Executive Council Candidates
President Candidate
Melanie Pack, she/her
Walking into Thriving in the City and meeting the team from the NWP Students Association was the best thing that could have happened during my time here. Having the opportunity to be your Vice-President Internal and President have given me the opportunity to engage and represent the students of NWP.
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My name is Melly Pack, and I am a second year business student who has plans of walking the stage at convocation this year to receive my Diploma. That doesn’t mean that I am leaving, I have full intentions of coming back to continue my education journey towards getting my degree.
I had an amazing time being your SA President last year and I would like to continue to do that, if you will have me. The Student’s Association has been an incredible environment for me to have the opportunity to be creative, engage with students, and put my education to work.
I have spent my time making meaningful connections throughout the institution. I worked with the Rec Department to bring food and swag to Fairview students. I worked with Careers to bring coffee and donuts to students, and we have been working hard to bring you Life After Grad (March Event). I worked with Mental Health and the Learning Commons to bring study nights to both Grande Prairie and Fairview. Getting the experience to work with the Board of Governors, the NWP Executive Council, many Instructors, and endless amounts of committees has been an opportunity like no other to learn from the incredible people that are the glue to our institution. I can’t wait to have the opportunity to continue these connections because when people work together great things happen.
Above all these things, having the chance to represent our student body is an honour and a privilege. You guys have made our events more successful then ever before. You have helped us make changes through chatting and participation in our surveys. You have helped to create a welcoming and fun environment that I want to come to everyday. It is through your openness and honesty that I can speak with confidence to anybody in the institution to help make your school experience better. It is through the eyes of students that I learnt that equity is more important than equality, diversity is beautiful, and accessibility is a necessity that all students must have to succeed with their dreams.
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I look forward to being a part of the NWP Students Association in whatever capacity the student body will allow. NWPSA wants the best for our students. The amazing staff and other student leaders work together to create the most incredible, inclusive environment to be a part of. Being President again would allow me to continue to grow, learn, change, and become who I am meant to be to better serve you.
Vice President Internal Candidate
Hala Ezzeddine, she/her
During my time at Northwestern Polytechnic, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with students at a variety of levels. I started my academic journey in 2018 in Academic Upgrading, now leading to a degree in Education (with the hopes of also achieving a Business degree.) I have been involved in several on campus events through the Ambassador Program and now through the Students Association. While holding the role for VP Internal for a year, I was able to learn and listen to the student body. Both the roles have allowed me to grow and develop as a person and was awarded “Volunteer of the Year” in 2023.
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The role of VP Internal has allowed me to connect more with students on both our campuses, strengthen internal relationships, and elevate club life on campus. If re-elected, I would like to continue to listen to the students voices & needs to make campus life enjoyable for everyone. As well, I will continue to learn and grow within the role of VP Internal to be able to lead with an open mind.
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I am passionate about making a change on campus and the community, and have several years of management, leadership, and retail experience. In my free time I enjoy volunteering, reading, listening to K-Pop and singing Taylor Swift music in the car at the top of my lungs.
Vice President External Candidate
Mason Huckabone, he/him
My name is Mason Huckabone, and I am a second-year Education student at Northwestern Polytechnic. I have had the opportunity to serve on the Students Association for two consecutive years as a Student Councillor, and have been able to observe the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Council. With this insight, I would now like to campaign to take on a more impactful role as Vice President External.
My passion for student advocacy began in High School when I was elected as the 2018/2019 St. John Paul II Student Body President. In this role, I undertook responsibilities such as organizing and hosting school events, serving as a liaison between the students and administration, finding local businesses interested in providing sponsorships, presenting financial and student engagement reports to the parent council, and managing the student council's social media pages. This experience was able to introduce me to the roles and responsibilities expected of the Vice President External earlier in my academic career and has equipped me with the communication, planning, and collaborative skills needed in the NWP Students Association.
Throughout the years, I have actively participated in advocacy groups and events in Grande Prairie. In High School, I was a member of the St. John Paul II Kihew Leadership Team, which advocated for Indigenous recognition and rights in our community. This group has provided me with an accurate depiction of the expectations when participating in a social justice group. I have also contributed to this through the arts, by serving as the Director of the GPLT's production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" in the Fall of 2023. This production was aimed at recognizing the adversity the Jewish culture faced during World War II, and how this historical event relates to modern-day conflicts. If accepted into the position, I hope to participate in more of these campaigns and create a vibrant, cultural, and artistic community within our community.
The City of Grande Prairie has a diverse demographic, which allows a multitude of different cultures to be displayed on campus. Throughout elementary, high school, and postsecondary, this environment has provided me the opportunity to collaborate with students and friends from various backgrounds. I have been given the opportunity to work with individuals from a multitude of different races, colors, genders, and gender identities, which has significantly influenced my perspective on the significance of inclusivity in an academic setting. If elected, I hope to help maintain this inclusivity within Northwestern Polytechnic, to allow students an environment where they feel comfortable and included.
