EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTION 2023
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTION 2023
Meet your 2023 executive committee candidates!
PRESIDENT
Hello! I’m Gabriel Ambutong (he/him). I’ve been a dedicated member of our Students’ Council since last year, and I’m honoured to serve my 2nd term as your elected representative. I’m looking forward to getting into law school with a major in Political Science. You might recognize me as the President of the Investment Club, Vice President Internal of the FentaNIL Project (overdose mitigation group), and a Founder and President of the Chess Fellowship Student Group. As demonstrated by my involvement, I believe in fostering an engaged community and enhancing the undergraduate experience. My priorities include financial stress alleviation, community engagement, and inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance programs. I have no doubt that my experiences will aid me in providing strategic oversight, championing good governance, and representing the Student Voice. YOU are my priority. Thank you!
VICE PRESIDENT GOVERNACE & FINANCE
Hello everyone! I am campaigning to be your SAMU Vice President Governance and Finance. Since our return to an in-person campus in the Fall 2021 semester, I’ve strived to be more active within the SAMU and MacEwan community, so I got involved in Students’ Council, Ambassador Program, First-Year Mentorship Program, Tour Guide Program, and I am a Founder and Executive of The Chess Fellowship, to name a few. From this involvement, I have gained skills like effective communication, facilitation of good governance, and organizational knowledge of SAMU and MacEwan. If elected, my goals are to prioritize the overall presence and accountability of SAMU’s elected representatives by reflecting that within updated policies, bylaws, or procedures, and continue to implement proper financial oversight to push forward the new frontier of MacEwan’s campus culture – resulting in the promotion that SAMU is an effective and impactful students’ association with students’ interests their top priority.
VICE PRESIDENT EXTERNAL
Hello! I am one of fourteen student councillors at our university and am running for Vice President External. I have become involved in student governance to positively impact the lives of all students through policy change and decision-making. I immensely enjoy my time on campus. Being a part of the Leadership and Review Committee and multiple student groups, including the chess, debate, supply chain, HURDE, and newly formed dragon boat racing club. As a councillor, I have been made aware of the numerous student advocacy groups in Alberta, CAUS, ASEC and ab-GPAC. Meeting with and learning about these groups has led to invaluable information on my road to becoming Vice President External. If elected, I know that I have the correct skill sets to effectively develop and implement the policy and political action required to meet & exceed the wants and needs of students here at MacEwan University.
Hey there! My name is Ismaeel El-Hakim and I am excited to be applying for the SAMU executive role of Vice President External. I am currently a 4th year Bachelor of Science student here at MacEwan University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in sociology. I’ve been actively involved in MacEwan student life from being employed at SAMU for the previous two academic years to working for the Office of Research Services. Through these opportunities I’ve had the pleasure of meeting students from a wide array of programs, and it has been made clear to me that students require more immediate supports. My plans if elected will include championing students’ needs for greater mental health and food support on campus. I also plan to work with the elected Vice President Student Life to provide more health & wellness education for students!
VICE PRESIDENT STUDENT LIFE
Hi, I’m Cierra Jacobs (she/her) and I am running for Vice President Student Life! I’m a first-generation learner in my third year, double majoring in psychology and philosophy. You may have seen me around campus attending Chess Fellowship events, SAMU events, and I am especially privileged to have been elected for Students’ Council this term. These experiences have drastically improved my undergrad experience post-covid and I believe every student can benefit from an involved university experience. I am drawn to the VPSL position because it is the point of contact for such non-academic services, programs, and events for SAMU students. If elected, I will utilize the leadership skills I’ve acquired to advocate for and improve the student experience. I hope to increase engagement in non-academic affairs and maintain a welcome community for all members of SAMU by listening to the student voice and promoting the accessibility to these resources.
We may have met in the SAMU building If I had provided free food, hosted events, or assisted you as a volunteer. If not, my name is Inder Singh! I am a fifth-year honours molecular biology student minoring in psychology. Throughout my degree, I have noticed a need for more student awareness and engagement towards events and increased concerns surrounding physical and mental health, campus safety, and equity and inclusion. However, like how our cells communicate with one another to thrive, communication between students, staff, and faculty fosters an integrated and supportive campus community. As VPSL, I will directly communicate with students to improve programming and services for student needs, liaise with faculty and staff to promote student voices and collaborate with internal services to increase student engagement on campus. Doing everything I can, I will create significant change and remove barriers to provide you with everything you deserve!
VICE PRESIDENT ACADEMIC
My name is Nathan Poon, and I’m running to be your SAMU VP Academic for the 2023/2024 term. I’m a 2nd year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Statistics. Throughout my time at MacEwan, I’ve engaged with a plethora of wonderful students, have been a proud member of various student groups, and have volunteered at various events promoting the MacEwan spirit. My campaign is calling for a critical Student First action plan. MacEwan has estimated that its student body will grow to 30,000 by 2030. As a result, it is now more crucial than ever to ensure that increased rights, resources, and opportunities are in place for current and future students. It is essential to me that the student’s voice is amplified at every level. If elected, I will ensure that all of the students here at MacEwan are academically represented to the highest degree.
