Meet the inspiring students who are building communities in Arts, at the university and beyond. This year, we celebrate 95 students who have enthusiastically seized the diverse opportunities that UBC has to offer and demonstrated the amazing capacity our students have to improve their communities and the world.
Our student leaders represent 22 different fields of study within the field of Arts, ranging from speech sciences to film studies. They held senior positions in student associations like the UBC Alma Mater Society, the Arts Undergraduate Society and departmental student associations. They organized festivals like the UBC Pride Festival and Awoken Word, and have demonstrated service leadership through volunteering with programs like the Equity Ambassadors, the Global Ambassadors, the Arts Peer Academic Coaching Program and more.
Award Winners
Katja Sluga – International Relations
Receives Outstanding Leader in the Faculty of Arts award for her considerable dedication to creating development opportunities for students.
Daniela Gallegos – Political Science (Honours)
Receives Outstanding Leader in the UBC Community and Beyond award for her considerable dedication to enacting community change and creating momentum beyond our campus.
George Radner – Economics (Honours)
Receives Outstanding Leader in the UBC Community and Beyond award for his considerable dedication to enacting community change and creating momentum beyond our campus.
Ilerioluwa Okusi – Sociology
Receives Outstanding Leader in the UBC Community award for her dedication to building community and shaping positive, healthy campus cultures at UBC.
Award Nominees
We asked award nominees to share advice for incoming students, messages for their graduating peers, and any memorable moments from their UBC experience.
Katherine Ann Aquino – Cognitive Systems
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Make the most out of every opportunity you have in front of you! I regret not being able to Storm the Wall or go to Wreck Beach one last time. Don’t be afraid of failure or rejections. Your years at university will go by quicker than you think. Enjoy the opportunity to study abroad, join a club, and relish the knowledge of everyone around you.
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Joining the Arts Undergraduate Society had the most impact on me during my time at UBC. I started off as a volunteer for one day but I ended up spending four years with the group, and I don’t regret a single second of it. It wasn’t just a way to become a better leader, but it also gave me a community where I felt I belonged.
Racheal Ayugi – International Relations
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Premiering the Afrocentrism Conference was the most significant involvement of my undergraduate years. The aim of the conference was to decolonize academia through the celebration of black scholarship. The conference was also a statement to our local community that much still needs to be done to holistically represent and critically engage with the histories and experiences of black people globally.
Dominique Bowden – Anthropology & Linguistics (Honours)
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Participating in undergraduate research was an opportunity that, to me, felt like the culmination of all my UBC accomplishments. In my thesis on midwifery and obstetric violence in rural Mexico, I was able to effectively and passionately use my academic knowledge to identify crucial gaps in anthropological theory. I am thankful for the collaboration, support and mentorship this project gave me!
What message do you have for your graduating peers?
It has been an incredible past five years. I am so thankful for the time I have been able to spend with all of you! It’s not a clear path ahead for most of us, including myself, but I am confident we will all find ways to contribute to our communities and continue learning through and beyond this pandemic.
Akhil Dattani-Jobanputra – Geography (Human)
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
My time at the Arts Undergraduate Society during my first two years of my undergrad had the biggest impact on me. Being included in such a diverse group led to me being challenged outside my comfort zone. This experience helped me become a better friend, leader and colleague throughout my time at UBC.
What message do you have for your graduating peers?
The only advice I could give to my graduating peers is advice I would give to myself. Don’t get caught up pursuing a lifestyle that takes away the joy of life. Pursue something that honours the essence of who you are.
Suyesha Dutta – History and Modern European Studies
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
In the past four years, I had the opportunity to conduct my own Student Directed Seminar, which was an immensely rewarding experience. My purpose as a co-facilitator was to encourage participation and listen in a meaningful and respectful way, allowing collaboration and creating space for other students to take charge. It taught me to be a more conscious and considerate human being.
Paris Gappmayr – Speech Sciences (Honours)
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
Too much to summarize in 400 characters! I learned to think critically; to form a hypothesis and test it, then analyze the data; to recognize patterns and reflect on them. I also learned to be a supportive friend; to build a life in a new city; to care for myself. But mostly I learned the value of education — to recognize my privilege and help share knowledge openly to encourage access for all.
What message do you have for your graduating peers?
