AUSU Open Mic

Dr. Paul Huebener, a professor of English at AU, delves into the public obsession with sleep and its absence. By framing sleep as a cultural issue, we can uncover the competing agendas surrounding it. Dr. Paul Huebener illustrates how the humanities can challenge prevailing perceptions of sleep, revealing it as a space where values are cultivated and cultural debates take shape. Starring: AU Professor Dr. Paul Huebener

In this powerful episode, Indigenous Circle members Lexis Roy and Molly Salter open up about their experiences at Athabasca University, highlighting the importance of community and cultural connection. As we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Lexis and Molly share their thoughts on how we can collectively work towards a more inclusive future. Don't miss their book and movie recommendations that showcase Indigenous excellence and resilience. Starring: Indigenous Circle at AUSU Members Lexis Roy and Molly Salter, and Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

AUSU President Chantel Groening and Executive Director Jodi Campbell had the joy of attending the 2024 Athabasca University convocation held in June and they share their experiences of watching hundreds of AU students graduate. Enjoy experiencing the AU convocation through their stories of seeing this milestone event first hand, including watching student families cheer them on to get their degree, and the hard work and dedication required to earn those credentials. Starring: AUSU President Chantel Groening and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

AUSU hosted our annual Pride celebration in June, with a presentation highlighting recent positive changes at Athabasca University by Dr. Alain May, Associate Vice President for Student and Faculty Relations followed up by a presentation on 2SLGBTQIA+ legal advocacy by AJ Adams at Egale Canada, a Canadian organization providing research, education, and awareness, and advocating for human rights and equality in Canada and around the world. The event was originally on June 13, 2024. Starring: Dr. Alain May and AJ Adams

Members of AUSU's Indigenous Circle along with Robyn Soulier-Ritchot, an Indigenous entrepreneur, take the time to discuss Indigenous History Month along with some tips and tricks for navigating Athabasca University as an Indigenous student. Starring: Amanda Leeman, Robyn Soulier-Ritchot, Neenah Brown, & Lexis Roy

AUSU celebrated Asian Heritage Month with an inspiring event featuring Josephine Pon. Josephine was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in April 2019 and served as Alberta's Minister of Seniors and Housing, She is also celebrated for her extensive background in banking and her passionate involvement in community service. She looked at the compelling theme “Unlocking the Potential of Diversity: How Immigration Strengthens Our Country and Fulfills the Canadian Dream." looking at the contributions Asian immigrants have made in our community. This was originally recorded at an event on May 9, 2024. Starring: Josephine Pon

AUSU Councillors Blake Collett and Allie Wojtaszek offer some advice from seasoned veterans on how to find an invigilator for your exams, how to book the exam itself, and how to make sure the technical side of getting your exam setup doesn't affect the exam itself. Starring: AUSU Councillors Blake Collett and Allie Wojtaszek, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

Our outgoing Executive Committee takes a look at their past accomplishments and what is coming next for the Athabasca University Students' Union. Naju, Chantel, and Natalia dissect their terms for what they are most proud of and what work will continue after they are gone. Starring: AUSU President Naju Syed, VP Finance and Administration Chantel Bradley, VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

AUSU commemorated Black History Month with an event on February 8 intended to inspire, motivate, and engage students on engineering social justice, with speakers Dr. Veronica Fynn Bruey and Dr. Chika C. Daniels. Dr. Bruey is a multi-award-winning scholar, who has researched, taught, consulted, and presented at conferences in over 30 countries. Furthermore, as a war survivor and Indigenous Liberian migrant herself, she brings personal experience to her work in post-secondary education. Dr. Chika C. Daniels is an architectural design and experience researcher, educator, entrepreneur, and community advocate, teaching at two of Canada's most respected institutions: the University of Calgary and Athabasca University. Dr. Daniels' presentation will highlights the importance of commemorating Black History Month within post-secondary education. Starring: Dr. Veronica Fynn Bruey and Dr. Chika C. Daniels, AU professors

