RCSA Elections 2024

Election Dates: 12:00am January 15th 2024 – 11:59pm January 16th 2025
Check your UofT email during the election dates for your voting link, or cast your vote on the RC Portal.
Want to see the candidates running in the RCSA election present their platforms? Looking to see what RCSA has been up to and what changes are being made?
Our Annual General Meeting is on January 14th, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST @ Health Science Building (HS 106). The Annual General Meeting is the yearly election platform for Presidential & Vice Presidential candidates to present their vision and goals for RCSA through speeches. We will also provide information about Director and Committee Hiring during the meeting.
Join us to see what your vote will look like in this year’s RCSA elections and what we have in store!


Presidential Candidates

Ankita Nayak (She/Her)
Presidential Candidate
Hey everyone! My name is Ankita Nayak and I am a third-year RC student specializing in Management. I currently serve as the Director of Events of RCSA, and am thrilled to be running to be your President of RCSA.
There are several goals that I wish to tackle if elected as President of the Rotman Commerce Students’ Association; I believe that the following (3) goals deeply align with the overarching mission and vision of the RCSA:
1. Enhancing Student Engagement and Communication: Fostering a strong connection between students and RCSA requires consistent efforts to understand and meet their evolving needs. During my time as Director of Events, one of the challenges has been the fading engagement of students after the initial excitement of the school year. To address this, I propose conducting regular pulse surveys to gather valuable insights and identify opportunities for tailored support. Informal initiatives such as our Treat of the Month program and regular drop-in sessions will serve as meaningful touchpoints, encouraging students to engage with RCSA throughout the year. To further strengthen communication, I propose launching a monthly RCSA newsletter that consolidates information about events, initiatives, and team updates, supported by enhanced email outreach to keep students informed and engaged year-round. These efforts will ensure that RCSA remains a consistent and approachable resource for the student body, fostering a lasting connection throughout the academic year.
2. Fostering Unity and Collaboration Within RC Clubs and the Student Body: A unified student community begins with strong communication and collaboration among RC clubs and within the RCSA team. I will encourage greater alignment and synergy among RC clubs by strengthening existing inter-club roundtables to facilitate sharing ideas, aligning goals, and building on each other’s strengths. This collaboration will maximize impact, and ensure a cohesive approach to serving the Rotman Commerce student body. Internally, I will prioritize fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication within the RCSA team. To achieve this, I will host regular team-building activities, informal socials, and in-person brainstorming sessions to encourage cross-portfolio collaboration. By creating opportunities for all members—from mentees to directors—to connect beyond their roles, we can strengthen interpersonal bonds, foster camaraderie, and deliver more impactful experiences for the students we serve.
3. Building a Stronger Sense of Community: RCSA’s role as a student support system requires fostering a sense of belonging. If elected as President, I aim to expand initiatives like the Meet & Greet Picnic and informal programs such as Treat of the Month and drop-in socials. These initiatives will serve as key touchpoints for students to engage with the RCSA team and feel supported throughout the year. To better integrate exchange students, I propose organizing tailored cultural and social events to help them connect with the Rotman Commerce community through our International Students Liaison and Events portfolio. Additionally, I propose to collaborate with Rotman Commerce advisors to organize academic-focused workshops on course planning and available resources, helping first-year students navigate their academic journey effectively. By creating these inclusive and supportive initiatives, I will ensure that every student feels connected, valued, and empowered to thrive within this community.
If elected as President, I will make sure to create an environment where every student feels heard, supported, and motivated to actively contribute to the growth and success of our Rotman Commerce community.
Q&A Session: Annual General Meeting P/VP Campaign
Question 1: What will P/VP do to foster the inner club community and passion as the club expands?
Fostering the inner-club community is about building connections, sharing goals, and celebrating the work we do. As the club expands, I plan to focus on creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration. I propose that incoming club Presidents and Vice Presidents begin communicating before the summer to align on event proposals and subsidy plans, ensuring we understand each other’s goals for the upcoming year. This early communication will help identify opportunities for synergy and create a unified vision for how we can collectively serve the Rotman Commerce community. In addition to planning, I want to introduce more informal touchpoints to strengthen these ties. Programs like Treat of the Month and drop-in socials can be expanded and supported by clubs to encourage regular interaction and foster a sense of camaraderie. Furthermore, the proposed RCSA newsletter will serve as a powerful marketing channel, promoting RCSA events opportunities and initiatives, and programs from all RC clubs. This centralized platform will make it easier for students to stay informed, engaged, and connected to our community’s wide range of resources and events. RCSA represents the clubs and the students who build them, and I want to prioritize communication and action to ensure everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered.
