Student Leader to Community Changemaker

Driven by a heartfelt desire to ease the financial strain on local families, Austin Harvey spent the summer organizing a Back-to-School Supply Fundraiser in his hometown of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Not only is Harvey preparing to teach; he’s actively uplifting those in his community, showing that educators can be powerful changemakers long before they step into a classroom. 

I saw firsthand how something seemingly small, such as giving school supplies, can impact parents and students. I think it is important to not disregard those little moments because to those you help, it can mean the world. — Austin Harvey, 3rd-year, Faculty of Education

The daunting task of organizing a fundraiser from scratch didn’t stop Harvey. With his mother’s help, he set to work spreading the word about his fundraiser on Facebook, the Moose Jaw Express newspaper, the online news site Discover Moose Jaw, and an on-air interview with 800 CHAB radio to reach as many people as possible. Reflecting on his efforts, Harvey shares, “You never know what will be the thing that pushes your project to completion.”

The outpouring of donations exceeded Harvey’s expectations. Within just a few days, they had gathered enough donations to create grade-specific supply packages for 19 families and 42 children.

The emotional impact of the initiative struck Harvey as families arrived to pick up their supplies. To his surprise, many parents brought their children along. “I saw firsthand how something seemingly small, such as giving school supplies, can impact parents and students,” says Harvey. “I think it is important to not disregard those little moments because to those you help, it can mean the world.”

As the children lit up at the sight of their new supplies, Harvey felt an overwhelming sense of purpose. “If I was able to help only two families, that would be enough to justify everything done to put the fundraiser together,” he adds.

As one who serves  

It’s no surprise that Harvey found a home at the University of Regina, where the motto, “As One Who Serves,” perfectly reflects his dedication to community service and his future goals as an educator. Harvey’s first-year experiences at the U of R played a crucial role in shaping his teaching philosophy.

Two professors—Noel Chevalier, who taught English at Luther College and Christian Thompson, who taught Indigenous Studies at First Nations University of Canada—helped Harvey understand what it means to be a great educator. Both took extra time to talk with him and help him through the challenges of his first year. Their ability to connect with students and see things from students’ perspectives left a lasting impression on Harvey, influencing how he plans to approach teaching in his own classroom.

“I believe that by remembering one's own school experiences they can better create a classroom that positively contributes to students' learning and personal growth,” says Harvey.

Are you inspired by Austin’s story? The Faculty of Education is where many community leaders like Austin begin their journeys. Apply today and make your impact.

This fall, Harvey brought those lessons full circle by participating in the What I Wish I Knew My First-Year panel, where he encouraged new students to embrace campus life. “The best advice I can give is to get involved, participate, and go to as many events as you possibly can,” he shares. For Harvey, getting involved helped him make friends, network, learn new skills, find opportunities to build his résumé, and stay active while managing his coursework.

Looking ahead, Harvey plans to make the Back-to-School Supply Fundraiser an annual tradition, continuing to support families in his community. As he envisions his future classroom, he hopes that his work as an educator will positively impact even a single student in a life-changing way.