Steve Xia: Voices 2023-2024

Hey, I'm Yu Xin (Steve) Xia, a second-year nursing student, and I've got a fun story about how I ended up getting involved with the USC.

It was my first HOCO, the famed quasi-holiday that many students anticipate. I didn't know what to expect, but what happened next is still vivid in my mind. As I wandered the bustling campus and surrounding streets, I spotted someone I didn't anticipate seeing. Just a few weeks earlier, I had watched him on the O'Week main stage, chatting with Alan Shepard and other notable figures from the Western Community. That individual was Ethan Gardner. Only now, he was smack dab in the middle of HOCO, simply enjoying himself. Amidst the beer pong and police presence, we struck up a meaningful conversation about student government and more. It struck me that opportunities in life can crop up unexpectedly, so I took our chance encounter as a sign to dive into USC involvement.

Steve Xia and his USC presidential campaign team.

Shortly after that encounter, I joined TeamUSC as a student engagement ambassador. In this role, I ran booths for referendums, promoted concerts, and spread the word about USC events. It's been fulfilling to be a resource for fellow students, bridging them closer to USC operations. Additionally, I volunteered with the REACH Conference, a summer program for elementary school kids in London. REACH aims to spark enthusiasm about higher education through a 3-day skill-building conference. While REACH does not directly impact Western’s student body, it acts as an upstream approach to promote education to tomorrow's students. Finally, I was recently elected WFNSA president, marking my most significant advocacy role yet. I'm eager to showcase my dedication to both nursing students and the broader student community. I look forward to a year of trials and tribulations.

While students mainly know about the USC for its social programming and big-name artists, I can’t stress the scope of everything else it does. Behind the scenes, various portfolios and volunteers work tirelessly to enhance your student experience. Reflecting back, I am proud of all the work I've put into USC. I'm excited to see what this organization brings me next and excitedabout the impact it will bring to future Mustangs. To conclude, I share this story because it all began with a chance encounter. I hope that one day, I can also tell you about USC at a time you least expect it.

https://uscvoice.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Tamsen-VPCPA-Voices-Publication.pdf

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