2024 LFS Undergraduate Student Leadership Award Winner: Kelly Chia
| Kelly Chia (they/them/theirs) |
| Year level: Year 4 |
| Program: Food, Nutrition and Health |
| Major: Dietetics |
April 25, 2024 – Kelly Chia is motivated to make change and ensure the LFS|US has systems in place to support students in the long-term. They have made changes to improve long-term sustainability through both financial means and through administrative improvements.
“I not only focused on implementing change that benefits the present, like organizing professional development meetings…or listening to last year’s councillor feedback and shifting to bi-weekly general meetings. I also prioritized implementing change that doesn’t necessarily bear fruit at the present, but does future councils—a new Google Workspace email system, the Community Dinner MOU, and the fee increase referendum.”
Did you overcome any challenges and what were they?
As LFS|US president, it was a part of my role to facilitate bi-weekly general council meetings and monthly meetings with the deans and staff. From past leadership experience, I felt ready—though still nervous to lead meetings with 80 students. However, leading meetings with the Dean, Associate Deans, and LFS staff was a whole other ball game for me.
I was nervous at the thought of creating an engaging and productive meeting, especially for a group of such experienced and busy individuals. After a few meetings where I skipped agenda items or felt that some attendees were left out of discussions, I took initiative to evaluate my facilitation techniques and preparation. It took a few meetings to develop the confidence and skills to facilitate an informative and engaging meeting. Towards the end of my term as President, I looked forward to Dean’s meetings where I got to connect with faculty members both professionally and personally. Although facilitating these meetings was a daunting challenge at first, I am grateful for the invaluable skills that I gained.
How did you leave the student community in a better position?
The LFS|US has had the same student fee for 33 years. This meant that the constituency had the same operating budget per student since 1991. With inflation and the cost of living going up, the previous years councils struggled to stay within budget. This year, we made strategic decisions to make lower-cost events and focus the budget on larger events, which more students typically attended. To ensure the sustainable operation of LFS|US, I led the successful referendum for a student fee increase this year. There were many events and programs that we skipped this year to stay in budget, and I am glad that we were able to secure more budget for the coming years. I’m confident that this will aid future councils to reach their full potential in creating the best events and programming for the students at LFS.
What is your tip for LFS students?
If you don’t take an opportunity because you’re afraid of rejection, you’ve already lost. Go for it!
Tagged with: 2024, Awards, Dietetics, Food Nutrition and Health, Undergraduate