My name is Matthew and I am a nursing student at Lakehead University. I am running for Vice President Advocacy because I believe students deserve strong, approachable representation when it comes to academic, financial, and personal challenges.

As a student balancing school and work, I understand how policies and decisions directly affect day-to-day student life. I am motivated to be a clear, reliable voice for students, listening to their concerns, bringing them forward, and working collaboratively to create meaningful change. Advocacy, to me, is about making sure students are heard and supported, and that is the role I am excited to take on.

I am a third-year nursing student with a strong commitment to advocacy, equity, and student well-being. Balancing academics with healthcare jobs has shown me how vulnerable people can become, and how important it is to have someone who listens, speaks up, and follows through. These experiences are what motivated me to pursue advocacy roles and to run for VP Advocacy.

Through my healthcare work, I support individuals during some of their most vulnerable moments, advocating for their needs, dignity, and access to appropriate care. This has strengthened my ability to communicate clearly, navigate complex situations, and advocate with empathy and professionalism. I have also extended this commitment through community involvement with organizations such as NorWest Community Health Centres and Dew Drop Inn, where I advocate for individuals facing health and food insecurity.

Combined with my academic training in nursing, which emphasizes ethical practice and patient advocacy, these experiences have prepared me to represent students thoughtfully, amplify their concerns, and work collaboratively to create meaningful change in the VP Advocacy role.

My vision for the student body is one where students feel heard, supported, and confident navigating the academic and institutional systems that shape their experience. Here at LU, many students are balancing heavy course loads, financial stress, work commitments, and limited access to timely supports, especially in areas like mental health services, academic accommodation, and financial assistance. Advocacy must be practical, visible, and responsive to our realities.

If elected, one of my primary goals is to strengthen student access to academic and mental health supports by advocating for clearer processes, reduced wait times, and stronger communication between students, LUSU, and administration. I also aim to amplify student voices around financial pressures, including tuition affordability, cost of living in Thunder Bay, and access to emergency funding and bursaries.

Additionally, I want to improve awareness and accessibility of advocacy services by ensuring students know where to go when there’s issues and feel comfortable seeking support. This includes building stronger connections with equity-deserving and underrepresented student groups and ensuring their concerns are consistently brought forward.

As Vice President Advocacy, my goal is to be a visible, reliable advocate who listens actively, follows through on concerns, and works collaboratively to create tangible improvements to the student experience here at Lakehead University.

Students can learn about my campaign through social media, LinkedIn, campus posters, and in-person or virtual Q&A sessions. I want to make it easy for everyone to see my goals, ask questions, and share their ideas, so we can make student advocacy at LU stronger together