NC welcomed student leaders from across the province at the 2025 Ontario Student Voices (OSV) Policy Conference hosted at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake from July 29 to August 2.
Niagara College’s Students’ Administrative Council (NCSAC), an inaugural member of OSV, participated in the conference, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to student leadership, collaboration, and policy innovation.
NCSAC President Hish Clifford as well as other club members joined the conference.
Organized by OSV, a non-partisan, student-led advocacy organization, the annual conference brought together 30 student representatives from 12 Ontario colleges for a week of training, research review, and policy development. The event aimed to empower students with the tools, knowledge, and connections to advocate for meaningful policy change at the provincial level.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in sessions focused on OSV’s five key advocacy priorities for the year: Student Health & Wellness; Tuition, Financial Aid & OSAP Reforms; College Funding; Food Insecurity; and Work-Integrated Learning, Skills Development & Career Preparation. These discussions shape OSV’s official policy recommendations, which will help guide its advocacy efforts with government decision-makers in the year ahead.
President Sean Kennedy joined the conference to welcome attendees on campus.
The conference featured a variety of guest speakers and expert-led sessions, including presentations from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, Higher Education Strategy Associates, Colleges Ontario, and Daily Bread Food Bank. NC was represented with teams from Financial Aid, Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services, the Indigenous Education Centre, and Government Relations each leading their own sessions.
Several members of the College community also participated in the event. Karl Dockstader, NC’s Indigenous Cultural Consultant led a session on meaningful engagement with Indigenous students and advancing reconciliation in postsecondary education. Mabel Watt, NC’s Director of Government Relations presented on effective provincial advocacy strategies, while Josh Levac, NC’s Director, Enrolment Services – Financial Aid delivered an overview of student financial aid and OSAP, highlighting available resources and key challenges faced by students. Karen Csoli, Director of Health, Wellness and Accessibility at NC’s Welland Campus, also answered questions from student leaders about the challenges and barriers students face when trying to access health and wellness services, particularly counselling services. President Sean Kennedy also stopped by to welcome attendees.
The conference also provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing student leaders to build relationships, exchange ideas, and collaborate on shared priorities that will benefit students across Ontario.