Are you interested in graduate studies in psychology or counselling? Are you looking for research experience in psychology but don't know where to start? Dr. Kharah Ross, a psychology faculty member at AU with a background in health psychology, gave a talk on projects completed by her undergraduate trainees and talk about upcoming research opportunities for students in her lab, including how to obtain an Honours-like experience in Psychology at AU. This talk was recorded on January 11, 2024 as a part of AUSU's Research Week. Starring: Dr. Kharah Ross, AU Psychology Professor

AU professor Dr. Eloy Rivas-Sanchez delves into how the practice of the sociological imagination – a fundamental concept in sociology – can provide students with the cognitive and methodological tools needed to engage in social research that is meaningful, collaborative, relevant to communities, and committed to positive social change. Starring: Dr. Eloy Rivas-Sanche

Episode Elisa Neven-Pugh joins VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek to discuss the different approaches to creating a welcoming campus community for all students, especially students with disabilities. This podcast builds on past discussions on advocacy for students with disabilities and looks beyond just the educational environment to all of society.

Alberta is often seen as a land of the political eccentric. Is this all there is? Dr. Frits Pannekoek argues that there is a lot more! Dr. Pannekoek is a Professor of History at Athabasca University and previously he was Director of Historic Sites and Archives for Alberta for 25 years, the University librarian at the University of Calgary for 10 years, and President of Athabasca University from 2005 to 2014. He has written widely on Alberta history and heritage preservation. Starring: Dr. Fritz Pannekoek, Athabasca University History Professor

Simon Brascoupé's presentation, Athabasca University Indigenous Business: Culture, Diversity, and Sustainability, explores how the future of sustainable economies can be found in Indigenous enterprises and communities. This was recorded on September 28, 2023 as a part of AUSU's Indigenous Student Week. Starring: Simon Brascoupé, AU Faculty of Business

AUSU Councillor Blake Collett is joined by University of Lethbridge student Brittany Allen to talk about the pros and cons of doing university courses online. They also provide some handy tips for AU students to get the most of their education, especially if they are coming from a brick and mortar school. Starring: University of Lethbridge Students' Union VP Academic Brittany Allen, AUSU Councillor Blake Collett, and AUSU Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

In advance of September's Welcome Week by AUSU we sit down with the deans at Athabasca University to chat about the coming year and what tips they have for both new and returning students. We also discover what hidden talents your deans have outside of being accomplished academics and administrators. Starring: Dr. Steven Johnson, Dr. Manijeh Mannani, Dr. Lisa Watson, Dr. Shauna Zenteno, and AUSU Executive Director Jodi Campbel

The newest AUSU Councillors, Manmeet Kaur and Chantel Bradley, share their experiences at Athabasca University that led them to run for Students' Council and eventually to being elected as Vice Presidents at AUSU. Manmeet and Chantel speak about the benefits of getting involved, and provide some insight to what their academic path looks like while at AUSU, as well as after graduation - and how an Athabasca University education is a foundation for their success. Starring: AUSU VP External Manmeet Kaur, VP Finance and Administration Chantel Bradley, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

AUSU VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek presents on student accessibility, accommodations, disability activism, terminology, and representation and how these apply to the student experience and student leadership.Natalia is a disabled and chronically ill fourth-year student at Athabasca University (AU) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS), Natalia also brings valuable insights and knowledge that they have collected while advocating for increased accessibility and accommodations through their executive position on the AUSU Student Council. Natalia is serving their third term as the VPCW, having first served as Vice President External and Student Affairs (VPEX). You can follow along with the slide deck available here. Starring: AUSU VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek

Dr. Henry Tsang, an Assistant Professor at Athabasca University, gives a talk on Canada's Chinatown architecture and its importance to the cities they are located in and to the Chinese-Canadian community. Dr. Tsang is an award-winning architect in the RAIC Centre for Architecture. His design, teaching, and research work explores the intersections between sustainability, health, and culture in the built environment. He teaches virtual design studios and coordinates courses in the communication, professional, theory, history, and technical streams. This talk was recorded at a talk in May 2023 to students as a part of AUSU's Asian History Month events. Starring: Dr. Henry Tsang

