Two different teams, but one main goal: Represent you.

Have you ever found yourself wondering whether to bring your concerns to the IGNITE Board of Directors or to the student advocates (SAs)? Well, I’ll admit. I’ve had that moment too.

When you think of student leadership, representation and advocacy at Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber, these two groups are front and centre. And even if you think you’ve never heard of them, chances are you’ve crossed paths—I’m sure you have.

Whether it was seeing candidates campaign during the IGNITE Election or watching advocates push for student concerns, their faces are everywhere across campus.

But here’s everyone’s question: What sets them apart?

Let’s dive into the roles of the directors and the student advocates so you can understand how they differ and how both can help you make the most of your student experience.

Step one: Understanding the Board of Directors

For our first lecture, let’s start with the numbers. The IGNITE Board of Directors is made up of nine student members across four campuses. That means you can always connect with someone from your campus who understands your day-to-day student life.

Here’s who represents you this year:

Lakeshore

• Alexandra Rodgers
• Mark Tyshkevych
• Riya Sarda

North

• Divyam Grover
• Gabriella Inko-Tariah

Downtown

• Daniel Tarhembe

UofGH

• Alexia Velez
• Andrea Joy Deveraturda
• Natalie Vrdoljak

You’ll probably spot them around campus, but if your schedules don’t match, IGNITE’s website lists their emails so you can always reach out directly.

Board members are elected by you during the IGNITE Election. Their main responsibility is to govern IGNITE. In plain English, that means they approve budgets, oversee policies and set IGNITE’s strategic direction. They are basically steering the ship on behalf of students.

Unlike student advocates, the board doesn’t usually deal with immediate issues. Instead, their decisions focus on the bigger picture and often shape the student experience for years to come.

Step two: The Student Advocates

Now that we know board members keep their eyes on the big picture, let’s zoom in on your everyday experience. On the ground level are the Student Advocates, and as their name suggests, their main focus isn’t governance, it’s advocacy.

They’re students just like you, facing the same challenges and navigating the same campus life. But in this role, they have a seat at the table with Humber and UofGH administration, staff and faculty. Their job is to make sure student perspectives aren’t just heard, but also truly valued.

Just like the Humber Bay Arch Bridge connects Toronto and Etobicoke, SAs are the bridge between students and decision-makers. They create channels for communication and trust, and their ultimate goal is to amplify your voice and make sure it reaches the right people.

This year’s Student Advocates are two familiar faces.

At Humber, you’ll see Selena Ferreira. If you’ve ever visited the IGNITE office at the Lakeshore campus, you definitely have experienced her energy and warmth.

She brings a student-first approach to advocacy, and her mission is to strengthen connections between students and leaders while keeping students at the heart of every decision.

“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,” Selena said in an interview to IGNITE in August.

Sitting at UofGH is her teammate, Emily Edwards. And don’t you dare say “Emily who?”—she is a campus superstar. As a former IGNITE social media assistant, she was the creative mind behind some of IGNITE’s most iconic videos. Now, she’s using her vibrant energy to champion UofGH students.

Emily knows the UofGH culture inside out, and she’s focused on encouraging students to balance academics with mental health. A natural extrovert, she’s the type to stop and chat with you in the hallways.

“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,” Emily said in an interview to IGNITE in September.

Together, this dream team will do the groundwork to make sure students feel seen, heard and supported.

Step three: Who should I reach out to?

So, now is the big question: If you’ve got a concern, who do you go to?

If your concern is about the bigger picture, such as IGNITE’s long-term priorities or changes to policies, your best bet is the Board of Directors. They’re elected to represent you in those top-level decisions, so they’ll have these answers right away.

But, if your issue is more immediate, like struggles with campus services or accessibility, you’ll want to connect with the student advocates. Their role is to be there with you every day, listening, relaying and fighting for your concerns in the right rooms with the right people.

To make it simple, think of it this way: the board steers the ship, while the SAs make sure the passengers are comfortable and cared for along the way.

They both matter. And knowing who to reach out to ensures your voice gets where it needs to go.

So, how does that feel? Do you get the difference between the Board of Directors and the student advocates? Their roles can sometimes sound familiar, but knowing what sets them apart is key to making the most of your student experience.

Make sure to connect with the board members from your campus and your Student Advocate at your institution. Having their info on hand means you know exactly who to reach out to when you need support.

And, of course, don’t forget to follow us on our socials @shareignite to stay updated on everything IGNITE!

Feature image courtesy of IGNITE.

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