Jacky Chan

Undergraduate Student

Question 1: I believe that I would be an excellent candidate to be considered as a Student Governor because:

As students navigate a cost of living crisis and a challenging job market, my goal is to serve as a student liaison to the university administration and advocate for an educational experience that delivers a high standard of service while creating opportunities that extend well beyond students’ time at Carleton. As an OSAP recipient, I understand the pressures of financial planning, balancing academics with work and extracurriculars, as well as managing the demands of university life.

Having grown up in a multicultural and diverse area of Toronto, I am passionate about supporting young people from all backgrounds and experiences. If elected to the Board of Governors, I will aim to ensure that student perspectives are meaningfully considered in policymaking, budgeting, and other corporate governance processes.

Question 2: I have the following skills and experiences which would be beneficial in my role as Student Governor:

As your candidate, I bring a breadth of leadership experience within the Carleton community and beyond. Having previously served as a Student Senator and worked as a Communications and Administrative Assistant with Carleton’s Governance Office, I have developed a strong understanding of both academic and corporate governance at the university. From class sizes to health and wellness services, I will draw on this knowledge to effectively advocate for student priorities during a time of fiscal restraint.

As a Student Governor, I will use my leadership experience to represent the views and concerns of the undergraduate student body. During my time on Senate, I engaged in substantive debates and discussions, including advocating for increased student representation on key academic policy committees. As a Year Representative on the PAPM Students’ Society, I led wellness initiatives that involved collaboration with internal and external partners. I also served as a Councillor on the Rideau River Residence Association, sitting on the Finance Committee, where I reviewed the non-profit’s budget and championed the responsible use of student fees.

My experience on two Senate committees, the Senate Committee on Curriculum, Admissions and Studies Policy and the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Student Awards, has given me a deep understanding of the processes involved in shaping admissions, curriculum, and awards policies. On the undergraduate awards committee, I advocated for improvements to the scholarship application process to make it more accessible for student applicants.

Beyond campus, I have gained diverse professional experience in the federal public service, most recently contributing to strategic communications initiatives at the Senate of Canada.

Question 3: If elected to the Board, what would you like to gain from the experience and/or what skills would you like to further develop?

As a student with a deep interest in public service and corporate social responsibility, I am eager to learn more about the role and functioning of boards in the public sector. Through this volunteer opportunity, I hope to further develop my leadership skills and expand my network so I can continue giving back to the Carleton community and beyond.

Through ongoing consultations and dialogue, I will strive to advocate for student priorities while balancing the broader interests of the university and contributing to strong, accountable governance at Carleton University.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my candidacy for the Board of Governors.