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When Emelyana Titarenko came to Mount Allison from Fredericton, NB, she first noticed how active and involved everyone was on campus. She quickly discovered that the Mount Allison Students’ Union (MASU) was where she wanted to get involved.

“I wanted to make a difference, drive change, and advocate for students,” she says.

Titarenko was on the Orientation committee and the MASU communications committee; then was the MASU’s VP communications; VP external; and, in her final year, President — finishing her term in unprecedented fashion as COVID hit in March 2020. She also represented students as a two-time director of equity, diversity, and inclusion for the Candian Alliance of Student Associations and as the chair of the New Brunswick Student Alliance.

During her time at Mount Allison, she says she learned a lot about the importance of making sure young voices were heard and having representation of diverse backgrounds.

“It was the opportunities that I had through the MASU that helped shape my perspective in terms of social justice, policy creation, and the way to drive change,” says Titarenko. “I know I would never be in the place that I am now if it weren’t for my involvement in the Students’ Union. The opportunities Mount A gave me were really unique.”

Following graduation, Titarenko took on her first role on Parliament Hill as press secretary in the Office of the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion in Youth in December 2020. Four years later, after working in Infrastructure and Communities and then with Health as a senior advisor, communications and issues, Titarenko is the director of communications for the Office of the President of the Treasury Board of Canada working for Minister Anita Anand. At 27, she is one of the youngest directors on Parliament Hill.

“It’s just about wanting to make a difference,” she says. “When I joined politics, at the time I was the only Black press secretary, and now there are so many more Black women in those roles and more diversity across our directors. Representation does matter and helps to empower others.”

A psychology graduate with minors in biology and political science, Titarenko believes there is a big interplay among psychology, politics, and communication — understanding behavioural change and human psychology to help shape the way policies are developed and communicated.

Outside of work, Titarenko is passionate about running. She is currently training for her second half marathon and plans to complete a full marathon this fall. She also regularly connects with friends from her time in student politics at Mount Allison.