In conclusion, I feel equipped to take on the role of Vice President External and would be committed to building relationships between our organization and the external community. I would maintain partnerships, engage with external stakeholders, and advocate for the student body’s interests. I look forward to campaigning for the opportunity to serve the Northwestern Polytechnic Students Association in this capacity.
Vice President External Candidate
Jake Rakestraw, he/him
I believe that I am a good candidate for the VP External position at NWPSA. In my few months within the role, I have gained even more skills in regard to community work, communication, and working with others. I have been involved within our community for years now, working in the non-profit sector, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and the houseless population. As I've become more comfortable at the school, and started this position, I've felt a really big connection and passion for our student population. Being able to speak to students 1 on 1, hanging out with them during events, and figuring out what things can make students' lives better is a great passion of mine that I have enjoyed thoroughly. I hope that if I get re-elected into the VP External position, I am able to continue pushing our student discount list and finding establishments to collaborate with, collaborate with places like Odyssey house, Pace, and Northreach to continue to bring education and resources to our students, serve on the ASEC board to ensure student voices are heard, and in general make the school a better place for students with events and other resources. I am and have always been a community led person who is energetic, eager to learn, charismatic, and extroverted. I believe that these qualities will help me greatly in this position. I am always willing to learn and listen to others, and own up to any mistakes that I may have made. I love collaboration and working with others within the team to bring the best possible events and services to students possible. My entire belief system and how I operate is based on inclusion and diversity, which means all students will be heard and welcome into my space if I am elected. I have been through many negative things because of my identity, and I believe that gives me a leg up to help people who are struggling with similar things, as I want to make sure no one else suffers negatively within our school or community. Overall, my experience and willingness to learn and work hard makes me a great candidate for this position, and I hope I am able to continue to work with the students and make life better for them.
Board of Governors Candidate
Sathish Babu, he/him
Hi, my name is Sathish Babu. I would like to start by sharing something about me first. I’m an enthusiastic, extroverted, optimistic individual who loves travelling, exploring food and going on adventures and learning new things. I’m also a fitness and sports enthusiast, also very open-minded and an easily approachable individual.
I’m an international student in our college. I started college and I love it because it is a completely new experience for me. I’m enjoying and embracing the journey as I go.
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I rise to my problems and face them. I consider myself a creative and logical person. I don’t like to find the solutions to solve a problem but think more futuristically so that it does not happen again.
My main goal and motto and vision as Governor for our college is being the ‘Voice’.
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My vision is to foster an inclusive and innovative collegiate environment where every student is empowered to excel academically, socially, and personally. As Governor, I envision a college that cultivates critical thinking, embraces diversity, and prepares students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
My mission:
As Governor, my mission is to champion the holistic development of our college community by fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and student engagement. I am committed to advocating for educational excellence, promoting a safe and supportive campus environment, and amplifying the diverse voices within our student body. Together, we will work towards creating an enriching college experience that prepares students for success
As a Governor, I am dedicated to upholding the following core values that will serve as the foundation for my leadership:
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Student-Centric Focus: I prioritize the well-being and success of every student, striving to create an environment that nurtures their academic growth, personal development, and overall happiness.
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Inclusivity and Diversity: I am committed to fostering a campus community that celebrates diversity, promotes equity, and embraces inclusivity. Our differences are our strength, and I will work tirelessly to ensure every voice is heard and respected.
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Transparency and Accountability: Open communication and accountability are vital for building trust within our college community. I pledge to keep transparency in decision-making processes and be accountable for my actions, always keeping the best interests of the students at heart.
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Innovation and Adaptability: In a rapidly changing world, I will encourage and support innovative approaches to education. I believe in the power of adaptability and will work to ensure our college is still at the forefront of academic excellence and technological advancements.
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Collaborative Leadership: I value collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and administration. By working together, we can address challenges, seize opportunities, and create a vibrant and harmonious college community.
Community Engagement: I recognize the importance of our college's connection with the broader community. I will actively seek partnerships and collaborations that enhance the overall college experience and contribute positively to the communities we serve.
Respect for Individual Voices: Every student, faculty member, and staff member contributes uniquely to the fabric of our college. I pledge to actively listen to and consider the voices of all community members, ensuring that their perspectives and concerns are respected in the decision-making processes.
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Respectful Communication: Open and respectful communication is essential for building trust and understanding. I will actively promote a culture of dialogue where differing opinions are acknowledged and discussed with civility and empathy.
Through these values, I aim to contribute to the realization of our shared vision for a college that empowers, inspires, and prepares students for a successful future.
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