Break the Ice with Your 2023-2024 Board of Directors!
Your 2023-2024 Board of Directors is looking forward to working for you this year. Here’s your chance to get to know them!
Published: May 1, 2023
With the 2022-2023 academic year wrapping up, it’s soon time to say hello to a new Board! We invite you to take a few minutes to get to know your Directors-Elect who will take office on May 1, 2023.
Nishanth Babu Battula
Hobbies and Interests: Music and comics
Pump-Up Song: “Seoul” by AJ Tracey
Favourite Spot on Campus: “The AC Hub, because I get to chill out and hang out with my friends.”
Role Model: “I don’t really have a role model, but if I had to pick one person who has inspired me the most, it would be my father because he is the one who taught me how to be successful in life.”
Most-Used Emoji: 😂
Haylie Boucher
Hobbies and Interests: Kayaking on the Ottawa river, board and card games, dancing and music
Pump-Up Song: “Finish Line” by Skillet (feat. Adam Gontier)
Favourite Spot on Campus: “My favourite spot on campus is the second-floor library study area. This is my favourite place on campus because it is a quiet area with huge windows and a beautiful view of the Ottawa River. I feel that I am at my most productive self here.”
Role Model: “My role model and inspiration is my mom, who herself is an Algonquin College Alumni and made the Deans Honours List every semester of her program. My mom is an extremely hardworking, knowledgeable, and dedicated individual. She is also one of the most caring people I know. She is beyond kind and has a pure heart of gold. She inspires me everyday.”
Most-Used Emoji: 😊
Sierra Lee
Hobbies and Interests: Hockey, LEGO, gaining new skillsets
Pump-Up Song: “As It Was” by Harry Styles
Favourite Spot on Campus: “The Wolves Den Games Room – It’s an excellent place to unwind with peers after a tough exam or lecture.”
Role Model: “My mum for her everlasting ability to persevere, and Ryan Reynolds for his ability to remain humble and wholesome (with a hint of wit for good measure) despite his overwhelming success.”
Most-Used Emoji: 💖
Jasper Nault
Hobbies and Interests: Photography, art, singing and instruments, nature stewardship, outdoor activities, mechanics
Pump-Up Song: “Still Feel” by Half Alive
Favourite Spot on Campus: “The wood joinery shop. I have access to the shop through my classes and I can push ahead through the projects to have extra time to work on my own woodworking projects. Also, the trails and parks. Having paved trails and access to the parks is great for decompressing between classes and getting some stimulating exercise.”
Role Model: “My grandfather. He lives for joy and beauty and has taught me a lot about being content and happy in my life. He has an inspiring lifestyle and appreciation for the fact that he gets to live how he wants to.”
Most-Used Emoji: 👌
Abigail Soto Carvajal
Hobbies and Interests: New experiences, shaking comfort zones, poetry, painting, music, freedom of speech
Pump-Up Song: “Vida de Rico” by Camilo
Favourite Spot on Campus: “The bowling alley. Just before taking the flight to Canada, my sister took me to play a goodbye match at a new spot in our city. Maybe her reason was precisely that, it was the new spot in town. The first friends I made outside the classroom after starting classes were through a bowling match. We had some free time; it was nearby and available. But for me it turned to be the link between my chapters.”
Role Model: “I wish I could name just one person, but I have learned in life that we will have a lot of mentors. And it is reasonable, since no one person can be a master of everything. So, I guess the question would be: what am I working on today? With that answer, I can find my role model and my inspiration. For a daily task or for an unexpected obstacle, from a regular or a complete stranger. The hard part is being a good student, which means paying attention, learning to listen and being open to learn.”
Most-Used Emoji: 🥸
Braeden Suggitt
Hobbies and Interests: Woodworking, historical re-enactment, camping, kayaking and canoeing, music and record-collecting
Pump-Up Song: “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys
Favourite Spot on Campus: “The joinery shop. I have never had the opportunity to work in such a well-equipped shop and I doubt I ever will again in the workforce. There is ample space and all of the machines required to make some amazing wooden creations.”
Role Model: “Gord Downie. He was an incredible poet and musician, and he used his fame to share stories that otherwise would not have been heard. He carried on with this despite his cancer diagnosis, and he inspired me to think more about the legacy I will leave behind.”
Most-Used Emoji: 😊
Riley Wang
Hobbies and Interests: Dragon boat, scuba diving, photography, videography
Pump-Up Song: “Me and the Sky” from the musical Come from Away
Favourite Spot on Campus: “I spend most of my time in the Silent Study Room on the second floor of E Building. Because of the cozy yellow sofa and the quiet, I can concentrate and study there. Another favourite place is the C Building student centre, where the International Education Centre is based. There is a common space for students. I usually go there with friends. It’s not busy like the AC Hub or Marketplace, but it allows us to talk. I feel very comfortable there.”
Role Model: “The first role model who comes to my mind is Unesu Hlahla (Cara). She is an intercultural programming support officer at the IEC. I’ve had much contact with Cara recently, and each time I get energy from talking to her, which lasts for many days. She is the one I look up to because she keeps the team positive. I also admire her skills in answering students’ questions in detail. She can remember the names of everyone she meets, speak many languages, and get to know the culture and customs of each country. Thanks to her inspiration, I also started learning a new word from my co-worker’s vocabulary every day.”
Most-Used Emoji: 😂