My name is Tacymel Parnell, and I am a first-year Nursing student and returning student at Lakehead University. I first began my studies here in 2019 as an international student, an experience that significantly shaped both my academic journey and personal growth.

After returning to Lakehead, I took intentional time to reacquaint myself with university life. I built new friendships, rekindled old ones, and focused on strengthening my time management skills as a Nursing student striving for academic excellence. Alongside maintaining high academic standards, I have also been dedicated to improving my social skills and developing strong professional competencies that will support both my career and leadership aspirations.

Running for this position represents an important step in fully immersing myself in student life once again. It provides me with the opportunity to actively contribute to initiatives that positively impact my peers and to play a meaningful role in enhancing the overall university experience for fellow students.

Before migrating to Canada, I was born and raised in Jamaica, where I actively held several student leadership positions throughout my academic journey, including Head Girl, Deputy Head Girl, High School Ambassador, and various other leadership roles. These experiences shaped my confidence, strengthened my communication skills, and instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to represent others with integrity.

After taking a brief break from Lakehead University, I attended Confederation College, where I enrolled in the Level II Dental Assisting program. During the 2021–2022 academic year, I served as Class Representative. In this role, I attended multiple board meetings and actively advocated for changes that supported and benefited my fellow students. This experience further strengthened my understanding of student governance and effective advocacy.

Over the past three years, while working as a Level II Dental Assistant, I have collaborated with various healthcare professionals and was entrusted with the role of Lead Dental Assistant at my previous clinics. This leadership position required accountability, teamwork, problem-solving, and the ability to guide and support others in a fast-paced environment.

When it comes to leadership, I am a true advocate for the voices of those I represent. I strongly believe in standing up for what we collectively value and need. Even if large-scale change is not immediately possible, I am committed to using my voice confidently, responsibly, and persistently to ensure that students are heard.

If granted the opportunity to serve as a member of the Board of Directors at Lakehead University, I look forward to working alongside like-minded student leaders who understand the daily challenges faced by university students. As a fellow student, I recognize the importance of advocacy that is rooted in lived experience.

I am committed to implementing initiatives that promote inclusivity across diversity, culture, religion, and gender. Every student deserves to feel represented, valued, and supported within our campus community. Beyond inclusion, I aim to explore innovative ways to ensure students receive the academic, mental, physical, and financial support they need to thrive.

Community engagement is also a priority for me. I hope to initiate more volunteer-focused activities that not only enrich student life at Lakehead but also positively impact the wider community. As a nursing student, I am particularly passionate about advocating for health and wellness initiatives that benefit students across my faculty, as well as those in all other faculties.

Having once been an international student, I personally understand the challenges associated with transitioning into a new academic and cultural environment. Issues such as access to bus passes, scholarship opportunities, and navigating financial aid systems can be overwhelming. I am dedicated to identifying and promoting scholarship opportunities available to international students, advocating for greater clarity regarding upcoming changes to Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), and exploring measures to make public transit more efficient and accessible for students.

I am eager to contribute my perspective, dedication, and compassion to help build a stronger, more supportive campus community for all students.