My name is Nathan N. Poon, and I am currently serving a second term as the 55th President of the Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU) for the 2026/27 Academic Year.

I am a fifth-year Computer Science student at MacEwan University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, with a double minor in Political Science and Finance. In my role as President, I lead an Executive Committee of four Vice Presidents and represent more than 20,000 MacEwan students through institutional, community, and government advocacy.

I also serve as a student representative on MacEwan University’s Board of Governors, where I work to ensure student perspectives remain central to key institutional decisions. Throughout my time at MacEwan, I have been deeply involved in campus leadership, including serving as a three-term SAMU Students’ Councillor, a two-term President of the award-winning MacEwan University United Nations Club, and President of the MacEwan University Law Club.

I bring a globally oriented perspective to SAMU through my previous involvement in a multitude of international initiatives. I have previously led award-winning academic delegations abroad for MacEwan students in Ecuador, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, and have chaired Model United Nations diplomatic simulations in Kyoto, Japan and Banff, Alberta.

As SAMU President, I am committed to advancing affordability, strengthening student supports, and building a strong, inclusive, and engaged campus community. I am deeply honoured to once again carry out a mandate on behalf of students for a more affordable, inclusive, and accessible MacEwan University.

I am a third-year Accounting major in the Bachelor of Commerce program at
MacEwan University. Alongside my academic pursuits, I run my own business, where I have developed strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. Through managing clients and overseeing day-to-day operations, I have built a strong sense of accountability, confidence, and the ability to effectively support and lead a team.

I am deeply committed to student engagement and passionate about representing student
voices and enhancing the overall academic experience. As Vice-President Governance and
Finance, I am focused on making fees more affordable, improving club support, and
strengthening food security for students on campus.

Outside of professional and academic work, I enjoy playing volleyball, where I
continue to strengthen my teamwork and collaboration skills. I am dedicated to supporting
students’ needs and bringing positive energy to help build a more connected and inclusive

My name is Alem, and I am excited to serve you as the Vice President External. I study in the Bachelor of Commerce program with a major in Management and double minors in Marketing and Political Science. I have been part of the students’ council for most of my degree, where I had the opportunity to advocate for the student voice in various capacities, and I also had the honour of being named Councillor of the Year by my peers.

Throughout my time at MacEwan, I have been an ambassador, a volunteer, and the co-founder of the MacEwan Chess Fellowship. You may have seen me working at the Makerspace, advocating for students as a Student Councillor and Vice President Student Life, or attending events hosted by our amazing student groups. I also worked at the Makerspace as a tech tutor, where  I  represented MacEwan staff as a board member of the MacEwan Staff Union and served two full terms as a member representative. In my previous role in the students’ council, I championed student engagement, accountability, affordability, mental health, and inclusivity.

As Vice President External, I will work hard to address barriers that limit students from having the best university experience possible, such as affordability and mental health challenges, and to ensure every student feels empowered to make the most of their university experience. In addition, I will advocate for the student voice to leaders across government and external stakeholders in good faith to ensure that students’ wants and needs are addressed appropriately. If you’d like to learn more about me, feel free to visit Alemtesfay.ca . Let’s build a stronger, more connected student community together!

Hi! I’m Elizabeth Russell, your Vice President Student Life. I previously held leadership positions as VP of Relations for the MacEwan University Commerce Club, VP of Marketing for the MacEwan University Economics Club, a Students’ Councillor, and chair of the Students’ Council Audit Committee. Through these experiences, I developed an understanding of what SAMU offers students and the value it adds to their mental well-being, personal development, and academic performance.

Apart from school, I am an active member of the local Hellenic community, where I sit on the board of my dance group as the Director of Social Media and volunteer as a dance instructor at a Hellenic language school. Through these roles, I get to embrace, celebrate, and share my culture, which I believe enriches the broader community.

I ran for Vice President of Student Life because I have firsthand experience of what student involvement and leadership have done for me. It shaped my confidence, it gave me a sense of belonging, and greatly improved my mental health.

As the Vice President Student Life, I promise to advocate for students’ well-being, inclusive and diverse spaces, and meaningful opportunities. I am deeply honoured to represent SAMU and advocate for an enhanced student experience, and I remain committed to serving the students’ best interests.

Hello! My name is Chioma Uzor, and I am pleased to be able to serve you as Vice President Academic at SAMU for the 2026/2027 academic year!

Upon developing an interest in inclusive undergraduate environments and mental health supports, I am passionate about the foundations of learning and ensuring you get the most out of your learning experience.

I believe that students deserve transparency in the systems and programs set up for their learning, an affordable approach to the academic supports offered to them, and an accessible avenue to student-first procedures that can be used across various areas of student representation. I love to spend a lot of time on campus– but in my free time I love to listen to music, jazz, and afro-house in particular. I also enjoy cooking and baking, exploring new art mediums, and doing my own hair! Right now, I’m learning to create resin jewelry, and I look forward to teaching myself the alto saxophone.

You deserve an accessible and clear student support system–I am determined to continue to advocate for this on behalf of MacEwan students. You deserve to take advantage of your university experience to the fullest potential to reach the utmost success in your degree!

savpacademic@macewan.ca