Meet your new student advocate, Selena Ferreira

“I’m excited to build deeper relationships and ensure students feel seen and heard.”
— Selena Ferreira

If you’ve visited IGNITE’s front desk at Humber’s Lakeshore campus, you might already know her. Friendly and helpful, Selena Ferreira was the face students turned to for questions and support. Now, she’s stepping into a different role with new responsibilities.

Ferreira is IGNITE’s newest student advocate representing Humber Polytechnic students, a role that lets her turn compassion into change and everyday conversations into real action.

Ferreira is a student in Humber’s bachelor of criminal justice and social science program. Her journey from customer service representative (CSR) to student advocate is driven by a passion for people. She believes no student should feel alone in their struggles.

In this role, Ferreira plans to be exactly what students need most: a listener, a leader and someone who understands them.

From service desk to student voice

A woman is sitting behind a desk, interacting with another woman. — *Image by Iren Minka*

Ferreira didn’t just decide to become a student advocate on a whim. Her experience as a CSR gave her a front-row seat to what students go through.

From casual check-ins to vulnerable conversations, her time at the front desk revealed a side of student life that often goes unseen.

“As a CSR, I connected with students and heard firsthand about the challenges they face. That inspired me to take action and help make their realities better,” Ferreira said.

Ferreira has always felt drawn to advocacy and social justice. Her love of policy, combined with her experience in social science, made the decision to apply for student advocate feel like the next right step.

“I am eternally grateful for the laughs and experiences shared during my role as a CSR and am equally as eager to start this new chapter as one of your student advocates,” she said.

From campus concerns to provincial change

A woman is smiling and pointing towards the TV screen. — *Image by Iren Minka*

Ferreira says one of the most surprising things about becoming a student advocate has been the scale of IGNITE’s advocacy work.

“From engaging with students at Humber to meeting with Members of Provincial Parliament, IGNITE’s leadership and advocacy team is taking meaningful steps to improve student lives,” she said.

Ferreira also says Humber staff and leadership have genuinely welcomed and embraced feedback from students.

“To be able to raise concerns and feel like your voice matters, it’s rare. The openness I’ve seen from faculty and staff shows we’re headed in a good direction. It makes me excited about what we can accomplish together,” Ferreira said.

As part of IGNITE’s leadership and advocacy team, Ferreira has already begun engaging in planning sessions, institutional meetings and advocacy initiatives aimed at improving campus policy and services.

Listening with intention

A woman is writing something on a whiteboard. — *Image by Iren Minka*

Even in her new role, Ferreira carries the valuable skills gained at the front desk with her.

“As a CSR, I really honed the skill of listening with empathy and curiosity. Students often came by just to talk or vent and sometimes the most meaningful thing I could do was give them the space to be heard,” she said.

Ferreira combines empathy with deep knowledge of Humber’s student resources and how to navigate them effectively.

“I was able to connect them with Humber resources that could help ease their situation. Being familiar with these supports and knowing how to navigate them as a student is a key skill from my CSR experience that will help me succeed as a student advocate,” Ferreira said.

She believes being approachable and informed makes it easier for students to seek help and that’s where meaningful change starts.

A meaningful start

A woman is working on her laptop. — *Image by Iren Minka*

Ferreira’s first day as a student advocate was anything but ordinary. One of her first assignments? Reviewing student submissions for IGNITE’s Pride Scholarship.

“It was one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had. Reading those personal essays from 2SLGBTQ+ students, hearing about their journeys, their resilience, it was powerful,” she said.

The stories struck a chord and reminded Ferreira why advocacy matters.

“Every single application was full of heart. Some stories were joyful, others were heavy, but all of them showed just how important it is to have spaces that uplift and support students,” she mentioned.

Although she knows picking five scholarship winners won’t be easy, she says the process was a highlight of her early days.

“To the future recipients, congratulations. You deserve every bit of recognition. And to those who applied, thank you for sharing your truth. You’ve inspired me more than you know,” Ferreira said.

Fostering stronger connections

A woman is writing her plans on the whiteboard. — *Image by Iren Minka*

As she settles into her new position, Ferreira’s got her eyes set on building deeper connections with both students and decision-makers.

“I’m excited to build stronger connections with Humber students and ensure they feel heard. I also aim to foster positive relationships within the institution to promote understanding and collaboration for a better future,” she said.

But she also focuses on building strong relationships with Humber leadership, making sure student needs stay at the centre of policy decisions.

Ferreira hopes to help bridge that gap and bring a student-first approach to every table she sits at.

“At the end of the day, students are why Humber exists and their lives are shaped by institutional decisions. I will work to ensure their needs, voices and contributions remain at the heart of every decision and that those decisions lead to positive action,” she said.

Committed to standing with students

A woman is smiling. — *Image via IGNITE*

Ferreira’s story isn’t just about a new role, it’s about growth, purpose and showing what happens when you lead with intention.

She’s still the same friendly, curious person who helped students at the front desk. Now, she carries their stories into rooms where leaders make decisions.

“Advocating for just causes has always been my passion,” she said.

Whether you’ve got a concern to share, need help finding support or just want to have a conversation, Ferreira is here for you.

Want to connect with her? Reach out to her via IGNITE’s website or drop by the IGNITE office on campus. She’s ready to listen, ready to act and ready to make sure your voice is heard.

Feature image courtesy of IGNITE

Want to know about our previous student advocates? Check out farewell to our amazing student leaders!