Serving the needs 18,000 students and overseeing the oldest student association in Canada and its 13 services is a significant responsibility. However, this year’s executive team of the Queen’s Alma Matter Society (AMS) is embracing the challenge of advocating, representing, and uniting students across campus. 

The team consists of President Eric Sikich (ArtSci ’22), Vice-President (Operations) Tina Hu (ArtSci ’22), and Vice-President (University Affairs) Callum Robertson (ArtSci ’23) and they were elected with 90.7 per cent of the vote. 

Experience in student government

As Vice-President (University Affairs), Robertson was motivated to run in the AMS election by his experience working in various positions in student government

“I've been very lucky to have served in a number of positions throughout my university degree. Each year I've seen the passionate work being done by students to make Queen's into the vibrant community it is today and realized to continue working with and helping other students, I'd need to expand my responsibilities and scope,” Robertson says. “What truly made me run for a position in the AMS was the opportunity to uplift the voices and ideas of the undergraduate student body."

As Vice-President (Operations), Hu manages a team of nine distinct services with more than 275 employees. Along with managing the day-to-day operations of the services, she oversees the society's consolidated operating budget, strategy, and marketing plans.

“The role is incredibly exciting as an opportunity to build and lead strong teams whose impact and service are felt all throughout the Queen's community,” says Hu.

Sikich was also motivated to run for AMS president due to the strong relationships and positive experience during his time working for the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS).

“What made me want to run for the AMS is the vibrant and passionate student community at Queen's,” Sikich says “Over the past four years, Queen's University has provided me with the opportunity to develop in my personal and professional life in ways I could not have imagined. Queen's has helped me grow as a person, and find a place in my community.”

Pillars of change

Together, Sikich, Hu, and Robertson campaigned and developed a platform focused on community building, student engagement and trust, transparency and communication, and advocacy.

“We aim to achieve our goals by building positive relations with university stakeholders, while continuing to bring student issues to the forefront of all conversations, even if difficult,” Sikich says. “Unlike many other years, we have a prime opportunity to jump start student engagement and, subsequently, the student voice with the mass return to campus.”

Throughout the year, the executive team aims to continuously consult student voices around campus to hear how needs are changing, and how they can be addressed. Through marketing initiatives and weekly programming, the executive team hopes to engage new students with AMS services, governance, and extra-curriculars for a necessary revitalization of the student association.

“We have a desire to ensure all Queen's students are supported so they can succeed, and we will constantly work toward achieving that goal,” Sikich says. “We are extremely excited for the coming year and are proud to have been elected as the next AMS executive team.”   

Learn more about the executive team by visiting the AMS website.