Meet the inspiring students who are building communities in Arts, at UBC and beyond. In 2022 we received close to 100 nominations and celebrate 67 students who have demonstrated the amazing capacity our students have to improve their communities and the world.
Our 2022 student leaders represent 31 different majors within the Faculty of Arts, ranging from Creative Writing to Philosophy, Media Studies to Political Science, Social Work to Economics, and many more.
These students held senior positions in student associations like the UBC Alma Mater Society, Arts Undergraduate Society, Arts Co-op Students’ Association, UBC Africa Awareness Initiative, and departmental student associations. They led research projects, assisted program development, built caucuses, started new initiatives, and demonstrated service leadership through positions with First Nations Longhouse, Equity and Inclusion, Orientations, Residence Life, and Peer Programs.
We asked award winners and nominees about the experiences that had the greatest impact on them during their undergrad and how they have grown during their time at UBC.
Award Winners
Learn more about the award winners in these three posts:
Outstanding Student Leaders in the Faculty of Arts
- Lorena Edah, Economics
- Julian Lam, International Relations
Outstanding Student Leaders in the UBC Community
- Makena Zimmerman, Honours Sociology
- Aiyana Twigg, First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL) and Anthropology
Outstanding Student Leaders in the UBC Community and Beyond
- Njamba Koffi, International Relations and Creative Writing
- Eman Alsulaiti, Modern European Studies and Spanish
Award Nominees
Shuren Batkhuu (she/her), Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Working as a Student Advisor to provide one-on-one coaching sessions for my peers as they entered the working world was the perfect opportunity for me to mentor and connect with a diverse set of individuals with unique sets of intersectional identities.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I learned that I have the capability to receive every grade letter on my transcript! This is to say that the only difference between my first F and my first A+ was the environment that I situated myself in, where I did not initially have the skillset to make intentional changes in my university life to reach my goals. The caring team of UBC advisors taught me that this is a learned trait that can be improved and that there are trained professionals excited to help you reach your full potential if you are courageous enough to reach out for help.
Shritanjay Bhatia (he/him), International Economics
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
The opportunity to be the President and Founder of the first cricket club on campus. It has been special to me, to start an organization from scratch and see it succeed.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I am someone who is an active go-getter, a leader when required, and not afraid to go in unfamiliar directions. I need to be a part of an active community to feel a sense of belonging.
Chelsea Bian (she/her), Speech Sciences
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
I had the honour and privilege to be the Arts Undergraduate Society president to open a building dedicated for Arts students. This building has been in the works for many years and it has been the reason Arts students now have a sense of identity on campus.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I learned about how passionate I can be about the work that I do. All I have done in my roles have been on volunteer time and it has been so fulfilling knowing that I was able to create a change in the Arts community.
Daniel Chen (he/him), Asian Area Studies & Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Working on the Speak My Language radio documentary project with Yarrow Intergenerational Society for Justice and UBC’s ACAM program kickstarted my ongoing involvement with Vancouver Chinatown and helped me develop a relationship with a community that I used to feel distant from. When talking with elders living in Chinatown, I was surprised by the intimate conversations about their experience with language barriers in our healthcare system. This project offered new perspectives on the various inequalities in society and showed the importance of culture in bringing communities together.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
UBC provided the space for me to learn and test my personal limitations and bring to my awareness what would happen once I pushed past them. I experienced fatigue, both mentally and physically, and learned to accept and make the most of the boundaries that I set for myself.
Olivia Chen (she/her), Theatre Design & Production
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
The professors in my department saw in me a potential for leadership. They introduced me to several job opportunities within UBC. Thanks to them, I had the opportunity to work for the Emerging Media Lab and CEDaR (Community Engaged Documentation and Research) to perform leadership tasks for each project. It has been an honor to be in touch with these various innovative departments during my time at the university.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
UBC has both empowered and strengthened the voice that I have as I grew to value my thoughts and opinions. I never would have gained so much confidence in myself had I not been surrounded by so many supportive individuals. I owe it to the numerous people I encountered for allowing me to be the person I am today.
