Hey friends! Chris checking in with yet another edition of the Asper Scoop. The winter semester is officially in full swing: Student Appreciation Week has been SAW’ed, a new CSA president has been elected, and we actually have to pay attention in class now (this one is up for debate though). While it may feel like the dog days of the semester are approaching, there are some exciting opportunities and initiatives on the horizon before and after reading week. Keep reading to get the inside (Asper) scoop for February.
Life as a CSA Exec
Let’s take a trip back to the historic year of… 2023. Commerce Students’ Association Executive Council applications were open and a new crop of student leaders were about to interview for the seven open positions. Angela Lawrence, a then third-year Asper student, saw an opportunity to get involved for the first time during her degree, hoping to empower and uplift the student body. Meanwhile, Nicholas Lu, coming off of a successful year in the position of EDI Officer, had seen the CSA’s impact firsthand and wanted to continue to play a key role in the growth of student opportunities. Although Angela and Nicholas came from different schools, were at different points in their degrees, and ultimately had no prior connection, they shared one very important thing in common: a desire to enhance the Asper student experience.
It’s a year later and it’s clear that neither Angela or Nicholas regret taking their shot at becoming an exec. As Vice President Student Life and Vice President Professional Development, respectively, both have had the chance to organize major events, lead teams, and see their original goals come to life. With events such as The Commerce Week, Business Banquet, the National Business School Conference, and Commerce Carol all in the rearview mirror, the duo can reflect on the hard work and effort put in by the entire team.
When looking back at the year that was, Angela and Nicholas both highlighted the mutual support present within the executive team, along with the CSA as a whole. While student leadership positions can be daunting, the pair mentioned teamwork and communication as aspects that made them comfortable in their roles. Whether you’ve held a CSA position in the past or you’re getting involved for the first time, both Angela and Nicholas emphasize that there will be plenty of opportunities to learn and grow along the way.
Reflecting on their application experience, both Angela and Nicholas encourage students to ask questions, visit the CSA office, and interview. As the pair told themselves almost a year ago to date, the worst that can happen is someone says no; the best case scenario being one of the most memorable years of your university career. With applications due shortly, the entire executive team are more than willing to chat!
Interested in applying for the CSA Executive Council this year? Send in your application here before February 9th, 2024 at 11:59 PM!
Meet ABSA: Emphasizing Support and Shared Experiences
Written in collaboration with Alison Elewa-Ikpakwu and Hana Tedla
As Alison Elewa-Ikpakwu and Hana Tedla embarked on their academic journeys, they were navigating the challenges of being international and first generation students. Their experiences at Asper led them to a realization; there was a distinct need in the community, one they were determined to address.
The Asper Black Student Association (ABSA) at the University of Manitoba emerged with the mission to cultivate a supportive and inclusive community for Black students. Originating from a collective aspiration to foster cultural exchange, offer community support, facilitate professional development, and organize empowering events, ABSA’s foundation lies in personal experiences shared during their time at Asper.
Arriving at the University of Manitoba as an international student from Nigeria, Alison was immediately confronted with cultural differences, academic adjustments, and the complexities of adapting to a new school, country, and learning environment. A significant turning point in her journey occurred when she connected with Patricia, a black international Asper student. Patricia’s guidance and insights into navigating the academic landscape were pivotal, it provided crucial support for Alison’s successful acceptance into the Asper program on her first attempt.
On the other hand, Hana’s academic journey as a first generation student was marked by a distinct lack of the support system pivotal for success. Navigating university independently, she faced unique challenges such as medical issues and feelings of detachment from not belonging to a specific faculty (before being admitted to Asper after her second attempt). This underscored the need for a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Recognizing the interconnected nature of their stories, Alison and Hana share a collective objective — to reciprocally support each other by laying the foundation for success and empowerment. This shared realization served as the inspiration for the creation of a club within Asper designed to provide tailored support to the Black and international student community.
ABSA’s overarching goal is to elevate and support black students within the Asper School of Business, providing a safe space to share experiences. With future plans of connecting black professionals with Asper students, hosting discussion panels, and establishing peer to peer mentorship programs, ABSA aims to foster unity among black students on campus. ABSA objectives include to bridge and foster communities, act as a cultural knowledge hub and DEI ambassador, enhance student well-being, and expand Asper’s global outreach and appeal.
Now in their final year, Alison and Hana are dedicated to laying the foundation for the organization and recruiting an executive team to guide ABSA in the coming years. As the organization continues to establish its presence on campus, ABSA is currently looking to recruit a successor for the President position. If you’re interested in getting involved with ABSA on the executive level (either now or in the future), please reach out to [email protected]. In addition, feel free to join ASBA via this membership signup form!
Extra Credit: February Fun at Asper
Let me know if this sounds familiar: “Looking to get involved with Asper this semester? Check out these amazing opportunities this month”. If so, it’s probably because I totally overuse this phrase in my writing. With that being said, are you looking to get involved with Asper this semester? Check out these amazing opportunities this month!
February 8th: 5 Days Trivia Night
Ready to test your pop culture knowledge? Check out 5 Days Trivia Night, a fun-filled evening packed with questions from iconic TV shows to top-charting songs. Plus, all proceeds go to support Resource Assistance for Youth.
February 12-15: FYC Valentine’s Bake Sale
Does Cupid have you in the mood for some homemade baking? Be sure to check out the First Year Committee’s Valentine’s Bake Sale, hosted in the Drake Centre during Valentine’s week. All proceeds go to charity!
Keep your eyes peeled in the Drake Centre and on @AsperFYC on Instagram!
February 12-15: 5 Days Candy Grams
Send some Valentine’s love to your friend, classmate, or special someone with 5 Days! You’ll be able to select a bag and write a personal note to the person you’re sending to, with all proceeds going to support Resource Assistance for Youth.
Find the 5 Days team in Drake and follow @5DaysUM on Instagram for updates!
February 13: Celebrate Black History Month with IG Wealth Management
In recognition of Black History Month, IG Wealth Management is hosting a panel and networking event geared towards students or recent graduates. The session will feature an interactive discussion with IG Wealth Management leaders and Black Advisory Council members, with time afterwards to networking with peers and reps!
Register today using this link!
February 17: Commerce Classic
Sure to be an instant classic, Commerce Classic is the newest edition to the Commerce Socials lineup! Kicking off the Winter reading week, Commerce Classic is hosted at the TYC Event Centre & Tavern United Polo Park (1405 St Matthews Ave) from 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM. Be sure to snag your spot – tickets are selling out quickly!
February 24th: EDI In Action: Income Inequality and Post Secondary Education
Join us on February 24th for the next installation of the CSA’s EDI in Action series, focusing on Income Inequality and Post Secondary Education. All are welcome to discuss, ask questions, or sit back and listen!
Follow @AsperCSA on Instagram for further updates!
February 29th: Born to Business, Forced to Network
Leap year event alert! Join the CSA’s First Year Committee at the inaugural “Born to Business, Forced to Network” event. Discussions will revolve around navigating social anxiety while networking, with the event open to students of any year.
Follow @AsperFYC on Instagram for more info!
Huge shoutout to Nic, Angela, Alison, and Hana for sharing their stories with us this month, and a major thank you again for reading this month. 2 more scoops to come – the countdown is on!
Until next month,
Chris