involvement with USASA, however, I look forward to being more involved when we come back on campus after the teaching break.
I attended the Justice and Society Belonging Event at Magill Campus. It was a great way to meet and network with students and staff alike. Even though this was not a USASA-specific event, I enjoyed speaking to everyone. I look forward to attending more events like this in the future.
I attended the USASA Cultural Awareness training, where we looked into many topics at great length, all of which were very eye-opening and informative. I would like to thank Tjimari Sanderson-Milera and Bookabee Australia for making the time to speak to us and spread awareness and promote greater understanding of the richness and diversity of Aboriginal culture.
May has been quite a busy month for me in terms of involvement with USASA and the wider UniSA community. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to speak with so many students and staff this month, both reconnecting and touching base with some familiar faces, and meeting so many new people too. I wish everyone good luck with their upcoming assignments and exams.
Shefali (Magill Student Representative), Oliver (USASA President) and I have been working on getting confirmation on the future of Magill Campus with the upcoming university merger. This is something that had been flagged to us as a major source of concern and stress for both students and staff alike. We can now officially confirm that it will be business as usual at Magill Campus after 2026, with teaching and studies to be continuing at Magill after the campus. Posters will be circulated around the campus shortly to make sure everyone is appropriately informed and to shut down any misinformation and rumours.
Shefali and I have also previously flagged that there is a lack of connection between staff and students at Magill Campus, and that this is something that we would like to investigate. We set up some drop-in meet and greet sessions with the ASRs for programs at Magill Campus. It was so lovely to meet so many new people, learn more about this program and hear an outside perspective on how things are at Magill Campus. There were some common issues that came up during these discussions around the program and the culture and Magill Campus. We are currently trying to follow these up in order to make people aware of the gaps in the program and come up with some potential initiatives to increase culture and connection at Magill Campus.
This month, I was able to connect with many students at a variety of events, including some of the Magill Campus Brekky Bars, the USASA Pop Up and Food Pantry at Magill Campus and some club events. I really enjoyed speaking to everyone, seeing firsthand the success of the Magill USASA Pop Up and Food Pantry, as well as get an insight into what students like and want to see at the university.
June has been a bit of a quieter month in terms of my involvement with USASA and the wider UniSA community as my studies have ramped up. I attended a few different events and really enjoyed connecting with new and familiar faces alike.
Shefali (Magill Student Representative), Oliver (USASA President) and I have been working on getting confirmation on the future of Magill Campus with the upcoming university merger. This is something that had been flagged to us as a major source of concern and stress for both students and staff alike. We can now officially confirm that it will be business as usual at Magill Campus after 2026, with teaching and studies to be continuing at Magill after the campus. Posters have now been circulated around the campus to make sure everyone is appropriately informed and to shut down any misinformation and rumours.
As you may have seen on Instagram, we are really excited to share that the USASA Food Pantries will now be coming to Magill Campus. Shefali (Magill Student Representative) and I met with Rhiannon (USASA Staff) to discuss the logistics of hosting monthly food pantries at some of the smaller campuses like Magill, and we are really excited to see it grow.
This month, I was able to attend several events, including the USASA Clubs Social and the USASA Pride Fair. Both events were really great opportunities to be able to connect with different parts of the UniSA community outside of Magill Campus. I thoroughly enjoyed these events and look forward to engaging with more students next semester.
Every month, each member of the USASA Board writes a report on what they've been up to. Click on their names to read their reports and more.
President: Oliver Shephard-Bayly
Postgraduate Student Rep: Dasuni Imansa Jaburuthugoda Gamarachchige
Aboriginal and Torrest Strait Islander Student Rep: Vacant
International Student Rep: Edwin John
City West Student Rep: Haider Surka
City West Undergraduate Student Rep: Yeshaiah Varona
City East Student Rep: Meetali
City East Undergraduate Student Rep: Sasha Yildirimci
Magill Student Rep: Shefali Mhatre
Magill Undergraduate Student Rep: Shaana Sihota
Mawson Lakes Student Rep: Surya Tomar
Mawson Lakes Undergraduate Student Rep: Husan Ara
Mount Gambier Student Rep: Vacant
Whyalla Student Rep: Lilly Henwood
UniSA Online Student Rep: Lily Durkin
Have a general enquiry regarding the USASA Student Board?