By Janine Campbell
As Brandon University looks ahead to another academic year, the Brandon University Students’ Union (BUSU) will soon welcome a new team of student leaders. The incoming President, Vice President Engagement (VPE), and Vice President Operations (VPO) each bring their own experiences, ideas, and energy to the roles they will take on in the months ahead. Together, they represent a new chapter for the Student Union… one focused on strengthening student representation, building community on campus, and continuing the work of previous leaders while creating new opportunities for students to thrive.
Student leadership is an important part of campus life. These roles are not only about organizing events or attending meetings, but they are also about listening to students, advocating for their needs, and helping shape the everyday experience of being part of the Brandon University community. As the new executive team prepares to step into their roles, they shared their motivations, goals, and hopes for the future of the student body.
A Vision for Representation and Community
Incoming BUSU President Oluwatosin Salau says his motivation to pursue student leadership began early in his journey at Brandon University. One moment in particular stood out to him and planted the seed that would eventually lead him to run for President.
“In September 2023, I was sitting in the HLC during orientation when the President at the time, Anugo, addressed the new students,” he said. “He was someone I looked up to from afar, and he did such excellent work during his time that people still talk about him on campus today.”
That moment made a lasting impression and showed Tosin the kind of impact student leaders can have on campus. Since then, he has steadily built his leadership experience through several roles within the Student Union. He first became involved as an Arts Senator before later serving as the International Student Representative. These experiences helped him develop a deeper understanding of how BUSU works and how student leadership can make meaningful changes in the university community.
During this time, Tosin also had the opportunity to work closely with the current BUSU President, Charles, whose leadership he says played an important role in his own development.
“Working alongside Charles has been very eye-opening,” Tosin shared. “Over the past year, I’ve been able to see firsthand the level of responsibility and dedication that goes into leading the Student Union. That experience has helped me grow and has prepared me for the role.”
Tosin credits Charles for setting a strong example of leadership and hopes to continue the positive momentum built during his presidency. However, he plans to also introduce new ideas and initiatives that benefit the student body.
One lesson he carried into leadership was the importance of continuity. Tosin believes that student leaders should not only bring new ideas but also ensure that the initiatives started by previous leaders continue to grow and benefit students.
During his time as International Student Representative, he ensured that International Connect, an initiative created by his predecessor Janine Campbell, continued to serve international students and support their transition into campus life. Maintaining that continuity, he says, is one of the ways student leaders can create lasting impact.
Beyond initiatives and policies, the most rewarding part of his leadership journey has been the opportunity to represent others.
“The satisfaction of being able to represent students to the best of my ability and ensuring the growth and care of each student and the Student Union has been the most rewarding part,” he explained.
As he prepares to begin his term as President, Tosin has outlined several key priorities that will guide his leadership. These priorities include ensuring fair and inclusive representation across faculties, continuing the growth and improvement of student services, strengthening financial transparency within the union, developing long-term planning strategies for BUSU, and building a campus culture that feels more socially connected.
His vision goes beyond administrative responsibilities, it also focuses on the everyday experience of students.
“We are students! We should feel like students in more ways than just assignments and coursework,” he said.
A major part of that vision is improving communication between the Student Union and the student body. Tosin believes that students should always feel informed about the decisions being made on their behalf and should have multiple opportunities to share their perspectives.
He plans to encourage stronger communication through town halls, feedback channels, and more flexible office hours where students can meet directly with student leaders. He also emphasized that BUSU meeting minutes and discussions related to student affairs are always available to the public. This allows students to stay informed and hold their representatives accountable.
When asked what he hopes students will remember most about his presidency, Tosin’s answer centered on representation and trust.
“I’d want students to feel like their voices were heard, their concerns were taken seriously, and their campus experience improved,” he said. “If students feel that the Student Union truly represented them, I would consider that a successful presidency.”
For students who may be considering getting involved in leadership themselves, his advice is simple: start somewhere.
“I started as the Arts Senator, then became the International Rep, and I also volunteered as a student leader,” he said. “Leadership is really about serving and learning from others.”
When asked whether coffee, tea, or energy drinks get him through busy weeks, Tosin offered a different kind of advice.
