Hi everyone, my name is Laura Oranwusi, and I’m a nursing student who understands what it’s like to juggle a full course load, clinical placements, work shifts, leadership roles, and still try to maintain some sense of balance. Throughout my time at Lakehead, I’ve been involved as a Student Ambassador, an active member of RNAO, and president, treasurer and secretary of three different student clubs. In each of these roles, one thing has stood out to me which is students care deeply about this university, but many don’t always feel connected to how decisions are made.I’m running for the Board of Directors because I want students to feel represented in a real and practical way. I’ve had conversations with classmates about tuition concerns, mental health stress, limited time between work and school, and the feeling that sometimes policies are decided far away from the students they affect. I want to help close that gap.For me, this isn’t about holding a title. It’s about being someone students can trust to bring their concerns to the table and ensure their voices are part of bigger conversations.

My background combines student leadership, advocacy, healthcare experience, and community engagement of which have shaped how I approach responsibility and representation and serve at a governance level l. As president of two clubs, I’ve learned how to lead meetings, organize events, manage responsibilities, and work through disagreements while keeping the bigger goal in mind. Leadership isn’t always glamorous, it involves listening, compromise, and follow through and those are skills I’ve developed consistently. Through my volunteer experiences including community service and engagement with culturally diverse groups have grounded me in service-oriented leadership.. That experience showed me how important organized, strategic representation is when it comes to influencing policy and institutional decisions.
Through my extracurriculars, representing our university and involvement in school life to prospective students and families. I’ve seen firsthand what draws students here and what concerns them. That perspective matters when thinking about long term direction and student experience.In addition, my involvement in health promotion initiatives has reinforced my passion for student wellness. Whether addressing mental health, stress management, or health equity, I’ve seen how institutional support systems can either strengthen or strain student success. In clinical settings, accountability is non-negotiable and I carry that same mindset into leadership roles.
Most importantly, I understand what it feels like to be a busy student trying to make things work. I’m not disconnected from the student experience. I’m living it.

My vision is a student body that feels structurally represented not just acknowledged in conversation, but reflected in institutional decisions, budgeting priorities, and long-term planning. Representation should be visible in action.

Making Governance More Accessible and Understandable
Student governance should not feel distant or overly complex. Many students are unaware of how Board decisions directly affect their services, funding, or campus experience. I would advocate for clearer, student-friendly communication following Board meetings summaries that explain what decisions were made, the rationale behind them, and how they impact students. Transparency should not require students to decode formal reports; it should be intentional and accessible. When students understand governance processes, they are more likely to engage, trust leadership, and feel empowered within their institution.

Ensuring Student Fees Translate Into Visible Value
As someone who has managed budgets and coordinated programming within student organizations, I understand the responsibility attached to financial decision-making. Students contribute financially to campus life, and they deserve to see tangible value in return. If elected, I would support clearer reporting mechanisms that connect student fee allocations to measurable outcomes. Whether funding supports mental health services, student programming, or advocacy initiatives, there should be clarity on what impact those investments are achieving. Financial accountability builds credibility, and credibility strengthens student trust.

Addressing Burnout and Structural Stressors
Balancing clinical placements, coursework, leadership roles, and employment has given me firsthand insight into how close many students operate to burnout. While resilience is often praised, institutions must also examine structural contributors to stress. I would advocate for governance conversations that regularly assess academic workload concerns, support collaboration between student leadership and wellness services, and proactively plan support during high-stress academic periods. Student well-being should be integrated into strategic planning, not addressed reactively after challenges arise.

Strengthening Cross-Club and Faculty Collaboration
Through leading multiple organizations, I have observed how often student groups work in silos despite having overlapping goals. I would support initiatives that encourage collaboration across faculties and clubs, ensuring resources are shared efficiently and programming reflects the diversity of our campus. Stronger collaboration not only reduces duplication of efforts but also fosters a more connected student community. Ultimately, my goal is not simply to introduce new ideas, but to strengthen existing systems. Governance should be thoughtful, accountable, and responsive to student realities. If elected, I will approach this role with a commitment to listening carefully, analyzing responsibly, and advocating in a way that prioritizes long-term impact for the student body.

Students can learn more about my campaign through both online and in-person engagement. I will be sharing my platform, priorities, and updates on social media to make information easily accessible and transparent. I also plan to post concise summaries outlining my goals so students can clearly understand what I stand for without having to search for details. Beyond online platforms, I believe face to face conversations matter most. I will be available around campus, attending student events, and engaging directly with students to hear their concerns and answer questions. Governance should feel approachable, and I want students to feel comfortable speaking with me directly. Most importantly, my campaign is rooted in dialogue and social media. I encourage students to reach out, ask questions, and share their ideas. Representation begins with listening, and I am committed to making myself accessible throughout this process.