Hi there,
I’m Stephan Vasquez and I’m rerunning to be your Vice President Academic. I’ve served this role from 2022-2023 and want to keep delivering evidence-based advocacy, increasing student affordability, and delivering more equity, diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) initiatives on campus. Last term, I focused on increasing EDI and affordability at MacEwan. I launched or participated in generating several surveys & focus groups to determine what barriers or gaps to your financial security exist and how to best address them. These projects were the Tuition and Fees Focus group 2022, Indigenous Learner’s Circle project, and Student Affordability Response survey. Since 2022, I’ve worked on textbook affordability through the Textbook Cost-Indicator Program. I have worked with both faculty champions, my counterparts at other post-secondary institutions, and our library to create a road map to implementing this project for 2023. I’m hoping to continue this work as your VPA in 2023-2024!
Make your voice heard.
Voting links are provided to all MyMacEwan emails. Just search “Executive Committee 2023 Election” in your inbox to cast your vote.
Your vote matters
You have a voice! Voting in Student Elections ensures you are heard when deciding:
- SAMU’s Annual Budget
- External communications and relationships with local and provincial governments
- Student advocacy and engagement opportunities
- Representation of your interests within MacEwan University
- Many more aspects of student life!

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.SAMU Programs aim to provide students with activities and opportunities to learn about wellbeing, as well as raising awareness about various resources available to students, both in and outside the MacEwan community.
Our mission is to provide ongoing and one-off programming with the direct aim to improve the long-term wellbeing of MacEwan students and their community.
SAMU Programs consist of the Student Refugee Program (SRP), StressLess, Sustainability, SAMU Cares, and Artworks. SAMU Programs also runs a variety of other programming and interactive campaigns, blog posts, hands out wellness bags, and organizes activities that fall under two umbrellas of focus – Wellbeing and Community.
Please note, all SAMU programming is subject to change as we respond to updates and guidelines for COVID-19.
Programs Manager
norteym@macewan.ca
Community Assistant
SAcommunity@macewan.ca
Wellbeing Assistant
SAwellbeing@macewan.ca
Stress is a common and normal issue for a student to experience. It can be the result of any number of problems.
Signs of stress can be physical, emotional, or behavioural. Some common symptoms of feeling stressed include:
Sleep problems
Irritability
Headaches
Anxiety
Indecisiveness
Stress is the result of an imbalance between demands and coping strategies. When the demands placed on us are greater than our ability to cope with them, we experience stress.
The key to handling stress is to regain balance by increasing our coping strategies to deal with the demands. When we look at coping, we want to be doing things that are both external and internal. It is essential to develop a strong social system, break up your routine, take care of your body, and ask for help when needed.
Stress is a common and normal issue for a student to experience. It can be the result of any number of problems.
Signs of stress can be physical, emotional, or behavioural. Some common symptoms of feeling stressed include:
Sleep problems
Irritability
Headaches
Anxiety
Indecisiveness
Stress is the result of an imbalance between demands and coping strategies. When the demands placed on us are greater than our ability to cope with them, we experience stress.
The key to handling stress is to regain balance by increasing our coping strategies to deal with the demands. When we look at coping, we want to be doing things that are both external and internal. It is essential to develop a strong social system, break up your routine, take care of your body, and ask for help when needed.
Stress is a common and normal issue for a student to experience. It can be the result of any number of problems.
Signs of stress can be physical, emotional, or behavioural. Some common symptoms of feeling stressed include:
Sleep problems
Irritability
Headaches
Anxiety
Indecisiveness
Stress is the result of an imbalance between demands and coping strategies. When the demands placed on us are greater than our ability to cope with them, we experience stress.
The key to handling stress is to regain balance by increasing our coping strategies to deal with the demands. When we look at coping, we want to be doing things that are both external and internal. It is essential to develop a strong social system, break up your routine, take care of your body, and ask for help when needed.
Stress is a common and normal issue for a student to experience. It can be the result of any number of problems.
Signs of stress can be physical, emotional, or behavioural. Some common symptoms of feeling stressed include:
Sleep problems
Irritability
Headaches
Anxiety
Indecisiveness
Stress is the result of an imbalance between demands and coping strategies. When the demands placed on us are greater than our ability to cope with them, we experience stress.
The key to handling stress is to regain balance by increasing our coping strategies to deal with the demands. When we look at coping, we want to be doing things that are both external and internal. It is essential to develop a strong social system, break up your routine, take care of your body, and ask for help when needed.
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Jane Smith | Third Year, Political Science
Student Refugee Program
Each term, $2.50 of your student fees goes towards supporting SAMU’s Student Refugee Program (SRP). Working with World University Service of Canada (WUSC), SRP funds the tuition and housing of a refugee student for four years. With the help of a local committee group made up of students and staff, SAMU ensures all the sponsored student’s needs are met throughout their time at MacEwan.
Questions? Email norteym@macewan.ca

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Questions? Email norteym@macewan.ca