Isabella Vergara Bedoya, Humber Polytechnic’s student advocate, says the upcoming IGNITE election is a chance to choose a leader who not only exhibits empathy but also values the Humber community.
“I’m sure that there’s a lot of students with great qualities and skills and that’s why I’ll encourage people to take this opportunity and trust themselves. Even for myself in the past, I was like I’m not confident enough to achieve this,” Vergara Bedoya said.
In her first year, she worked for IGNITE as a brand ambassador and later became a brand ambassador assistant where she supported the event manager. She is now IGNITE’s student advocate because she took a chance on herself and desired to help make a change at Humber.
“I will encourage students who maybe are not 100 per cent sure to just (run in the next election), do it to try and if it doesn’t work out, if you’re not elected, that’s okay. Those things happen in life to give you lessons and if you get it and you’re able to become a leader and be part of the change, really take that opportunity and take advantage of it,” Vergara Bedoya said.
Students interested in joining Humber’s Board of Directors can submit their nomination package by Jan.26.
One of IGNITE’s current Board of Directors for the Lakeshore campus, Kartavya Patel, works in Humber’s Fitness Centre and encourages students to take part in IGNITE’s Board of Directors. It's a good opportunity to gain skills that can be applied to real life, he said.
“Many students need the direction and inspiring confidence in their leaders. I feel leadership is the most important,” Patel said.
“Besides leadership, accountability is important. Recently, we have noticed that inclusivity is an important aspect students need in their leaders because it represents a diverse student population and ensures all voices are heard,” he said.
Patel said IGNITE makes many impactful decisions for students through advocating for better student mental health support, extracurricular opportunities, multiple scholarship opportunities and driving change.
One of IGNITE’s current Board of Directors for the North campus, Gabrielle Sterling, said in this position she is most proud of being a part of Humber moving forward as well as in making the student life better.
“Someone who is special, who is enthusiastic, someone who speaks with care would make a good Board of Directors,” Sterling said.
Humber students shared with Humber Et Cetera what kind of qualities they are hoping those running for IGNITE’s Board of Directors will have as well as what issues they wanted taken care of.
Cameron Penman, who is in his first year of Humber’s 3D Animation program, said when considering who he wants on IGNITE’s Board of Directors, he’ll be looking for someone who is really good at communication and understanding others.
“I think I’ll look for people who have their head in the right place and the best interest of the college,” Penman said.
Mikayla Gennaro, a first-year Humber Computer Engineering Technology student, emphasized the need for IGNITE’s Board of Directors to prioritize student mental health.
“I went to York University before and a lot of students struggled with their mental health. I heard from my boyfriend who goes to a different school that he knew someone who wasn’t happy with how their courses were going, was super unhappy and they thought of committing,” Gennaro said.
“He had to help them through it which was really hard for him too. Of course, it was hard for the student who’s suffering as well as their friends and family who had to help and support them,” she said.
IGNITE asked on social media what students want them to advocate for and more all-gender and accessible washrooms as well as more food insecurity events/awareness were other concerns to come up.
However, a concern that was not brought up on social media was education.
When Humber Et Cetera asked IGNITE about advocating for provincial education policies such as raising provincial funding for post-secondary education, the question was brushed off or received a no comment as a response.
IGNITE is part of the Ontario College Student Alliance, a college students advocacy group one can only hope that the new Board of Directors can address these education needs more.
Students can learn more about the nominations process and how they can run for IGNITE’s next Board of Directors, they are encouraged to check out the Nominations 101 Event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan.15 in the E-Concourse on Humber’s North campus or on Jan. 16 on the second floor of the L building at Lakeshore.
