Hired in March, AMS senior management includes service managers, directors, and commissioners. Senior managers set goals for the year and spearhead initiatives for students under their portfolio.
Instead of AMS experience, this executive team sought other qualities when selecting their senior management.
“What we’re looking for is, are you ionate about this? Do you have fun ideas?” AMS President Kate McCuaig said in an interview with The Journal.
Service Head Managers
Ayan Chowdhury, Tricolour Outlet Head Manager
After three years working at the Tricolour Outlet, Ayan Chowdhury, ArtSci ’24, is coming into the head manager position with experience.
Chowdhury is working on Tricolour’s sustainability initiatives this year, including eliminating the use of plastic bags. He’s bringing back the Tricolour Express (TREX) bus service, which he plans on marketing through Tricolour “giveaways”.
Caroline Jarrett, Queen’s StuCons Head Manager
Caroline Jarrett, ArtSci ’23, has been tasked with rebranding the Queen’s StuCons, with engagement dwindling post COVID-19. To achieve her mandate, the AMS made an exception allowing Jarrett to continue her role from last year.
As the highest paid AMS service,rebranding includes new uniforms, a new event booking process, and a “whole new approach” to the StuCons. Jarrett is working on collaborating with partners, such as Clark Hall Pub, to improve student engagement.
“We are a peer-to-peer security service, so [we’re] relating to those experiences students may have when they’re out at events or participating in campus culture,” Jarrett said in an interview with The Journal.
Evelina Borvanova, Studio Q Head Manager
Evelina Borvanova, ArtSci ’24, is ready for her–and Studio Q’s–final year. Coming from a science program, Borvanova came to Studio Q as a video volunteer then supervisor because of her love for storytelling, with the service offering her a creative outlet. Celebrating the history of Studio Q is a priority before its amalgamated with the Printing and Copy Centre (P&CC) into the AMS Media Centre next year.
“[This year] is preparing our service for transition, celebrating the amazing moments we’ve had, and continuing on the legacy within the new service that’s going to occur,” Borvanova said in an interview with The Journal.
Samantha Barton, Printing & Copy Centre Head Manager
After three years at the P&CC, Samantha Barton, ConEd ’26, knows the ins and outs of the service. Preparing to merge with Studio Q to become the AMS Media Center will be her focus this year, as P&CC is looking to include Studio Q in more of their events, such as the poster sale.
“If you don’t have a printer in your residence building and you need something printed, you can come on by. Staples, but right on campus,” Barton said in an interview with The Journal.
Beny Johal Pascal, Walkhome Head Manager
Bringing back “large campus events” will be the hallmark of Walkhome this year, according to Beny Johal Pascal, ArtSci ’23. As a service that helps students feel safe and comfortable after dark, bringing back the October rally “Take Back the Night” will be a highlight.
Last year, Pascal worked as a Food Bank Assistant Manager, building the skill set she needed to be a head manager this year.
Phallon Melmer, Common Ground Head Manager
Phallon Melmer, ArtSci ’22, has worn many hats at the AMS. From the CoGro Marketing and Events Assistant Manager to Tricolour Outlet Head Manager, Melmer was prepped for her new role.
Melmer is working on a potential rebrand of “The Brew,” otherwise known as Common Ground’s sister store, that will reside in the new JDUC.
Rianna Murchison, Food Bank Head Manager
The Journal was unable to reach Murchison in time for publication.
Tryphena Evborokhai, Student Life Center Head Manager
The Journal was unable to reach Evborokhai in time for publication.
Commissioners
Dreyden George, Commissioner of Clubs
Dreyden George, ArtSci ’26, and the previous Social Issues Commissioner (External), has spent the summer collecting resources on how to ratify a club, to prepping a new “swap shelf” to help emerging clubs access art materials and other event supplies more sustainably.
George is planning a club hiring fair, a new event happening in the winter, and professional development days for club executives. He hopes in-person engagement is on the rise this year.
