This summer, OUSA is thrilled to welcome three interns, Olivia Gillespie, Chavi Karunagoda, and Chanice Olokesusi. Keep reading to learn more about the newest additions to Home Office!
Olivia Gillespie (she/her) – Research and Policy Intern
Hi everyone! My name is Olivia Gillespie, and I’m so excited to share that I will be joining OUSA as a Research Intern this summer!
My interest in student advocacy and policy work started with a “why not?” moment during my first year at Brock University. I applied to represent the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) at OUSA’s General Assembly in Waterloo without fully knowing what to expect. That experience completely changed my perspective on how much influence student voices can have in shaping policy. Being surrounded by student leaders who were advocating for student needs in post-secondary education showed me how powerful representation and advocacy can be.
Since then, I’ve become increasingly involved in student leadership. I have served as Vice Chair of the BUSU Board of Directors, attended additional OUSA conferences, and participated in efforts like OSAP advocacy. I believe financial aid should be accessible to students because no one’s financial situation should prevent them from pursuing post-secondary education. Those experiences showed me how evidence-based advocacy can lead to meaningful change, while also strengthening my passion for amplifying student voices.
I just completed the second year of my Bachelor of Arts (hons.) in Psychology and Political Science at Brock. I’ve really enjoyed learning how psychology helps explain human behaviour and decision-making, while the political science portion of my degree allows me to focus on how ideas and systems can be put into practice. I’m especially passionate about student mental health and ensuring that students are heard when decisions directly affect their experiences.
A few fun facts about me: I’ve been to 25 concerts, I love travelling (and I’m heading to Europe this summer!), and I’ve played soccer since I was 2 years old.
I’m really looking forward to learning from the OUSA team and contributing to work that supports students across Ontario. I’m excited to see where this opportunity leads :)
Chavi Karunagoda (she/her) – Research and Policy Intern
Hi everyone. My name is Chavi, and I’m one of the Research Interns for OUSA this summer! I’m really excited to be joining the organization!
I started becoming involved in student advocacy work in high school, when I helped provide affordable food for Laurier Students. It was because of this work that I developed a passion for addressing food insecurity in post-secondary spaces. It was impactful to help students not have to worry about their next meal on top of their rent, tuition, and the other costs that come along with being a university student. I eventually went on to join the Laurier Student Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG), the non-profit that oversees those affordable food programs; a group that I am still a part of today! Outside of food security initiatives, LSPIRG also has programs that help students who have been overlooked in the past, such as queer students or students from visible minority groups. Working at OUSA is the perfect ‘next step’ for me because of the amazing work they do advocating for students' needs while also thinking about the kinds of people who actually make up these spaces.
Since starting my bachelor's degree in Public Health at the University of Waterloo, I’ve started to see how closely education policy ties into broader social and health outcomes. Being a student myself, it's easy to see the impact of decisions made by governments or university leadership. My degree has also exposed me to other aspects of public health, like safety and well-being. For my first internship, I worked at the Region of Waterloo. Here, I did research to help start the Region’s first anti-hate awareness campaign. I then went on to work at the Future Cities Institute, where I looked into Canada’s needs surrounding energy, housing, and transportation. That experience was especially exciting for me because public transit is a big passion of mine, and I hope to bring that interest to the work that I do at OUSA.
Some fun facts about me are that I was born in Sri Lanka and came to Canada in 2012, I’m a big Tragically Hip fan, and my favourite food is Japanese curry.
I can’t wait to start my work with OUSA and be a part of such a respected and important organization!
Chanice Olokesusi (She/Her) – Advocacy and Communications Intern
Hello everyone! My name is Chanice Olokesusi (she/her), and I am very excited to be this summer’s Advocacy and Communications Intern with OUSA!
Through advocacy experiences I had in high school, such as doing equity and inclusion work for racialized students with the Hamilton public school board, I saw the positive impact of amplifying underrepresented voices in the city. This experience was inspiring, and it sparked my passion for advocacy.
Increasing socio-economic equity in my community has been my guiding compass in my professional work. The opportunity to join OUSA’s mission to improve education for post-secondary students is meaningful work that I am excited to contribute to. What drew me to the communications role was my love for creative photography and videography, a passion that I have had since a young age. This interest has continued to evolve during my professional marketing and communications endeavours. Recently, I helped to highlight diverse student experiences through video storytelling as a Content Assistant for McMaster’s Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs team. This role further reinforced my passion for using media as a tool for representation and empowerment. Throughout my years, I have seen how the intersection between advocacy and digital media can be powerful for bringing forth change, and I am excited to be immersed in this synergy within this role.
Through the McMaster Students’ Union (MSU), I have gained hands-on advocacy experience through projects with the Municipal Affairs Committee. Here, I worked on a housing campaign and downtown revitalization initiatives. I have also co-authored a policy paper focused on improving public transportation. It was meaningful to research and speak on an issue that so closely impacts the student experience. Through the MSU, I was a delegate for OUSA's 2025 Fall General Assembly at Laurentian University. Here, I expanded my knowledge of policy work and contributed to discussions about improving the university experience for mature students and Indigenous students.
I have just completed my third year of the Integrated Business and Humanities program at McMaster University, and I am excited about what is to come in terms of communications and advocacy work that betters my community. This summer, I am looking forward to lots of hiking – I am hoping to chase as many waterfalls as I can find!