Democracy in Action: How Zimo Wang brought his political passion to life at McMaster

When he travelled across Canada to come to McMaster, Zimo Wang had no idea that he’d graduate with more than just good grades.

Instead, the Sociology and Political Science student is leaving with a wealth of experiences under his belt, including representing Social Sciences students at McMaster’s Senate and helping to organise a student-run polling station at this year’s provincial election.

A winding journey

Looking back, Wang can scarcely believe how far he’s come and admits that his high-school self would be very impressed with who he is now.

“Honestly, in high school, I didn’t really get involved with clubs and societies or anything extracurricular,” said Wang. “I didn’t really have a big community.

“But at Mac, I totally changed! I’m much more outgoing and extroverted, I’m involved in so many rewarding opportunities and I’ve gotten to know so many people here.”

Given how much Wang has found a home here at McMaster, he says it’s worth remembering that it nearly didn’t happen. His parents were keen for him to stay closer to home in British Columbia, and even after Wang started here, his parents kept encouraging him to stay home.

But by that point, Wang had already thrown himself into the many clubs and societies on offer, and had firmly found a home here.

By the end of his studies, he’d built a solid portfolio of experiences: promotion volunteer with the Food Collective Centre, a seat on the Student Representative Assembly, part of the CityLAB cohort, a role with the Student Success Centre Tax Squad, Welcome Week rep and an internship with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Practising politics

For Zimo, his passion for politics went outside the classroom.

When the new Interdisciplinary Minor in Civic Vitality, Democracy and Electoral Management (CIVDEM) started, Wang was invited to be part of a closed s

ession to launch the minor. Since then, he’s been involved in workshops and was even part of a student-run polling station at McMaster for the provincial election this year.

“As a Political Science student aspiring to work in government, I believe it is crucial to engage with elections firsthand,” said Wang. “Experiencing the democratic process beyond theory, through direct participation in voting and election administration, helps deepen my understanding of how our electoral system functions in the real world.”

But his proudest moment came when he was elected to McMaster Senate.

“It was an honour to serve as the Social Sciences undergraduate representative,” said Wang. “Representing thousands of my Social Sciences classmates was a privilege.”

And on Senate, Wang was appointed to stand on the Senate Executive Committee, which gave Wang the opportunity to have his voice heard by senior leadership at the university.

A bright future

It’s that political experience that Wang will take with him into his future. He accepted a place at the University of Waterloo to do a Master of Public Service, and hopes to work in government in the future, either as a political staffer or a public servant.

“McMaster really helped my career goals. The academic offerings such as the elections courses with Karen Bird gave me a better understanding of how our democracy works, and the extracurricular options let me put that understanding into action,” he said.

And as he departs McMaster and crosses the stage at convocation, Wang will thank his younger self for making the bold decision to cross the country and study at McMaster, leaving his comfort zone and finding a new community.