OUSA

Back Row (Left-to-Right): Kieran Slobodin, Patrick Searle, Sam Andrey, Luke Speers, Sean Madden, Sam Minniti

Front Row (Left-to-Right): Chris Martin, Kelly Vanleyden, Alicia Ali, Mira Dineen, Natalie Cockburn, Kimberley Orr, Alvin Tedjo, Laura Pin

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Sean Madden – OUSA President
Vice President University Affairs of the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union (Email)

Sean is a fourth year Communication Studies student at Wilfrid Laurier University and hails from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. When not immersed in University Affairs, Sean enjoys reading, gaming and socializing and is often found doing any of those things at school, with his friends and fraternity brothers or his lovely wife Michelle. Sean’s time with Laurier’s union, and through them OUSA, has taught him a lot about himself, what he wants to do, and what he can do for others… all things he wants to bring to his position this year. His interests in post-secondary education include quality of education and how system growth impacts it.

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Natalie Cockburn – OUSA Vice-President (Finance)
Vice President Education of the University of Waterloo Federation of Students (Email)

Natalie is in her final year of a joint honours co-op program in Communications & Economics student at the University of Waterloo. Previous to taking on the VP Education role, she worked for the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Research In Motion. Natalie hails from the small town of Lindsay Ontario, and has lived full time in Waterloo for the last four years. Natalie is passionate about education quality and looks forward to a great year with the Federation of Students!

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Patrick Searle – OUSA Vice-President (Administration)
Vice President University Affairs of the University Students’ Council of the University of Western Ontario (Email)

Patrick is a student at The University of Western Ontario, where he has earned a degree in Religious Studies and Political Science at its affiliate, King’s University College. Graduating after four years at Western, Pat has been involved in numerous initiatives including the orientation week program, serving as President of the King’s University College Students’ Council, working as a Senator and a Municipal Affairs Commissioner, as well as hosting a online TV-Show titled “Fuss On The Bus”. Outside of the Western bubble, Patrick’s interests off-campus include mobilizing young voters through the grass-roots organization “Hack The Vote”. During his tenure as Vice President University Affairs with the University Students’ Council, Patrick plans on introducing Open Data initiatives on campus and in the USC to increase transparency and access to information for all students.  As a member of the OUSA Steering Committee, Pat is very excited to work with student leaders from all across Ontario and is devoted to engaging students in discussion at all possible opportunities.

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Alicia Ali – Steering Committee Member
Vice President Education of the McMaster Students Union (Email)

Alicia is a fourth year political science student of McMaster University from Whitby, Ontario. Upon initially touring the campus, she fell in love with McMaster’s natural beauty. Her educational journey began with her involvement with World Literacy of Canada, a non-profit Canadian charity that works to promote literacy and social justice in Canada and overseas. Her passion for education led to her election as a member of student government followed by her work as the OUSA Campus Coordinator for McMaster, and finally serving as an undergraduate representative on the University Senate. When Alicia isn’t revelling in the beauty of the campus or preaching about quality of education, she can be found brainstorming new and innovative ways of engaging students on campus.

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Kelly Vanleyden – Steering Committee Associate Member
President of the Trent in Oshawa Student Association (Email)

 

Kelly is a fourth year history major at Trent University Oshawa. She has been involved with her school community since her first year. She is a passionate student and is often inspired by her peers. In 2010, Kelly was the History Director on the Trent in Oshawa Student Association. She is truly dedicated to the advocacy of students and looks forward to being the President in the 2011/2012 school year.

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Kieran Slobodin – Steering Committee Member
Vice President University Affairs of the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University (Email)

Kieran Slobodin is an Economics Major at Queen’s University with his sights set on an International Study Certificate. Before becoming Vice-President (University Affairs) for the Alma Mater Society 2011-12 year, Kieran was an intern, a deputy, and Commissioner within the Academic Affairs Commission. This is his second year serving on the OUSA Steering Committee. Kieran’s other exploits at Queen’s include being a member of the Outdoors Club, an Arts and Science Orientation Coordinator, and working for the Walkhome service.  Born and raised in the Yukon, Kieran’s family has deep roots in Kingston and he looks forward to experiencing his first full year in Ontario. Kieran’s advocacy interests lie in quality and rural and remote accessibility.

