My name is Summer Desloges, and I am asking for your vote for VP of Student Advocacy.
When I arrived at Lakehead as a transfer student, I saw this university through fresh eyes. I saw a vibrant community, but I also saw systems that were outdated, ignored, or just plain frustrating. I learned quickly that to succeed here, you have to be resilient. But I don’t think you should have to struggle just to get your voice heard. As a transfer student, I know what it’s like to navigate complex systems that don’t always work for us. And as an Engineering major, I don’t just look at problems; I’m trained to find the most efficient solutions for them.

I spent 3 years at my college before coming to Lakehead. There I was a student advocate for my program, and spent a lot of time volunteering and working closely with staff in order to give students the best opportunities the school had to offer. I also am currently VP Student Life for the Engineering Student Society. I came into the position late through a bi-election, and have spent a lot of my time getting to know Lakehead. I have been working behind the scenes already to talk to staff and relay the thoughts and feelings of current students. You may also sometimes see me working in the career zone, where I assist students with their career needs and goals. My previous experience in these areas have allowed me to become very approachable, and to always listen with an open heart and ears. I am a go getter, and I believe I have what it takes to continue to try and improve the lives of students here at Lakehead.

I envision a campus culture where students are treated as active partners in their education, not just customers. As a transfer student, I know how easy it is to feel lost in the shuffle of a large institution. I want to build a student government that is proactive rather than reactive. One that identifies friction points in your daily life and smooths them out before they become roadblocks.

Being an Engineering major has taught me how to analyze complex systems, but my advocacy isn’t limited to the Engineering building. An unfair syllabus, a lack of clear grading criteria, or a scheduling conflict is a problem whether you are studying History, Nursing, or Physics.
Goal 1: Standardize fair academic practices across all faculties I want to work with Faculty Deans to ensure that student feedback on courses is actually reviewed and acted upon, not just filed away.

We are students, but we are people first. If our basic needs aren’t met, we cannot succeed in the classroom. I want to tackle the everyday frustrations that drain our energy.
Goal 2: Remove the “hidden stressors” of campus life. Work with current campus services to identify where we are falling short.

I stated that I want to be someone you can approach. That requires more than just a friendly attitude; it requires a system.
Goal3 : Make the student voice continue to be heard during administrative meetings.I hope to regularly hold sessions where students can come to me with comments or concerns of how I can help.

Students can learn more through campaign material or by speaking to me in person.