I'm Grace Amun, a second-year student majoring in business administration with criminology as a minor, and one fundamental concept guides my idea of leadership: equity must be intentional.

There are cultural and identity-based communities whose issues go unnoticed, even though larger marginalized groups are rightfully given attention. Finding and assisting people whose voices are frequently ignored is essential to achieving true equality.

I work in environments that place a high value on advocacy, representation, and belonging as an executive member of the Trent African & Caribbean Student Union (TACSU) and the Trent Association of Black Students (TABS). I have witnessed the effects of visibility as well as the repercussions of gaps in recognition as a result.

In order to make sure that advocacy at Trent is not only apparent but also accountable, quantifiable, and inclusive of all communities within our student body, I am running for Vice President, Campaigns & Equity.

What would you do if elected?

If elected, my priority will be translating advocacy into structured and measurable action within the TCSA.

First, I will work to identify barriers within student spaces that disproportionately impact smaller or underrepresented communities. This will include gathering structured, anonymous student feedback to identify recurring patterns of inequity and collaborating directly with student groups to assess concerns related to them.

Second, I will assess how major TCSA campaigns are developed to determine whether equity considerations are being applied consistently. Where gaps exist, I will advocate for clearer guidelines that ensure underrepresented communities are included in planning and promotional processes.

Third, I will implement a transparent tracking framework for equity concerns brought forward to the VPCE. Students deserve clarity regarding what steps are being taken after concerns are raised and how that progress is being measured.

Equity work must move beyond conversation. And instead, be continuous, measurable, and enforceable.

What makes you the best candidate?

My advocacy is not performative. It is practiced, lived, and informed by education.

I have been associated with Peterborough Food Not Bombs, preparing and distributing meals to individuals experiencing food insecurity; participated in the ThinkFast Initiative with Development and Peace Canada to raise awareness about global poverty; and supported Women and Children Social Networking in community outreach initiatives.

Academically, I have conducted research on race, gender, and inequality and have received recognition for this work. I approach equity not only as a participant but as a critical thinker who understands the systems that produce injustice.

Through these experiences, I have developed the ability to collaborate across diverse communities, navigate sensitive issues with professionalism, and translate advocacy into action.

I am prepared to bring both knowledge and integrity to this role.

Hi! My name is Samara Thompson. I’m a first-year undergraduate student here at Trent pursuing Forensic Science and Psychology, with a passion for equity, inclusion, and student advocacy. Growing up in the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago, I’ve experienced firsthand the value of community, diversity, and lifting others up. On campus, I’ve been actively involved in volunteer work and student initiatives, and I’m committed to ensuring that every student’s voice is heard. I believe that a campus free from oppression is not just a goal it’s a responsibility. As Vice President Campaigns & Equity, I will dedicate my energy to breaking down barriers, promoting accessibility, and creating meaningful partnerships with student groups, unions, and community organizations. I’m ready to stand up for students, fight for equity, and make our campus a place where everyone feels included, supported, and empowered.

What would you do if elected?

If elected VP Campaigns & Equity, my priority will be building a campus that is inclusive, accessible, and free from all forms of oppression. I will actively work with student groups, campus partners, and the Canadian Federation of Students to address systemic issues and advocate for marginalized communities.

I plan to implement initiatives that promote accessibility, from ensuring that spaces accommodate all students, to creating programming that celebrates diversity and raises awareness about equity issues. I will establish consistent communication channels with students to identify their needs and concerns, making sure their voices directly influence campus policies.

Additionally, I will strengthen collaboration with other post-secondary institutions to share best practices and support common student issues. My campaigns will focus on tangible outcomes, including awareness events, workshops, and increasing resource accessibility. Transparency, responsiveness, and accountability will flow through my work, so students know that their concerns are taken seriously.

Above all, I aim to foster a culture here at Trent, where every student feels safe, respected, and empowered to succeed because a truly equitable campus benefits everyone.

What makes you the best candidate?

I am deeply committed to student advocacy, equity, and meaningful action. From lived experience, I have faced challenges related to my own disabilities, which has given me a clear understanding of the importance of accessibility and the real barriers students can encounter. These experiences, combined with growing up in a diverse community and my involvement in volunteer and campus initiatives, have equipped me with the empathy, leadership, and communication skills needed for this role. I listen, I collaborate, and I take initiative ensuring students’ voices are heard and represented.

