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Mohawk College students do not just learn leadership, they live it. Every year student leaders rise through the MSA elections to represent their peers, influence decisions and shape the student experience.
MSA starts with you. Your voice. Your passion. Your leadership.
Election results
The Results Are In
These elected positions make up part of the Student Executive Team. Members elected the remaining positions at the Special Members Meeting on March 24, 2026.
The Special Meeting minutes remain unofficial until the next Annual Members Meeting, when you vote to approve them.
The MSA Chief Returning Officer has certified that the 2026-2027 MSA elections were conducted fairly, securely and in accordance with MSA election policies and procedures. Voting took place from March 3 to 5, 2026, with 1,519 students casting ballots for a turnout of 9.2%. Simply Voting independently verified the results. For questions, contact msa.elections@mohawkcollege.ca.
How to Participate
There are two ways to make an impact at the MSA: run for a student leadership role, or vote for the leaders who represent you.
Become a candidate
Running for a student leadership role gives you the opportunity to represent your peers, advocate for student priorities and help guide the MSA. Positions include:
- President
- Vice President, College Affairs
- Vice President, External Affairs
- Vice President, Equity & Inclusion
- Vice President, International Affairs
- Director at Large
Vote
Voting gives you the opportunity to choose the student leaders who will represent you. During the General Elections, eligible students receive a voting link in their Mohawk College email. Review the candidates, cast your vote, and help decide who will lead the MSA.
You will also have another opportunity to meet the new members and vote on the rest of the team at our Special Members Meeting.
Why Two Elections?
Student leadership is not one-size-fits-all.
The General Elections allow all eligible students to elect the President, Vice President External Affairs and Vice President College Affairs, who lead student advocacy and represent students at the college and beyond.
Vice President Equity & Inclusion, Vice President International Affairs and the Directors at Large follow a different process, which makes sure successful candidates have the lived experience the role calls for. These are the roles you vote to appoint at the Special Members Meeting.
What this achieves
A stronger board
- Increases student representation
- Creates more opportunities to participate
- Welcomes new student leaders through the year
- Builds a stronger, student-driven Board of Directors
Important Dates
General Ballot Elections
- Nomination period: November 16 to December 4
- All Candidates Meeting 1: December 21
- All Candidates Meeting 2: January 6
- Campaign period: January 18 to 28
- Candidate forum: January 25
- Voting period: January 26 to 28
- Unofficial results: January 29
Special Meeting Elections
- Nomination period: February 1 to 5
- All Candidates Meeting: March 6
- Board endorsement: March 8
- Voting and ratification: March 17
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for MSA elections?
Presidents, Vice Presidents and Directors serve one-year terms, are elected by students, and must uphold the responsibilities of their office throughout that term. To run for any leadership role you must meet and maintain the core eligibility criteria set out in the MSA Bylaws:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Reside in Ontario
- Be legally eligible to work in Canada and have a valid SIN
- Not be bankrupt or declared legally incapable
- Have no criminal convictions or pending charges
- Be bondable
Directors at Large additionally need to be or have been a Full Member, hold a minimum 70% GPA if currently studying, have no outstanding debts to Mohawk College or the MSA, not currently be employed by the MSA, and have no policy violations or prior removal from a student leadership position.
What is the time commitment?
Terms run from May 1 to April 30 the following year.
- President: 35 hours a week
- Vice Presidents: 35 hours a week from May to August, 15 hours a week from September to April
- Directors at Large: around 2 hours a week
Some Vice President portfolios carry more at certain points in the year, and that is supported by staff and the President.
Can I take part if I am graduating?
Yes. For some positions it helps to be a current student so you have a pulse on your peers and can represent them well, but graduating does not rule you out.
Are the positions paid?
Student Executive positions, including President and Vice Presidents, are compensated, either hourly or by salary. Directors at Large serve in a volunteer capacity but receive leadership development opportunities, recognition, discounts and other perks.
Is there a cost to campaigning?
No. The MSA provides funded events and limited campaign materials for President and select Vice President roles. Other leadership positions do not campaign; they take part through an application and selection process.
Why do some roles campaign and others do not?
Positions like President and select Vice Presidents campaign because they represent students publicly at institutional and government tables, shape major advocacy priorities, and have broad, visible impact. Campaigning lets students hear their vision and choose who they believe is best prepared to lead.
Directors at Large and select Vice Presidents do not campaign publicly. They apply, are interviewed or assessed, and are elected at the Special Members Meeting based on readiness, insight, representation and lived experience. Those roles focus on governance and perspective rather than public advocacy.
Elections Resources
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Thinking about running?
Email the elections team and we will send you a nomination package and answer any questions.