Student Focus

Students’ Association Council Elections – Meet Your Candidates!

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

The nomination period has officially closed for this year’s 2023-2024 Students’ Association Council Elections, and we’re excited to introduce you to the elections candidates!

Jonn Olsen
Jonn Olsen – Running for President

Jonn is currently enrolled in his first year of the Business Administration program. After being exposed to the various courses within the business program he has decided in his second year to specialize in the accounting field.

Prior to attending ACC, Jonn was employed by Canadian Pacific Railway in the position of Train Conductor. During his five years of employment with the railway Jonn was responsible for the safe and efficient operation of trains under his authority. These responsibilities included adhering to government regulations and all company requirements. Jonn was able to gain valuable work experience in relation to work scheduling and task organization through this position. In addition to this experience, he developed excellent teamwork skills as required to achieve successful completion of his assignments when working with fellow employees in other departments.

Jonn has acquired valuable personal assets with the real-world work experience he has obtained. He has a strong interest in working with and motivating others. This was demonstrated this year through his participation on the Design Thinking Team.

As President, Jonn hopes to engage with his fellow students and ensure they’re aware and taking full advantage of all the services offered by ACCSA, and to be available to them should any guidance or assistance be required by anyone.

 

Amber Johnson
Amber Gail Johnson – Running for VP of Operations

My name is Amber Johnson, and I am a first year Business Administration student at ACC specializing in Accounting. I am returning to college after 10+ years working in various roles of leadership within business. I have experience serving on and reporting to executive boards, and managing business operations including the development and maintenance of bylaws and policy/procedures. Utilizing my financial management background I can offer my expertise to the financial oversight of the ACCSA. I would offer a high level of organization, practical knowledge, and leadership skills to the Student Association if chosen. I would be honored to be considered as a candidate for the Vice President of Operations position, where I will serve, support, connect and encourage the Assiniboine Community College student body in their goals for academic success.

Ariel Cummer
Ariel Cummer – Running for VP of Operations

Hello, my name is Ariel Cummer, I am a first-year business administration student specializing in financial services. Before this program, I was in my third year of the Bachelor of Education Program at BU. I, unfortunately, did not finish but hope to maybe one day go back. I am a strong believer in doing what’s best for you and that is exactly what I did. I have a lot of previous experience working in customer service roles. So, I know the importance of putting others’ needs first. I am an individual who likes to be on the go and is always thinking of others before myself. If elected I will listen to your voices and make sure that your needs are met!

Now that the boring stuff is over. When I am not at school or work. You can find me hanging out with friends, family, or my two-year-old German Shepherd Koda. Having a puppy is a handful but it definitely keeps me on my toes. I want to thank you for taking the time to consider me as Vice President of Operations and look forward to meeting you.

Dee Taylor-John
Dee Taylor-John – Running for VP of Diversity & Inclusion

My name is Dee and I moved back to Brandon to attend school here at Assiniboine. I am currently in my first year of the Social Service Worker program. Last year I served on the council as the 2SLGBTQIA+ representative and feel that gave me an understanding of how council works as well as student life at ACC. I am now ready to step into a more responsible role in the council as VP of Diversity and Inclusion. I am Metis, queer, and neurodiverse along with so much more than many identities can describe a person (as my shirt says “Human”). I am enthusiastic to help students be successful here at ACC and am committed to raising up individuals voices so everyone can be prosperous. If elected I will be committed to my role while doing my best to ensure that students feel heard and understood. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you!

Faith Manulak
Faith Manulak – Running for VP of Diversity & Inclusion

Faith Manulak is a first-year business administration student at Assiniboine Community College. She has spent the first-year learning about ACC culture and all it has to offer. Faith has always been the type of person to stand up for others, as well as make sure that everyone feels included and a part of activities. To be elected for the Vice President Diversity & Inclusion in her final year at ACC would be an honor to Faith as she has always wanted to help more people on a wider scale.

As Faith grew into the person she is today she has been a part of numerous walks such as Black Lives Matter, Every Child Matters, Stand With Ukraine, MMIWG (Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women), LGBT2SQ+ and more. She is a strong believer that Mental health plays a big role in how we view ourselves but encourages others to come fourth and speak on this matter. Faith is not one to back down from herself and others being heard, as she believes that your voice matters and can change how others view the world. Her peers view her as someone who is determined, honest, kind, and inclusive.

