Sunmisola Kolawole
Sunmisola Kolawole: Davis candidate
Use your story to light the way for someone else.
Meet Sunmisola Kolawole, a Social Service Worker student at Davis Campus! A resilient leader who is passionate about promoting Health and Wellness.
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My lived experiences with a chronic illness inspires me to lead with resilient, empathy and diligence.
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Financial stress caused by rising tuition and reduced OSAP support, making education less accessible for many students.
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The financial burden on international students, high tuition affected by exchange rates, limited scholarship opportunities, and health insurance that excludes pre-existing conditions.
What are some of the student issues that you would like to bring to the Board table?
Why is Health and wellness the area YOU ARE MOST PASSIOnate ABOUt?
Advocating for Health and wellness is most important to me because my life has been shaped by it. I was born with sickle cell anaemia, and living with a chronic illness taught me how early and how deeply health affects education, opportunity, and life in general. I have experienced moments where my health limited my participation in school and community spaces. It has often determined how much I could participate. For example, I once experienced severe pain in my leg and had to be rushed to the hospital. I have also been stigmatized because Sickle cell is categorized as “A black disease,” which has led to dismissal or being tagged as drug seeking. These experiences showed me how easily people with health conditions can be overlooked or excluded.
However, you do not have to have a chronic illness to feel sick or burnt out. School can be overwhelming, and many students face stress, burnout, financial pressure, family responsibilities, or mental health challenges that affect their well-being. Students often forget to take a break, seek help, or even go for regular checkups because survival becomes a priority. This is why some students find it difficult to concentrate in class or even do well academically. Health, both physical and mental, is often treated as secondary until it becomes a crisis. This is why advocating for health and wellness matters to me. I believe wellness advocacy should go beyond awareness days and posters: it should create safe spaces for honest conversations, access to resources, and reassurance that asking for help is not a form of weakness.
I also want to use this platform to advocate for a more inclusive and informed approach to health and wellness by spreading awareness about overlooked disabilities and diseases. Many conditions are misunderstood or ignored, yet they significantly impact students’ daily lives, academic performance, and mental well-being. I want to create conversations around these realities. Health should not be treated as an afterthought. When students are supported physically and mentally, they are fit to learn, lead, and thrive.
“I want to make a mark on campus by advocating for health and inclusion.”
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My name is Sunmisola Vanessa Kolawole, a 19-year-old girl from Nigeria. I was born with a blood disorder called Sickle Cell Anemia, which has probably defined my life. It has changed the way I see the world. However, my introduction is not dependent on my experience with sickle cell, but it’s part of me. I’m a first-year student at Sheridan College studying a Social Service Worker. I haven't really gotten involved at school, but I made an impact in a way. Last September, I was admitted to this school. I started attending class, but there were some obstacles, like obtaining a new study permit. But during that period of attending classes, I started a petition on affordable drugs for sickle cell patients, which got over 1000 signatures. I spoke to my course mates during class, and I explained what sickle cell meant, how it was affecting people, especially blacks, and how expensive the treatment is. Everyone listened attentively, and I felt I had taught them something new. By the end of the conversation, they signed my petition. Sometimes, getting involved doesn’t require a formal role; it simply means using your voice. I’ve held leadership roles in my high school, founded an NGO called Beyond The Sickle, volunteered for Canadian Blood Services (completing 35 hours), and participated in UNICEF programs. These experiences have taught me the importance of advocacy, empathy, and initiative skills, I’m excited to bring to SSU to amplify student voices and strengthen our community
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Mental health and wellness services.
Sunmisola’s leadership style:
As a leader, what is sunmisola more likely to do on the board?
"student leadership SHOULD feel more Inclusive and less Intimidating.” - sunmisola
As a reminder, you will need to vote for campus-specific representatives, but all Board discussions are passed when every Board member is involved. Take a look at all of your campus representatives, stop by their campaign booths, and make an informed decision on March 16 - March 20.