The Physical Health Education and Kinesiology Student Association (PHESKA) campaign period is underway with voting occurring Feb. 1 and 2.
PHESKA candidates Amelia Rodrigues, running for vice-president (university affairs) and vice-president (operations) candidates Cari Brown and Nasser Nayed didn’t respond to The Journal request for the opportunity to share their vision if elected in time for publication.
Payton Rix
Payton Rix, Kin ’25, is running uncontested to be PHESKA’s President for the 2024-25 academic year.
In a letter of intent obtained by The Journal, Rix outlined her journey as a Queen’s undergraduate Kinesiology student including time involved in Kinesiology Orientation Week.
Previously, Rix was a second-year representative for PHESKA and is the current vice-president (operations).
Rix said she’s been a member of the Athletic Therapy Mini Stream and is pursuing a certificate in Disability and Physical Activity (DIPA).
“I’ve pursued my passions and realized the significance of supporting every student in pursuing their own,” the letter read. “It’s my goal to protect the unique experiences, academic and extracurricular, that makes Kinesiology so special.”
As a PHESKA presidential candidate, Rix acknowledged the importance of transparency, especially during Queen’s current budget cuts. Rix plans to be open, honest, and foster a community of trust within the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies’ student body.
“In the face of adversity, it’s my goal to bridge the gap between students and decision-makers by fostering a collaborative environment,” Rix wrote.
“I hope to give students the resources needed to navigate these cuts and continue thriving as a program.”
Rix said she’s grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Queen’s Kinesiology community.
“With your vote, I will work to preserve the Kinesiology environment that allows students to pursue their passions for many years to come.”
Yasmin Asadi
Yasmin Asadi, Kin ’26, is running against two other candidates to be the next 2024-25 PHESKA Vice-President (Operations)(VPO).
Asadi was a PHESKA year representative in both her first and second year and wants to take the next step into the role of VPO.
“As [vice-president (operations)], I hope to advocate for my faculty at ASUS assemblies and be a liaison for seamless communication between ASUS and PHEKSA. I believe improving transparency between ASUS, PHEKSA, and students would not only reduce the uncertainty surrounding student fees, but it will also give us more autonomy for events such as orientation week,” Asadi wrote in a statement to The Journal.
In the position, Asadi said she would offer as much support as she can to students under the VPO’s purview and host regular check-ins, providing input as needed.
“I don’t anticipate this challenge to be grueling as PHEKSA members do an excellent job supporting each other and maintaining open communication,” Asadi said. “Like the rest of the faculty, PHEKSA is a family.”
Elizabeth Squire-Fisher
Elizabeth Squire-Fisher, Kin ’26, is one of two candidates running for the PHESKA Vice-President (University Affairs)(VPUA) position for the next academic year.
As a first-year student, Squire-Fisher said she struggled to meet people in the Kinesiology community, but when she took on the role of PHESKA Junior Outreach Commissioner her confidence improved. This year, she’s continued with PHESKA and currently holds the role of Formal Commissioner.
Squire-Fisher is involved in other leadership roles such as outreach director for the Queen’s University Blood Team, marketing coordinator for the Queen’s Concussion Awareness Committee, and the assistant director of Science Quest. She believes these roles contributed to her personal growth.
“[As] I’m running for this position, my motivation is to extend the same sense of empowerment to my fellow kinesiology students. I want to ensure that every student, regardless of how quiet they are, feels heard and represented in our “Kin-munity,” Squire-Fisher said.
In her statement, Squire-Fisher outlined her four key focus points: academic resources, course peer reviews, research, and networking. She would like to implement online platforms for students to upload course resources while gathering survey feedback from students on their courses.
“If elected VPUA, I aim to collaborate with the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies for student-friendly solutions and implement the proposed academic resource platform to ease the burden on students,” she said.
Squire-Fisher believes in transparency and openness for the student body. She wants to make PHEKSA information, including meeting minutes, is available to students.
“I plan to actively inform kinesiology students about PHEKSA meeting minutes, ensuring they’re aware of what has been communicated to us. Additionally, I will create opportunities for direct engagement, encouraging students to discuss their concerns with me.”
Tags
kinesiology, PHESKA, student elections
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