Faith is a recognized Indigenous citizen who has spent her time advocating for the history of her culture, as well as taking the time to learn about different cultures. Having someone like Faith as your Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion would mean being able to approach her in good faith that she will be determined to help you feel included and will not give up until you do. With that being said, if Faith were to be a part of the Students’ Association during her last year at ACC you will be in amazing hands.

Emma Babiak
Emma Babiak – Running for Remote Campus Chair

Hello, I’m Emma Babiak attending the Southport campus for the practical nursing program. I am very excited to have a chance to give the college experience to all locations of ACC and connect with community sources to gain support across the remote sites. I look forward to being in touch with many individuals to build a community across a far. Going forward I want to utilize availability, care, support, and most importantly lots of team work to enable students to recognize the great resources available to everyone. As the remote campus chair I understand that being away from the Brandon location it can be hard to keep up with all that’s available and going on. Going forward, by using connections and team work I will ensure the campuses have all details provided to them through many platforms and feel included through their voice. Upon election I would be very excited to have the chance to reach out and visit each campus and provide a plan on how to best support them in each unique location and resources available to them for this upcoming year!

Kailee-Rae Delmage
Kailee-Rae Delmage – Running for Nursing Representative

Hello! My name is Kailee-Rae and am currently enrolled in the Practical Nursing program at the Southport campus. I would describe myself as being friendly, approachable, a team player and honest. In my spare time I golf, read, and spend time with my family. In my line of work, I am a role model to many people and am an advocate for many of them in the workplace. I would love for the opportunity to advocate for my fellow nursing students and explore ways to benefit the program for future students as well. I believe that I would be an asset to the ACCSA team as I have many ideas for wellness opportunities as well as the social skills to communicate effectively the needs/concerns of nursing students.

Justice Constant
Justice Constant – Running for Indigenous Representative

My name is Justice Constant, I am a year one student in ACC’s social work program here in Brandon Manitoba. Social work is a line of work that I am very passionate about, I have spent a lot of my time advocating online for children who are abused in today’s child welfare system. I am a story teller/advocate/activist and I am a mother/caregiver to 7 beautiful children. I am also a MMIW survivor, MMIW stands for missing and murdered indigenous women, which is a world wide epidemic. Since I am a survivor, helping victims who are in times of need and helping kids in the child welfare system is why I am going into this field. I grew up in Thompson Manitoba and hope to become an advocate for the indigenous youth up north once I am in practice, and I hope to be an awesome advocate for the indigenous students here at ACC too.

Tasha Swanepoel
Tasha Swanepoel – Running for Health & Human Services Representative

My name is Tasha, and I am currently in my first year of the social service worker program. I live in Souris with my children and have one grandchild. I have previously worked as a healthcare worker and a hairdresser even combining the two doing hair at a personal care home in Souris. I am passionate about mental health wellbeing and love to help people. I am a volunteer at the foodbank in Souris and enjoy connecting people with local resources. I am excited to be considered for the Health & Human Services representative. I feel my experience in the work field and drive to help others would make me a good candidate for the student council. I will be committed to listening to the student body not only within the Health & Human Services department but all ACC’s students. My goal is to ensure people voices are heard and I provide excellent representation.

Alycia Canada
Alycia Canada – Running for Mature Representative

My name is Alycia and I am currently a Business Administration student in my third term. I started school in my thirties, was a single mom of 3, and was ready to make a better life for my kids. I was unsure how school was going to go, thinking that I would stand out like a sore thumb. I was surprised to find that this was not the case at all. I was older than the average in my class, but I did not stick out at all. I was instantly accepted by all my classmates and meant to feel right at home. Becoming a student at Assiniboine Community College was one of the best decisions I ever made. Just because I was older than most of my classmates did not mean that this was not what I was meant to do. I have developed friendships that will way outlast my time at the school. I am proud to be a student at Assiniboine and proud to hopefully represent you as the mature representative of the ACCSA.