Posted on April 16: New MSU president an international man of mystery

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Shano_Mohan_opt.jpg” caption=”Shano Mohan”]You could say Shano Mohan is somewhat an international man of mystery. He has had three citizenships, has lived in nine countries, and has adjusted to a new environment almost every second year of his life.

And on the threshold of leading a massive student body, the 24-year-old, who also plays waterpolo, basketball and volleyball, seems unfettered.

The recent political science graduate has been on student council at nearly every school he's attended, leading up to his current position of vice-president administration of the McMaster Students Union.

It is only by a hair that Mohan is preparing to take over the role of MSU president May 1. He won the election by a mere vote and only after three recounts was he certain the position was his. “The three recounts all resulted in one vote, which is obviously the slimmest margin you can possibly win by. It was sort of disheartening, because I had felt like I won but there was a very strong possibility that it could be taken away from me.”

Mohan was relieved when the final recount came in and he knew the position was his. Now he can start working on some of the ideas he proposed during his campaign, including ensuring the establishment of a diversity cafi. “The diversity cafe is important to me for so many reasons,” he says. “It represents diversity, multiculturalism, inclusivity and it's the sort of all-encompassing project that the MSU can do and should do and I would really like to ensure that it opens by September.”

The diversity cafi will be located in the former Rathskeller and will be a vegetarian cafeteria that will cater to the dietary needs of strict Jewish, Muslim and Hindu students.

Above all, Mohan wants to focus on students. “I want students to know who the MSU is and what they do and what their fees go towards. I want them to feel a sense of ownership towards Mac and I want to bring back school spirit.”

Mohan thinks he can achieve this because of his unique sense of leadership; a style he says was formed by his upbringing.

Born in the Middle East (in Dubai, UAE), Mohan moved to Canada with his family when he was nine. Following that he moved to England, South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Thailand and Sri Lanka. “My dad is in international banking so that has taken us everywhere. I'm Sri Lankan by virtue of my heritage, I'm Canadian by virtue of my citizenship, and I feel Canada is my home.”

Mohan plans to go to New York next year to practice international law. His intention is to get his degree, move back to Canada, practice for a few years and go into ambassadorship/diplomacy with an eventual goal of becoming a Canadian diplomat.

At present though, his heart is with the MSU. “I believe in the MSU and I believe in what it does for students at this school. I don't know where students would be at this school if it didn't have the MSU running the services that it runs. The MSU is there to make sure students feel they are part of the campus, and that they actually have a role in affecting change. I want to help students affect the change that they wish to see here and do my best to help them find their niche on campus. I want to ensure they feel they are a part of the school as much as any of us in the MSU are. We run for positions like this not because of selfishness of pride, but because we truly feel that we can empower and challenge students to make a difference.”

Photo caption: 2004-05 McMaster Students Union president Shano Mohan by a painting in the MSU office. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay