Hi, Brentajah here! I am the Vice President of External Affairs for the Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA) and a Business Administration student at Trent University.
I was motivated to pursue student government when I joined the TDSA as an Executive Assistant in 2025. Through that experience, I witnessed firsthand how much involvement students have in shaping conversations, advocating for change, and building systems that directly impact their lives. My time in this role opened my eyes to the world of student advocacy and showed me that students are not simply participants at their institutions; they are leaders!
Like many, I initially viewed student government as something reserved for a certain “kind” of student. I didn’t realize how collaborative, impactful, and multi-perspective-driven the work really is. As an Executive Assistant, I found that a lot of the information I was learning would have benefited me, had I been exposed to it earlier in my post-secondary journey. This is what inspired me to pursue the role of Vice President of External Affairs. I want to help students navigate spaces that often feel unfamiliar or inaccessible, and bridge the existing knowledge gaps between students and the systems designed to support them.
My advocacy interests are rooted in student success, equity, and accessibility. I am especially passionate about student employment because I understand how important accessible opportunities and support systems are in helping students grow both professionally and personally. I have benefited from the systems in place to help students succeed, so I believe it is important to advocate for policies and initiatives that protect and strengthen them for future students.
I am also passionate about affordability, accessibility, and ensuring that diverse student experiences are represented within advocacy work. As a newer voice within both my union and the student advocacy sector, I believe I bring a perspective that remains closely connected to the current student experience. I understand the uncertainty that comes with navigating institutional systems, and I know that perspective will help close the gap between students and governance spaces that often feel intimidating and difficult to access. Every student experiences post-secondary education differently, and I feel strongly that meaningful advocacy requires listening to those varied experiences and creating space for all voices to be heard.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to reach out at [email protected]