Senator profile: Corinna Stevenson

"I'm always so in awe at the level of engagement from all the participants. It is a large group, and we get to not only understand university affairs better but also the perspectives of their stakeholders," said Stevenson.

Senate is a governing body made up of representatives from the U of S both past and current, including students, past and current chancellors, the university president, vice-presidents, deans, elected members of our alumni representing areas across Saskatchewan and around the world, representatives of organizations with a connection to the university such as professional governing bodies, and the minister and deputy minister of advanced education.

As the appointed member of senate for district nine, which includes Nipawin, Melfort and Hudson Bay, Stevenson said she prides herself on being able to speak up for those from areas that sometimes have difficulty being heard.

“I really see that as the primary purpose of senate: to be the voice of the province, the voice of graduates and also representatives of the different types of professions we have,” she said.

”It’s an engagement facility. We act as advisors so that the university can test the waters and see that they’re remaining relevant to the province.”

It is in this way that Stevenson believes senate is of greatest use to the U of S—in its ability to help unite the Saskatoon campus with the numerous people in the province of a whole that value it as an institution, and are invested in its continued success.

“The university, although it represents the province and it is an academic institution, I really think it is about community. The senate acts as that avenue or stream for the university to really hear, collectively, the voice of the province.”

Senate election is open now and continues until June 16. All alumni are invited to vote at usask.ca/senate-election.