Hi everyone! My name is Racheal Reddy (she/her), and I am the 2026-2027 Commissioner of External Affairs for the Alma Mater Society (AMS) at Queen's University, serving as Queen's representative on OUSA's Steering Committee.
I am heading into my fourth (and final!) year at Queen's, where I study Psychology while completing a Certificate in Law. I have always been fascinated by the intersection of people, policy, and systems, and how those systems can either empower or disadvantage the people they are meant to serve.
My interest in advocacy started back in middle school. I attended a small French-language school and became involved in one of the few student groups dedicated to addressing the inequities affecting students across our school board. With support from our teachers, we organized with students from other schools, wrote letters to government officials, and advocated for issues that often went unnoticed in an underfunded institution. Looking back, those experiences taught me that meaningful change does not always start with power or resources. Sometimes it starts with a few people refusing to accept that a problem should be ignored.
That experience sparked my interest in law, and I eventually began working at a law firm. Over time, I moved beyond administrative work and began helping clients navigate complex legal and policy issues. What stood out to me most was how inaccessible many systems feel to those who rely on them. When people are already dealing with stressful situations, understanding complicated rules, policies, and procedures can be overwhelming. I found a lot of purpose in helping bridge that gap.
When I came to Queen's, I wanted to continue that work in a different capacity, which led me to student government. Before becoming Commissioner of External Affairs, I served in the Secretariat's Office, where I oversaw the civic, governance, and judicial branches of the AMS. Through elections, Assembly operations, and judicial processes, I developed a deep appreciation for the structures that allow student representation to function effectively. More importantly, I saw firsthand how much impact student leaders can have when they are committed to serving their peers.
That experience ultimately led me to External Affairs. As Commissioner, I have the opportunity to advocate directly on behalf of more than 20,000 undergraduate students while working on issues that extend beyond campus. Whether the topic is affordability, housing, accessibility, or student wellbeing, I am passionate about ensuring that students not only have a seat at the table but also understand how policy decisions affect their everyday lives.
Outside of work and school, I enjoy slowing things down a little. You will usually find me walking by the lake, spending time with my cat, going for long drives, or riding my motorcycle whenever I get the chance.
I am incredibly excited for the year ahead and look forward to advancing student advocacy alongside the other student leaders, hopefully leaving OUSA a little stronger than we found it.
Thanks for reading, you can contact me at [email protected]