Hello!

My name is Jeffrey, and I'm excited to be running for Vice President of Student Life this year! I want to create a vibrant and inclusive community, so I'm thrilled to share my ideas and the changes I wish to implement to enhance the student experience on campus.

Platform

1. Enhancing Campus Events and Activities: I aim to organize and promote various events and activities that cater to all interests. From large-scale events like Back2School Week and Frost Week to smaller social events sprinkled throughout the year, I aim to create a dynamic and engaging campus life for students. By collaborating with various student clubs and organizations, I can ensure a wide variety of events that will offer something for everyone.

2. Promoting Mental Health and Wellness: Mental health and wellness are essential aspects of student life. I plan to work closely with the MES and the wellness coordinators to increase awareness and resource access. Initiatives will include stress-relief events, mindfulness sessions, and wellness events during exam week, and more. By prioritizing our mental health, we can create a supportive environment where students feel cared for and have the space to succeed.

3. Improving Student Services: Enhancing student services available is key to improving the campus experience. I will work to gather student feedback on needs and suggestions and help advocate for improvements in study rooms, the lounge, and the Junction in Hatch. Addressing these needs will create a more comfortable and conducive learning and living environment for all students.

Action Plan

1. Weekly Office Hours: To ensure that student voices are heard, I will host weekly office hours in the MES office(H202) open to anyone to drop in and share their concerns, suggestions, and feedback on past events, current events, and future events. This will help facilitate open communication and allow for more events that better reflect the wants of the student body

2. Expanding Support Programs: Establishing a comprehensive support program is essential for providing guidance and assistance to students. I plan to work closely with the wellness coordinators to create initiatives which offer solutions to this issue. I will ensure these programs meet the diverse needs of our student population, fostering a strong sense of belonging and community within the school environment.

3. Sustainability Initiatives: Sustainability is a critical issue affecting everyone. As the Hatch Coordinator, I worked with sustainability coordinators to ensure battery recycling bins were available throughout Hatch and labs. Future planned activities will include campus clean-ups and recycling drives; these initiatives will work to enhance MES’ commitment to sustainability but also allow individuals to make environmentally conscious choices.

As your VP of Student Life, I would be dedicated to positively impacting our community. Together, we can create a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive environment that enhances the student life experience for everyone. Thank you for your support!

Let's work together to make the 2024-2025 term an unforgettable and successful one.

One thing I really want to do is introduce a bigger sense of community between all the different departments I manage, for example if we were able to make a collaboration event between Culture and Sports we can make bigger events with bigger budgets. I also want to ensure that these events are a place where people can just have fun and understand the lore/culture behind engineering at McMaster. I also want to attempt to create events between different universities so that students here can get a feel of how life is at different universities.

If elected as Vice President of Student Life (VPSL), my goal would be to enhance and strengthen MAC’s welcoming atmosphere by fostering a sense of belonging and engagement among all students. University is more than just academics, it’s also about community, personal growth, and creating lifelong connections with others. My focus will be on ensuring that every student feels valued, heard, and supported through a diverse range of events, initiatives, and opportunities that bring people together.

A key aspect of my plan is to create an engaging and inclusive environment where students can interact, build friendships, and support each other. I will work closely with clubs, student organizations, and faculty to enhance existing events and introduce new initiatives that foster connections across different faculties and student groups. I plan to strengthen annual events such as Back2School Week, Frost Week, and Welcome Week by incorporating more interactive components, such as live performances, food fairs, and themed activities (such as, Valentine’s Day and St. Patricks Day socials) to ensure they are exciting and inclusive for all students. Additionally, I propose launching Interdisciplinary Social Nights, where students from different programs can connect through networking activities, trivia nights, and collaborative challenges. These events will provide a platform for students to meet new peers, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations. Furthermore, I aim to expand mental wellness and academic support programs, such as peer support groups, mental health workshops, and relaxation zones during exam periods, to ensure students have the resources they need to succeed.

