May 25, 2026
Blog
Interested in writing for OUSA? Contact Tobi Olumurewa, our Manager of Communications.
Introducing the 2024-2025 SC VP Admin & HR, Maya Hobbs!
Hello! My name is Maya Hobbs (she/her) and I am the Vice-President (Education) for the McMaster Students Union (MSU) and the Vice-President Administration and Human Resources for OUSA.
Fake it Till You Make it…? Unpacking Imposter Syndrome
A while back, I got a compliment from one of my best friends on some OUSA work I’d done. Instinctively, I laughed it off and said “fake it till you make it!” because I didn’t feel deserving of the praise and so, I tried to downplay my efforts. Moments later as I hyper-analyzed the interaction (because yes, I can be that kind of person), I thought to myself “Why did I say that? I succeeded in that work because I was genuinely confident in my ability to be an advocate. So…why did I act like it was nothing?”
Introducing Michelle Wodchis-Johnson, OUSA President and Western USC VP of External Affairs
Hello!
My name is Michelle Wodchis-Johnson and I’m the Vice President of External Affairs at Western University Students’ Council (USC), and it truly is an honour to say that I will also be serving as your OUSA President for this upcoming year!
Introducing Abishane Suthakaran, Manager of Research and Policy
Hi everyone! My name is Abi (Abishane) Suthakaran (she/her), and I am very excited to join OUSA as a Manager of Research and Policy!
Vivian's Last Presidential Update: May 2024
For the last time, hi and hello! Happy Asian and Jewish Heritage Month!
I cannot believe that we are here at the very end of my term. Before I indulge in my sentimentality, here is what OUSA has been up to this month.
We recently partnered with the Ontario Legislative Internship Program (OLIP), where graduates get an opportunity to work closely with MPPs and support them with their legislative affairs. Our ED, Malika, met with the interns to give a presentation about OUSA and answer any questions they had about the organization, as well as our approach to student advocacy. We are excited to maintain our partnership with this dedicated group of young leaders!
Going beyond promoting counselling services to create a culture of care: Reflections from the CICMH Annual International Student Summit
I had the opportunity to attend the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) conference on improving international students’ experience in the Canadian post-secondary space. This was an incredibly enriching opportunity that sparked many reflections on my own experience, both when I first came to Canada as a new international student, and my experience now as a student leader.
Presidential Update April 2024
Hi folks, we meet again!
April has come and gone, and I am feeling bittersweet reflecting on such an important month.
Firstly, we got to celebrate the work that the post-secondary education sector has done and continues to do at our 17th annual Partners in Higher Education Dinner (PiHED) in Toronto! It was so lovely to see everyone across the sector dress up in their best gear for a night of fun. We were pleased to welcome Minister Dunlop to the event, who provided opening remarks (and took over our 0.5 tradition with her selfie) as well as Dr. Laura Mae Lindo who gave a very impactful and empowering keynote address for our guests. The night was a huge success and we’re excited to continue working with our partners to prioritize student issues. A massive shoutout to Tiffany, OUSA’s rockstar Ops and Comms Coordinator who planned and executed PiHED!
Introducing Khoi Luu, Summer 2024 Research Intern
Hey everyone! My name is Khoi, and I’m really excited to be OUSA’s Research Intern this summer!!!
I just finished my 2nd year at Huron (one of Western’s affiliated colleges) double-majoring in Psychology and Business.
I was fortunate to work as the Wellness Peer Educator for Huron in the 2023-2024 school year, and this role allowed me to connect deeply with people from all walks of life on campus. Since the beginning of my time in undergrad, I have always found great fulfillment through empathizing and supporting others around me. Joining OUSA as the Research Intern is an incredible opportunity that will allow me to use my research skills to make further positive differences in the lives of those around me.
Introducing Bianca Giacoboni, Summer 2024 Communications & Advocacy Intern
Hello! My name is Bianca Giacoboni (she/her) and I am very excited to say that I am the 2024 Communications and Advocacy intern for the summer at OUSA!
I recently wrapped up my undergraduate degree this past semester at McMaster University, majoring in Honours Political Science! It has been an amazing time at McMaster to explore my aspirations and interests in so many different fields and be introduced to OUSA along the way through classes and extracurriculars. I was previously involved with OUSA as a blog writer earlier in the year with a piece titled “Does Every Political Science Student Go Down the “Pre-Law” Drain?”, and I am so grateful to be back in my summer position!
Youth Have What it Takes - Let Them do the Talking
Stuck to the keyboard pad of my laptop is a floral sticker with a message reminding me that I “have what it takes.” Even now that I am wrapping up my term as Vice President, External Affairs for the Brock University Students’ Union, this sticker continues to serve as a much-needed reminder that although I still have a lot to learn and a lot of room to grow, I am heading in the right direction. This sticker is the first thing I see when I open my laptop in the morning, and the last thing I look at before closing my laptop for the night. I have what it takes, and I am writing to let you know that you do too.