Nishi Chudasama
Nishi Chudasama: HMC candidate
Small actions, done consistently, create real change.
Meet Nishi, a Bachelors of Business Accounting student at HMC Campus! Nishi is a communicative leader passionate about promoting cultural representation and inclusion across all campuses.
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“Challenges I’ve faced — and overcoming them — have shaped my empathy and determination to help others succeed.”
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“One of the most pressing challenges for students across campuses in Ontario is ensuring inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities and support. Many students, especially those from diverse, international, or non-traditional backgrounds, face barriers to feeling represented, connected, and being able to fully participate in campus life. If elected, I would advocate for inclusive policies, accessible programming, and stronger cross-campus collaboration so every student, regardless of background or location, feels valued and supported.”
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“One of the most pressing challenges students at my campus face is creating a truly inclusive and connected community. Many students, especially commuters, international students, and those balancing work and school, can feel isolated or underrepresented in campus life. If elected, I would advocate for more inclusive programming, accessible engagement opportunities, and stronger communication so every student feels seen, supported, and able to belong.”
What are some of the student issues that you would like to bring to the Board table?
Why is Cultural Representation and Inclusion The area you are most passionate about?
Advocating for cultural representation and inclusion is deeply personal to me because it directly reflects my own journey as an immigrant student at Sheridan. When I first arrived in Canada, I was excited to start a new chapter, but that excitement was quickly mixed with feelings of isolation and uncertainty. Adjusting to a new culture, academic system, and social environment was not easy, and for a long time I felt invisible—like I had to adapt quietly rather than be understood.
While Sheridan offers many strong supports in areas such as health and wellness, financial aid, and academic success, I noticed that cultural representation is often addressed less directly. Resources exist, but many students—especially immigrant and international students—do not always feel reflected, heard, or fully included within campus spaces. Cultural barriers can make it difficult to seek help, ask questions, or even realize that support is meant for you. This gap is something I have personally experienced and believe deserves more focused attention.
What helped change my experience were peer mentors and student support services that took the time to listen and guide me without judgment. These connections made a huge difference in helping me feel seen and supported. They also showed me how powerful inclusive spaces can be when students feel safe being themselves. However, not every student finds these supports easy to access, and not everyone feels culturally represented in student leadership or decision-making spaces.
As a Board member, I want to advocate for stronger culturally responsive services alongside existing supports such as scholarships, bursaries, appeals assistance, and mental health resources like Empower Me. These services are essential, but they must be accessible and inclusive, recognizing different cultural backgrounds, lived experiences, and challenges. Inclusion should not be an afterthought—it should be built into how services are designed, communicated, and delivered.
Cultural representation is about more than diversity statistics; it is about creating an environment where students feel they belong, where their voices matter, and where they do not have to choose between success and authenticity. If given the opportunity, I want to help create a campus culture where every student—regardless of background—feels welcomed, supported, and part of the Sheridan community. That sense of belonging is what truly allows students to thrive, and it is why this issue matters most to me.”
“I want to make a mark on campus by building a more inclusive community”
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My experience at Sheridan has been shaped by my journey as an immigrant student. When I first arrived in Canada, I struggled to feel included and confident in a new academic and social environment. Like many immigrant students, I found it difficult to navigate campus life, access resources, and truly feel that I belonged.
What changed my journey was the support I received through Sheridan’s student services and peer mentoring programs. Peer mentors and SSU-led initiatives helped guide me, answer questions I was afraid to ask, and made me feel supported rather than isolated. Because of this, Sheridan became more than just a place to study—it became a community.
Today, I give back as an accounting tutor, where I support students facing academic pressure, financial stress, and adjustment challenges. I am very familiar with campus services and often encourage students to use them. I also have strong connections with peers involved in the SSU and Peer Mentoring, giving me insight into real student concerns.
As a Board member, I want to ensure that immigrant and underrepresented students feel included, supported, and heard.Outside of my work roles, I make an effort to attend campus events whenever I can because I like staying connected and learning more about what students care about and enjoy. Whether it is cultural celebrations, awareness campaigns, or social events, I value being present and involved.
Through my involvement at Sheridan, I have grown both personally and professionally. I have become more confident in my communication skills, more comfortable working in teams, and more motivated to take initiative and contribute wherever I can. Most importantly, these experiences have taught me the importance of giving back and supporting others.
For me, Sheridan is more than just a place to study. It is a community where I have built meaningful relationships, developed leadership skills, and discovered a passion for student engagement. I take pride in being part of the Sheridan Student Union and the wider Sheridan community, and I look forward to continuing to support and represent students in a positive and impactful way.
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An area of student life that the SSU should prioritize in its new Strategic Plan is fostering inclusive engagement and belonging across all campuses. Many students, particularly commuters, international, and non-traditional learners, struggle to feel connected to the broader student community. Embedding inclusivity into SSU’s mission and values through accessible events, diverse representation, and equitable opportunities for involvement would help ensure every student feels seen, heard, and supported throughout their experience.
Nishi’s leadership style:
As a leader, what is nishi more likely to do on the board ?
"Student leadership should feel more accessible and less intimidating”
– Nishi
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 look at all of your campus reps, stop by their campaign booths and make an informed decision on March 16 - March 20.