In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day two members of the Indigenous Circle at AUSU share their experiences and perspective on their university education. They look at the difficult history of Indigenous peoples in Canada as well as sharing some role models and leaders in the Indigenous community. Starring: Indigenous Circle at AUSU members Jessica Anderson and Amanda Leeman and Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

Episode NAUSU President Naju Syed and Executive Director of the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) Alexandra Ages discuss the coming Alberta election on May 29, 2023, why it's important for post-secondary students to vote, and what AUSU and CAUS are doing to fight voter apathy before election day. Starring: AUSU President Naju Syed, CAUS Executive Director Alexandra Ages, and AUSU Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

Trishtina Godoy- Contois talks about the rise of artificial intelligence with Dr. Reza Maalek. They look at the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in an academic environment and the need to ensure society is educated on the use of AI in the modern world. Starring: 2022-23 AUSU VP External Trishtina Godoy-Contois & Dr. Reza Maalek

VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek looks at ways we can all make a difference in improving the equity, diversity, and inclusion, starting with exploring inclusive language along with Kelly Gordon from Athabasca University. Kelly and Natalia look at the power of language and the ways it can be used to include people and groups often excluded. Natalia then interviews three members of AUSU's EDI Committee on how they are taking action to make their campus better for everyone. Starring: Athabasca University Counsellor Kelly Gordon, AUSU EDI Committee Members Eva Embree, Allie Wojtaszek, Joy Katjamana, and AUSU VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek

EpisoAUSU President Karen Fletcher chats with AU Deputy Provost Anne-Marie Scott to discuss how exams are different at a distance education institution, and why they are different. They look at how exams are proctored online and in-person, and how students can set up the exam environment they need in order to be successful. Starring: AUSU President Karen Fletcher & Athabasca University Deputy Provost Anne-Marie Scott

Dr. Sunday Akin Olukoju shares with Athabasca University students some insight into the participation of Black Canadians in politics, and how to inspire and mobilize more Black leaders. Dr. Olukoju has been tutoring at AU since 2011. He first received his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration before earning a second in Theology. The audio for this podcast was taken from a virtual live event held on February 9, 2023, as part of Black History Month at AUSU. Starring: Dr. Sunday Akin Olukoju

EpisoOriginal research is not just for faculty and graduate students - most undergraduate students can get involved too! Dr. Kharah Ross and Katherine Lowe share their experiences as a professor and as a student at Athabasca University in performing undergraduate research. The two offer advice on where to start and how to keep pace and finish. Starring: Psychology Professor Dr. Kharah Ross, past student Katherine Lowe, and AUSU President Karen Fletcher

AUSU President Karen Fletcher sits down with AU President Dr. Peter Scott to talk about the big plans for Athabasca University as Canada's premiere distance education institution as well as the vital question of whether oatmeal is in fact soup. Starring: AUSU President Karen Fletcher and AU President Dr. Peter Scott

Interested in a career in Psychology or want to be a Clinical Psychologist? Dr. Laura Armstrong discusses the different pathways a psychology degree can be used to open up career opportunities. Dr. Armstrong is a practicing clinical psychologist and faculty member at St. Paul's University in Ottawa. The audio for this podcast was taken from the AUSU Psych Night virtual live event held on November 10, 2022. Starring: Dr. Laura Armstrong, Clinical Psychologist

AUSU President Karen Fletcher and Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek share the reasons behind tuition increases at Athabasca University and how AUSU is advocating to make university education more affordable. Tuition at Athabasca University may increase by up to 5.5% in 2023. Starring: AUSU President Karen Fletcher, Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

