Kennedy Durrell-Vander Meulen

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

I am a good fit for the position of Student Governor due to my passion for politics and my connection to the student body. Firstly, politics has always been a significant part of my life. When I was 6 years old, I was already active in politics, door knocking with my Mom when she ran for City Councillor. I have always made an effort to seek out political opportunities.
In high school, I was elected head of my school’s Fed Prov club, which is a political simulation based on Model UN.
This board would be an opportunity to further engage in different forms of collective decision making. Moreover, the role of Student Governor requires someone who can accurately represent the student body. My experience thus far in my program has connected me to many different faculties. My major, Astrophysics, has integrated me into the faculty of Science while also connecting me to the Faculty of Engineering through shared math courses. Additionally, I am taking a minor in Political Science which bridges me to the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs. In summary, my interest in political proceedings and commitment to the student voice will allow me to represent the undergraduate body with confidence and inclusion.

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

I know I have a lot to offer as a candidate due to my prior experience in various roles. Last march I was chosen to attend Forum for Young Canadians here in Ottawa. This week-long conference was an educational experience focused on everything from the proceedings of the upper and lower houses to how the government formulates treaties. We were given the opportunity to interact with community leaders and elected officials and to run our own internal election. I learned so much about networking, about the details of parliamentary proceedings, and I had the honour of being elected Prime Minister by my peers in our mock election. This experience allowed me to hone my professionalism in a political setting, preparing me in this way for a position on the Board of Governors.
In addition, I am more than capable of managing multiple priorities effectively. Throughout high school, I was a student athlete. I’ve played club volleyball and rugby while also working at a local upscale restaurant. This helped develop excellent time management and efficiency on top of excellent teamwork skills and consistent professionalism. I have also developed my communication and professional capabilities through my past employment. I believe these experiences have made me well-suited to contributing greatly to the Board.

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?

I would love to be a part of the Board for the networking opportunities as well as my own personal development. I am delighted at the prospect of having a mentor and would greatly value the opportunity to learn from the many community leaders involved. As mentioned prior, I’ve always had an interest in politics. Since I’ve been little and sitting in on my mom’s city council meetings, court proceedings and formalities have always fascinated me. Even since coming to Ottawa I’ve made an effort to attend Question Period. To me, this board would be an incredible opportunity to not only observe but partake in my university’s governance.