Hello everyone, I’m Khareema, the Vice President of Advocacy at Laurentian University’s Students’ General Assembly (SGA). I’m in my fourth year completing an honours Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Gerontology.
When people hear “advocacy”, many imagine debates, protests, and large meetings. While I believe those approaches are important, my understanding of advocacy has changed deeply over the years. To me, advocacy is not always loud; it is found in the quiet moments. It is checking in on a struggling student who feels alone, helping someone navigate systems they do not understand, recognizing that accessibility needs are not always visible. It is understanding that some students walk into classrooms carrying grief, financial stress, caregiving responsibilities, disabilities, cultural adjustments or mental exhaustion that no one else can see. It is informing students of resources that they did not know existed. My advocacy is rooted in the belief that we should “do good when no one is watching”, especially in these quiet moments.
As an immigrant, frontline healthcare worker and mature, first-generation university student, I understand what it’s like to navigate systems while simultaneously trying to survive them. I understand that many students are balancing work, family responsibilities, health challenges, academics, and more. Students in northern Ontario face unique barriers related to affordability, transportation, housing, healthcare access, and isolation.
This is why I wanted to serve within the SGA and contribute to OUSA’s work. I believe student advocacy should focus not only on policy documents and meetings, but also on people.
I am particularly passionate about accessibility and disability inclusion. Accessibility goes beyond physical accessibility; it also includes comprehension, mental fatigue, and invisible disabilities. My approach to accessibility considers the impact of cultural, language, and financial barriers, as well as whether students truly feel they belong in academic spaces.
My experiences working in long-term care and community support have shaped how I see leadership. I learned that it’s about service, not titles. Some of the most meaningful and impactful work happens when no one is watching.
Beyond campus, I am deeply involved in community work across Sudbury and internationally. I’m the founder of Exhale with Khareema, a community wellness and peer-support initiative focused on healing through conversations and storytelling. I also founded KAFA (Khareema Advocacy for the Aged), a Ghana-based initiative supporting older adults through wellness programs and community outreach. Additionally, I operate +233 Foods & Events, a community engagement initiative that runs programming to promote diversity and cultural connection through food. In every role I am involved with, I hope to create spaces where people feel valued, included and empowered to thrive.
As I begin working with OUSA and continue my student advocacy journey, I have simple desires. I want students to feel closer to student leaders, and for every student, regardless of background or circumstances, to feel represented, respected and valued. After all, advocacy, at its core, is about People.
Thanks for reading, you can contact me at [email protected]