“I’m really trying to bring back the in-person attraction to the clubs commission,” George said.
Khadija Farooq, Commissioner of Social Issues (External)
Khadija Farooq’s, HealthSci ’24, ion for social justice began when she watched her community struggle with food insecurity and violence during the pandemic. This ion fuels her role as she approaches social issues “holistically.”
“As a Muslim student on campus, I know there’s a lot of work to be done,” Farooq said in an interview with The Journal.
This year, Farooq is starting an equity book club centering on a different social issue each month. She wants to bring of the community together to learn through meaningful discussions.
Ryan Kuhar, Commissioner of Environmental Sustainability
Ryan Kuhar, ArtSci ’23, takes a “glass-half-full” approach to environmental activism, focusing on bringing environmental advocacy clubs and community groups to Queen’s. An environmental studies student, Kuhar first brought his ion for environmentalism to life through his club Greenovations.
“The Commission of Environmental Sustainability is looking to cohere and collaborate with thinkers and the environmental community through events like the sustainability hub, which is going to happen six times this year,” Kuhar said in an interview with The Journal.
This year, his focus is revamping a Queen’s composting project on West Campus and hosting a gala to raise money to protect wetlands in the Kingston area from development.
Callum Fraser, Commissioner of Campus Affairs
Callum Fraser, ArtSci ’23, has been a Gael, Orientation Coordinator, and Orientation Chair, along with KMV’s former campaign manager. Fraser is streamlining the AMS’ event sanctioning process, an integral part of the KMV electoral campaign.
Starting with a new event form released in August, Fraser is making sanctioning less “confusing.”
Fraser was part of KMV’s electoral win, but for McCuaig, removing any influence of personal relationships during the hiring process was important. The AMS hiring is blind and consists of a with an executive and permanent staff member, who determine through interviews and written applications if a candidate is right for the role.
Julian Mollot-Hill, Commissioner of External Affairs
Last year, Julian Mollot-Hill, Sci ’23, met his predecessor at an AMS job fair, who told him about the role, as well as the AMS’ involvement with the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), a student lobbying group. He knew he had to apply.
“I’ve always been extremely interested in politics,” Mollot-Hill said in an interview with The Journal.
This possibility of provincial and federal lobbying is what attracted Mollot-Hill to the AMS, but student housing is his priority. He hopes to educate students on tenant rights at the housing resource fair this year.
Ruth Osunde, Commissioner of Social Issues (Internal)
The Journal was unable to reach Osunde in time for publication.
Massimo Recupero, Orientation Roundtable Coordinator
The Journal was unable to reach Recupero in time for publication.
Directors of Offices
Caitlin Parkes, Director of Marketing
Caitlin Parkes, ArtsSci ’23, didn’t know much about the AMS until her third year at Queen’s–something she hopes to change for other students. Parkes is working to produce AMS News videos to showcase the management team and promote their initiatives.
“Unless there’s marketing, a lot of people don’t know what’s going on,” Parkes said in an interview with The Journal.
Parkes worked over the summer in marketing-related jobs but learned about her position through her involvement with Queen’s Fashion Industry Network as the Finance Director.
A friend of the AMS Vice-President (Operations), Parkes is excited to work with team KMV, as she watched the campaign closely last year.
Isabella Miller, AMS Media Center Project Manager
The AMS Media Center is launching in May 2024, with Isabella Miller, ArtSci ’24,at the helm. Previously a P&CC Assistant Manager, Miller is hoping the new service will fulfill all of Queen’s and Kingston’s media needs.
“Working to transition Studio Q and the Printing and Copy Centre into the AMS Media Centre has been an exciting experience, and I think students will really want to be a part of the first ever Media Centre team,” Miller said in a statement to The Journal.
Mikayla Crawford, Director of Communications
The Journal was unable to reach Crawford in time for publication.
Alysha Ahmad, Secretary of Internal Affairs
The Journal was unable to reach Ahmad in time for publication.
—With files from Sophia Coppolino
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