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Camila Baquerizo was recognized nationally for her leadership in student advocacy through her work with the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA).

 

The fourth-year Human Rights honours Â鶹ÉçÇødent was awarded CASA’s Most Valuable Committee Member Award (National Advocacy Committee), along with a Membership Award. She also contributed to the St. Thomas University Students' Union (Â鶹ÉçÇøSU) being recognized as the Best Student Union among CASA members.

 

“Receiving these awards means a great deal to me because they reflect both the substance of my work and how I showed up in these spaces,” said Baquerizo, who is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador.

 

“It showed me that my contributions had an impact.”

 

Advocating for Students at the National Level

 

As Vice President Education with Â鶹ÉçÇøSU, Baquerizo represented the university, working on national advocacy files, contributing to policy development, and collaborating with student leaders across the country to influence student policy. 

 

“This experience strengthened my ability to analyze policy, communicate under pressure, and advocate with both passion and precision,” she said.

 

The role was a defining part of her Â鶹ÉçÇø experience, offering opportunities to build on her in-class learning and work with university leadership, government officials, and national organizations.

 

“It gave me a much deeper understanding of how institutions actually function and made my education feel applied rather than theoretical,” she said.

 

“It pushed me beyond the classroom and placed me in spaces where I could actively influence decisions that affect students.”

 

Looking ahead, Baquerizo is excited to begin a Master of Arts in Political Science at Concordia University this fall. 

 

“I’m really looking forward to continuing my academic work while also building on the practical experience I’ve gained through student advocacy.”