He’s been all over the world and because of that, Alexander Golovko said he can identify with and unify Carleton — something he said campus really needs.
The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) presidential candidate said some of the core tenants of his slate, A Better Carleton, are being united and celebrating diversity.
“To be united is our goal, and diversity is our strength,” he said. “This year we’re really trying to organize campus around everybody. Get everybody involved, and I believe that’s been our essential difference, the diversity.”
Golovko said he started getting involved in the university shortly after he arrived in first year.
“It was my first time in Canada. I was here to learn a lot, so first I got involved with the model United Nations society,” he said. “I went to competitions all across Canada, won different prizes, in debate and stuff like that.”
He said he thinks he has the experience and motivation to help CUSA next year.
“What I bring is really the experience,” he said. “I’ve been in and out of the university system at an administrative level, student level, clubs and societies, [and] academics.”
His experience includes being the vice-president of the Carleton East African Student Association. In his third year, he said he organized the Yes, You Can! leadership conference, which featured guest speaker Amanda Lindhout, a former kidnapped journalist.
“I’ve grown up all over the world, so I was able to connect with different parts of the campus,” Golovko said on the different places he has worked and volunteered.
He said he hopes to motivate international students to imitate his involvment.
“I’m trying to be an inspiration to them and to everybody else to find the time, because school . . . is not only about classes, it’s about what you do outside of it as well,” he said.
After CUSA’s legal troubles last year, Golovko said he wants to come in as someone who wasn’t involved and can work without the past to hold him back.
“It’s not something I’ve been involved with and that’s why I’m excited to be a part of this campaign,” he said. “I’m bringing new ideas, fresh ideas — no past with me.”
His slate is prepared to help improve Carleton in any way possible, he said.
“We love our school. We think that we have so much opportunities to get involved,” he said.
“I think there’s always space for improvement and we’re here to make it better.”
