Alem Tesfay is a familiar face on campus. The fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student is a MacEwan Ambassador, volunteers with events and student groups, and will soon be part of the Pets Assisting with Student Success (PAWSS) team. He’s also bringing his expertise of all things MacEwan to Finding Harmony in Your Mental Health: A Student Panel Conversation as part of Mental Health Week.

“I will be speaking about what mental health and ‘finding harmony’ mean to me,” he says of the event. “To be chosen to speak on a topic that I deeply care about means a lot, as mental health is something that has recently become an important factor in my life.”

Part of Tesfay’s own mental health journey has included his volunteer work. He found community in Student Groups, including the MacEwan Investment Club and the Chess Fellowship of MacEwan. As he made his way up to executive positions in those groups, he planned events and meetups and discovered a love of volunteering. He’s since donated time to Safe Walk and other initiatives at the Student’s Association of MacEwan University (SAMU), as well as Open House, convocation and New Student Orientation.

“When I started volunteering, I didn't know how rewarding it could be,” says Tesfay. “It is one of the best decisions I ever made as a student. I have learned and grown as a person.”

He’s not content with just volunteering his own time, though. His cat, Dinger, is putting on a vest and joining the ranks of the PAWSS therapy animals on campus.

It’s not only the improvement in his mental health that keeps Tesfay volunteering across campus. His work has also helped him to develop interpersonal skills, build skills and confidence in public speaking and presentations, meet new people and explore potential career opportunities.

“You will be surprised how many opportunities can be opened for you through volunteering – even if it's only one or two hours a week,” he says.

For students interested in volunteering, Tesfay recommends looking around campus and finding opportunities to match their interests. SAMU offers a number of volunteer positions in a wide variety of programs and services, and Tesfay notes that his time as an Ambassador has been both helpful and rewarding.

“Being a MacEwan Ambassador allows you to develop your leadership skills while creating an impact within MacEwan and the community. They take in applications once a year around the Spring semester, so if you are interested, keep an eye out for the posters!”