The student elections have come to an end after a month of campaigning, with results announced for Class A, Class E and Class G positions. Election outcomes were close across the board.
Edy Garcia, a student in Durham College’s music business management program, has been elected as the director representing the Faculty of Media, Art and Design (MAD) in the Durham College Student Association (DCSA). Garcia won with 142 votes, securing 68.6 per cent of total ballots cast, while opponent Andrea Eliadis received 65 votes (31.4 per cent). His campaign focused on updating the curriculum to align with industry demands and enhancing the overall student experience within the MAD faculty.
Garcia brings a wealth of experience in media, technology and arts, complemented by a background in graphic design. His platform emphasized the need for curriculum updates, citing concerns about outdated or irrelevant courses that do not meet current industry standards. For example, the music business program schedules early morning classes despite students’ late-night commitments to attend shows.
“My vision aims to empower students by helping them adapt to our ever-evolving industries, improving their skills and critical thinking and offering them the resources to do so,” Garcia stated in his candidate profile.
Garcia also aims to foster stronger connections between students and industry professionals by advocating for more networking events, guest speaker sessions and hands-on learning opportunities. He believes these initiatives will better prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving fields.
In the same election cycle, Meg Bent was elected as the executive chair and chief executive officer of the DCSA, securing 561 votes, which accounted for 53.2 per cent of the total votes cast. Her opponents, Sahil Mehra and Ojasvi, received 418 votes, 39.7 per cent and 7.1 per cent, respectively. Bent’s leadership vision aligns with Garcia’s in its emphasis on student engagement and transparency. She has pledged to improve communication between the DCSA and the student body ensuring students have a direct line to their representatives.
“Collaboration is at the core of my approach to achieving our collective goals. By fostering strong relationships with fellow student leaders and engaging closely with school administration, I aim to create a cohesive environment where ideas are shared, and initiatives are executed effectively. Through open communication and mutual respect, we can leverage the combined expertise and insights of our diverse community to drive meaningful change and improvement,” Bent said.
Additionally, Maya Austin was elected as the director for the Faculty of Social and Community Services, winning 77 votes (67 per cent) over Tyler Smale’s 38 votes (33 per cent).
Both Garcia and Bent will assume their roles on May 1, 2025, bringing fresh perspectives to the DCSA. Their shared goal of creating a more student-focused environment is expected to drive meaningful changes to student government and the academic experience at Durham College.