Manav Surti
Manav Surti: Trafalgar candidate
Don’t seek attention. Build impact. Let your work speak louder than your name.
Meet Manav Surti, a Computer Systems Technology – Software Development and Network Engineering student at Trafalgar Campus! A relentless leader who is passionate about promoting Financial Support.
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I’m most inspired by leaders who build quietly but execute boldly, the ones who focus less on visibility and more on results. They remind me that real leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room; it’s about creating opportunities, solving problems, and leaving systems better than you found them.
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Across Ontario campuses, the most pressing challenge isn’t just cost, it’s whether students are truly prepared for what comes after graduation. Many students are working hard academically but lack structured, hands-on, industry-aligned experiences that translate into real-world readiness. In a competitive job market shaped by AI, automation, and rapid industry change, theoretical learning alone isn’t enough. If elected, I would focus on expanding scalable, cross-campus experiential opportunities hackathons, CTFs, skill-based workshops, innovation challenges, and industry-led discussions, while also strengthening awareness and preparation support for co-op and career pathways. When students graduate, they shouldn’t just have a transcript. They should have proof of skill, confidence, and exposure. That’s how we improve both opportunity and long-term financial stability without overpromising what isn’t within Board control.
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One of the most pressing challenges at my home campus is unequal access to opportunity particularly in financial support and meaningful engagement. International students often pay significantly higher tuition, yet many bursaries and funding programs have limited eligibility. This creates a gap in access that can increase financial pressure and limit full participation in campus life. If elected, I would advocate for more inclusive, merit-based financial opportunities while respecting existing policies and funding structures. At the same time, I would focus on expanding structured, hands-on experiences such as hackathons, CTFs, skill-based workshops, gaming competitions, and industry-led discussions so students graduate with real-world exposure, not just academic credentials. Students shouldn’t just attend campus they should grow on it.
What are some of the student issues that you would like to bring to the Board table?
why is financial support The area you are most passionate about?
Financial support through scholarships, bursaries, and awards is the issue that matters most to me because financial pressure is the most immediate and unavoidable challenge affecting students’ academic performance, well-being, and ability to fully engage in their education. Conversations about student life often focus on programming and involvement, but these opportunities lose their value when students are struggling to meet basic financial needs such as tuition, housing, transportation, and daily expenses.
I have seen how financial stress quietly shapes student decisions in ways that are rarely discussed openly. Students reduce their course loads, delay graduation, turn down academic or professional opportunities, or work excessive hours simply to stay afloat. These choices are not the result of poor planning or lack of effort. They are responses to financial systems that do not always reflect the realities students face today.
This issue is particularly important because financial support is an area where the Student Union and Board of Directors can make a meaningful and measurable impact. Decisions around funding priorities, eligibility criteria, transparency, and communication directly affect whether support reaches the students who need it most. When students miss out on scholarships or bursaries due to unclear requirements, limited outreach, or overly complex processes, it represents a structural gap rather than an individual failure.
The current approach to financial support also raises important questions around fairness and equity. International students often pay three to four times the tuition of domestic students, yet have access to fewer scholarships and bursaries. At the same time, financial support should not be determined by background or student status alone. Funding should be awarded based on merit, demonstrated need, skills, and contribution, ensuring that all students are evaluated using clear and consistent criteria. A transparent, merit-based approach builds trust and ensures support reaches those who have earned it and genuinely need it.
My interest in this issue is grounded in accountability and practicality. Financial support should be accessible, well-communicated, and aligned with current student realities, including rising costs of living and increased academic pressure. Emergency funds, needs-based bursaries, and merit-based awards should reduce stress, not add additional barriers.
Prioritizing financial support reflects what effective student leadership should focus on. It is not about appearances or promises, but about ensuring resources are allocated responsibly and fairly. When financial support systems work as intended, they directly improve academic outcomes, mental health, and a student’s sense of belonging. Strengthening these systems is one of the most impactful ways the Board can support students in a way they can genuinely feel.
“I want to make a mark on campus by driving real impact, not noise.”
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I’m Manav Surti, a student in the Computer Systems Technology : Software Development and Network Engineering program at Sheridan College. Since joining Sheridan, I’ve actively engaged in campus life, seeking opportunities to make a meaningful impact. As a Sheridan Student Ambassador, I’ve welcomed prospective students, led campus tours, and supported events that help others feel connected and informed. These experiences have strengthened my communication, leadership, and collaboration skills while giving me firsthand insight into the diverse needs and challenges of Sheridan students.
I’m passionate about advocating for student well-being and inclusivity. Through my co-op experiences and active engagement in campus initiatives, I’ve seen how important it is to listen to student voices, identify gaps in support, and work toward practical solutions that improve the student experience. I aim to bring this perspective to the SSU Board of Directors, combining my dedication, leadership skills, and problem-solving mindset to help create a campus environment where every student feels supported, heard, and empowered to thrive. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to Sheridan’s community, champion student interests, and help shape initiatives that make a lasting difference for all.
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As SSU develops its 2026 Strategic Plan, I believe an important area to prioritize is structured experiential learning and career readiness. Students today are navigating rising costs, rapid technological change, and an increasingly competitive job market. Beyond advocacy and events, the union has an opportunity to strengthen its role as a platform for practical growth by supporting initiatives such as hackathons, skill-based workshops, innovation challenges, industry partnerships, and knowledge-sharing forums. By embedding hands-on, future-focused experiences into its mission and values, SSU can help ensure students graduate not only with credentials, but with confidence, exposure, and demonstrated skills. Supporting student success should mean preparing them for the realities of the next decade, not just the next semester.
Manav’s leadership style:
As a leader, what is Manav more likely to do on the board?
"Student Leadership SHOULD feel more Impact-driven and less symbolic.” - Manav
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.