For student life to thrive, communication between students, clubs, and faculty must be effective and transparent. I will work towards creating a centralized Student Life Hub, an online platform within the MES existing website where students can easily access information about upcoming events, club opportunities, volunteer roles, and academic resources in one place. Additionally, I plan to host monthly open feedback forms where students can voice their concerns, share feedback, and contribute ideas for improving campus life. Strengthening collaboration between student clubs and faculty is also a priority, as this will create a more cohesive and supportive student experience. I will work on streamlining the process for club funding and event approvals, making it easier for student-led initiatives to thrive.

Ultimately, my goal as VPSL is to create an environment where every student feels empowered, engaged, and part of a thriving community. By fostering stronger communication, introducing new initiatives, and ensuring every student’s voice is heard, I will work towards making MAC an even better place to learn, connect, and grow.

Hi! My name is Ritu, and I am an electrical engineering student passionate about strengthening our engineering community through transparent, efficient, and student-focused financial leadership. With experience as VP of Finance for four clubs across McMaster and hands-on experience at an accounting firm since high school, I have developed the skills to responsibly manage the MES budget while advocating for student priorities. If elected, I will work to streamline financial processes, increase transparency, and ensure clubs and students get the financial support they need without unnecessary delays.

Financial clarity and accessibility will be my top priorities. Students should know exactly where their money is going, which is why I will introduce quarterly financial reports and a real-time MES Finance Tracker. This live dashboard will provide an easy-to-understand breakdown of MES spending. To ensure student voices are heard, I will create an anonymous feedback portal where students can raise concerns about reimbursement delays, unclear policies, or funding decisions. Additionally, I will update MES financial policies with student-friendly language and launch an online financial FAQ Portal, providing clear answers to common funding and reimbursement questions.

I will also speed up and simplify the reimbursement process. Students and clubs shouldn’t have to wait weeks to get their money back. I will implement bi-weekly reimbursement windows with clear deadlines, ensuring faster turnaround times. To reduce confusion, I will introduce automated tracking for reimbursements, allowing students to check the status of their request in real time.

Supporting clubs and student-led initiatives is another key focus. Many clubs, especially newer ones, struggle with budgeting and managing their finances. I will introduce a mentorship program, pairing small or new clubs with experienced mentors to help them navigate budgeting, funding applications, and financial planning. To ensure fair and transparent fund distribution, I will establish clear scoring criteria for funding applications. Additionally, I will create a crisis fund to assist clubs facing unexpected expenses, such as last-minute event cancellations or equipment failures. To further support innovation, I will introduce an innovation fund, providing financial backing for new initiatives and ideas to help students get more opportunities at McMaster.

Modernizing the MES financial management system is essential for long-term efficiency. I will complete the migration of club accounts to FirstOntario, implement a centralized digital record-keeping system, and ensure monthly bank reconciliations to improve financial accuracy. To prevent tax and audit delays, I will establish a year-round tax preparation system and develop an audit preparation guide, simplifying transitions between VPF terms. Additionally, I will hold weekly office hours and monthly financial Q&A sessions so students and club leaders can get direct financial support whenever they need it. Also, my open-door policy guarantees 24-hour response times for finance-related concerns.

With your support, I will make MES finances simpler, faster, and more accessible. I believe finances should enable, not limit your ideas. Whether it’s modernizing tools, fighting for equity, or just getting you reimbursed faster, I’ll use my experience to make MES finances work for you.

Hello! My name is Khushi, and I am running for the position of Vice President Finance. Over the past year, I have been involved in clubs, teams, and the McMaster Engineering Society (MES), gaining firsthand experience in financial operations and leadership. As a member of the MES Financial Operations Team led by the VPF, I have gained insight into how the team operates and of responsibilities required of the VP Finance. Additionally, I have served as VP Finance for the Culture Committee, been part of the MES Wellness Committee, and held leadership roles in several technical teams and societies.

