Five AMS executive candidates share their visions for the 2025-26 school year.
Sectioned by position, the debate took place at Goodes Hall on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m., with all five candidates in attendance. Candidates include Jana Amer, HealthSci ’26, and Nicolas David Brasset Duque, ArtSci ’25 for President; Alyssa Perisa, ArtSci ’25, and Dreyden George, ArtSci ’26 for Vice-President (University Affairs); and uncontested candidate Elena Nurzynski, ArtSci ’25, for Vice-President (Operations).
From Jan. 21 to 22, students submitted position-specific questions for candidates at the Queen’s Centre. At the debate, each candidate answered seven questions tailored to their role, with two minutes per response. Candidates for the same position address the same questions and delivered both opening and closing statements.
Vice-President (University Affairs)
The debate began with Perisa and George taking the stage as the two candidates up for the position of Vice-President (University Affairs).
When asked why she wanted to run for this role, Perisa said she wanted to contribute to the
AMS and improve student lives through small changes. She emphasized the importance of using the position to advocate for diversity and inclusion.
For George, he didn’t consider the role when he first began at the AMS as the social issues commissioner (external) as a first-year student. However, he believes he has a deep understanding of the barriers many students face as an Indigenous and first-generation student to attend university. He plans to advocate for students within this role.
Another question highlighted concerns about the Campus Affairs Commission’s lack of direction. In response, George presented a plan to establish an international affairs centre within the commission. He outlined additional goals, including collaborating with the University to organize sanctioned tailgates for Homecoming and St. Patrick’s Day, which he believes will reduce harm and minimize fines.
According to Perisa, Orientation Roundtable (ORT) Mystery Concert is a large undertaking for faculty societies. If elected, she would consider moving the concert under the Campus Affairs Commission. Currently, the concert falls under the purview of the ORT commission.
Both candidates stated the Commissioner of External Affairs should be promoted to a vice-presidential position at the executive level, given the extent of the profile and the connections the commissioner makes with government staff and politicians on all levels of government. The commissioner’s involvement in the Ontario Universities Student’s Alliance (OUSA) introduces the commissioner to several provincial politicians and stakeholders.
In their closing remarks, Perisa and George emphasized amplifying student voices and the importance of advocacy, which they both hope to bring to the Vice-President (University Affairs) position.
Vice-President (Operations)
Because Nurzynski is running uncontested, the Vice-President (Operations) portion of the debate ran as a question and answer period. Like Persia and George, she opened by explaining her decision to run for her respective position. Her motivation stems from a desire to share the knowledge she has gained through her experience at Tricolour Outlet and as the current head manager of Common Ground Coffeehouse.
“I’ve worked at the AMS for a few years, and I’ve gotten so much from every single role that I’ve held. I want to be able to pass that knowledge down to service head managers and their teams,” Nurzynski said.
She believes the AMS provides “fantastic” job opportunities for students, further elaborating that expanding collaboration within the society is vital in understanding the wants and needs of students and workers.
“I think it’s really important to ensure the AMS is establishing strong relationships with the student body,” Nurzynski said. “I really want to learn from the student community and hear what they have to say about the AMS and what they’d like to see from it.”
She hopes to increase student engagement within the AMS through creating personable and educational content. Ideas for engagement, she shared, include student focus groups, pitching stories to The Journal, and renewing the habit of regular AMS newsletters to share regular updates on services.
In an effort to promote transparency, the fourth and final pillar in her platform, Nurzynski hopes to break down and share the budgets of services in a more digestible way, emphasizing the need for students to be aware of where their fees are going.
President
The AMS President candidates’ debate closed the evening, with Amer and Brasset Duque discussing their visions for the position.
Amer explained her overall goal is to leave Queen’s better than how she found it, wanting the AMS to become a stronger, more impactful resource for students. Brasset Duque also discussed improving campus, stating how his five years at Queen’s have allowed him to have numerous conversations with students, staff, and faculty.
Candidates were asked how they would ensure equal representation for all students, with Brasset Duque highlighting the importance of working with faculty societies to understand the issues of the various faculties. Amer echoed his sentiments, adding the importance of meeting with clubs to understand the needs of the diverse student body.
In addressing concerns of safety on campus for religious minorities, particularly Jewish students, Brasset Duque stated the importance of studentsbeing able to freely express identity and plans to work to offer mental health support and employee training.
“If you’re a student at Queen’s University, this campus is your home, and you deserve to be safe in your own home,” he said.
Touching on the same question, Amer aims to tackle this issue through education and awareness.
“Hate and misunderstanding thrive on ignorance,” she said.
She plans to facilitate open dialogue by listening to the experiences of religious minorities such as Jewish students and by holding cultural celebrations.
“This is more than just policies or events. It’s about showing up for each other consistently and standing up against hate with one another,” Amer said.
In wrapping up the debate, Brasset Duque broke down into tears with his closing remark.
“It’s been a pleasure to call this place my home […] I love this University,” he said. Amer helped support him, rushing to grab him napkins, after which she stated the election is about more than just leadership, but also about representation.
“This is not just my campaign, this is ours,” Amer said. The two candidates then shared a hug.
AMS Executive elections will take place on Jan. 29 to 30 through SimplyVoting, with results released at 9 a.m. on Jan. 31.
Tags
AMS debates, AMS elections, Elections 2025
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