Dearest Gentle Reader,
The summer may be winding down, but this author is far from done. As we pack away our coolers and bucket hats, we embrace the changing weather and the chance to break out our sweaters again. It’s hard to believe the past four months flew by so quickly, but time does fly when you’re having fun (or working a full-time internship). While we could reminisce about the summer, it’s time to look ahead to all the exciting opportunities and events coming up this fall. So, join me in finding ways to make the return to classes something to look forward to.
This month’s theme for the Asper Scoop is “Fresh Start,” marking the beginning of a brand-new academic year. I had the pleasure of interviewing Emily Townsend, Kathy Nguyen, and Gabrielle Wong, who have all been working hard to ensure your first few weeks back in classes are both fun and memorable.
And without further ado, I present to you the August Edition of the Asper Scoop: Fresh Start.
The Commerce Week (TCW)
With The Commerce Week (TCW) less than two weeks away, co-chairs Emily Townsend and Kathy Nguyen have been hard at work all summer, preparing to welcome everyone back to school and give first-year students a memorable first impression of university life.
Emily, a 5th-year student majoring in HR, didn’t always plan to be at the Asper School of Business. She began her university journey at Canadian Mennonite University, where she pursued basketball for a few years. Although she loved the sport, Emily discovered other passions and goals. As a commuter assistant at CMU, she developed a strong interest in event planning and creating enjoyable spaces within the school. Driven by her desire to travel and explore, Emily applied to the Asper School of Business, hoping to participate in the international exchange program. Now, two years later, Emily is a proud and active member of the CSA General Council as the TCW Co-Chair and is also preparing for her exchange semester in Portugal in Winter 2025.
Kathy, a third-year student, is double majoring in accounting and either business analytics or marketing. Like Emily, Kathy started on a different path at the Université de Saint-Boniface in the Faculty of Sciences. However, when she realized that science wasn’t her passion, Asper caught her attention—not only for its reputation as a good business school but also for its strong sense of community. Kathy often sought deeper connections within the Faculty of Sciences but was disappointed by the lack of opportunities. Upon joining Asper and witnessing the CSA’s commitment to its students, Kathy was inspired to get involved and help create a welcoming community for others.
The Commerce Week, held from September 3-6, is a week of fun and informational events designed to ease students back into the groove of school. This year’s TCW offers an array of activities that will keep everyone excited to be back on campus. You can look forward to informational booths, food truck fairs, opportunities to meet other students, and, of course, the famous Commerce on the Quad—this time held at the Pyramid.
As TCW Co-Chairs, Emily and Kathy oversee and manage the TCW committee, ensuring they’re available for support when needed. The TCW committee consists of nine students, along with Emily, Kathy, and Saad Hayat, the Executive Chair for the Student Life portfolio. Delegating responsibilities and providing necessary resources for their team have been crucial in the planning process. Thanks to their wonderful team and leadership, The Commerce Week is shaping up to be the best one yet.
Emily and Kathy emphasize the importance of TCW because it’s a fun and unique way to make new connections and start the year on a positive note. The goal of TCW is to create a welcoming environment and ensure that students are excited about being at Asper. What makes Commerce Week so special is that it happens right as school starts, giving everyone a chance to start fresh and meet people before it becomes more challenging later in the year. Joining student groups and reaching out, especially in your first year, can be daunting. TCW aims to make that transition easier and provide every student with the opportunity to be part of something special.
Their advice to future leaders or anyone wanting to get involved is to jump in with both feet and believe in yourself 100%. Both co-chairs experienced imposter syndrome when they first took on their roles. However, with the support they provided to each other and their team, they’ve managed to create a week full of meaningful events that will help hundreds of students ease back into school. Another piece of advice they offer is to take your committee interviews seriously, as your team can make or break how things turn out. Emily and Kathy are deeply grateful for their committee’s hard work and support. They are especially thankful for taking the time to select like-minded, enthusiastic students, which has made all the difference in the success of their planning.
The TCW committee will be all around campus during the first week of classes, ready to say hello and introduce themselves, so don’t be shy to ask questions and get involved. You can also stay updated by following the TCW Instagram @asperTCW. I look forward to partying with you all on September 6th at the Pyramid for Commerce on the Quad (Pyramid).
