Jovan Popovic

Born and raised in Hamilton, I always loved the idea of staying local and going to McMaster. After graduating from Ancaster High School, I arrived at McMaster in September, 2019 for my first year as a commerce student. I still remember my first day, my parents pulling up towards University Hall, all of the welcome week volunteers lining up in front of my car and tearing off one at a time, left, then right, then left again, and so fourth. I eventually made my way to Edwards Hall, where I would spend the next several months. I remember it all like it was yesterday - learning the faculty chants, the games and festivities on the main field, and especially the Bryce Vine concert. I didn't actually attend the concern. Leading up to it I listened to his music on YouTube and couldn't stand it, and decided to go to Yogurty's instead. On the way back from frozen yogurt, we passed the concert, and I stopped for a second because I actually liked the song he was performing. It was his last song. I ended up meeting him on the way out. Now, fast forward three and a half years later, and because of that song, 50% of my playlist is Bryce Vine. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

My first year got cut off early because of the pandemic. Year two was fully virtual, and year three was half virtual, half hybrid. Ironically, my fourth year, was my first full school year on campus, just like students years one through three, unfortunately. During the years away, I managed to keep myself busy. At McMaster, I joined the McMaster Sports Community (formally the McMaster School of Sports Analysis). I started off as the baseball editor in year one, VP Journalism in year two, and eventually became co-president of the club for two years. Alongside this, I also got involved with the Silhouette, the McMaster newspaper/media outlet. I spent my first two years as a staff writer there before moving into the sports editor role for two years. If I have one piece of advice for new students at Mac, it's to get involved in these kinds of things. The involvement offers a great sense of pride and accomplishment, and you will meet a lot of great people along the way. 

​

Outside of McMaster, I was a member of the MPs Federal Youth council, I started my own business, and I began working an internship at True Gravity Baseball, an agency that represents major and minor league baseball players in in Toronto. 

​

So, why MSU president? In my first year, I remember seeing the campaign period. I saw Giancarlo Da Ré doing his campaign, and really took an interest. It was then that I decided I wanted to do that one day. 

​

It felt amazing being elected a year ago. To be able to drive change within an organization that had the potential for such great impact on the student body was an incredible opportunity, and I've enjoyed the last eight months more then I could ever explain. So much so that I decided I wanted to come back. I've realized in this role that it's very difficult for a President to get a grasp of the entire organization. You come in fresh faced with new ideas and inspired to creat change, but then suddently you're put in charge of a huge corporation where you're drowning in bylaws and have so much staff that you don't even know what to do with them. It takes months to get a feel for the role and to understand how to actually execute the ideas you came in with- any of the last several Presidents will admit this, not just me. Once you finally get a grasp, you start proudly implementing your change. Then along the way, you realize how much more is possible, but now it's too late. 

​

The inspiration for me to return was the possibility of doing more with my experience. While I achieved many of my goals during my time, I realized just how much more is possible in year two with the experience I've accrued. I'm capable now of much more then I was in the last eight months, and that's why I'm back here. I'm ready to create change and disruption that never could've happened with consistent turnover after one year terms. It's time to bet on experience that delivers.