Athabasca University student Katie Sabberton interviews Métis Student Community and Engagement Specialist Breane Mahlitz from the Rupertsland Institute on the barriers faced by Métis students. The Rupertsland Institute provides post-secondary financial aid to Métis students and seeks to increase the number of Métis students who successfully complete post-secondary studies. Starring: AU student Katie Sabberton, Rupertsland Métis Student Community and Engagement Specialist Breane Mahlitz, and AUSU Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

Tanisi! Welcome! Cree Elder and Storyteller Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes shares Medicine Wheel Teachings, traditional knowledge that can guide any journey using the fundamental concepts of wholeness, inter-relationship, inter-connectedness, balance and respect. The audio for this podcast was taken from a virtual live event held on September 20, 2022, as part of Indigenous Week at AUSU. Starring: Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes

Having just joined AUSU's Student Council in April, Rebecca and Blake share how it has impacted their education and what they want to get out of their time serving AU students. AUSU also delves into what brought them to AU in the first place. Starring: AUSU Councillors Rebecca Weubbolt and Blake Collett, along with Executive Director Jodi Campbell

Carrie Anton and Lisa Boone from Athabasca University's Accessibility Services share how to get support from AU and what types of accommodation can be made available. Every AU student is able to use Accessibility Services if they need, so be sure to listen in and learn how AU is making this process more straightforward for all students. Starring: AU Accessibility Services Coordinator Carrie Anton, AU Accommodation & Assessment Specialist Lisa Boone, and AUSU President Karen Fletcher

AUSU staff Jodi Campbell, Ashley Janes, and Duncan Wojtaszek sit down to reflect on AUSU's first 30 years. 1992 was a time before the Internet but AUSU was still providing services and advocacy for students. AUSU has grown along with Athabasca University and to celebrate we're hosting a party. Starring: AUSU Executive Director Jodi Campbell, Communications and Member Services Coordinator Ashley Janes, and Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

We sit down with recent Athabasca University graduate Leah Campbell and Tara Friesen, Manager, Alumni and Community Engagement at Athabasca University to talk about what it means to be an AU Alumni, what happens after you graduate, what services Athabasca University offers alumni, and what AU convocation is all about. Congratulations to all the recent 2022 graduates at Athabasca University! Starring: Athabasca University Manager of Alumni and Community Engagement Tara Friesen, recent AU graduate Leah Campbell, and AUSU Executive Director Jodi Campbell

AUSU is celebrating Pride Week, and capping it off with a special AUSUnights student social featuring performances by Party Queens! We sit down and talk about what Pride means to AUSU as a team and reflect on the work we have done and what events are coming up. Starring: AUSU VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek, Executive Director Jodi Campbell, Communications and Member Services Coordinator Ashley Janes, and Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

Get to know your newly elected Executive Committee as the four student leaders chat about their roles, plans for the year, and unique circumstances that make studying at AU a special experience. Starring: AUSU President Karen Fletcher, VP External Trishtina Godoy-Contois, VP Finance and Administration Naju Syed, VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

Starting next fall, Athabasca University will introduce a new Integrated Learning Environment (ILE) that promises to revolutionize the learner experience at AU. Richard MacLeod is one of the ILE leads responsible for implementing this ambitious new technology and sits down with AUSU to chat about the coming changes and advantages for AU students with the new ILE platform. Starring: Athabasca University Director of ILE Student Administration Richard MacLeod and AUSU Executive Director Jodi Campbell

Our Vice President Finance and Administration Leah Campbell talks to IT professional Josh Dedul about navigating the online world safely and protecting yourself against various scams. These tips will be especially useful for Athabasca University students given the nature of distance education and how much we are all connected via the Internet. Starring: AUSU Vice President Finance and Administration Leah Campbell and Josh Dedul

