Hey!
My name is Lindsee Perkins and I’m excited to introduce myself as OUSA’s Vice President Human Resources and Administration for this upcoming year. As I graduate from Western University’s Management and Organizational Studies program with a specialization in Human Resources, I look forward to bringing everything I’ve learned to this role.
Since I was young, I’ve always been commended on my ability to stay positive and involved. I loved making new friends, going to school events and being committed to more than just the classroom. As such, it was a natural step for me to run for a high school student council position. However, after a contentious race and an extensive ballot tallying process I discovered then that being involved was about a lot more than just putting your name forward. Taking part in that election was my first step into student politics- my first experience rallying students, hearing feedback and working to create a better learning experience.
After graduating high school and starting at Western I once again was forced to confront what I thought “student involvement” really meant. One cold January afternoon I got a call from an upper-year student encouraging me to join a University Students’ Council president’s campaign team. Through that experience, I witnessed the potential of unbridled student involvement – to inspire, to lead and to change. After that year I made it a priority to tap into that potential, taking on leaderships roles with my faculty students’ council, the student-run Health and Wellness Committee and the University Students’ Council.
All these decisions have now led me here – to OUSA. Students may not always realize it, but this organization offers something that is hard to come by. OUSA is a collection of individuals, both student and otherwise who (like myself) have recognized the potential of the student voice. I applied for this role because I could not pass up the opportunity to combine my background in human resources with my passion for advocating for students. I wanted to take part in the important conversations happening around the province- conversations about the quality of education, about student experiences, and about barriers that postsecondary students continue to face.
So be sure to have those conversations – with me, with OUSA’s Home Office staff, with the other Steering Committee members. No matter how you get involved, remember that your opinions matter because, just as I discovered in my high school election those years ago, we all have a role to play if we’re willing to put the work in.
Thank you,
Lindsee Perkins