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Kimberley Orr – Steering Committee Member
Vice President University Affairs of the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance (Email)

Kimberley is in her fourth year of the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Windsor. Born and raised in Windsor, she has had been a passionate student activist in her community. Kim has been involved with the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance as a faculty representative, student senator, and was the OUSA campus coordinator for 2010-2011.  She chairs the joint student-faculty environmental committee at Windsor aimed at bringing sustainability issues to campus. Kim works part time as a lifeguard, loves swimming and is an avid indoors women. She hopes to continue her education after her undergraduate degree with a masters or law degree.

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Luke Speers – Steering Committee Member
Vice President University Affairs of the Brock University Students’ Union (Email)

Luke is in his final year of a double major in Philosophy and Political Science at Brock University. He was born and raised in Waterloo, attended Algonquin College for Police Foundations as well as Conestoga College for General Arts. In his time at Brock Luke has been a member of the varsity rugby team, the Brock University Senate, student council, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the students’ union. “Being a successful student is about more than being in a class room, perhaps that is in fact the least of it”…Luke Speers.

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Mira Dineen – Steering Committee Resource Member
Academic Affairs Commissioner of the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University (Email)

Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mira is currently pursuing a degree in Global Development Studies and Geography at Queen’s University. She enjoys baking and cooking, cat videos on Youtube, and the great outdoors. Mira became interested in policy during an internship where she analyzed the impact of Ontario’s social assistance programs and policies on recipients’ lives and co-authored Persistent Poverty: Voices from the Margins (Between the Lines, 2010). Mira’s interest in education has manifested in numerous volunteer endeavours including starting a peace education program in high school, working with a student-run health education non-profit, and volunteering for three years with the Queen’s Learning Strategies centre. She looks forward to combining her interests in advocacy, education and policy as the AMS Academic Affairs Commissioner and as an OUSA Steering Committee member this year.

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Sam Minniti – Steering Committee Member (Email)

Sam has been extensively involved in post-secondary education as a student, advocate, and consultant at the provincial and federal level for the past 14 years. Sam graduated from McMaster University in 2003 with a B.Sc. in Life Sciences and with a B.A. in Political Science (Summa Cum Laude) in 2004. During his time as an undergraduate student, Sam was an outstanding and highly effective change agent on campus in his various leadership capacities namely in Residence Life, the Faculty of Science, the McMaster Students Union (MSU), and OUSA. Sam Minniti is currently the Executive Director of the McMaster Association of Part-Time Students at McMaster University. Upon joining OUSA, Sam said, “With OUSA’s proven record of solid research, well written policies, and excellent representation of post-secondary education students, we are excited to be joining such a credible and influential organization that can effectively represent our interests. We are particularly looking forward to raising awareness about the experience of part-time students and mature learners.” Sam lives with his wife in Hamilton, Ontario.

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Sam Andrey – OUSA Executive Director (Email)

Sam Andrey finished his degree in biochemistry at the University of Waterloo, which is where his involvement with OUSA first began as a delegate to General Assemblies. Sam was a Director with UW’s Federation of Students, and a member of the University’s Senate and Board of Governors. He also worked in a research lab for two years, where he discovered his passion for combining research and policy together. Prior to becoming Executive Director in 2011, Sam was the organization’s Director of Research. Sam currently resides in Toronto and enjoys football, politics, and traveling.

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Alvin Tedjo – Director of Communications (Email)

Alvin Tedjo completed his Political Studies degree at Queen’s University, also spending a year at the International Studies Centre in Herstmonceux, England. He worked as a Training Consultant for the City of Mississauga before coming to OUSA. Alvin currently lives in Toronto with his wife and newborn son. He enjoys baseball, triathlons, and lifesaving sport. As the senior staff member after joining the OUSA team in 2009, Alvin is the ‘wise man’ of the home office staff.

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Chris Martin – Director of Research (Email)

Chris is a recent graduate of McMaster University, where he studied political science and film studies. Chris has been actively involved with policy development at OUSA since attending his first general assembly in 2008. Before serving as Director of Research, Chris has been a GA delegate, Steering Committee member and research intern. Prior to his involvement at OUSA, Chris spent time working on Prince Edward Island managing a small bookstore and restaurant. He is excited for the challenges and opportunities that await OUSA in the year ahead.

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Laura Pin – Research Analyst (Email)

Laura Pin finished her M.A. degree in globalization studies at McMaster University, after completing an undergraduate degree in McMaster’s Arts & Science Program.  She has dabbled in research in a number of fields, including biology, Indigenous studies and, of course, public policy. A native of the “Waterfall Capital of the World”, better known as Hamilton, Ontario, Laura has now embraced her adopted city of Toronto. She enjoys reading, ultimate frisbee, running, cycling and the great outdoors.