“Drink water, stay blessed, stay hydrated, read your books, stay in school,” he said.
Creating Energy and Connection Through Campus Events
Returning Vice President Engagement Michael Uwa-Omoregha is excited to continue building on the events and programming he helped organize during his previous term. For him, campus events are not just activities on a calendar, they are moments that shape students’ memories of university life.
He decided to run again after seeing firsthand how much events can influence the atmosphere on campus.
“When students have something fun to look forward to, it changes the whole vibe on campus,” he said. “Planning events feels like managing a sports season, you learn from the last one, make adjustments, and come back stronger the next year.”
One of the moments that stood out most to him during his previous term was organizing the residence social in September. This was one of the first major events he helped plan in his role.
“Watching students show up, laugh, meet new people, and actually enjoy themselves was huge,” he said. “It’s like watching a last-minute goal in a soccer match after struggling through a tough game. All the build-up suddenly pays off and the crowd erupts.”
That moment highlighted how important campus events are in helping students feel connected to the university community.
Looking ahead, Michael hopes to bring even more creativity and excitement to campus activities. Some of the ideas he wants to explore include interactive events that encourage students to participate rather than simply attend. These could include themed competitions, campus tournaments, and high-energy challenges designed to bring students together in fun and memorable ways.
“Imagine the energy of a WWE entrance mixed with a campus competition, music playing, people cheering, everyone getting into it,” he shared.
Overall, his goal is to help create a campus environment that feels lively and welcoming for everyone.
“University can be stressful, so events should give students a chance to relax, laugh, and connect with people outside their classes,” he explained.
For Michael, the success of an event is not just measured by how many people attend, but by the experiences students leave with.
“If people leave smiling, talking about the event the next day, or bringing their friends to the next one, that’s a win,” he said.
If there were no budget limits to what could be organized, his dream campus event would transform Brandon University into a full-scale festival. The day would include live music, food trucks, sports tournaments, interactive activities, and performances on a large stage throughout the day. It’ll be something that brings the entire campus community together in celebration.
As he begins another term, Michael hopes students will take full advantage of what campus life has to offer.
“Show up and get involved,” he said. “Campus events are built for you, and the more students participate, the better they become. University goes by fast, so take advantage of those moments where you can step away from studying, meet new people, and enjoy being part of the campus community.”
Supporting the Union Behind the Scenes
Joining the executive team as the incoming Vice President Operations is Samuel Kayode. He will play an important role in helping ensure that the Student Union continues to run effectively throughout the year. In this role, he will work closely with the other executives and the board while helping support the initiatives and projects the union brings forward for students.
Although scheduling conflicts prevented Samuel from participating in the full interview, he shared that he is excited about the opportunity to step into the role and contribute in a meaningful way. He expressed that he is looking forward to being more involved on campus and working alongside the rest of the team.
As the new academic year approaches, Samuel joins Oluwatosin and Michael as they prepare to take on their responsibilities within the Student Union. They are focused on building onto the work of the current Student Union while continuing to create opportunities that improve campus life. Together, the new executive team hopes to strengthen student engagement and help ensure that the voices of students remain an important part of conversations on campus.
A Warm Welcome to the New BUSU Executive Team
As the new academic year approaches, the Brandon University community welcomes the incoming BUSU executive team with excitement and optimism. Student leadership plays an important role in shaping campus life, and the dedication of those who step forward to represent their peers helps strengthen the university experience for everyone.
With Tosin’s focus on representation and advocacy, Michael’s commitment to creating vibrant campus events, and the operational leadership of the incoming VPO, BUSU is positioned to continue building a strong and supportive community for Brandon University students.
On behalf of the campus community, I extend a warm welcome to the new BUSU executive team. Their willingness to serve, listen, and lead reflects the spirit of student leadership at Brandon University, and I look forward to seeing the ideas they will bring to campus in the year ahead.
As students return to classes and engage with campus life, the work of the Student Union will continue to shape the environment in which those moments take place. With a new leadership team ready to step forward, the year ahead promises new opportunities for growth across the Brandon University community.
Congratulations to Oluwatosin, Michael and Samuel!