During this time, it’s easy to lament about what was lost during the last few months of our semester. But we can also reflect on what we have learned about ourselves, our values and our habits during this time. We will come out of this stronger — sharing resources openly and supporting those who need it. We will carry this experience always, and we will work towards necessary change.
Joanne Goldgewicht Nissyn – Psychology
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
Opportunities will always be there! Push yourself to look for them and it will be rewarding. Find clubs you are interested in, look for opportunities to volunteer, or simply become friends with the person that sits next to you in class. I learned that pushing myself to seek new experiences would always teach me something new and would allow me to become a better version of myself.
What message do you have for your graduating peers?
We are going through crazy times. Don’t give up on yourself, don’t let rejection get to you. We are all unique and amazing and when it’s meant to be, your time will come. Remember that you can learn something from every experience, whether good or bad! Keep your head high and good luck to all!
Tanya Griffiths – Spanish
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
One of the best ways to be a leader, I feel, is to show how you are similar to everyone else. Storytelling whilst being a Go Global Ambassador helped me to see how important connection is in the midst of leading others, and how beautifully diverse our community is. Even when it seems like students are alone in their struggles, relatability can alleviate the distress of disconnection.
What message do you have for your graduating peers?
Looking forward, I hope you do not fret because—as life has shown you and how life will continue to show you—you are capable of success. I know it feels daunting; but as I write this on my front porch, unemployed, feeling the sun bathe me with golden silk—I am at peace. Discomfort comes from uncertainty, and if you cannot believe in yourself right now, let me, a fellow graduate, believe in you.
Gabriela Llanos – International Relations & Spanish
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
My advice would be to take advantage of all the amazing academic and professional programs, clubs and extracurricular activities UBC has to offer. I highly recommend Arts Co-op, especially in this new economic climate. When it is safe to do so, I also urge students to study abroad, join clubs on-campus and participate in residence life/recreational sports events and programs!
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
Expectations can be the biggest burden you carry in university. Expectations motivated me to achieve but also led to many mental health issues that hindered my ability to be happy. In my final year, I finally learned to let go of these outlandish expectations, realizing I was my biggest critic, not my professors, friends or family. It was liberating!
Kim-Sa Ngo – International Relations & Anthropology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Unexpected changes will happen, just embrace it! I came into UBC with a plan and graduated 5 years later with new goals and perspectives, but most importantly, zero regrets. UBC has so many opportunities and activities that you have never even heard of before. Take chances — it could lead to magical things! Being open to new opportunities led me to some of my greatest memories.
Roshni Pendse – International Economics
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Say yes to everything. There is no better time to learn new things, go new places and meet new people. New opportunities usually pop up when you least expect them to, and they can lead to some of your favourite experiences — so go to that event, talk to that prof and join that club!
Angelica Poversky – Media Studies
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
This is an amazing time of discovery and growth. From inside the classroom, to the whole world outside the classroom — stay open and resilient.
What message do you have for your graduating peers?
I hope we can take the knowledge and strength we have acquired during our time at UBC to show up with care and nurturance for our community. We all specialize now in understanding the deficits of knowledge — the work that needs to be done. Let’s keep our hearts raw, our fists up and our eyes glittering. With our skills and radical hope, nothing is impossible.
Bailey Saguin – Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Don’t walk onto campus with a predetermined major. Make sure you take the opportunity to take a variety of classes before making a decision of what you will dedicate the rest of your degree towards. You may have already decided on a major in Psychology before realizing that the Sociology 101 course you took may have sparked your interest. There is no rush, so take your time.
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
I learned that I truly love working in a group environment. Through various employment and volunteer opportunities provided by UBC, I was able to work with a variety of students who came from different faculties, backgrounds and experiences. These experiences allowed me to gain further perspective while working with amazing people as we strove towards a common goal.
Natascha Schoepl – Political Science & International Relations (Honours)
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Directing a new digital marketing team for UBC Recreation Intramurals was a highlight of my undergrad. I got to lead a group of amazing people, develop valuable skills beyond my degree and create innovative content on a weekly basis to feature our 3000 league participants. The unconditional support from the REC community encouraged me to push boundaries and establish my own legacy in the program.
