A profile on the incoming MASU president and CEO
The results are in following the Mount Allison Students Union’s (MASU) Winter Elections, the newly elected MASU president and CEO Kassandra Vail will be taking office in May. Vail is a third-year biochemistry student, with a double minor in biology and chemistry. She has been the MASU’s vice president of academic and university affairs (VPAU) since May of 2025, and says she has been passionate about being involved with student advocacy. “I think president of the MASU has kind of always been something that’s been top of mind, since I came to this university and found out that they had a students’ union that had so much support for students.”
Vail decided to run for president in order to continue the work and advocacy she has taken on in her current role as VPAU. “I’ve really absolutely loved, probably the best experience of my entire life, has been the current position I have as vice president. It has truly just been something that’s 100% in my wheelhouse […], but also, it’s a job where I wake up and I love coming to work.” She continued, “I love being able to support students in the way that a student’s union can. So, I think a big part of that is why I ran for president, so that I’m able to continue to do that, but in a bit of a larger capacity.”
In her current position as VPAU, Vail has had the opportunity to sit on the Senate, the Board of Regents, and several subcommittees, such as the academic affairs, and planning committees. As such, she oversaw the other student senators, and managed several academic services on campus, namely Nimbus tutoring, the MedLaw program, and overseeing collaboration with the library in advocating for accessible academic resources for students.
Throughout her term as VPAU, Vail has gained experience in learning about internal relations between the MASU and other governing bodies, which will make for a smooth transition as she steps into her new role. “When I started this position in May, it took me about a month to learn, like, ‘what is Senate? What are these subcommittees? Like, how does this work? How do I motion something?’ All of these different technical things that take time away from being able to work on projects, and being able to advocate for students. So now I won’t have that kind of waiting period where I’m learning, because I already understand all these things, I think that’s a great asset.”
Her vision for next year involves strengthening communications between students, the university and the MASU, and making sure that there is a loud student voice involved in university and government decisions. As well, she aims to help students understand how they can be supported by the MASU. “There are tons of services that every student is able to access, but a little bit of an issue is that not all students are aware of these services, or how to access these services. And they also aren’t aware of the fact that they are able to have a direct impact in changing these services.”
Furthermore, Vail and her team will be actively seeking feedback from students to ensure they feel represented, emphasizing the importance of outreach. “I think we have a lot of ways in which students are able to passively interact with MASU resources, but ensuring that there’s constant, like, active outreach, trying to get feedback from students, trying to get consultation on things, especially after we do them.” This feedback will inform future decisions, further involving student opinions in University affairs.
Another priority is fostering a supportive environment within the MASU staff itself. “And then something else that I want to do during my term is ensure that all of the MASU staff also feel really supported within the roles, and that they’re given the guidance and tools to be able to succeed with their visions for the role, because that’ll come back and benefit students as well.”
When asked about what she was most excited about for next year, Vail had plenty of answers. “I’m really excited for everything. Like, truly, anytime anyone is talking to me about next year, I get like a full grin, like, even right now on my face.” She says, “Just the entire experience I am so excited for. I’m excited to see what the new exec [bring], their ideas for their positions, and where they want to take the MASU, and being able to support them with that.”