Beyond MES, I have hands-on financial experience, assisting a trucking company with an audit and closely following the financial operations at a retirement home where I work. My coursework in accounting and finance has strengthened my skills in budgeting, financial analysis, and record-keeping. With my experience and attention to detail, I am committed to enhancing MES financial operations and creating streamlined systems that make financial management easier for students, clubs, and future teams.

Standardize & Strengthen Financial Operations

• Create clear, structured financial processes for reimbursements, payments, and expense tracking, ensuring students and clubs receive their money quickly.

• Organize financial records with a centralized system, making it easier for future VPFs and FinOps teams.

• Train the Financial Operations Team early, to ensure smooth operations and prioritize student needs.

Support Clubs & Student Groups

• Develop a financial guide for clubs covering budgeting, requesting funding, expense reporting, and reimbursements.

• Improve payment systems to reduce out-of-pocket costs and minimize delays.

• Offer office hours or financial workshops to help clubs navigate financial processes.

Modernize MES Financial Systems

• Fully transition MES finances to QuickBooks for better financial tracking and organization.

• Migrate club accounts to FirstOntario for easier financial management.

• Establish a flexible financial system that future teams can easily follow, update, and improve.

Ensure Timely Audits & Maintain Up-to-Date Records

• Complete pending audits (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25) and set up structured record-keeping for future audits to be completed yearly.

• Maintain monthly reconciliations to keep financial data accurate and audit ready (complete 2025/26 audit efficiently), timely audits prevent funding restrictions!

Increase Financial Transparency & Long-Term Adaptability

• Provide a clear breakdown of the MES budget so students understand how funds are used.

• Develop a structured transition plan for future VPFs, ensuring financial operations remain smooth.

HI GUYS!! My name is Maliha and I’m running for Vice President Academic for MES! As a second-year Materials Engineering student, I have been on the same boat as most of you… aiming to perform well academically with our heavy course loads, hunt for a co-op/research position, go to the gym, participate in school clubs, study, maybe grab bubble tea, and study again. It can be a lot to handle!! As your Vice President Academic, I want to make your life as smooth as possible by ensuring you have the academic resources and support from us and the faculty to help you excel academically.

ENHANCING ACADEMIC SUPPORT

- Have you ever needed help on a course and it’s just not sticking in your head? We will expand and improve the MES tutoring network to ensure accessible and high-quality peer tutoring, more course coverage and increase tutor availability. This means to increase funding for tutoring, so you can receive help within affordable means. (You are NOT alone with those calculus questions, dude)

- Have you gotten sick before and could not for the life of you make it to lecture? Are you a student who likes to watch lectures for further clarification? We will advocate for recorded lectures and better accommodations for students facing academic or personal challenges.

- Have you ever wanted a textbook without having to pay so much for one? We will improve the MES Textbook Library by increasing the variety of textbooks available.

- Don’t you just love those workshops that review everything before your midterms and exams? We will increase the MES-organized workshops by diversifying the range of courses and working alongside your program societies.

STRONGER AND BETTER COLLABORATION FT. FACULTY & YOU

- We want to hear from you! Your concerns about tuition, course quality and program changes will be heard at faculty meetings! We will work closely with your respective program representatives and societies to ensure your feedback has been implemented.

- We will continue to improve transparency regarding curriculum updates, tuition changes, course evaluations and other new information with you.

EXPANDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MENTORSHIP

- We will improve the Mentorship Program by increasing opportunities to connect first-year students with upper-year students for guidance.

- We will organize and improve more networking events including co-op and career development workshops. We will organize hands-on technical workshops to prepare you for your industrial experience and technical teams!

I want to hear from you and I want to work with you!!! I want to make real, student-focused changes to enhance the academic experience for all of you under the Faculty of Engineering. I will make sure that your academic concerns are addressed efficiently; you feel supported; and the MES becomes a stronger advocate for academic success.