AUSU Executive Councillors Stacey Hutchings, Karen Fletcher, Leah Campbell, and Natalia Iwanek reflect on what happened over the past year, their favourite moments, what their families think they do as Executive Councillors, and what's next both for the organization and themselves. It's been another year focusing on improving the lives of Athabasca University students in the midst of a pandemic that came along with a lot of changes for AUSU. Starring: AUSU President Stacey Hutchings, VP External Karen Fletcher, VP Finance and Administration Leah Campbell, and VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek

Join Dr. Vive Kumar and David Boulanger as they talk about their computer science research, highlighting especially David's work as an undergraduate researcher and the value that research has had in his program. Want to learn more about undergraduate research? AUSU is hosting Research Week from January 24-28 - learn more by visiting ausu.org. Starring: AUSU VP External Karen Fletcher, Dr. Vive Kumar, and David Boulanger

Leah Campbell joins our executive team as our new Vice-President Finance and Administration and shares about her experience thus far as she studies from Brandon, Manitoba. Like so many students, Leah is taking a full course load, taking care of children, working at a full-time job, and decided there might be enough hours in the day to serve AU students at AUSU. She also weighs in on some of her favourite holiday films, food, and traditions. You'll also enjoy Duncan's cat, Matthew, as he joins the podcast in the background!

AUSU sits down with two AU students who are also parents to talk about the challenges and rewards of simultaneously raising children and taking classes. Many AU students are also caregivers, and Karen and Katy share how to find the best balance and the most success with these two important roles. Starring: AUSU VP External Karen Fletcher, Councillor Katy Lowe, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

AUSU is getting set for it's second Pride Week, with a host of great events including guest speakers Joshua Whitehead and Dr. Tobias Wiggins. Executive Director Jodi Campbell catches up with VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek and Communications and Member Services Coordinator Ashley Janes to talk about the great events coming up and the importance of Pride at AUSU. Starring: AUSU VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek, Communications and Member Services Coordinator Ashley Janes, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

Jared Maltais and Christian Fotang from the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) join AUSU to talk about the federal election on September 20, what it means for Athabasca University students, and how to make sure your vote counts. AUSU is running a Get Out The Vote campaign to encourage all students to cast their ballot this election and CASA is our key partner in making that campaign work. Starring: CASA Government and Stakeholder Relations Officer Jared Maltais, CASA Director of Advocacy Christian Fotang, AUSU Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek, and AUSU Executive Director Jodi Campbell

AUSU looks at the work done this summer, such as pushing for compassionate grading and developing executive workplans, as well as looking ahead to autumn. President Stacey Hutchings and VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek share their stories from the summer. Starring: AUSU President Stacey Hutchings, VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek, Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

AUSU sits down with the chair of the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) Rachel Timmermans as well as our own VP External Karen Fletcher to talk about the impact of provincial cuts to Athabasca University and how CAUS is fighting to keep AU education affordable and of the highest quality. Starring: CAUS Chair Rachel Timmermans, AUSU VP External Karen Fletcher, and AUSU Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

Guest host VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek interviews students Mel Mirosol and Vevangapi Katjamana about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at Athabasca University and the importance of providing a safe space to learn to every student in our virtual campus. Starring: AU students Mel Mirosol and Vevangapi Katjamana, along with AUSU VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek

AUSU chats with our new Vice President External Karen Fletcher and Vice President Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek on the perspectives of Ontario students at Athabasca University, the need for expanding efforts on equity, diversity, and inclusion - and a look at the best hidden gems in Ontario for vacation, food, and studying. Starring: AUSU VP External Karen Fletcher, VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

AUSU chats with Tim Hanson, AUSU's Social Media Coordinator about his experiences as an Athabasca University student, what it is like running all of AUSU's social media accounts, and his love of Star Trek. Starring: AUSU Executive Director Jodi Campbell, Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek and Social Media Coordinator Tim Hanson

AUSU Executive Director Jodi Campbell and Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek take over the podcast and talk about serving students in a virtual office environment setting up the AUSU office in a virtual environment while still serving students - and how to make the most of working, studying, and living at home. Starring: AUSU Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek and Executive Director Jodi Campbell