Question 2: How do you plan to make sure that all voices from the student body can be heard?
Hearing from all voices starts with accessibility and approachability. While we may not have regular office hours, I want to ensure that students know RCSA members are always available to listen. One way to achieve this is by strengthening our mentee program—starting it earlier in the summer and extending it further into the academic year to provide an ongoing channel for communication and support. This would create consistent touchpoints where students can connect with RCSA representatives in a more personal and meaningful way. Additionally, we can engage with students directly at events by getting their feedback. Amplifying underrepresented voices will also be a priority. I plan to work closely with portfolios like International Students Liaison to create platforms where groups like exchange students or first-years can share their unique perspectives and ideas. Social media will play a significant role in this effort as well. By hosting interactive polls, Q&A sessions, and feedback prompts on our platforms, we can reach students where they already are and make it easier for them to voice their thoughts. Ultimately, I believe in a proactive approach: rather than waiting for students to come to us, we need to meet them where they feel comfortable, ask the right questions, and create inclusive spaces to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
Question 3: As a lot of new, innovative clubs emerge, is RCSA planning to make changes to event logistics/ideas?
Absolutely! New and innovative clubs push us all to level up, and I see that as a huge opportunity. As RCSA, we need to be flexible and adaptive to keep our events fresh and relevant. For event logistics, I want to focus on collaboration and efficiency. One idea is to create a shared calendar with other clubs to avoid overlapping events and help each other amplify attendance. This year, we collaborated with RCIBA on a new event called the Global Nexus Launch, which was a networking mixer and information session tailored to exchange students, international students, and first-years. Events like these highlight the impact of combining creativity with collaboration, and they’re a testament to how RCSA can bring meaningful initiatives to life. Serving as the Director of Events has given me an understanding of the importance of innovation in event planning to attract more participants. This year, we also introduced several new events that became massive hits, proving the incredible potential RCSA holds. Moving forward, I plan to encourage all portfolios at RCSA to prioritize fresh, creative ideas for events while leveraging feedback from students to guide our direction. Next year, I want to go even bigger—exploring hybrid events that blend social, academic, and career-oriented goals and initiating partnerships with newer clubs to co-host unique initiatives. By staying innovative and collaborative, RCSA will continue to lead the way in delivering impactful experiences for the Rotman Commerce community.
Vice-Presidential Candidates

Hiren Jain (He/Him)
Vice-Presidential Candidate
Hello Rotman Commerce Students! My name is Hiren Jain, and I’m excited to be running for the role of Vice President of the Rotman Commerce Students’ Association (RCSA). Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of being deeply involved with RCSA, and now I’m ready to take the next step to serve our entire student body.
Why me?
I joined RCSA as a first-year intern, where I worked across various portfolios, immersing myself in the vibrant community that defines this organization. My experience shaped my understanding of how RCSA elevates the overall Rotman Commerce student experience. In my second year, I developed skills as a Marketing Committee member, focusing on outreach and building engagement. Currently, I serve as the Director of Marketing, where I’ve led a talented team in crafting innovative campaigns to connect with our diverse student body. With three years of experience in RCSA, I bring a deep understanding of its operations and the unique challenges our student community faces. I’m driven to make RCSA even more inclusive, impactful, and aligned with the evolving needs of every Rotman Commerce student.
My Vision for RCSA:
1. Strengthening Our Community: Hosting monthly social events and drop-ins to foster a sense of belonging for all RC students. Encouraging collaboration within RCSA’s nearly 50 members to ensure our collective strength as a team benefits the entire program.
2. Enhancing Our Offerings: Developing external sponsorship packages to secure additional funding, enabling more accessible and affordable events such as the RC Gala. Expanding the scope of programs for first-year students to help them feel supported and connected from day one. Gathering consistent feedback from students to design programs and events that reflect your interests and needs.
3. Driving Sustainable Growth: Establishing clear goals and measurable outcomes for all portfolios to improve efficiency and impact. Reviewing and refining past initiatives to align our work with Rotman Commerce’s values and student expectations.
