Nursing Graduate Students' Association (NGSA)
NGSA creates an open and collaborative environment for graduate students to engage in professional and personal growth.
The Nursing Graduate Students' Association (NGSA) is a student-led Departmental Graduate Association affiliated with the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) of the University of Calgary.
We aim to connect and empower graduate students in the Faculty of Nursing through services, leadership, and professional development.
Our role is to foster a supportive community of nursing graduate students through:
- representing the interests of nursing graduate students to the Graduate Students' Association (GSA)
- providing opportunities for leadership and professional development
- promoting social interaction and collaboration among graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members
New Peer Co-Writing Space
The Peer Co-Writing Space is an unstructured, peer-led working session for nursing graduate students who would like dedicated time to write in a supportive, non-evaluative environment. The focus is on accountability and momentum, and there is no expectation to share your work unless you wish to.
• Start date: January 27, 2026
• Time: 1800–2000 MST
• Frequency: Bi-weekly on Tuesdays until the end of the semester April 21, 2026
• Format: brief check-in and goal setting, focused writing time, short wrap-up reflection
• Delivery: Zoom
This space is open to all MN (course-based and thesis-based), PhD, and DN students.
Participants are welcome to bring any type of writing, including coursework, thesis or dissertation work, manuscripts, or proposals.
Please feel free to attend one session or join regularly—whatever best fits your schedule.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out via email or social media.
Journal Club
The Journal Club is a monthly, peer-facilitated space to engage with nursing and interdisciplinary scholarship in an informal, discussion-based setting. Articles will rotate across topic areas and methodologies, and sessions will emphasize curiosity, reflection, and shared learning rather than expertise.
• Start date: February 11, 2026
• Time: 1800–1930 MST
• Frequency: Second Wednesday of the month until the end of the semester (Feb 11, March 11, and April 8)
• Delivery: Zoom
• Participation: attend regularly or drop in as schedules allow
• Participation: attend regularly or drop in as schedules allow.
The Journal Club is open to all MN (course-based and thesis-based), PhD, and DN students. Participants are also invited to sign up to facilitate a session.
Facilitators select an article of interest and guide discussion; there is no expectation to be an expert.
Support for facilitation will be provided by the NGSA.
NGSA Executive
Annj Ridsdale-Weddell
Chair
Hello and thank you for visiting the NGSA webpage!
I am a graduate student in my final year of UCalgary’s new DN program. My DN thesis is based on the study of healthy work environments, healthy teams and healthcare improvement and my work integrated project is building a provincial health workforce monitoring and reporting program. In support of our nursing graduate students, I am honoured to chair the Nursing Graduate Student's Association at UCalgary. Our executive team is enthusiastic and compassionate, each one committed to making a difference by advocating, listening and responding to the needs of our nursing graduate students. It is incredibly inspiring to work alongside these future leaders in health care. Please reach out to us if you have ideas for presentations or other ways that the NGSA can support you in your graduate studies.
Sondra Wesner
Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Hi, I’m Sondra Wesner, a PhD student in Nursing at the University of Calgary and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Director for the Nursing Graduate Student Association. My research focuses on the experiences of gender diverse individuals accessing emergency care, using a narrative inquiry methodology. I bring nearly a decade of experience as a registered nurse in emergency and oncology settings, and I also teach in both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs as a sessional instructor. I’m passionate about advancing health equity, fostering inclusive care practices, and supporting students to think critically about their roles in healthcare systems. Outside of my academic work, I enjoy running and recently completed my first marathon. I also love spending time with my two dogs and two cats. I’m excited to serve in this role and look forward to helping build a more inclusive and supportive environment for all nursing graduate students.
Athena Liu
Events Coordinator
Hi everyone! I'm Athena, a thesis-based masters student, and I currently work on a medical/ psychiatry unit. I like hiking, camping, playing instruments, and trying new food and restaurants. As Events Coordinator, I will organize academic and social networking events with external parties. See you there!
Rachel Kidd
Social Media and Communications Director
Hello! My name is Rachel Kidd, and I am a thesis-based master’s student at the University of Calgary. I am excited to serve as the Social Media and Communications Director for the Nursing Graduate Students’ Association (NGSA). I bring over seven years of experience as a nurse in burns, plastics, and head and neck surgery, with additional clinical experience in oncology, public health, and home care. My research interests focus on the burn population, particularly the complex intersection between burn injury and substance use disorder. Outside of my academic and professional life, I love spending time outdoors, hanging out with my dog, and exploring new restaurants. I’m looking forward to supporting and connecting with the nursing graduate community in this role!
Alex Cuncannon
Secretary
Alex is a first-year PhD student in the Faculty of Nursing.
Mahnoor "Noor" Zainab
Graduate Peer Mentorship Coordinator
Hi everyone, I’m Noor! I’m currently pursuing my Master of Nursing in the thesis-based stream at the University of Calgary. I’m happy to join the NGSA as your Peer Mentorship Coordinator. I’m passionate about creating supportive spaces for graduate nursing students to feel connected, heard, and empowered. I currently work in addiction and mental health on an inpatient unit and with psychiatric emergency services. My research focuses on exploring the lived experiences of family members supporting individuals with mental illness. In my free time, I enjoy exploring restaurants in the city and spending time in the Rockies. I’m looking forward to connecting with graduate students and building a meaningful community.
Finance Executive
Vacant
We are currently looking to recruit for this position. If you are interested, please email us at ngsa@ucalgary.ca.