Caption: Brock University Students’ Union Vice-President, University Affairs Carleigh Charlton, pictured left, accepted a 2024 Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Award for Excellence in Student Advocacy during the OUSA Partners in Higher Education dinner on April 10 in Toronto. Carleigh is pictured with Vivian Chiem, OUSA President and Vice President of Government and Stakeholder Relations at Wilfrid Laurier University Students' Union (WLUSU) (Center) and Dr. Adrienne Galway, Executive Director, ONCAT (The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer) (Right).

Carleigh Charlton, Brock University Students Union (BUSU), Vice-President, University Affair, and fourth year Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, student at Brock, has been recognized for their work as a student leader with a 2024 Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) Award for Excellence in Student Advocacy.

This was the first year OUSA presented this award, which was bestowed to Charlton at the Partners in Higher Education dinner on Wednesday, April 10 in Toronto. It was created in memory and honour of Stephanie Ye-Mowe, a dedicated student leader from Waterloo University's Student Alliance and former OUSA board member.

OUSA is a provincial advocacy group representing over 160,000 undergraduate students. BUSU is a founding member of this organization. They work with OUSA each year to ensure university students are represented through policy and by lobbying government.

Vivian Chiem, OUSA President and Vice President of Government and Stakeholder Relations at Wilfrid Laurier University Students' Union, presented the award.

"The OUSA award for Excellence in Student Advocacy is given to a student leader who demonstrates the same traits as Steph did, making them an impactful advocate in post-secondary education,” said Chiem at the event. “During their time at the university. Carleigh has exceedingly demonstrated their passion and drive to bettering the undergraduate experience. Often working long hours to provide the best possible support for students. Within student advocacy she has been very committed to addressing gender based and sexual violence in post-secondary and approaches her work from an intersectional lens."

"I'm so thankful for this award, and for the commitment and hard work of all the student leaders at OUSA these past years,” said Charlton. “I have learned so much from each and every one of them, and I am grateful for the mentorship and inspiration Steph gave all of us.

“This award acts for me as a firm reminder of the commitment they had to ensuring advocacy was inclusive of every student, and that no student was ever left behind. I'm dedicated to carrying on the passion Steph showed, and continuing to prioritize intersectionality, equity and accessibility in all of my advocacy work."

You can read more about BUSU and their advocacy work at this link.