Let’s Build a Stronger Future Together
My goal is to ensure that RCSA continues to be your go-to resource for meaningful connections, enriching events, and an unforgettable university journey. As your Vice President, I will lead with passion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to putting students first. Together, we can make RCSA a more inclusive, innovative, and impactful community for everyone. Thank you for your support! I’m here to listen, collaborate, and make your voices heard. Let’s work together to take RCSA to new heights.
Vote Hiren Jain for RCSA Vice President!
Q&A Session: Annual General Meeting P/VP Campaign
Q1: How does P/VP plan to encourage higher club event attendance, especially for first-year students?
RCSA is uniquely positioned to engage first-year students, and I plan to increase event attendance through the following:
- Targeted Marketing Strategies: Focused campaigns tailored to first-year students, such as Instagram takeovers by upper-year students to share their experiences and highlight event benefits.
- Leveraging the Mentorship Program: First-year students show significant interest in our mentorship program. By emphasizing meaningful participation in events as part of the mentorship selection process, we can encourage engagement.
- First-Year-Focused Events: Host casual socials and “Ask Me Anything” sessions with upper-years to help first-years ease into the community.
- Feedback-Driven Approach: Regularly gather and analyze feedback to tailor events to what first-year students truly want to see.
Q2: What kinds of new initiatives specifically do you plan?
As outlined in my speech, my initiatives span several areas:
- External Sponsorships: Develop sponsorship packages to secure additional funding, enabling more accessible and affordable events like the RC Gala.
- Enhanced First-Year Support: Expand mentee programs by adding them to director portfolios in the fall semester, giving them early exposure to leadership opportunities.
- Event Feedback Integration: Regularly collect feedback to design events reflecting student interests and needs.
- EDI Initiatives: Increase visibility for the People of RC Instagram page through monthly promotions on RCSA’s page and outreach to Rotman Commerce professors and RCSL staff for unique stories, fostering a sense of inclusivity.
- Marketing Innovations: Create engaging reels alongside informative event posters to diversify content and boost student interest.
- Summer Engagement: Use Instagram takeovers and polls to understand student needs before the academic year begins, ensuring our events resonate with the community.
This is not an exhaustive list, and I plan to collaborate with the President and the executive team to adapt and expand these initiatives.
Q3: How are you planning to bridge the gap between students and faculty, and what particular gap are you referring to?
The gap I referred to is the communication barrier between students and faculty. Many students hesitate to attend office hours or initiate conversations, while faculty often wait for students to connect. Building these relationships is crucial, especially for students considering grad school.
To address this:
- Formalized Feedback Channels: Establish systems like town halls to gather student concerns and ensure they are discussed in faculty meetings.
- Faculty-Student Mixers: Host informal events like mixers and panel sessions to encourage personal connections and open communication.
Q4: What are some of the current things you are planning to carry forward?
RCSA has built a legacy, and I aim to carry forward the following successful initiatives:
- Signature Events: RC Gala and ISL Toronto 101 Tours.
- Cultural Celebrations: Events like Lunar New Year Mixer, Diwali and others.
- Career and Social Opportunities: President Panel and Committee Hiring Fair.
- Community Engagement: RCSA Introduction reels and Treat of the Month.
- Bring back events like RC’s Got Talent to encourage participation and growth of mentees
Q5: If we can have a metric measurement (qualitative or quantitative) to further motivate people to carry solutions/measure success?
Some current and potential metrics include:
- Event Attendance: Year-over-year comparisons to measure growth.
- Feedback Surveys: Post-event surveys to gauge satisfaction and collect suggestions.
- Social Media Analytics: Monitor engagement rates on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn to evaluate outreach effectiveness.
- Participation Rates: Track involvement in mentorship programs and drop-ins.
Q6: You mentioned holding more drop-in sessions to encourage engagement — very low attendance from the participants from experience. How could you make sure this won’t happen?
Low attendance at drop-ins is a valid concern. To address this:
- Understand the Root Cause: Reach out to past participants to identify reasons for low engagement.
- Optimize Timing: Host sessions during times free from midterms and exams to increase availability.
- Experiment with Location: Test online versus in-person formats to identify which generates more participation.
- Cross-Event Promotions: Leverage other events to promote drop-in sessions to a wider audience.
Enhanced Marketing Efforts: Collaborate with the Marketing team to boost promotions if participation is low.