We are in this together, team! We are here for you, dear Fireball family:)

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me :)

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: maliha._mahjabin

Hello everyone! My name is Sama Al-Oda, and I’m excited to be running for your next Vice President of Academics. As university students, I know the value of having a strong community to rely on. As engineers, I understand the vast challenges we face in our academic journey. And as your Vice President of Academics, my goal is to help you thrive—providing you with essential tools and resources to empower your future careers.

The key areas I will focus on include creating a more unified student experience, improving access to academic resources, and strengthening communication with faculty.

1. Expand TutorOcean Availability

I will work with faculty and tutors to ensure more availability for engineering students, since engineering courses on TutorOcean are underrepresented. I will maximize time slots, expand subject coverage, and improve accessibility to support different disciplines and students in need.

2. Improve Professor-to-Student and TA-to-Student Communication

Clear communication is key to academic success for current and future students. I want to implement better feedback channels and communication platforms so students feel heard and supported by their course organizers.

3. Create a Common Ground for Engineering Students

With the introduction of direct-entry engineering students, I foresee a potential disconnect between different engineering streams. I will establish resources that encourage collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and networking across disciplines, strengthening the sense of community within McMaster Engineering.

4. Initiatives on Campus

I will promote opportunities and improve access to Engineering faculty resources through drop-in sessions across campus. I will also enhance support for first-year, international, and transfer students to ensure a smooth transition.

Why Vote for Me?

1. Serving as the MES Wellness Coordinator allowed me to hear directly from students, especially first-years, about their academic challenges. This role taught me the importance of leading while prioritizing the student body’s needs.

2. My extensive four-year experience in teaching—from elementary to university students—has given me a deep understanding of academics and how to make learning more effective.

I bring a strong mix of leadership, academic experience, and a passion for improving student life through academics. If you believe in stronger academic support and a more connected student community, vote for me as your next VP Academic!

Hi all! My name is Muskaan, and I am running to be your VPI again!

I have absolutely loved being VPI this past term, and I want to come back to continue building on the work we’ve started. From organizing events to keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, I have enjoyed every moment of maintaining a strong, connected, and efficient MacEng community. My platform is simple: continuity, transparency and more automation in he workflow.

I want to build on the progress the VPI portfolio has made this year, such as handling space allocation and room bookings. I want to make sure there is improved documentation and communication so every member understand our processes and decisions. I want to maintain event collaborations and a smooth rental process. Most importantly, I would like to refine scheduling, resource allocation, and coordination, making internal operations even more seamless. I also want to be someone everyone feels comfortable approaching, whether for a quick question, support, or just to chat. I am excited for the chance to work with an amazing team and support all the engineering students.

Hi there, my name is Armina Aryaie and I’m excited to be running for the position of Vice President Internal for the McMaster Engineering Society (MES)! Over the past 2 years, I have been involved in the MES as Administrator and then as a part of the Financial Operations Team. I have worked closely with the inner logistics of the MES from planning 2 Semi-Annual General Meetings to organizing the MES office space, which are crucial to understand in this role.

Beyond the MES, I have had the pleasure of being a club leader this past year for McMaster Sumobots, which gives me firsthand insight into how clubs/teams operate and the support they may need. These experiences have allowed me to see what works, what doesn’t, and how we can improve the internal operations of the MES to better serve our MacEng Community.

These are my goals if I were to be the next VP Internal:

Making MES Supplies More Accessible

- Currently teams or clubs spend $1000s on supplies for events

- MES has supplies in crates that could be better utilized so these groups don’t need to waste their funding on items we have sitting around

Improving MES Spaces

- MES spaces should be functional, organized, and accessible

- I’ll prioritize maintaining and improving the Hatch rooms, MES office, storage, and lounge to create a better experience for students

Rental Contracts Made Easy(ier)

- Currently there are multiple contracts that clubs and teams need to fill out when they want to rent out MES items (walkie-talkies, trailers, etc.) and most teams rent out multiple items at a time

- I will merge these contracts into a single streamlined agreement, making rentals easier

- These contracts are also outdated (pre-COVID) and will be updated to reflect the current MES