Miguel Cunanan (he/him), Spanish
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Taking the lead in organizing the Hablemos de la cultura Mexicana event was the student leadership opportunity that had the most impact on me during my studies at UBC. Through constant communication with the FHIS department and the student club MEXSA, we were able to organize a safe in-person event in November 2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). We had four different stations with different topics on Mexican culture, with over 30 participants; consisting of staff and students who learned a lot, spoke Spanish, and had a great time.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
During my time at UBC, I learned more about how I work with other people in contrast with how I work individually. I also learned to set limits and to say no sometimes in order to have balance with the many activities that I’m involved with. I also learned how to optimize my day by having daily routines and working at certain times of the day where my focus was at its maximum.
Connie Huang (she/her), Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Being a part of the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) has been the most significant involvement of my undergraduate years. I started my time off looking to connect with more of my peers, and now I’ve spent four years being part of this organization working towards implementing and creating change for the larger Arts community. I am grateful for all the collaboration, support, and innovation the AUS has given to me.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I learned to push myself out of my own comfort zone and seek experiences that brought excitement and fulfillment. Doing so has allowed me to further my own growth as an individual and bring new perspectives and ideas to my academic and professional life. Finding the right communities or clubs that were the best fit for me really helped to facilitate this.
Nicole Johal (she/her), Social Work
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
My most impactful student leadership opportunity has been chairing the BSW Racialized Caucus. I have been able to not only advocate for my own racialized experience, but listen to and uphold the experiences of people from other groups.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I have learned that my purpose is to connect my academic knowledge of inequality to the way I live my everyday life. UBC has helped me develop a moral compass for my values – I am able to understand social injustice and integrate resistance and advocacy into my everyday interactions.
Mikaela Joy Kawaley-Lathan (she/her/they/them), Psychology and Theatre Design and Production
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Founding FABIPOC was a whirlwind journey that helped me connect with alumni, staff, faculty and my peers in a different way. I never would have imagined creating a community-led drive for change at a departmental level – it was daunting! But the skills, experiences and support I was given throughout it gave me a new perspective on creating policy level change.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I dismantled the idea that in order to be a successful leader, I needed to submit to a eurocentric idea of “professionalism.” UBC has provided me with the opportunity to lead in a way that feels natural and authentic to me – and the space to discover how effective alternative leadership approaches can be. Leading with compassion, humor and empathy helped me create meaningful change and meaningful connections.
June Lam (she/her), International Relations and Sociology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Joining the Sociology Students’ Association was definitely a highlight of my undergraduate experience. I started off in a marketing role, assisting with communications and creating promotional materials, but little did I know I would spend the next two years steering a brand-new team of elected students during a pandemic. Although the responsibility of taking the initiative, liaising with stakeholders, and bringing new ideas to fruition was daunting, the unconditional support from my team and peers encouraged me to push forward and prevail over obstacles, as well as develop the skills to build a stronger and enriching degree experience for over 500 sociology students.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
As someone who values familiarity and certainty, leaving my comfort zone was a scary feat. But UBC challenged me to do things I would not typically partake in, and in so doing, led me to new opportunities, friendships, skills, and best of all, my greatest memories.
Lily Liu (she/her), History
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Working with the UBC Arts Undergraduate Society had the most impact on me because it enabled me to bring changes to student life and my community. I met people who have similar passions and interests there, and I learned a lot from them.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I learned that I could do better than I thought. Stepping out of my comfort zone makes me learn more about myself.
Kenna McEwan (she/her), Linguistics
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Being President of the Speech and Linguistics Student Association allowed me to provide important resources for student success as well as gave me the opportunity to connect with my professors and peers in a way that felt deeply meaningful. I came to understand the importance of community building and flexibility in the face of unexpected barriers. Through this experience, I have learned about myself as a leader and how strongly I value providing access to information and resources to my community, which has ultimately shaped what I plan to do after I graduate!
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I learned how curious I was! Four years of being in (literal and figurative) rooms full of people with a wealth of knowledge taught me the value of asking questions and listening to ideas that stretch my understanding of the world.
