¶ˇĎăÔ°AV

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) Dean’s Undergraduate Fellow and political science graduand, Emmanuel Adegboyega, now adds the title of ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV (¶ˇĎăÔ°AV) student speaker to his already extensive resume. Adegboyega will be giving student address at the convocation ceremony on Thursday, June 12.

Growing up, Adegboyega was inspired by leaders who used their voices to bring about change and aspires to do the same himself, “I chose to major in Political Science because I’ve always been driven by a deep desire to understand systems of governance, justice, and public service.” Complementing his interest in policy and advocacy with tangible and evidence-based tools, Adegboyega pursued a minor in Social Data Analytics. He adds, “I believe that data, when interpreted with compassion and equity in mind, has the power to transform how we approach societal challenges.”

During his undergraduate journey Adegboyega had the opportunity to explore various courses; his favorites being Comparative Politics (POL 342/IS 200), Public Policy (POL 253), and Constitutional Law (POL 421W). “Each (course) challenged me to think critically, engage strategically, and connect theory to real-world issues. I was fortunate to learn from exceptional professors: Clare McGovern, Sanjay Jeram, Sarah Walshaw, Steve Weldon, and Radoslav Dimitrov.” Adegboyega emphasizes, “Not only did they deepen my academic curiosity but they also mentored me through some of my most meaningful projects.”

Adegboyega has shown academic excellence in his studies including his paper on nuclear disarmament that applied international relations theory to compare bilateral and multilateral treaties. Additionally, another project of his analyzed how the Supreme Court of Canada balances legal precedent with societal values in its decisions. Elaborating on his final capstone project, he says, “I analyzed drug overdose outcomes in relation to government spending, a project that brought together my interests in social policy, data analytics, and advocacy. It reveals how research can inform solutions to urgent public crises.”

(Emmanuel Adegboyega (Center) receiving the 2024 FASS Dean's Undergraduate Fellowship from Dr. Laurel Weldon, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)

Outside the classroom, Adegboyega is deeply involved in various extracurricular activities within the ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV community, holding a variety of leadership roles that have helped him in his overall growth. His contributions include serving as:

• Athlete on ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV Football Team (Defensive back - Free Safety)
• President, Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS)
• Undergraduate Student Representative, Board of Governors
• Vice President, ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV SOCA (Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry)
• President, Residence Hall Association (RHA)
• Area Coordinator, ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV Residence Life
• First Year Representative, Society of Arts and Social Science (SASS)
• SFSS RHA Councillor
• Member, Dining Commons Committee
• Member, Dean and university executives Search Committees

With his many leadership roles, Adegboyega has always been a voice for students, especially amid financially difficult times. He continued to advocate for students while Student Services was experiencing a reduction in services due to budget restraints. “That period called for steady, compassionate leadership, and I worked with stakeholders to bridge service gaps and ensure that student needs were prioritized.”

As much as he takes pride in his leadership, Adegboyega recognizes that working for and along the student community has brought out the best in him and has left a profound impact. “Being surrounded by people who believed in something bigger than themselves, who were fighting through their own battles yet still showed up—that inspired me daily. From students navigating grief to those building community through advocacy, they shaped how I lead and who I strive to be.”

(Emmanuel Adegboyega as the member of the Board of Governors)

Looking ahead, Adegboyega’s goal is to continue working at the intersection of law, public policy, community leadership, and data-driven decision making. “I plan to further my education by pursuing a law degree next and eventually contribute to national or international policymaking and governance. Long term, I hope to build institutions or initiatives that uplift marginalized communities and solve world problems, both in Canada and globally.”

As he prepares for convocation, Adegboyega imparts the following words of wisdom to his fellow students:

“Lean in. Get involved. Don’t wait to feel "ready". Start where you are – you are enough. You will grow by stepping into discomfort and trusting that purpose is often born in the very places that feel uncertain.” He adds, “take care of your community—show up for your peers, because university is not just about grades, it’s about becoming. And finally, always remember that your story has power, even when it’s messy. Use it to make a difference.”

Adegboyega credits ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV for challenging him to come out of his comfort zone. As a result, Adegboyega’s undergraduate experience equipped him with the confidence to lead under pressure as well as serve with humility, thinking both critically and compassionately. “From boardrooms to classrooms, the experiences here shaped my capacity to handle complexity, build coalitions, and stay grounded in purpose. ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV didn’t just teach me what to think—it taught me how to respond effectively when it matters most.”