The Concurrent Education Student Association (CESA) campaign period is in full swing, with executive slated Team ECG running uncontested.
Team ECG is made up of Presidential candidate Emily Gluckman, Vice-President (Internal) candidate Claire Gravill, and Vice-President (External) candidate Grace Baillargeon, all ConEd ’27. While Gluckman and Gravill sat down for an interview with The Journal, Baillargeon was unable to attend as she’s currently on exchange, providing a written statement in lieu.
Running on a platform of transparency, community, and advocacy, Gluckman explained Team ECG aims to enhance Concurrent Education’s student experience. Their focus is on expanding access to volunteer opportunities society-wide and fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment for every student.
Community
For Team ECG, community isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action.
The trio’s appreciation for the ConEd community stems from years of hands-on involvement in CESA, shaping the spirit they want to champion.
Gluckman served as CESA’s intern to the Vice-President (External) from 2022-23, speaker and chief electoral officer from 2023-24, and currently sits as the wellness commissioner. For the past two years, Gravill has been the Society’s athletic coordinator, responsible for organizing and promoting intramural activities among the association . Baillargeon was the Society’s workshop coordinator for the 2023-24 term and now serves as the CESA’s representative to the AMS.
“Being able to provide the warmth of community—those open arms for another student in need—is really what drove me to run for President,” Gluckman said in an interview with The Journal.
“Community is a really big thing for the three of us—personally speaking, I took this role as it was not only something I really wanted to do, but it highlights some of the events that really made ConEd feel like my home,” Gravill said.
For the three candidates, meaningful experiences and strong student connections have shaped their commitment to strengthening the ConEd community and giving back to a program that has given them so much.
To make community involvement more accessible and enrich the ConEd experience, Team ECG plans to introduce more small, low-commitment volunteer roles within the Society. This would allow students to get involved as event-based volunteers without the obligation of a year-long position.
Transparency & Advocacy
Team ECG aims to make transparency more than just a buzzword for ConEd students. Rather than only publishing information, they want to ensure students actually know where to find CESA resources and how to use them effectively.
“While all the CESA reports are public, the knowledge to find these resources needs to be improved,” Gluckman said.
“We’ll remain able to students through increasing transparency of CESA initiatives through social media, e-mails, and talking in-front of classes,” Gravill said.
In a statement to The Journal, Baillargeon said ability will be provided through biweekly reports during CESA meetings, which are open to all students. She encouraged everyone to attend and learn about the projects CESA is working on.
“These meetings are the perfect place for students to learn more about CESA, what we’re working on, and a place to have discussions about a variety of topics,” Baillargeon said.
For Baillargeon, fostering open dialogue is key to ensuring student voices are heard—a priority that her and her teammates alike hope to expand through student methods. For example, the team hopes to introduce an anonymous form on CESA’s website to foster a more approachable and accessible student government.
“We want to hear about what events ConEd students want to see continued and what new events they would like to see,” Baillargeon said.
Teaching Practicums
Recognizing the stress that comes with the word “practicum,” Team ECG understands the concerns of ConEd students finding their ideal teaching placements. While practicum falls under the purview of the University and the Practicum Office, the potential executive remain committed to ing their peers through the process of getting a practicum.
“We’re committed to advocating on behalf of all ConEd students—we want to ensure that all voices are heard and that students are being represented in discussions to faculty,” Baillargeon wrote.
Team ECG understands the limitations the University faces in of placement options, viewing it as an issue beyond the University’s control. Nonetheless, they’re content with the current they receive from the University when preparing for practicum, such as hosting one-on-one appointments for Con-Ed students.
“We want to provide more accessible resources to students on what placements are available, when they’re available for, and how to apply for them,” Gluckman said.
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