Collins Sulplaze Ezeh is a fourth-year international computer science student. He is currently running to be Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA)’s next president.
Previous experiences
Sulplaze Ezeh said he runs a media company outside of Carleton, which has given him the opportunity to host events, gain marketing expertise, and understand how to reach wide demographics.
“I’m into having an impact on the culture and having a brand known,” he said.
Reasons for running
Despite believing in his vision, Sulplaze Ezeh said he does not want the president position for his own personal gain, but to advance his ideas for the student body.
“That’s why I actually signed up, really, because I thought, ‘Okay, if I’m not the president, you know, I’m still going to do that [the same way it was done before],’” he said. “At the end of the day that position’s going to deliver the [ability] to project and perform my vision.”
Slate or independent?
Sulplaze Ezeh’s reasoning for running as an independent candidate was to be able to present his vision to students clearly, without having others’ ideas distract from his main idea.
“Too much opinion can be a mess,” he said, unless there is a clear idea during the beginning stages of planning a goal. Once that goal is clear, then he said other ideas can be added into it.
Although he said he is very motivated by his goal, Sulplaze Ezeh said he would like to have open communication and a sense of teamwork with the other executives to discuss their visions related to their own respective skill sets.
Campaign goals
Sulplaze Ezeh’s policy platform centres around creating memories for students to share and diversifying the people CUSA reaches.
“In the past, you know, [CUSA] events haven’t really been sick,” he said. “That’s something I’m going to make better.”
Although Sulplaze Ezeh said he recognizes there are certain guidelines university events have to follow, he said events could be more diverse and relevant to students.
“There’s some stuff going on, but like there’s never been anything next-level … like, ‘Wow, this is what’s going on at Carleton for students,’” he said. “I want to just give back and just for people to have that memory to look back on.”
Sulplaze Ezeh added memorable events are important for students to have because they help students destress from the difficult times at university and meaningful events can provide students something to look back on long after they graduate.
Final thoughts
Sulplaze Ezeh said he wants students to know that actions speak louder than words, and he is ready to act on their behalf.
“It’s better to just observe and perform. Let it speak for yourself,” he said.
“If we can just be able to individualize and inspire others, I believe that you know, we could bring those visions to life.”
Featured image by Tim Austen.
