Avery Papoulidis, HealthSci ’27, is the sole candidate running for the AMS Vice-President (Operations) (VPOP) position in the upcoming executive elections.
Although Papoulidis didn’t directly interact with AMS until this year, her role as Assistant Manager of Marketing and Events at Queen’s Pub, she claims the role has given her firsthand exposure to AMS operations, allowing her to see both the strengths and shortcomings of current AMS systems and if elected, she promises changes to the current system.
“I wasn’t really familiar with AMS before this [Assistant Manager of Marketing and Events] position,” she said in an interview with The Journal. “I just fell in love with this job, and all of the staff are amazing.”
Beyond the AMS, Papoulidis has held several leadership roles on campus, particularly in mental health advocacy. She helped establish the Queen’s Pre-Therapy Society and Proactive Minds, which delivers mental health workshops in elementary schools across Kingston.
The Vice-President (Operations) overlooks the daily operations and financials of the AMS, which includes the administration of the AMS’s 11 services in addition to overseeing all service head managers.
The services within the position’s purview include the Society 58, CoGro, Peer Support Centre, Walkhome, Foodbank, Student Life Centre, AMS Media Centre, Queen’s StuCons, The Queen’s Journal, Housing Resource Centre, and the Academic Grievance Centre. The VPOP is also responsible for the Bus-it program, a contract between the AMS and City of Kingston that allows AMS students to ride for free.
While she recognizes that an uncontested race can raise concerns about accountability, she said she approached the campaign expecting competition and remains committed to transparency.
“I didn’t slack off,” she said. “This wasn’t a last-minute decision for me.”
Platform and priorities
Papoulidis’ platform is built on three pillars: equal support for AMS services, a more connected and accessible AMS, and transparent, student-focused operations.
Despite her background at Queen’s Pub, Papoulidis emphasized she doesn’t intend to prioritize one service over others.
She hopes to achieve this through increased visibility, mentorship, and hands-on leadership not only for service head managers but assistant managers as well.
“I want to provide equal, unbiased support to all of the AMS services,” Papoulidis said.
The second pillar aims to address what she described as a sense of isolation surrounding the AMS. To combat this, Papoulidis plans to adopt an open-door policy, regular office hours, and expanded collaboration between AMS services, commissions, and faculty societies. One proposal includes a monthly meeting bringing together faculty society vice-presidents of operations to improve communication and transitions.
“A more connected campus results in better student experience,” she said.
Her third pillar centres on transparency in AMS financial operations. Papoulidis said students often feel disconnected from how financial decisions are made and struggle to understand where student fees go.
As part of this effort, she proposed changing when the AMS operating budget is presented to the Assembly.
READ MORE: AMS projects a $514,412 deficit for the 2025-26 year
“Every summer, the vice-president of operations makes an operating budget for the entire AMS,” she said. “For some reason, we don’t present it until December. I don’t see the point of presenting hypothetical projections in December.”
Instead, she hopes to present the operating budget earlier in the term and use the December Assembly to compare projected figures with actual financial data.
Papoulidis said she would make the financial information more accessible by sharing it at clearer and more appropriate points in the year, and presenting information in simplified formats that students can understand without a background in finance.
Measuring success
When asked how she would define success at the end of her term, Papoulidis emphasized trust, communication, and long-term planning.
“Success looks like students feeling supported rather than frustrated,” she said. “When students can clearly explain what the AMS is doing and why, this is how I’ll know that I’m successful in this role.”
She described her leadership style as detail-oriented, collaborative, and visible, noting her preference for behind-the-scenes operational work. “I like doing the little tedious tasks that no one really likes to do,” Papoulidis said. “And I think that’s kind of what makes operations run smoothly.” Later adding, “I don’t lead from a distance,” she said. “I want all of the staff to know my face […], just create a healthier, friendlier atmosphere on campus.”
The AMS executive debate is scheduled for Jan. 23 at 6 p.m., with voting taking place on Jan. 28 and 30.
Tags
AMS elections, AMS VPOP, Elections 2026
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Anonymous
A bit confused as to why this article title states uncontested wheras the VPUA one does not? Even though both candidates are uncontested?