Miles Schaffrick (he/him), Honours Political Science and Law & Society
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Often, academic work exists in a bubble, made by academics to be consumed by academics. But I find that my research experiences in Indigenous health have emphasized the importance of working with community members – the projects I’m working on are driven by Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Holders, and individuals with lived experiences. Indigenous health research has shifted my worldview to always question and ponder why I’m doing this work and what the impacts, both intended and unintended, of my work are.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I ever knew or imagined and that many people will show you a lot of support and graciousness if you’re open and honest about what you’re dealing with. While I’ve faced a lot of challenges and setbacks during my time at UBC, some of those same challenges and setbacks have inspired research projects, papers, and community initiatives that have gone on to have such positive impacts for the communities I work with and me.
Maria Teran (she/her), Political Science
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Being the co-president of the Ecuadorian Student Association allowed me to share my culture with the UBC community. It was really special to see people that had never heard about Ecuador before engaging with our culture. It was also really rewarding to support other students that were also away from home.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I learned that I am able to achieve more than I could ever imagine. I never thought I would meet people from so many places, learn about so many cultures, while also learning about myself. Oh! And I learned I need my 8 hours of sleep.
Kennedy Tuccaro (she/her), Geography
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
The student leadership opportunity that impacted me the most was really being able to be immersed within a student community of young adults who were all doing amazing things. Being able to see my peers working towards creating a better society, greatly inspired me to pursue my own passions in order to make a difference in my own way.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I learned to trust my own ability more than anything. If you don’t have faith in yourself, you will only be able to go so far, but by trusting in your own abilities, you will consistently exceed your own expectations for yourself.
Goldie Turk (she/her), Social Work
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
My time as Co-Chair of the Disability Caucus had the most impact on my understanding of self. I discovered many new strengths and weaknesses, but most importantly, I learned the power of my voice.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
I learned that height, size, and gender, do not impact the reach of my voice and actions.
Justin Zheng (he/him), Political Science
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Being a UBC Vancouver Senator representing the Faculty of Arts! I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to advance student interests at this level, particularly as my term coincided with the pandemic-induced transition to remote instruction. Fighting for students on this will always be a cherished memory from my time at UBC.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
This definitely has to be how to follow my passion. Being in the biggest faculty at UBC, it can be difficult to find yourself at times. Following my passion for government and making positive change led me to pursue political science and different positions on campus, which also made me realize that a role in policy was my dream career.
Recognized Leaders Within the Arts Community
The following graduating students were also recognized by their peers, advisors, mentors and professors for their extraordinary leadership within the Faculty of Arts.
Charles Acheampong, International Economics
Hilary Aston-Waldoch, International Economics
Odmaa Bayartsogt, International Economics
Brandi Bird, Creative Writing
Gabrielle Bonifacio, Media Studies
Audrey Castillo, English Literature
Renee Chan, English Literature
Louise Cheng, International Economics
Holly Davies, Honours Speech Sciences and Linguistics
Holly Denson-Camp, Geography: Environment and Sustainability
Amanda Domagala, English Literature
Jayden Dreher, Arts History and Visual Art
Nicole Ebbutt, Speech Science
Laurent Faulkner Schilling, Honours Philosophy
Simone Goldberg, Psychology
Yuki Kinoshita, International Economics
Olivia Klaassen, International Economics
Jillian Knaus, Speech Sciences
Emilie Kneifel, Interdisciplinary Studies
Val Laut, Political Science and Psychology
Matthias Leuprecht, International Economics
Nils Maetzel, International Economics
James McKitrick, Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies
Celina Medrano-Miller, Linguistics
Tanvi Nathwani, Economics
Aidan Perreault, Philosophy
Lauren Praill, International Relations
Alfredo Ramirez, International Economics
Maxime Rotsaert, International Economics
Naeemah Shah, Political Science
Meghna Srivastava, Psychology and Political Science
Nadya Tan, Psychology
Chihiro Tanigawa, International Economics
Tam To, Psychology
Angela Villavicencio, Economics
Mimi Wang, English Language & Literature and International Relations
Yunong Wang, Psychology
Ryan Wong, International Economics
Jess Wylie, Psychology
Alisa Yang, International Economics
Stephanie Yu, Honours Psychology
Ziheng Zhao, International Economics
