What do Justin Trudeau and first year MBA student Sean Butler have in common? Award-winning smiles to be sure. But both in fact were recently elected leaders of two important groups: Justin as Canada’s 23rd Prime Minister, and Sean as MBA Society President.
Yes, last week was certainly busy as first years campaigned to secure one of seven positions on the MBA Society. And while only one may have the tune for “Hail to the Chief” stuck in their head, all are now part of something very special. For those incoming and prospective students reading this though, don’t feel left out! New students are allotted four positions of their own, with elections being held during the summer.
What It’s All About: Student & Community Engagement
Collectively, these eleven students form our student government. Every year they are responsible for organizing social events, representing the student body, and engaging with the local community. And every year they manage to surprise us with new and exciting ideas. The social events in particular are always a highlight of the year and include favourites such as an annual Boat Cruise (very nautical of us), First Year/Second Year Dinners (MasterChef: MBA Edition), and Winter Formal (suit up!).
Besides making sure that we have the time of our lives though, the MBA Society also organizes events where students give back to the community. Last year, they led a trip to a food shelter where students sorted, packed, and distributed food to individuals in need. This year, they collected hundreds of business clothing items for local charities Dress for Success and Job Junction.
Finally, one of the most important roles of the MBA Society is acting as the academic voice for students. This entails attending curriculum meetings, ensuring that all student’s academic needs and interests are being met.
So please join us in welcoming and congratulating the newly elected 2016/2017 MBA Society! They are part of a proud tradition of giving back to their classmates and the community, and we expect great things from them. If you have a passion for change, a desire to be a leader, and pride in your school, consider joining yourself. It’s a great way to leverage your skill set, develop leadership, and get involved at the same time.