Student Voices Needed: Apply for Laurentian’s University Senate

October 26, 2026— Student leaders have long played a critical role in shaping Laurentian University.  From influencing academic policy, to providing important feedback on the campus experience, students are needed to fill open seats on the University Senate.

The Senate plays a vital role in determining academic policies, degree programs, and institutional priorities at Laurentian. Having strong student representation ensures that day-to-day student experiences are directly reflected in university governance.

Yerim Chung (South Korea)

Born in South Korea and raised in Australia before moving to Canada, Yerim graduated from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Sudbury. Currently in her second year of Biochemistry, Yerim joined the Senate to help strengthen communication between students and administration. Beyond serving as a senator, she has taken on key leadership responsibilities through the Senate Executive and the Student Appeals Committee, bringing vital student perspectives to high-level decision-making spaces.

 "Having a voice at the table has completely changed the way I see the university," Yerim shares. "Senate has allowed me to see the larger picture, how academic decisions are made, how many perspectives need to be considered, and how much work happens behind the scenes. Student representation matters; even asking a question, raising a concern, or sharing a student perspective can contribute to a broader discussion."

Staysha Kasunich (Sudbury, Ontario)

A graduate of Lockerby Composite School and a recent graduate of the Law and Justice Program (Class of 2026), Staysha joined the Student Senate through her role with the Students’ General Association to advocate for Northern and rural students. During her time on the Senate, she served on the Academic Grade Appeals Committee, bridging her academic background with practical university governance.

"My favourite part of Senate was sitting on the Academic Grade Appeals Committee and learning the entire process," Staysha explains. "Coming from a Law and Justice background, the committee gave me incredible experience seeing elements of legal studies intertwine with university-level appeals."

Both Kasunich and Chung urge interested students to take the leap and put their names forward for open Senate seats, noting that prior executive experience is not required.

"My advice to students considering running for an open Senate seat is to go for it! You have absolutely nothing to lose; even simply listening and observing provides experience in itself," says Kasunich. "As time goes on and you understand how the Senate works, you become more confident to bring your concerns directly to the decision-making table. Opportunities like this are once in a lifetime, so take advantage of that and apply!"

"I would encourage students not to assume that they need to have extensive leadership experience or all the answers before putting their name forward," adds Chung. "Your perspective as a student is valuable precisely because you experience the university in a way that others may not. Approach the role with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen."

The Secretary of Senate invites interested students to inquire about open positions on Senate committees. For details on current committee call-outs and application deadlines, contact Renée Renaud at senate@laurentian.ca.