Luke is Leaving, Brace for Impact

- Luke, our first ever VP Internal is graduating this year and has been helping with the Internal Portfolio throughout his time at McMaster

- To ensure a smooth transition and long-term sustainability, I will focus on preserving and strengthening internal operations for future years

Supporting the Team

- The Internal portfolio is bigger than just the VP, and I believe in supporting team-wide initiatives to strengthen our operations

- I will ensure that any projects or ideas the team wants to pursue are well-supported

Hi there! My name is Dayton and your future VPX. What is a VPX? What is a conference? How can I get involved? Why would I even want to go to a conference? These are the questions I want to answer and share with the entire student body.

Over the past two years on the McMaster Engineering Society (MES), I’ve worked to make student voices heard. As a First-Year Rep, I actively participated in discussions and advocated for student concerns. As Chief Returning Officer, I facilitated dialogue, chaired meetings, and ensured fair elections. Beyond McMaster, I’ve represented our community at national and provincial conferences, including:

Conference on Advocacy and Leadership in Engineering 2025

Conference on Sustainability in Engineering 2024

Leadership Development Conference 2024

Through these experiences, I’ve seen how external engagement can create opportunities for students and I want to bring those opportunities directly to you.

What I’ll Do as VP External

1. Strengthening Representation & Advocacy

-I will prepare thoroughly for all ESSCO and CFES voting council meetings by gathering student input and researching key issues, thus amplifying McMaster’s priorities.

-I won’t just attend meetings, I’ll actively participate in discussions and debates to push for initiatives that benefit McMaster students.

-I’ll build relationships with VP Externals from other universities to ensure we have a strong collective voice on national policies affecting engineering students.

2. Expanding Conference Engagement & Access

I hope to grow social media initiatives separate from the MES instagram account and increase membership in the VPX portfolio to help spread word of conferences around (reps if you will).

As an rapid MES ig story swiper myself, I believe developing a unique online presence for external events will contribute to more engagement from the student body. (Don’t lie, you barely read MES stuff. Y’all have made me run by-elections).

If you are someone who would like to develop public speaking skills, I am looking to incorporate people to help advertise conferences and events around campus. This would be a great opportunity to learn more about external events and create connections with peers and the MES team.

3. Bringing External Events to McMaster

I want to support the growth of exteral events at MAC (open invite events for other schools). This might be a great opportunity for those who may not want to travel or commit time to a conference, but are still looking to create connections with engineering students across different schools. If I am elected, be on the lookout for a goofy ahh event.

Hi everyone! I’m Will Scott, and I’m running to be your next VP External. Over the past year, I have worked closely with the current VPX during delegate selection processes, taking on the responsibility of sub-head delegate for conferences and proxy voting on behalf of the current VPX, representing McMaster on the national scale. With my experience as the Director of Events for the MES, I am prepared to take on the VPX portfolio, and strengthen our external connections. Over the past two years, I’ve attended six conferences - four as a McMaster delegate, and two as an organizing committee member, so I have extensive knowledge of external affairs. During these conferences, I’ve built strong relationships with students from other schools, and maintained a strong reputation for McMaster, even bringing a Waterloo delegation to our upcoming “The Event” in March.

I have three main goals for the upcoming year as VPX:

1. Shape the future of the portfolio

My experience on the MES will help me lead newly proposed coordinator positions in planning interschool events, and my organizing committee experience will help coordinators with inner-school conference planning. Emphasis will be placed on building foundation and direction for new positions. Additionally, I will be chairing meaningful conversation on the conference advisory committee to help retain knowledge of conference planning gained from recent conferences held at McMaster.