I bring energy, dedication, and a solutions-oriented mindset to addressing accessibility barriers, challenging systemic inequities, and building strong partnerships. Most importantly, I am driven by the belief that every student deserves to thrive in a safe and equitable environment. As VP Campaigns & Equity, I will be a passionate advocate and committed leader for all students.

My name is Ceeah, I’m a second year Philosophy and Legal studies student, I am exceedingly passionate about wellness and advocacy. I currently serve as the TCSA off campus commissioner and founded the “Food for Thought” initiative which aims to eliminate student hunger through advocacy and action. I was diagnosed with a painful chronic disease and struggled to find support and accommodation within the school system, I have since made it my personal mission to fight for the wellbeing of all students. Additionally I am a student who relies on OSAP. I know firsthand how the pending cuts will affect the wellbeing of students like myself and I am ready to do all that I can to defend and expand our access to health and wellness resources!

What would you do if elected?

Food Security:

If elected, I will work to lower the cost of food on and off campus by creating and expanding student discount programs. I will also work to bring more free meal programs to Trent. I firmly believe that nutrition as a barrier is unacceptable, access to food isn’t a privilege, it's a right! The Food for Thought initiative will continue to expand with the hope of providing all students with at least one free meal daily, and more in the future.

Accessibility to Health & Wellness Support:

As a student living with an invisible disability, I know firsthand the struggle associated with receiving support without documentation. I firmly believe that the support we receive should not depend only on what documentation a student can provide. I will advocate for more accessibility services that do not require doctors notes, to build a system that is centered on dignity and equity.

Campus Accessibility:

I will work to implement more safety and accessibility on campus, including repairing safety phones across campus, ensuring timely snow removal and salting in the winter months and improving accessibility on campus for individuals with different mobile abilities.

What makes you the best candidate?

I believe that my life experiences paired with my skills, devotion, and prior experience in advocacy make me the best fit for this role. As a student who is a racialized minority, who has also faced challenges with health, the wellbeing of all students is something I take very personally. This role is more than just a position, it is an opportunity to make measurable change in the lives of students. My passion for advocacy paired with the framework I have already laid during my time as a commissioner along with my prior experience means I will be able to hit the ground running if elected. When it comes to the health and wellbeing of students I refuse to take no for an answer, we deserve more and I am ready to fight for that!

My name is Evan Miller (he/him). I am a third-year student in the Teacher Education Stream, completing my Bachelor of Environmental Science and Studies. Over the past three years at Trent and as a student employee with the TCSA, I have developed a deep passion for fostering a supportive campus environment where every student can thrive. As a future educator, I am passionate to ensure that no student is left behind due to systemic barriers. More, as an openly queer individual, I am committed to addressing the unique barriers our community faces in accessing mental, physical, and social healthcare.

I will lead with empathy and transparency to ensure the TCSA prioritizes student wellness. I am ready to listen, advocate, and work alongside you to build a healthier, more inclusive campus where every student has the resources they need to succeed.

What would you do if elected?

As Vice President Health and Wellness, I am eager to lead successful projects such as:

Tackling Food Insecurity

• Increase the number of Free Breakfast events offered by the TCSA.

• Improve the food options for the Free Breakfasts and the One Stop Chop Food Pantry by partnering with local businesses to offer fresh, high-quality options.

Fighting Period Poverty

• Continuing the current VPHW’s period poverty campaigns, ensuring equitable access to all students through education and resources.

• Seeking external and internal funding to continue offering free, accessible period products.

Student Fitness and Wellness

• Create a Campus Recreation funding line to help support students’ wellness through participation in on-campus intramural sports.

• Explore options for gender-inclusive and sensory-friendly programming and hours with the Athletic Centre.

Queer Healthcare

• Support students in accessing preventative medications, like PreP and DoxyPEP.

• Expand the Gender Affirming Care grant to cover post-operative supplies and advocate for 100% reimbursement.

Campus Safety

• Call on the University to increase nighttime security in remote areas of campus, specifically the new East Bank parking lots.

• Advocate for prioritized snow and ice removal on walking paths to ensure campus always remains accessible in winter.

What makes you the best candidate?

As a front-facing representative of the TCSA for the past three years, I have gained firsthand insight into the issues that most directly impact students. Through consistent engagement, I have heard how challenges like food insecurity and limited access to wellness supports affect academic success and overall wellbeing. I am committed to centring student voices and using the relationships and experience I have built to strengthen student services and engagement.

