BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A CSA Board of Directors is elected by the membership to oversee the organization and provide guidance and future vision. All members of the Board of Directors must be current student leaders from within the CSA membership. Working from a Strategic Framework that is approved annually by the membership, the CSA Board oversees the regular operational activities of the full time staff (Secretariat) through the General Manager/CEO.
The CSA Board of Directors bring important postsecondary issues to the membership for their input through provincial and regional conferences where advocacy, direction and recommendations are voted upon by the membership. This is how the membership has a voice in the guidance and direction of the Board and Secretariat to carry out on behalf of over 70% of Ontario’s college and college-university students.
Representing the membership, the Secretariat carries out a wide range of activities including: Advocacy, Research and Policy Development, Leadership Success, Policy Analysis, Governance Training, Best Practice Methods, Member Support Services, Provincial and Regional Conferences.
President – Justin Fox
Student Representative Council
St. Clair College, Windsor, ON
Justin Fox is a graduate from the Business Human resource Management program and is in his fifth year of student government with the St.Clair College Student Representative Council. Justin has been involved with the College Student Alliance since the beginning of his student government career and also served as last year’s CSA President, as well he sat on the Leadership Success Steering Committee. He also sits on a number of committees and councils within St.Clair College in Windsor.
Justin ran for the position of President because he felt he could be a strong voice for the membership as well for Ontario’s College and College-University students. Justin feels that the more informed students are on issues dealing with postsecondary education the stronger the students, leadership and colleges will be in Ontario. Justin recognizes that the CSA as an organization supports student leaders and student rights with their best interests in mind.
Vice President – Sheena Sonser
Conestoga Students Incorporated
Conestoga College, Kitchener, ON
Sheena Sonser is a graduate of Conestoga College from the three year Business Administration Marketing program and is the current President of Conestoga Students Incorporated. Sheena has been involved in student government and the College Student Alliance for the past 4 years. Sheena has attended numerous conferences over the years to develop her leadership skills which only grew and fostered her love for student leadership.
Sheena ran for vice president because she is extremely passionate about student engagement and feels that there is an opportunity to improve the overall student experience across Ontario working through the College Student Alliance. Sheena looks forward to contributing her ideas and time to insure the College Student Alliance has a year of growth and success.
Director, East Region – Leigh Bursey
St. Lawrence College Student Association (Brockville)
St. Lawrence College, Brockville, ON
Leigh Bursey is a 23 year old student of St. Lawrence College Brockville. A graduate of the General Arts and Sciences program, he is currently entering into the Office Administration program, and currently sits as the Executive Vice President of his home student association, the Student Administrative Council. Leigh is a youth advocate and political activist, who is currently the Youth Officer of Brockville’s Council of Canadians chapter and the Youth Officer of the Leeds-Grenville NDP. He is currently running as a city council candidate for the October 2010 Brockville Municipal Election. Dedicated to standing up for students in the eastern region and all over Ontario, he is proud to be your Eastern Regional Director, and is excited to fight the good fight and help wherever he can.
Director, North Region – Omar Jackson
Northern College Student Association (Haileybury)
Northern College of Applied Arts & Technology , Haileybury, ON
Omar is a graduate of the Veterinary Technician program at Northern College of Applied Arts & Technology – Haileybury Campus. He will be entering his final year specializing in Wild Life Rehabilitation this upcoming academic year. Omar is in his third term as President of the Northern College Student Association (NCSA) for the Haileybury Campus. He became actively involved with the CSA in August of 2008 when he attended his first Regional Conference. He got “bit” by the CSA bug and the sky became the limit from that point. He served as a CSA Posse member on his campus for 2008. In 2009, Omar was nominated the CSA Vice-President for the 2009-2010 year. He served with his fellow Board Members, during which they accomplished many great things. He decided to return to the Board for another year, and was elected the Northern Regional Director for the 2010-2011 year. Omar enjoys getting involved with anything relating to making a difference in the lives of students on his campus and across Ontario. Omar believes teamwork is the best foundation for any one or any organization to build on. He incorporates this method of thinking in his life as president of his home council, his involvement with his fellow student leaders across the province, and in his daily life. During his spare time, Omar likes to hang out with his dog TJ, who is entrusted with the task of keeping him sane!
Director, Southwest Region – Veronica Barahona
Fanshawe Student Union
Fanshawe College, London, ON
Veronica Barahona is a graduate of Fanshawe College’s Business Marketing 2 year program and has recently graduated from the one-year Business Administration Marketing graduate program. Veronica is currently enrolled in a one-year Corporate Communications and Public Relations graduate program for 2010-2011. She is also currently the VP Internal of the Fanshawe Student Union, outgoing VP External.
Veronica was born and raised in Southwestern Ontario and is very proud to be on the Board this year. Veronica hopes to strengthen the relationship between all the Southwest Colleges and CSA through strong communication – SOUTHERN PRIDE! Veronica joined CSA because she saw the opportunity to get involved not just locally but provincially. CSA offers so many opportunities for students and presents each student with the chance to get involved – she wants to communicate this to her home board and student body as well as the other Colleges she will be representing. She is very excited to work with such strong leaders on the Board this year!
Director, Central Region – Melissa Mendes
Sheridan Student Union
Sheridan College, Brampton, ON
Melissa Mendes is currently studying Media Studies (Public Relations) at the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto. She is a third year Public Relations student as well as Vice President of Campus Life for the Humber Students Federation at the North Campus. Melissa has always been moving up the ladder in student government for the past six years and has now joined the College Student Alliance as a Board member.
Melissa joined the CSA board because she saw an opportunity for change amongst all the schools within the Central Region. She is a strong believer in further improving the interaction amongst all Central Schools and the CSA. As Director of the Central Region, she would like to build long lasting relationships with current members as well as establish new relationships with those not yet apart of the CSA family! Melissa will strive to strengthen the relationships between all Colleges and make Central schools as active as she knows they can be!
