Hi everyone!
My name is Sayak Sneddon-Ghosal (he/him), and I am honoured to be the Vice President of Government & Stakeholder Relations at the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union (WLUSU), and President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). It is a privilege and responsibility I do not take lightly.
This moment feels especially meaningful as I prepare to graduate from Laurier with an Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree. My journey in social work has deepened my commitment to advocacy, equity, and creating intentional spaces where individuals are heard, valued, and empowered. Alongside my passion for politics and social justice, this degree has helped shape my devotion to challenging inequities and pushing for systemic change.
Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of holding various leadership roles within WLUSU. From serving as VP: Programming & Services Brantford (2024-2025), to leading as President of the Bachelor of Social Work Student Association (2023-2024), to being the AVP: Government & Stakeholder Relations Brantford (2023-2024), each position offered me opportunities to advocate for students, plan meaningful programming, and work alongside colleagues with a diverse range of lived experiences. Being a part of WLUSU has given me space to discover myself further, form lifelong connections, and fuel my passion for advocacy rooted in empathy and an intersectional perspective.
I have been endlessly inspired by the incredible students, volunteers, colleagues, and mentors I’ve had the chance to work alongside. Their stories and perspectives have broadened my worldview, challenged me to grow, and continually reminded me of the importance of community-led leadership. In particular, I extend heartfelt gratitude to my two predecessors at WLUSU, Vivian Chiem (OUSA President 2023-2024) and Broderick Norwich. Their unwavering compassion, humility, and guidance have helped shape not just the leader I am, but also the way I love, support, and care for other humans.
Advocacy has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up with two highly educated and politically engaged parents, I learned early on how policies and systems directly impact people’s daily lives. Through my education, personal research, and various experiences on campus, including a placement at Laurier’s Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management, I’ve seen the importance of creating safer spaces, and actively challenging the systems that continue to marginalize and harm students. At OUSA, I look forward to working with our fantastic Steering Committee and Home Office team to amplify student voices and push toward a more accessible, affordable, accountable, high-quality, and equitable post-secondary experience for all students in Ontario.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me with a book in hand — I have a soft spot for fluffy romances and political nonfiction as of late. I also love attending concerts, listening to music, and collecting CDs or records. These small joys keep me grounded and are part of how I practice self-care!
As we head into the year, I am incredibly excited for the opportunities, conversations, and collaborations ahead. I’m incredibly grateful to be here, and I look forward to building relationships with students and student leaders across the province!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’d love to connect, hear your stories, and learn more about the issues that matter most to you. You can reach me at [email protected] or [email protected].