Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin’s presentation at the Board of Directors’ Forum
Written by Simon Auffrey Arsenault
Photo of Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin by the Nova Scotia Legislature
With the recent SMUSA presidential and board elections, guest speakers were invited to speak to the candidates before their debates began. On February 25th, SMUSA invited Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, one such guest, to speak, before the Board of Directors’ candidates carried on with their forum. Smith-McCrossin is an individual who has worn several hats over her lifetime by working in healthcare, politics, and being a business owner. She was invited to present a motivational speech to current students who are showing interest in bringing their names forward in the board of directors, one of the highest governing bodies on campus.
Elizabeth has a very diverse background. She began a career as a nurse upon graduating from the Dalhousie Nursing Program, having worked at several hospitals over the years. She has also started small businesses, with them having some connection to the healthcare field, along with working full-time and raising 4 children. Safe to say, she has had her hands full! In 2013, she completed her Executive MBA (Masters of Business Administration) at Saint Mary’s University, an experience which she describes as something “she would absolutely do again.” Most recently, Elizabeth is working as an elected representative for Cumberland North, the area in which she grew up, as an Independent member, meaning that she does not affiliate with any political parties, after having spent a period of time with the Conservative Party. Her role as a member of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly (MLA) entails being the voice to individuals she represents, planning and presenting new laws to address current issues.
Photo of Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin and members of SMUSA and StudentsNS by Students Nova Scotia
Smith-McCrossin’s speech related her current career and the road to get to where she is to her upbringing on a farm in a small community in Nova Scotia, and how it has given her values to which she holds on to today. What perhaps was most touching was her determination in becoming a nurse. Elizabeth lost her mother at a very young age due to cancer, and witnessed her being very ill while often visiting her in the hospital; this sparked her determination in becoming a nurse as it would allow her to help others like nurses helped her mother when her health took a turn for the worse.
It could be said that students in the audience, including myself, were touched and inspired by Elizabeth’s presentation. Listening to a person who has worn many hats, and especially a graduate of Saint Mary’s, who gladly accepted to be part of this student electoral process, was a beneficial experience, as she provided guidance and tips to those in attendance and the 10 Board of Directors’ candidates, who are just getting their foot in the door with politics. She first provided the insight of finding your passion, what drives you? Then she added on being fearless, continue to stand up for what is right when it may seem difficult to do so, and to always remember who you work for. All 3 insights can be applied to a position within our student body, as
Alumni like Elizabeth are crucial in student candidates’ success in both an electoral and academic setting. Her presentation to students is proof that one is capable of accomplishing all their goals, as long as they stay focused on the “prize”. By juggling a full-time job, raising a young family, and being a business owner, Elizabeth has now found where she truly feels best: the world of politics. Her background as a nurse comes into play here, as one of her core values in her campaigns has been the access to healthcare in Nova Scotia, a topic which many could say relates to them. As a result she has released Bill 79, named the Fair Drug Pricing Act.
McCrossin’s lecture to the Board of Directors’ candidates is an example of the importance of alumni figures in students’ lives. Alumni are individuals who have graduated from a certain program within a certain university, and they can be great sources of inspiration and motivation for young individuals who may doubt their abilities to accomplish all their goals simultaneously. By inviting such figures to speak to leaders of today and leaders of the future, universities can help students be inspired to pick a path which is similar, or adapt certain ideologies which may help them in whichever path they choose.
To conclude, Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin’s presence at the Board of Directors’ forum is evidence that Saint Mary’s University has a very diverse and successful alumni community. This shows the importance of making alumni voices heard among the student population and recent graduates, as they too have faced several challenges like most of us students have in our studies. They can often offer great tips and advice, as Elizabeth did in her brief, yet informative presentation with candidates and the audience.