Hi everyone! My name is Wanqi (Anna) Chen, and I’m running to be your next VP Academic Junior. Over the past year, I have served as the assistant to our current VP Academic Junior. I attended Aesculapian Society meetings, sent out midterm check-in and post-exam feedback forms, and carefully summarized student responses to share with faculty. I’m currently helping organize the upcoming Career Night, aiming to provide first years with more exposure to different specialties early on. Through these experiences, I have gained a much deeper understanding of what this role truly involves: the behind-the-scenes coordination, the communication with faculty, and the responsibility of representing student voices accurately and constructively. Being in this position has made me even more interested in stepping into the VP Academic Junior role to take on greater responsibility. I’m not only passionate about this work, but I also feel prepared and capable of carrying it forward. Why I am capable: My previous leadership experiences have strengthened my organizational skills, teamwork, and ability to communicate clearly with both peers and faculty. As President of the iBioMed Society at McMaster University, I served as a liaison between students and faculty on curriculum-related matters (i.e., coordinating schedules to reduce midterm conflicts, improving semester pacing) through monthly meetings with program directors. I also led my team in organizing alumni career workshops and an Industry Night in collaboration with external partners, while continuing to build community through social and academic events. Additionally, I led the development of student handbooks and resource guides, collaborating with professors and upper-year students to gather information and present it on the society’s website. As an anatomy teaching assistant, I learned how to break down complex concepts clearly and support students in a structured, thoughtful way. Altogether, these experiences have prepared me to approach VP Academic Junior with reliability, organization, and follow-through. Why I am passionate: Beyond experience, I care deeply about this role because of my personal background. As someone who came to Canada in Grade 11, I understand that we all have very different networks, levels of mentorship, and access to opportunities. Not everyone starts with the same connections or familiarity with how to navigate academic and research spaces. I believe part of academic leadership is recognizing these differences and working intentionally to make information, opportunities, and support more transparent and accessible. I want to help ensure that every student, regardless of background, feels informed, supported, and empowered to pursue their goals. Looking forward: If elected, I will continue developing an initiative I’ve begun drafting: a Medical Student Research Night. The goal would be to invite principal investigators who are interested in working with medical students, creating a structured space for connection and making research pathways more visible and approachable. Thank you so much for your consideration. I would be truly honoured to serve as your VP Academic Junior and to continue advocating for our class with dedication and care. Warmly, Anna:)