Hey everyone, my name is Austin Hurley. I'm the Vice President of External Affairs for the Brock University Students' Union (BUSU) and the representative for Brock students on OUSA's Steering Committee this year.
A little background on who I am:
I'm originally from Sault Ste. Marie, but I have lived across Canada, from Edmonton, Alberta to St. Catharines, Ontario, where I currently call home. Moving around as much as I did while growing up proved difficult, but the life lessons, experiences and skills I've acquired have made me grateful for the experience.
In addition to serving as the VP of External Affairs at BUSU, I am also a student. Over the next year, I will continue pursuing my degree in Kinesiology and may pursue a minor in either Psychology or Political Science. In my free time, I enjoy biking and hiking around the Brock Campus, which is located on a UNESCO Biosphere! If it's a rainy day, you're more likely to find me reading a book with a cup of herbal tea or watching Tom Hanks movies.
When it comes to advocacy, I strive to ensure every student has equitable access to the best education possible. To this end, my advocacy priorities are student financial aid, student health and wellness, and the modernization of post-secondary education. I will continue to advocate for student financial aid to ensure that every student can fund their post-secondary education and afford tuition. Student health and wellness - specifically mental health- is another significant priority for me. I believe that students should have access to mental health resources to ensure an equitable and sustainable atmosphere for learning. Lastly, I'm interested in how technology and technological advances can change the way we learn.
After spending over a year amid a pandemic, we finally have a light at the end of the tunnel. This next year will be one of transition, and I am ready to represent our students to ensure that they have the best possible support for our return to campuses. I am absolutely thrilled to serve alongside some amazing student leaders advocating for the best post-secondary sector possible, and I can't wait to see what this year has in store for us.