Our General Election is officially underway and we are excited to share the candidates with you! We are sharing the candidate profiles on our website and social media accounts to create awareness about our General Election and to encourage students to vote. The Students’ Association remains impartial and does not endorse any of the candidates.
Candidate profile & photo requirements: Maximum of 150 words for social media and a maximum of 500 words for the Students’ Association blog. If the maximum word count is exceeded, profiles will be cut off at the maximum allotted. Candidates must submit a photo and completed Consent for Use of Personal Image, Video, and Information by 4:00pm on February 25. Profiles are not edited by the Students’ Association.
VOTE ON YOUR myRDP ACCOUNT
March 3 – 6
Executive Candidates
*profiles shared in alphabetical order by last name*
President Candidate
Jacq Patterson
Jacq Patterson is the current president of SARDP and a dedicated advocate for student rights and equity in education. With a degree in History and experience as a business owner, she brings a strategic and informed approach to leadership. As a single mother to a vibrant four-year-old, she understands the importance of accessible and supportive learning environments.
Her advocacy efforts focus on addressing the student aid crisis at the provincial level, striving for meaningful reforms that support learners from all backgrounds. Within institutions, she is committed to making work-integrated learning more student-centric while ensuring students’ rights and academic property are safeguarded. Additionally, she is passionate about maintaining and strengthening Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives to foster a more inclusive and supportive campus community.
Vice President Academic Candidates
Azriel Handa
My name is Azriel, I’m in the BSc Biological Sciences program, and I’m running to be your Vice President Academic! I’m from Manitoba, but I’ve lived in Red Deer for most of my life and have come to think of this city as my home.
I have a strong belief in fostering and staying involved in your community. Because of this, I involve myself in a variety of activities on campus. I’m the current President of the Pride on Campus student group, and have taken up executive positions in a couple other student groups such as the GAME Society and ACES. I have assisted Pride on Campus in planning Queer Prom, and I have also assisted GAME in planning and running the EASS conference. In addition to this, I am a current member of Student Council and Academic Council. As Academic council is a large part of the Vice President Academic’s role, I feel like my experience there gives me additional preparation for the position. I have participated several times in the Agora Undergraduate Conference and Student Science Conference. I have also had work in the Agora Undergraduate Journal.
I’m passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy, both as a result of my queer identity and interacting with the LGBTQ2+ community on campus and in Red Deer. As a member of Student Council, I joined the Student Association’s EDII committee to help in maintaining an environment at RDP that welcomes diversity and provides safety for all. As a member of the committee, I helped with the accessibility week table in the Fall 2024 semester, aided in the creation of activities for the table, and attended the panel held during the week.
If elected as VP Academic, I would like to advocate for more research opportunities and preparation for students looking to go into graduate school. With the introduction of four-year degree programs to the polytechnic, graduate school may be an option more students look into. As such these students should have opportunities to prepare for the expectations that come with research based programs. In addition, I wish to continue advocating and creating space for minorities in academia. Diverse voices and perspectives are what enrich our understanding of the world around us and our community should continue to embrace this.
Aside from academics and school life, I have a variety of hobbies that I enjoy. In my free time, I’m an artist and enjoy working with a variety of mediums. I also enjoy writing, reading and playing video games with my friends. A book I’m currently enjoying is A Portrait of the Scientist as a Young Woman by Lindy Elkins-Tanton.
Overall, regardless of if I win or not, it is a privilege to have the opportunity to better serve my community, and I hope I will make you all proud!
Eli Wolters
My name is Eli Wolters, and I am in my second year of the Legal Assistant Diploma, and a current member of the SARDP Council. I am on the Mental Health committee, the Governance Review committee, and a student representative on the OER Champions Group.
While sitting on council this academic year, I’ve learned a lot about governance and the work involved, but I am limited in my role; I am responsible for representing the concerns and interests of the students, and sitting on committees.
To put it simply: I want to do more, I have a drive to learn, to share knowledge, and to help.
I am concerned with the future of our planet and education, and I want to do all I can to make a difference.
Vice President External Candidates
Nicole Garcia
Hello, I’m Nicole Garcia, currently pursuing a Business Certificate and eventually transition . Originally from the Philippines, I’m passionate about photography and surfing, but more importantly, I love connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. My journey as an international student has given me a unique perspective on the challenges of adapting to a new environment, and that’s one of the reasons I’m running for Vice President External.
