Elect Andrew D'Elia
My name is Andrew D'Elia and I am a third year student in Biomedical and Materials engineering. I am a passionate member of the student community, and truly enjoy the opportunity to advocate on behalf of my peers.
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Currently, I serve as the VP Academic of the McMaster Engineering Society, advocating for the academic wellbeing of our constituents at various faculty meetings and task forces. I also serve as an iBioMed Program Ambassador, a welcome week representative, and a mentor to two awesome first years. Over the past two summers, I worked as an undergraduate researcher here at Mac, creating biomaterials to improve patient outcomes. During the year, I work as a TA for IBEHS 1P10, the first year Integrated Health Solutions Design Project Course!
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Over the past year, I have learned the value of the MES, especially as it pertains to student advocacy. The VP Academic is one of the main lines of communication between the student body and those who design, implement and/or instruct our programs. This year has been incredibly challenging for all of us with COVID-19. With all of the uncertainty surrounding academics this year, I have learned how valuable advocacy through the MES can be. It is for this reason that I'd like to continue my service as MES president. Next year, I want to represent Comp Sci, B.Tech, iBioMed and engineering students on a more holistic front as we further navigate the uncertainties of COVID-19. It is my hope that with integrity, compassion, service, adaptability and leadership, we can carry on the tradition and vision of the McMaster Engineering Society despite the challenges we will face in the coming year.
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Outside of the classroom and the MES, I am an aspiring foodie and taekwon-do instructor! If you ever see me on campus (or in a zoom call), don't be afraid to say hi or reach out for a chat!
for mes President
ABOUT ME
ABOUT ME
MY PLATFORM
What I want to promote as President!
My main goal for the upcoming year will be to support the MES as it navigates the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19. Online or in person, I want the ensure that the MES continues to fulfill its mission in serving the engineering community. I also want to to continue my advocacy for equitable and accessible teaching practices as our new engineering education framework further develops and we prepare for accreditation of our programs. My campaign this year is rooted in five core values: integrity, empathy, service, adaptability, and leadership—However the year unfolds, these will be the MES' guiding principles as we navigate the year and address the needs of our constituents.
Integrity
empathy
leadership
Service
Adaptability
Integrity
To me, the most important quality you can bring into any position is integrity. To act with integrity means to take ownership of faults, mistakes, and personal uncertainties, give credit where it is due, and acknowledge when I am in need of others' help. To act with integrity also means to uphold the values of the MES, ensure that our actions remain true to its mission statement, and weigh heavily the opinions of its constituents. Integrity requires that one takes responsibility of maintaining the autonomy, community, and forward-thinking of the MES whilst acknowledging areas for improvement. Although admittedly less actionable than other values, I feel that integrity should always be reflected in the work of the MES and thus should define the leadership I seek to provide.
empathy
Empathy is an obvious quality of any good leader or organization. In a time like this, empathy is a central theme that connects our constituents and motivates us to serve for their benefit. If there is one thing I have learned from online learning, it's that empathy can mean the difference between a healthy or dysfunctional work environment. My intention is to ensure that empathy is central to all of our conversations in the MES so that we can act with consideration for students of different marginalized groups, in different challenges and living situations, involved in different clubs and teams, or who share opposing viewpoints. It is my hope that in establishing a culture of empathy we can further the reach of the MES in the engineering community, while making greater strides in our humanitarian efforts where possible.
service
With any position of leadership comes service to the community. I want to make it clear that serving this community well is my main priority. Whether it be advocacy, club funding, event planning, or otherwise, my intention is to put my best effort into making our services transparent, sincere, accessible, equitable, and able. My role as MES president will not only be about providing my own service, but also about equipping colleagues and constituents with the support, guidance, and resources they need to contribute to the mission of the MES. A pressing example of this surrounds the welcome week Co-Orientation Coordinator position, which will need more support and resources than ever to prepare for the largely unknown Fall 2021 term. Elected, appointed, and general members of the MES should feel confident knowing that this organization is built by students, for students, with only the best intentions at heart.
adaptability
With the majority of the next school year still a mystery, an important component of my campaign and approach will be to promote flexible and adaptive planning in our initiatives. Although gruesome, it is important that contingencies are put in place for one of several COVID-19 related scenarios, including fully online, fully in-person, or hybrid-style classes. To maintain our services and continue supporting our members, we will do what we can to ensure that our services remain uninterrupted wherever possible by establishing contingencies and growing our team such that we have the resources we need to remain effective. We will also do what we can to hold the university and faculty accountable for the choices that affect our education—and advocate that these choices continue to reflect the best interest of our members.
leadership
Lastly, strong leadership is integral to the success of the MES, especially under our current set of circumstances regarding the global pandemic. Strong leaders are tasked with making tough decisions, considering others' viewpoints, caring deeply about issues that matter to their constituents, defining the direction of the MES, and maintaining the integrity of the organization as a whole. As president, my role will be to bring awareness of these responsibilities to our council members wherever and however I can, with the hope to create a more productive and engaged council environment that is better able to meet the needs of our constituents. My role will also be to continue the MES' advocacy for students with the faculty, navigating these responsibility myself as the year ahead unfolds.
Strong leadership also considers the future of the organization beyond one's term. As president, I intend to oversee the provision of new MES services and initiatives as they present themselves to the team. I intend to support new initiatives with a long-run minded approach that will ensure their success in the future, under different leadership and different educational atmospheres.
How to Vote
From Monday, January 11th until Wednesday, January 24th, MES candidates will be around to speak with you about why they are running and what they hope to accomplish!
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From Monday, January 25th until Wednesday, January 27th, you will receive an email addressed to your @mcmaster.ca account–prompting you to vote for your candidate(s) of choice!
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The voting period will end on Wednesday January 27th at 8:00pm. Results will be released shortly after!
Get in Touch
Visit my office hours through the MES website, or contact me via email!