2. Increase External Opportunity Awareness & Accessibility

Improving visibility of conferences and application deadlines is an essential component of my platform. This will be done through physical posters in JHE, as well as updates to the MES website to make these more accessible to students. As well, I will be starting a pizza night initiative targeted at first years to educate them on the MES, ESSCO, and CFES, as well as the conferences they run, and the support they can provide them directly, ensuring they don’t miss out on valuable experiences. The final component of this goal is to ensure all conference accountability reports are uploaded within a month to the MES website, in accordance with our bylaws. This will be paired with the spotlighting of conference givebacks, which are done by McMaster delegates highlighting their experience at conferences. These will be added to highlights on the Instagram, and to the conferences tab of the MES website to give a deeper insight into what the day-to-day experience of a conference is like.

3. Coverall Transparency

Coverall events are currently an area of confusion for many students and student groups alike. To fix this, I want to create a clear timeline of when and how events and individual requests should be submitted for coverall consideration. This information would be presented at both the club leaders, and SAGM in the fall. It would also be readily available information posted on the MES website.

I’m committed to making the VPX portfolio more transparent, engaging, and beneficial for all students. Let’s build stronger connections, advocate for student needs, and ensure McMaster’s presence on the external stage continues to grow.

Hello everyone, my name is Anna and I’m a second-year Mechanical Engineering student here at McMaster! I’m running for VP External for the McMaster Engineering Society (MES), and I’m excited to bring my experience and passion for student advocacy to this role. Over the past two years, I’ve been deeply involved in planning and participating in numerous conferences. These include internal conferences like IDEA 2024, 2025 and LDC 2024, as well as external ones like CDE 2024 and CALE 2025. These experiences have given me valuable insights into the world of engineering conferences and how ESSCO (Engineering Student Societies' Council of Ontario) and CFES (Canadian Federation of Engineering Students) function. I’ve gained a lot of experience and knowledge that I’m eager to use in order to make engineering student’s experience at McMaster even better.

When I started my first year, I didn’t even know what engineering conferences were. Fast forward to today, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that these events can have on students, whether it’s professional development, networking or simply broadening students' perspectives. My journey has motivated me to focus on three key objectives as I run for this role.

My 3 Key Goals:

1. Increase visibility for what ESSCO and CFES are: Many students aren’t aware of the incredible opportunities and resources available through organizations like ESSCO and CFES. By increasing visibility, I aim to make sure students understand the role these organizations play and how they can get involved.

2. Streamline communication to increase exposure to conferences: Conferences are an incredible part of engineering students' journey, but often, students miss out because they don’t know about these opportunities. I’ll work to streamline communication - creating easy, accessible channels where students can learn about conferences, deadlines and funding options.

3. Increase reimbursement to 70% for students with financial needs: Conferences often come with a financial obligation and some students are unable to attend due to financial needs. I believe it’s crucial to ensure financial accessibility and I aim to work towards increasing reimbursement rates to 70% for students who would identify financial need. This will help make these opportunities accessible to more students.

As an additional note, I would like to create inter-university events to promote networking and communication with other engineering programs in Ontario!

I am committed to improving our student experience and would love to hear from you! If you’d like more detailed information about my campaign or have any questions, feel free to check out my campaign website at https://annavpxcampaign.my.canva.site/2025 or reach out to me directly via email ([email protected]) or Instagram (@_anna_fain_). Let’s work together to make the MES community even stronger!

Hi hi everyone! You guys may not know me because I am usually the one behind the camera, but this past year I got the amazing opportunity to be part of the MES and I was behind the scenes for a lot of the things that have taken place. I currently hold three MES positions (a bit crazy, I know..) and one Culture position too. Through these roles, I’ve learned how important communications are in keeping everyone in the loop, hyped, and excited about what MES has to offer.

But why am I running for VP Comms? Because I know we can do *so* much more. I want to take MES social media, the website, The Frequency magazine, and the Hatch TV to the next level. I want to make everything more fun, engaging, and something people actually *want* to check out. Whether it’s creative TikToks, interactive posts, more student features, or just making our platforms more exciting, I have so many ideas to bring to the table.

This role isn’t just about posting announcements, it’s about shaping how MES interacts with *you*. After being on the inside for the past year, I know exactly what works, what doesn’t, and what can be improved. So if you want MES to be more fun, more engaging, and actually worth keeping up with then you know who to vote for!

