Aiyana Twigg and Makena Zimmerman have each received the 2022 Outstanding Leader in the UBC Community award for their dedication to building community and shaping positive, healthy campus cultures at UBC.
Aiyana Twigg, First Nations and Endangered Languages and Anthropology
Aiyana supported the Indigenous student community through her work at the Indigenous Student Centre at UBC Okanagan, as a lead facilitator with the Indigenous Leadership Collective, and as a Peer Advisor at Arts Indigenous Student Advising at UBC Vancouver. In her community, Aiyana created online games and used social media to develop language learning tools for Indigenous communities and language programs.
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
During my time at UBC, all of my leadership opportunities had a major impact on me, but I must say that being the Arts Indigenous Student Advising (AISA) peer advisor, as well as the main facilitator for the Indigenous Leadership Collective (ILC) had the most impact on me. While working as an AISA peer advisor and facilitator for the ILC, I was able to learn the importance of community and demonstrate and strengthen my own leadership skills, while also encouraging my fellow peers to do the same. I learned that I enjoy organizing events for students, while also attending those events to let my peers know that I am here to support them in any way I can. Although my position included creating a fun community rooted in leadership and laughter, it turned out that AISA, the ILC, the members, and staff were the ones who created that community for me.
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Don’t be afraid to find your community on campus and to reach out to others. Throughout your journey, community is important for establishing a support system during times when you feel down, overwhelmed, sad, or stressed. Do not feel ashamed to reach out to those when you are feeling this way. There are many programs that UBC offers, which can fit with your own values, beliefs, interests and are filled with others who feel the same way as you. Your feelings are valid and being a part of the various programs will help with ensuring your feelings are heard and that you are not alone.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
In my first year at UBC, I was very shy and timid. I was afraid to speak up for myself, voice my opinion, and accept my cultural identity, but since then, I have challenged myself through various leadership, school, and community opportunities, and through these experiences, I found the confidence to speak up, harness my voice, and be proud of who I am. I no longer feel afraid, but I actually feel excited and passionate to speak about the things I care about with a strong voice and my head held high.
What message do you have for your graduating peers?
To my fellow graduating peers, congratulations on all of your hard work and achievements these past few years! Now that a part of our life is coming to an end, don’t feel that you need to rush into a job, or graduate school, but take this time to reflect on yourself and all that you have learned throughout your undergraduate degree. Take what you have learned, experienced, and achieved and make the best version of yourself.
Makena Zimmerman, Honours Sociology
Makena was a Residence Advisor and Senior Residence Advisor at Student Housing, Co-President of UBC Dance Team, Associate Editor at Sojourners: Undergraduate Journal of Sociology, and is a professional dancer and actor.
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
The opportunity that has had the largest impact on my time at UBC has definitely been being a Residence Advisor. This job has encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone in more ways than one, and the challenges, victories, and growth that I have witnessed and experienced through this opportunity have deeply and positively impacted every aspect of my time at UBC.
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
My advice to incoming Arts students is to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. It may sound cliché, but university really is a time to discover who you are, to make mistakes, and to experience new opportunities. If you never take that first step, you may never know how much you could grow!
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
Something that I have learned about myself during my time at UBC is that I am capable. I have learned to have confidence in myself as a learner, a leader, and a member of the UBC community, and I am grateful to every experience and setback that has helped me figure that out.
What message do you have for your graduating peers?
It is hard to believe that this chapter is coming to a close. I am so incredibly proud of us for making it through every success, challenge, essay, exam, group project, late-night, and a pandemic. I am so excited to see where you all go and would truly like to thank you all for being a part of my four years in UBC Arts.
