Alumni Feature: Jeremy Adams

USC VP Student Issues 1994/1995

WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO AFTER YOU LEFT THE USC:

I didn't really have a clear sense of a career path after I left the USC, only that I knew I was interested in current affairs, politics and student life programming. In 1995, a provincial election gave me the opportunity to volunteer for the local candidate, who went on to become a cabinet minister in a newly elected government. Two months after leaving the USC, I found myself working at Queen's Park as a legislative assistant. It certainly wasn't planned, yet was an opportunity I jumped at as it let me pursue my political interests. The USC gave me the chance to take on a lot of responsibility at a young age and being a political staffer presented many similar chances. I worked in progressive positions at Queen's Park in communications and policy and with each step in my career I found there were many other learnings and experiences from the USC that helped me along those first five-odd years after Western.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW & WHAT ARE YOU DOING:

I live in Toronto and focus my free time on being a father to two young girls under the age of 4. Professionally, I am the Director of Government & Corporate Affairs for the National Smokeless Tobacco Company. It's a great job in a company I've been with for almost 10 years now and the issues from both a regulatory and communications perspective keep me engaged and mentally challenged. I also sit on Western's Board of Governors as an alumni appointee, something that gives me great satisfaction in maintaining my roots to our alma mater.

WHAT WERE SOME MEMORABLE EVENTS OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM YOUR YEAR:

I left the USC 20 years ago, and while much has changed including people, portfolios, and programs, there are several things that happened in 1994-1995 that still affect students and student leaders today. One of those was the formation of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) which my board helped found and which the USC is still a member of to this day. The other is the creation of Western's Student Services Committee in 1995 which for the first time gave students a definitive say in changes to ancillary fees. Sitting on the Board of Governors today and seeing those Committee reports come forward each year always gives me pause to think "hey, I helped make this possible for students".

ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD:

The USC crosses generational lines. I've been fortunate to make a lot of friends through the USC, many of whom I didn't even sit on council with. We share a common experience that has brought us together even though we don't have the same tired war stories. You never know when these connections will appear in your life, but I am certain they will keep appearing. The 50th Anniversary of the USC at Homecoming 2015 will be an exciting time for us all to re-connect or connect for the first time, knowing that this will continue for another 50 years.