The recently elected Nursing Science Society (NSS) executive team is working towards a future of improved engagement and support for Nursing students.
President Mika Heler, Vice-President (Operations) Madelyn Lagace, and Vice-President (University Affairs) Emmy Lind, all Nurs ’26, were elected to their roles in an uncontested election that took place on Nov. 20. The team transitioned to their roles in early December.
NSS runs a unique election cycle, with candidates’ terms revolving around the calendar year rather than May to April like other executive student government positions.
Heler, on behalf of the team, sat down with The Journal to discuss the election process and their vision for the upcoming year. Lagace and Lind were unable to attend due to being out of town.
The three main pillars for their campaign aimed to improve the personal and academic experiences of Nursing students, interfaculty collaboration, increased engagement, and health promotion.
Heler emphasized the importance of interfaculty collaboration and interprofessional relationships with other healthcare-oriented programs at Queen’s, including medicine, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.
“Nursing is a very, very small faculty, and we really wanted to expand our branching,” Heler said in an interview with The Journal.
For the team’s engagement pillar, Heler explained the busy nature of Nursing students, stating the executive team wants to ensure students feel they have a safe space where they can come to and want to have their voices heard.
Due to the “tolling” nature of nursing as a profession and in schooling, the team’s final pillar prioritizes the promotion of physical and mental health for Nursing students. Throughout their term, the team aims to collaborate with Queen’s Nursing Students Wellness to create an environment of wellness and safety for Nursing students.
Heler was previously the Interprofessional Commissioner in the NSS where she was responsible with promoting strong relationships with other faculty societies as well as acting as a liaison for the School of Nursing. During the tenure, Heler noticed a lack of communication between Nursing and other faculties, aside from the Engineering Society (EngSoc)—building these connections is something the executive team wants to prioritize.
Heler established the Interfaculty Commission—an initiative she plans to continue with her team. The commission, which had their first meeting in the latter half of the fall semester, meets once a month with the Arts & Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS), the Concurrent Education Students’ Association (CESA) and EngSoc to support student growth by meeting with leaders from these faculties to ensure clear communication.
Each executive team member brings unique strengths to the table, Heler explained. She highlighted Lagace’s experience as last year’s Events Commissioner, where organizing the NSS formals equipped her with the logistical expertise needed for her current role. She added Linds experience as Head Cape, or Orientation Leader for NSS orientation, brings interpersonal skills while also experience in coordinating cross-faculty orientation events.
When asked about potential challenges, Heler said the team is focusing on effectively navigating the demands of managing their schedules as executives.
Despite this, Heler shared her excitement to see how quickly the team was able to come together during the election period and hopes to use this success as momentum as they take on their new roles.
Tags
collaboration, health promotion, NSS, Nursing Science Society
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