I helped structure the TCSA’s Free Breakfast program to address food insecurity, ensuring it remained accessible and responsive to student needs. I have also collaborated with TCSA Executives and staff to deliver initiatives such as the Gender Affirming Care Fair, Sexy Bingo, Therapy Dog visits, and the One-Stop Chop Food Pantry. Through this work, I have gathered feedback and identified practical improvements to promote fair access and smoother operations, and I am committed to turning student input into meaningful action.

Hi! I'm a third-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) student in the Teacher Education Stream. I'm majoring in Indigenous Studies, and I have over six years of experience in student governance, education policy, and advocacy at the provincial, national, and international levels. In my free time, I love to ski, hike and travel. I care deeply about the Trent community and the students who call this place home from all around the world. I am passionate about promoting vibrant student life, strengthening funding and support for student clubs, and elevating student voice in all areas of university governance. I believe my experience in governance, partnerships, advocacy strategy, and policy development equips me with the skills necessary to ensure the success of Trent University students.

What would you do if elected?

If elected, my priorities would focus on OSAP funding, tuition affordability, and ensuring Trent students are represented in conversations that shape their educational futures.

I want to lead the development of a by-students, for-students five-year policy recommendation to the Government of Ontario, grounded in recommendations from university students across Ontario by conducting outreach through the Canadian Federation of Students and the Ontario University Students’ Association. I am also committed to supporting stronger transitions for international students, as well as incoming students and I seek to achieve this by coordinating an engaging orientation week. I want to ensure that education remains affordable and accessible for all; I believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education, and I will lobby to the government and work with stakeholders to push back against lowering OSAP funding and raising tuition. I want to be a megaphone for Trent University students, and I will do this by listening to your concerns, and acting on them. Ultimately, I want to ensure Trent students are not only consulted, but meaningfully represented in decisions that affect their futures!

What makes you the best candidate?

What makes me unique is my experience advocating within education systems at every level; provincial, national, and international. I understand how decisions that affect students are made, how institutions operate from policy into practice, and how to ensure student voice remains at the centre of conversations that shape our future. I've served as CEO of the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association, the largest student stakeholder organization in Ontario. During five years of advocacy, I advanced equitable funding models, represented student voice in meetings with the Ministry of Education, and developed student-centred policy proposals. As Event Coordinator and Political Manager of United Nations Students, I promote student engagement in international policy issues. At Education for Liberation, I direct strategic advocacy to advance academic freedom and accessible post-secondary education. I believe education changes people, who in turn change the world. The educational experience of Trent University students will be my priority if elected.

Hi my name is Mickayla and im a 4th year criminology student here at Trent. I am a first generation Jamaican Canadian and the first person in my immediate family to go to University. As a proud Black Caribbean student I am deeply dedicated to creating safe culturally relevant experiences and spaces for marginalized groups here at. Im running as the TCSA President to continue to be the voice for students, work towards increasing student engagement, and work towards hosting more information sessions to keep students aware and informed on what's currently going on. I believe that transparency in key in keeping the trust of students, and that trust gives us the strength of unity. I served the student over the past year as your VP Campaigns & Equity and I hope to continue the efforts of advocacy, increasing student engagement, and uplifting understanding represented voices.

What would you do if elected?

If I were elected my main focuses would be fighting against the recently announced Osap cuts, Bill 33, Bill 5 and all pf the other attacks on post secondary education. I plan to continue advocacy on Anti Black racism here at Trent, food insecurity, fairness for International students and the development of current services the TCSA provides.

In regards to the Osap cuts I plan to continue advocacy efforts, and work with the next VP Campaigns and Equity and the Canadian Federation of Students to take action against the cuts. With Bill 33 I plan to continue mobilizing with levy groups, other unions on campus, and Peterborough school boards . With Bill 5 I plan to continue to work closely with the Trent University Native Association to support grassy narrows organizations and surrounding nations in the fight against this Bill.

What makes you the best candidate?

During my time at Trent I've had various different experiences being apart of a team and leading a team. During my time as your VP Campaigns & Equity I've learned about how the TCSA works along with how Trent’s system works. I understand the red tape that surrounds Trent’s systems and I have a good grasp on how to get certain conversions started. During my term I was able to work very closely with the current President and I understand what the role entails and what it means to lead the TCSA executive. I've been the President of the Trent African Caribbean Student Union for the past year. Being the President of TACSU has taught me a lot about managing a successful team. I have worked with various different executives who have very different methods of working, which has allowed me the opportunity to learn how to trust and support people's strengths. Im the best candidate because I care about community, transparency, and unity in our diversity.