I want to help advocate for students in materials engineering on a larger scale in the department of engineering. I have been a part of the materials engineering society and hope to translate my knowledge from that to the department representative position. I hope to foster a strong connection between the MSE and the MES to better the experience of students in materials engineering.

Hey everyone! I'm Yojith, some of you folks may know me, but if you don't you will soon. As the iBioMed program representative, I want to be your voice in front of the McMaster Engineering Society. The iBios of McMaster are an ambitious group who shouldn't settle for anything sub-par, and I want to raise the bar, giving you all what you desire and deserve.

I would like to create a clear communication channel between the MES, iBioMed Society and the iBioMed students to make all student needs are heard. I would also like to advocate for for Lab resources and and opportunities that come from the macLAB fund. Finally I would like to make it a goal for more students to get involved in MES and iBioMed Society events.

My platform centers around giving students more control over what they pay for in their tuition each year. Currently, many supplementary fees and charges are set as ‘opt-out’ rather than ‘opt-in,’ which I believe should change. The way things stand, many students either don’t realize they can opt out or forget to do so before the deadline, ultimately benefiting the school at their expense. This system feels unfair—especially to younger students who may not fully understand their options—costing them hundreds of dollars for services they may never use.

A key example is health and dental insurance. While these services are important, many students remain covered under their parents’ plans, making the additional charge unnecessary. These services should still be available for those who need them, but the default should be ‘opt-in’ rather than ‘opt-out.’

Beyond tuition fees, I also want to see better utilization of the co-op office and Oscar Plus. Given the amount students pay—both in annual fees and the additional co-op charges per term—many engineering students feel the co-op office does not provide enough value for its cost. A significant number of students secure co-ops through external job searches rather than school resources, yet they are still required to pay up to $1,500 for a 16-month placement. While this doesn’t necessarily mean lowering costs outright, I believe these funds should be used more effectively to enhance Oscar Plus and the co-op office, so they provide meaningful support to more students in securing co-op positions.

Finally, I believe I would be an effective representative for my program because I have a foot in many different camps—I’ve conducted research, worked on a technical club, played intramurals, and balanced the intense course load of mechanical engineering. I engage with a wide range of students and understand the different perspectives within the program. I’m confident that I can accurately represent what students want and need to ensure our mechanical engineering program remains strong, well-respected, and student focused.

As a third-year Electrical Engineering student and representative for the ECE Department, my platform focuses on two key areas: Strengthening Industry Connections and Internships and Peer Mentorship and Professional Development. These areas are important in ensuring ECE students gain the necessary real-world experience and academic support as we prepare for successful careers in engineering.

1. Strengthening Industry Connections and Internships

Industry experience is a critical component of an engineering education. I aim to improve the opportunities available for students to secure internships and co-op placements, providing them with hands-on experience in the field. The key actions I plan to take include:

Expanding Industry Partnerships: I will work to establish and strengthen partnerships with leading technology companies, engineering firms, and startups to increase the number of internships and co-op placements available to ECE students. These collaborations will allow students to work on cutting-edge projects, gain exposure to emerging technologies, and develop essential technical skills.

- Addressing Career Fair Limitations: While career fairs are valuable, they typically occur once or twice per term, and many companies may only offer short-term placements (4 or 8 months). This can be challenging for students seeking longer-term opportunities that better align with their career goals. I will advocate for more frequent career engagement events and collaborate with companies to secure placements suited for students looking for more stable, long-term work experiences; having more networking events and career fairs throughout the school year.

- Industry-Led Projects: I plan to introduce more industry-led projects where students can work directly with other students on real-world problems. These projects will help students develop problem-solving and teamwork skills while gaining valuable insights into the demands of the industry.