Gabrielle Wong (UMQAS)
Gabrielle Marie Wong is entering her fourth year, double majoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, with the goal of owning her own marketing company and leading numerous charity initiatives along the way. Gab is an extremely dedicated person, which led her to join Alpha Gamma Delta in the fall of 2021. Since then, she has held five different leadership positions within the Alpha Gamma Delta Executive Council and is currently serving as the President of the Manitoba Panhellenic Council, which governs all three sororities at the University of Manitoba
Gabrielle found a strong sense of community and passion among her sorority sisters but continued searching for her niche within Asper. It wasn’t until she met Winnie Carey and Ashleigh Laubstedt—the current President of UMQAS and the past president and founder of UMQAS—that Gab finally found something that inspired her as much as her sorority did. Despite being heavily involved and busy with sorority life at the University of Manitoba, Gab managed to find the time to take on the Events Coordinator position at UMQAS, and she has been hard at work ever since.
UMQAS is one of Asper’s newest student groups, with the main goal of creating a strong, visible, and safe community within Asper. As the Director of Events, Gabrielle is responsible for coordinating and planning all the details for events throughout the year. This upcoming school year will be the first full year that the STAG will be operating, and Gab, along with the entire team, is thrilled about all the events and connections that will be made.
Gab is especially excited about UMQAS Pride Week, as she and the team have poured their hearts into creating a meaningful and memorable experience for students. She’s grateful for the chance to blend her academic and personal interests and the opportunity to share that with the student body. Gab also expressed deep appreciation for her coworkers and Winnie’s support, noting that the comfortable, collaborative environment has empowered her to overcome challenges and deliver the best possible results.
The upcoming Pride Week, scheduled for September 9-13, is an opportunity for students across Asper to celebrate Pride together, especially since Pride Month typically falls in the summer. Pride is celebrated year-round, and there are invaluable experiences and connections to be gained, so UMQAS wanted to bring that joy and sense of community to Asper.
UMQAS’ Pride Week will feature a mix of educational and entertaining events, including rock climbing, drag bingo, Queer Fireside Chats, and a social event hosted at Club 200 to celebrate the end of what is set to be a very memorable Pride Week.
Gab emphasized the importance of this Pride Week, not only because it’s a unique opportunity to create a community and provide a safe space for others, but also because it marks UMQAS’ first major introduction to Asper. Leaving a strong and lasting impression is key, which is why the entire UMQAS team has been working tirelessly to prepare for the upcoming events.
Gab shared that before UMQAS existed, it was difficult to make meaningful connections with other students. She felt hesitant to express her true self, often feeling rather uninspired at Asper. She hopes that by promoting inclusivity and awareness at Asper through programming and events, the school’s reputation as a space dominated by “finance bros” can change. UMQAS is still very new, which explains the current lack of visible queer representation at Asper and the opportunity for students to learn more about sharing space with queer folks. Business and queer identities don’t have to be separate; in fact, students should be celebrated for what makes them unique. That’s why UMQAS is so important—it’s a space where students can embrace and be celebrated for all the aspects of themselves they once thought they couldn’t, and a place where they can truly grow.
Gabrielle’s advice to future students wanting to take on a leadership role is simple: just do it. Gab craved community, and it wasn’t until she stepped out of her comfort zone that she discovered UMQAS and all the benefits it has brought her. Trying something new can be intimidating, but with determination and passion, anything is possible.
UMQAS will be tabling during the first week of school at the TCW informational booths, so if you have any questions or are interested in joining UMQAS, don’t hesitate to say hello and learn more about what they do. You can also follow them on Instagram @asperUMQAS to stay updated on all their upcoming news and events.
See You Next Month <3
And with that, we wrap up our August edition of The Asper Scoop! There are only a few things certain in this life: death, taxes, and me. Just because summer is ending, don’t think you can get rid of me that easily. I’ll be sticking around year-round, so keep following along. Thank you to Emily, Kathy, and Gabrielle for sharing your stories with us. And how could I forget about my lovely readers? Thank you for reading, I truly appreciate it, and stay tuned for next month’s edition!
Pookie Out ✌️