Only few roles on campus come with a convocation handshake, a Board seat, and a direct line to the Principal—but for the Rector, it’s all in a day’s work.
Elected in February 2024 and sworn in on May 1, 2024, Niki Boytchuk-Hale is the University’s 39th Rector. A position elected by the entire student body holds the distinction of being the third officer of the University, following the Chancellor and Principal.
READ MORE: Niki Boytchuk-Hale elected Queen’s Rector
In this role, the Rector represents students on the Queen’s Board of Trustees, engaging in ceremonial functions such as convocation while serving as a connection between students and senior administration.
In an interview with The Journal, Boytchuck-Hale explained that when she first came to Queen’s in 2019, she didn’t feel as confident to pursue extracurriculars as she did in high school, instead wanting to focus on school. However, when she decided to get involved, she explained her “world opened up” and encouraged first years to do the same to foster connections with others.
“I think what I’ve learned is that relationships are everything. Our degrees at Queen’s are very important, and they show that we’ve accomplished a significant learning achievement, but it’s really [about] the relationships that you build with your professors and your TAs who are going to think of you when they have a research project and then you’re going to learn about something new, or the club leaders that you work with,” Boytchuk-Hale said.
Since arriving in 2019, she has experienced life as both a graduate and undergraduate student, having earned a BFA in 2023 and a BEd in 2024 through the Indigenous Teacher Education Program. She is now pursuing a MEd, with plans to graduate in 2026, while serving as Rector.
She first considered running for Rector during the fall of her Bachelor of Education year while on placement outside of Kingston. Although she initially planned to graduate and take a break from academics, she saw an opportunity to combine graduate studies with continued student leadership.
Her decision to run, she explained, was shaped by previous leadership roles on campus: working with the AMS and leading the Governance Committee as the Chair, and working with the University Relations as a Brand Communications and Insights Intern.
Through her roles as AMS Director of Marketing, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors, and a member of the University Relations brand team, Boytchuk-Hale told The Journal she gained a strong understanding of both student government and university administration—two key areas the Rector must navigate.
“I felt like my skills in communication and marketing, and now some experience being on committees, would help represent students, which is what the role is about,” Boytchuk-Hale said.
Beyond her responsibilities in governance, Boytchuk-Hale also shared advice for students beginning their time at Queen’s. For first-year students, she emphasized the value of finding community early, whether through clubs, volunteer work, or attending events.
“It’s okay to not know everything right away,” she said. “You’re not alone in trying to figure things out, and there are people here to help.”
She added that she plans to attend Orientation Week events and encouraged new students to stop by her Office or say hello on campus. While she has her door open at all times, those conversations don’t stop at her office door. She brings student feedback into the University’s highest decision-making spaces.
“I’m here to serve students,” she said. “Whether you have a question, a concern, or just want to chat, I’m always happy to listen.”
Throughout the year, Boytchuk-Hale explained she will continue meeting with students, hosting office hours, and attending events across campus in order to make her role more visible and accessible to the broader Queen’s community.
Tags
First Year in Focus, Niki Boytchuk-Hale, Rector, Student Spotlight
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