2. Peer Mentorship and Professional Development

Peer mentorship is crucial for guiding students through the challenges of an engineering program. My platform emphasizes the importance of providing students with resources to help us succeed in our coursework and prepare for our careers. Key initiatives include:

- Resource-Centric Peer Mentorship Program: The primary goal of the peer mentorship program will be to provide academic resources to junior students. Upper-year students could share valuable materials, such as past midterms, assignments, projects, and quizzes, to help junior students better understand course content and prepare for exams.

- Career Development Workshops: I will advocate for workshops led by upper-year students who have secured internships with top companies to support professional growth. These workshops will focus on resume writing, job interview preparation, and networking skills, providing students with valuable insights and tools to succeed in the competitive job market.

- Alumni Engagement: Building a strong alumni network is essential for ongoing career support. I will work to create regular opportunities for alumni to engage with current students through networking events and mentorship programs. Alumni can provide valuable insights into industry trends, share career advice, and offer job opportunities.

By addressing the limitations of career fairs and internships and enhancing the peer mentorship program with a focus on resource-sharing, I aim to create a supportive environment where we have the tools, connections, and guidance we need to excel academically and professionally.

Hello! I'm Russell Reid and as your Society Program Representative, I'll be there to facilitate communication between the MES and ESSA, as well as the Faculty. I'll make sure that the society program's perspective is being heard at meetings, and I'll communicate with the Faculty, ESSA and MES on things like fair course schedules, co-ops, workshops, and study groups. In collaboration with ESSA, I'll help plan social events such as game nights and study groups! I want everyone in engineering (not just Society students) to have a voice that's heard, and you're welcome to message me about anything!

Hi there! My name is Kirsten, and I am currently in my fourth year of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. With plans to complete a year-long co-op next academic year, I am eager to bring a fresh perspective to MES and represent the interests of ChemEng students within the society.

Throughout my time at McMaster, I have served on both the MES as a Fireball Coordinator and on the ChemEng Society as a Third Year Rep and an AVP External. With the goal to better bridge the gap between these societies, I am hoping that my experience on both will help me to best fill that line of communication. My goal is to ensure that the ChemEng perspective is well-represented in terms of academics and networking opportunities. If given the opportunity, I will dedicate myself to ensuring that ChemEng students feel heard and empowered in their academic and professional journeys. I hope to have your support!

Hey everyone, I'm Willie—a 5th year Software Engineering student (and soon-to-be 6th year 👴) who loves getting involved and making a difference. You might know me as the admin on Discord or from my work with clubs like the MES Infrastructure Technology, Software Engineering Society, McMaster EcoCAR, and the McMaster GDSC, among others.

I've had the chance to roll up my sleeves and build the Software Engineering Society’s website, start the development of MES' Hatch room custom booking platform, and design MES' current and upcoming platform. These projects aren’t just bullet points on my resume; they're a big part of why I’m so passionate about making student life better at McMaster.

Having experienced our program’s journey from the challenges of COVID to a fully in-person setting—and listening to feedback and ideas from students across all years—I truly understand what we need to thrive academically, socially, and in our co-op internships. I’m excited about the opportunity to be your Software Engineering Rep and to work together to shape an even brighter future for our community!

As a candidate for the position of Civil Engineering Department Representative, I want to foster an environment where every student has an equal opportunity to succeed and contribute to the academic community. I believe an inclusive, supportive and empowering department for all students, is beneficial to students in academic and professional careers. As someone pursing a career in a male dominant field, I want to promote inclusivity and equality, and provide representation for students looking for a safe and supportive space.

One of my Primary goals as department representative is to ensure that our students are well represented, and become connected to our universities engineering community. I will push for more visibility and involvement in university-wide events, discussions and initiatives that directly impact our students. Through advocating for civil engineering students in various committees, and forums such as MacLAB, I want to make sure our concerns and needs are addressed.

Research is a large part of McMaster, and I feel the civil department could benefit from additional funding, technology and resources to support students pursuing academia. As Civil Engineering continues to evolve, I want to advocate for more funding to be directed forwards research equipment, and facilities. Fostering an environment where students can engage in research opportunities and pushing the boundaries of the discipline can be encouraging for the departments future.