Student Affordability and Feed or Famine Food Drive with Amy Mendenhall

The past two years have been exceptionally challenging for all Alberta Post-Secondary students, and the Student body at the University of Lethbridge has been no exception.  Budget cuts by the Alberta government, with more anticipated, increasing tuition and education costs, housing issues, racism, Covid-19, online learning and transitioning back to on campus learning and employment uncertainty are but a few of the challenges experienced by Students.

In addition to these issues, Affordability and Food Scarcity challenges are an ever-present reality for far too many post-secondary Students.  The “Feed or Famine Food Drive” is one of the critical projects the University of Lethbridge Students Union (ULSU) sponsors to meet the nutritional needs of students.   The Speaker will discuss the Feed or Famine Food Drive project and share some insights as to how students are faring, along with other supports the ULSU Student Affairs undertakes to assist students to have a successful academic year.    

Speaker:     Amy Mendenhall – Vice President Student Affairs             

Amy Mendenhall is the Vice President of Student Affairs for the University of Lethbridge Student Union.  As a fourth-year student in the Indigenous Studies and History programs, Amy serves the student body as a mature student, bringing a wealth of experience and history of community service and volunteerism beginning from the young age of thirteen.  A mother of three, Amy is originally from Red Deer, and began volunteering with the Red Deer Regional Hospital, Boys and Girls Club and Students & Teachers opposing Prejudice, Red Deer Food Bank, International Students Club, and a member of the first official Gay Straight Alliance Club in Alberta. 

Amy was awarded the Premiers Award of Excellence for her work with the successful passing of an Anti-Bullying Bylaw in Red Deer; and was also awarded the Young Citizen of the Year for Red Deer in 2006 for volunteer work.  Amy graduated from the Red Deer College with an Educational Assistant certification in 2013, and the New York Institute of Photography in 2017.    Through her continued activism, Amy strives to support U of L Students in their challenges at the University of Lethbridge.