“To be in a place where someone can share their concerns, and then seeing that they’re happy afterwards, that’s something.”
Emily Edwards
If you’ve been keeping up with IGNITE’s TikTok, you’ll most likely remember Emily Edwards from some of the page’s most iconic videos. Straight off the screen and into the halls, students will feel the vibrant, bubbly and friendly presence of IGNITE’s new student advocate.
Fresh off a historic year with Naisha Suthaharan and the widely successful Time is Money campaign, Edwards is an advocate for any and all issues that students face across the University of Guelph-Humber.
Coming into the role with plenty of experience in advocacy, marketing and social media, Edwards brings a variety of skills. She’s advocated for the media and communications program as an academic program representative, ensuring students’ voices were heard. In fact, hearing from students, conducting questionnaires and turning those voices into solutions were her favourite parts of the job.
Get to Know Edwards
In her third year working with IGNITE, she is now transitioning from social media to the student advocate role. In high school, she advocated on behalf of her school’s student union and, at UofGH, as her program’s academic representative.
Having a good relationship with the previous student advocates over the past three years, and seeing firsthand the positive effects they’ve had, she’s constantly learning and taking their leadership qualities with her. She also hopes to make a similar impact.
“I’m excited to carry that forward,” Edwards said.
She believes her ability to read people can help her advocate efficiently, and that skill comes from behind the camera. Taking photos of positive expressions is one of Edwards’ cherished pastimes. She’s always reading the room for the perfect moment to take the best picture.
“I’m good at understanding how someone’s feeling, and I really try to put myself in their shoes,” she said.
The driving factor of her new role is to engage with the people around her. Edwards said seeing people happy is what gives her purpose.
Besides the new role, Edwards is also focused on completing her studies in her fourth and final year of the media and communications program.
She’s just finished an exciting internship at a pet food supplier, where she handled their social media accounts. IGNITE has also had the honour of having Edwards contribute to many projects as our social media assistant, constantly connecting with the student body through her work.
She’s still fondly reminiscing about going around talking to students while filming their talents. Honing her passion in public communications and carrying over this skill is vital in her fight for students.
Her goals as a student advocate
Edwards relates closely with the student body. For the past three years, she’s been living in residence, being the first and only student advocate to do so.
She understands the school’s culture deeply, not only from a resident standpoint but from a student’s perspective overall. Being able to constantly roam around campus gives her the knowledge to better assist the student body. Knowing how to navigate every nook and cranny, event times, busy hours for services and what the average student is going through only increases the skillset she brings to the table for her advocacy.
“I’m gonna be able to enhance people’s student experience more,” Edwards said.
She encourages students to approach her with anything.
“I want to just be there for students,” she said. “I want to be someone that students feel comfortable coming to.”
Providing encouragement to stay on top of academics while also taking care of mental health by being open-minded, trying new activities and exploring all the school has to offer is one of Edwards’ key messages. She will preach about organization, asking students to carve out time for themselves and to be social. She said it’s crucial to not only do well in school but also have a good time.
Edwards leans into her extroverted nature. She tries to say hi and spark conversation with as many people as possible, eagerly staying in touch with the student body.
One of Edwards’ main ideals is to uphold the sense of community and keep communication open and frequent to improve UofGH for the better.
“I’d also like to be someone that they see in the hallway and they’re able to come up and say hi to if they want to just talk,” she said.
Say “Hi” to Edwards!
See Edwards in the halls? Wave hi, approach with a smile and be ready to have the most helpful confidant you’ve ever had. Edwards boasts about the importance of communication and will do everything to make sure anyone who speaks with her leaves with the day better than how it started.
Get in contact with Edwards online, or be lucky enough to see her in the halls. Either way, she can’t wait to hear from you!
Feature image courtesy of IGNITE.
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