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
GET INVOLVED! Although it may seem intimidating, joining clubs will build your community and enrich your university experience. The best thing about UBC is that there are so many diverse opportunities for every student, make sure to seize those moments and to create a unique path for yourself. TLDR; don’t be afraid to try out new things. Even if it’s not for you, it’ll be a great story to tell.
John Segui – Social Work
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
UBC has taught me to be critical about the world. To critically think is to be able to see the imperfections and inequalities in society that you have the opportunity to change. UBC was the time I learned my passion for researching and working towards the equity of LGBTQ2S+ communities. There is so much more work that needs to be done, and I can’t wait to be a positive force in that movement.
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Being a Wellness Peer has had the most impact during my time at UBC. It was a humbling experience to be able to sit down with a student and listen to their struggles in academics, mental health, relationships and life in general. Being a Wellness Peer has also taught me that it’s okay not to know every answer to people’s problems. It’s just as powerful to just simply let them know they are heard.
Recognized Leaders Within the Arts Community
The below graduating students were recognized by their peers, advisors, mentors and professors for their extraordinary leadership within the Faculty of Arts.
Nushrat Anjum – BA Political Science
Shem Arce – Film Studies BFA
Casandra Avanzado – Cognitive Systems
Tamara Baunsgaard – Bachelor of International Economics
Julia Burnham – CDST/English
Craig Campbell – Spanish
Ian Carpick – Linguistics (Honours)
Patrisse Chan – Bachelor of International Economics
Ashley Chand – Speech Sciences
Laura Chen – Economics
Alex Chow – Sociology
Jessica Dai – Economics
Pam Denchev – Economics
Sabrina Dhalla – Bachelor of International Economics
Conor Doherty – Political Science
Catherine Douglas – International Relations
Alexandra Emery – Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice
Isaac Fairbairn – English
Emily Fuchs – Media Studies
Kat Garvin – Political Science & German
Rishabh Gunvante – History & International Relations
Alyssa Han – Sociology
Hannah Harris – MEST & History
Emily Henderson – Anthropology
Ariana Hernandez – Speech Sciences
Kristine Ho – English Literature & Psychology
Rosemary Hu – Speech Sciences
Feyannie Wei-Ting Hung – Film Production
Hiro Ito – Psychology
Ragini Jain – Bachelor of International Economics
Syad Khan – Bachelor of International Economics
Junsoo Kim – International Relations
Mahtab Laghaei – Gender, Race, Sexuality, & Social Justice
Juliana Lee – Linguistics
Sanghyun Lee – Bachelor of International Economics
Emily Leung – Human Geography (Honours)
Angelina Lloy – Linguistics (Honours)
Elisha Lucero – Cognitive Systems Program
Aidan Lunny – Political Science & Philosophy
Francesco Luraschi – Bachelor of International Economics
Ogulsheker Mammetgurbanova – Asian Area Studies & History
Hali McLennan – Social Work
Angela Nguyen – Political Science (Law & Society Minor)
Lisa Nguyen – Speech Sciences
Lihua Nie – Bachelor of International Economics
Thomas O’Donnell – Political Science
Gautier Parthon de Von – International Relations & Political Science
Isabelle Rabideau – Bachelor of International Economics
Kyoungmin Roh – International Relations
Darian Russo – Political Science
Vinu Samarasekera – Bachelor of International Economics
Ashley Samsone – Classical, Near Eastern & Religious Studies
Gaurav Sandhar – Political Science
Christina Sen – Speech Sciences
Will Shelling – Political Science
Li Xin Shi – Asian Language and Culture
Gavina Sian – Speech Sciences
Mina Sidhu – Economics
Alexandra (Aly) Slobodov – International Relations (Russian Minor)
Alexandra Son – Political Science
Sugyeong Son – Asian Studies (Chinese Language & Culture)
Brandon Southern – Bachelor of International Economics
Dani Stancer – Sociology & Human Geography
Neha Sree Tadepalli – Political Science
Ashley Tanaka – Political Science & Economics
Felicia Tong – Speech Sciences
Milica Vancic – Political Science & International Relations
Shrey Verma – Bachelor of International Economics
Ziyu Wang – Linguistics
Erin Clarke Woodell – Bachelor of International Economics
Christine Xiong – English Language and Literatures (Honours)
Kaan Yolsever – Bachelor of International Economics
Arian Zand