I believe that my natural ability to connect with people, combined with my dedication to fostering inclusivity, makes me well-suited for this role. If elected, my focus will be but not limited to supporting international students, improving mental health resources, and creating a more welcoming campus for all. I’m committed to ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and supported. I would be honored to serve as your Vice President and work toward making our community stronger and more inclusive.
Your support means everything—together, we can make a difference!
Samuel Johannson
Hello all,
My name is Samuel Johannson, I’m a second-year student in the Bachelor of Arts Political Science program and I’m running for the post of Vice President External. Throughout the previous year, I’ve served as a member of the Student Association’s Council, and I’m hoping to continue my work as Vice President External. I’ve also served as a member of the Governance and Review Committee, the Academic Council, the Campus Store Advisory Committee, and the Honorary Degree Selection Committee. My time on these various bodies has given me many ideas as to how I could work for the benefit of the Student Body as Vice President of External. I’m running my campaign with one main principle in mind: being a post-secondary student is expensive, and I think that as Vice President External I could do something about that. As Vice President External I’d look at several ways, (working with my fellow execs and Council) that the Student’s Association could continue and expand its efforts to save money for students. My main ideas are as follows:
Expand the number of business partnerships the SARDP has with local companies to increase the number of businesses that offer student discounts. I’d also like to increase student awareness of existing discounts to ensure students are saving money wherever they can.
Work with a variety of external organizations, such as libraries, businesses, online sites, and other Institutions or Student associations to expand the pool of Open Educational Resources available to students to drive down textbook costs.
Help students get to and from school by advocating for lower parking pass costs and maintaining the reduced-price City Bus pass for Students at an affordable rate.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of every idea out there to reduce costs for Students, and if elected I intend to listen and work with students, councillors, executives, and everyone in-between to find new and innovative ways to reduce the financial burdens of post-secondary education.
Thank you for reading, and I hope that on March 3-6 I’ll have earned your vote for Vice President External.
Samuel Johannson
Katherine Thompson
Hey there! I’m Katherine Thompson. I’m in my fourth year at RDP in the Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies program and excited to represent the students of RDP as Vice President External. As a Métis woman, a dedicated student, and a parent of special needs children, I know firsthand the challenges many of us face when balancing academics, personal responsibilities, and financial pressures. My lived experiences give me a unique perspective that will make me an effective and passionate advocate for all students.
I believe strongly in inclusion and representation. We have a diverse student base, and everyone should feel like they can have their voice heard. I want to represent the needs of all students, find out what they need and help make it happen. I am a founding member of the Indigenous Student Group and served as Secretary and then President. I love being involved in campus life and look forward to learning and working to make RDP a welcoming and safe space for all its students. As an Indigenous student, I understand the importance of culturally relevant supports, representation, and strong connections to our communities.
Post secondary life can be overwhelming—whether it’s schoolwork, managing costs, finding the right mental health supports, it is so important that diverse voices are heard in decision-making. I want to make sure that no student feels left behind. I will work with RDP to expand government funding, mental health resources, reduce wait times for counseling, and promote wellness initiatives that make a real difference. Our mental well-being is just as important as our grades, and I want to ensure that every student has access to the help they need.
As VP External, I will be a strong voice for students. I have the skills and determination to advocate for policies that support student needs. I will work hard to represent you. I bring a strong mix of leadership, creativity, and problem-solving skills that will help me excel as VP External. I’m smart, hardworking, and always ready to tackle challenges head-on. I love to bring people together, have fun, and create positive change—because advocacy doesn’t have to be boring! My experiences have taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of standing up for what matters. I’m excited for the opportunity to represent and support you, let’s work together to create a more inclusive, affordable, and supportive university experience for everyone!
Candidate profile & photo requirements: Maximum of 150 words for social media and a maximum of 500 words for the Students’ Association blog. If the maximum word count is exceeded, profiles will be cut off at the maximum allotted. Candidates must submit a photo and completed Consent for Use of Personal Image, Video, and Information by 4:00pm on February 25. Profiles are not edited by the Students’ Association.
Questions about the Elections? Contact Martin Cruz, Chief Returning Officer at cruz-martin@outlook.com.