Join us to congratulate our graduating Psychology students who have impacted communities within Arts, at UBC, and beyond!
There is no shortage of inspiring students who have made an impact in Arts, at UBC, and beyond. This year, UBC Arts received 117 nominations and are celebrating 60 outstanding students who have become strong leaders and created positive change in their communities and around the world.
UBC Arts asked each of the following student leaders how their experiences at UBC and beyond shaped their time in UBC Arts, and what they learned along the way. Read about UBC Psychology graduates’ experiences and reflections as student leaders.
Award Winners
Outstanding Student Leaders in the Faculty of Arts
Harper Xiao, Psychology
Harper has contributed to her peers’ success in every stage of the student journey, from prospective applicants to new-to-UBC students and beyond. As a Student Engagement Assistant, Harper managed 51 Orientation Leaders and supported over 800 first-year students.
Harper has also held positions as Residence Advisor and a Peer Health Educator, as well as completing an Entrepreneurial Co-op term launching a Mandarin podcast that now reaches over 17,000 subscribers worldwide.
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
The student leadership experience that has shaped me most profoundly has been my time with the UBC Campus Tours team. There, I learned to manage multiple projects at once, honed my public speaking skills, and most importantly, connected with an amazing from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds. I was encouraged to bring my full self and cultural insights to the table, observe gaps in operations, propose improvements, and even execute my ideas—turning thoughts into action and leaving a lasting impact on future students’ experiences with UBC Tours. In doing so, I’ve helped prospective students make more informed decisions about whether UBC is the right fit for them.
What does it mean to be a great Arts leader?
Take pride in who you are and show up authentically. Trust that your inner strengths are enough to support others.
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Make the most of the opportunities and resources offered by UBC Arts. Take advantage of being part of the largest and most diverse communities. Don’t be shy—connect with friends from around the world!
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
We all have more courage and control than we think. UBC is a supportive place filled with genuine people who have helped me expand my comfort zones and experiment with new ways of learning, creating, and living.
Outstanding Student Leaders in the UBC Community
Faith Trottier, Psychology
After serving in multiple roles with the UBC Indigenous Committee, Faith played a central role in establishing the Indigenous Student Society—the first Indigenous Constituency recognized by the AMS. As the society’s first President, she helped create its constitution, led campus-wide consultations, and ensured it would serve Indigenous students across disciplines and year levels.
Faith has also worked with the Métis Nation of British Columbia, presented at the Psychology undergraduate conference, and launched a digital community connecting Indigenous students across Canada.
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
The most profound leadership position I’ve had was being the President of the Indigenous Student Society (ISS). I worked together with an incredible group of Indigenous Leaders to create one of the first Indigenous Constituencies in Canada. I am honoured to be surrounded by so many Indigenous change makers. Sitting in the ISS lounge with my fellow Indigenous kin beading and laughing truly gave me comfort and a home. I am honoured to have been sitting in circles with so many different Indigenous nations and cultures. Words cannot express my gratitude for having such a space on campus and I cannot wait to see what comes of the legacy myself and other ISS leaders have created for the incoming UBC Indigenous students. I hope to come back and see our powwow become an annual tradition.
What does it mean to be a great Arts leader?
To me, being a great Arts student leader means creating lasting change, uplifting others, and using my platform to advocate for equity and community wellbeing.
Being one of the founders, and the President of the Indigenous Student Society, I have learned that leadership is about building spaces that foster connection for future generations. It is about hard work and caring for one another. To be a leader, you must be surrounded by community members to help lift one another. It takes a community to make a leader.
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Find your community early—whether through the Indigenous Student Society, clubs, or research—as it will make UBC feel more like home. Take up space and share your voice in class, leadership, and research because your perspective is valuable. Get involved beyond coursework—student governance, research, and community initiatives will shape your experience just as much as academics. Most importantly, stay open to change—your path may shift, but embracing new experiences will lead you to unexpected and rewarding opportunities.
What did you learn about yourself at UBC?
UBC has allowed me to explore myself in ways I cannot express. As a previous child in care, and as a recipient of intergenerational trauma, I have had a lot of learning to do. I explored the many questions I had about myself through so many different ways. I explored Indigenous psychological research – what that looks like in comparison to western approaches. I learned that my voice and my culture can be valuable and seen in academia. I learned that I am a community-based researcher. I also explored questions about my life, understanding the impacts of intergenerational trauma and seeing where my voice and strength is needed. I learned to turn my anger into something productive, to make change for future generations. And most importantly, I learned that I am capable. As a high school dropout and as an Indigenous person, I have been faced with a lot of systemic injustices. However, I have asked these harsh questions of “why” and now I know where and what needs to change for generational healing and excellence.
Award Nominees
Lena Alwash, Psychology
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
I’ve learned a lot about my resilience and adaptability. University has challenged me in ways I didn’t expect, especially balancing academic pressures with extracurricular involvement and personal growth. I’ve discovered that I thrive when I’m part of a community, whether it’s collaborating with research teams or mentoring peers. My experiences have also shown me the importance of being flexible and open to new perspectives, whether through coursework or working with diverse groups. Overall, UBC has taught me the importance of continuous learning, not just in the classroom but in life. I’ve gained a deeper sense of purpose and clarity in my personal and professional goals, and I’m excited to carry these lessons forward.
Aatisha Avasthi, Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
My Work Learn position with Arts Compass was the most impactful part of my UBC journey. Working on the Career Design Studio (CDS) changed my mindset towards many elements of my degree, motivated me to prototype careers throughout my time at UBC, and introduced me to Design Thinking. I carry the learnings from my time with the Compass in everything I do, including research.
Ksenia Belanger, Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
One of the most impactful opportunities I had during my degree was serving as senior editor for Beacon, UBC’s undergraduate Media Studies journal. It has such a vibrant, interdisciplinary community working behind it, and I loved the reciprocal experience of being an editor, where you get to uplift and evolve someone else’s passion project while also learning something new.
Jane Christiana, Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Follow any interest that sparks your curiosity, no matter how small. If you even have a passing thought of joining a club or volunteering, take that first step and follow through. Explore spaces that intrigue you— that is how you begin to weave yourself into the vibrant tapestry of UBC. You’ll discover new passions and build connections along the way.
Kaitlyn Eng, Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Exploring interests beyond academics is a great way to meet like-minded people, build connections, and make your university experience that much more memorable.
Sophia Guan, Honours Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
As my art teacher would say, “This is the age of sharp corners.” In UBC Arts, it’s likely that you’ll make a lot of sharp turns, meet dead ends, and have life flipped sideways. I certainly did. Embracing this ambiguity of your university years is precisely what makes it so rewarding. Don’t be afraid to change your mind—you’re still making it up right now!
Gia Kakkar, Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
My roles as an Arts Peer Academic Coach and a research assistant in the Department of Psychology have had the most impact on me. They gave me opportunities to grow in ways that extended far beyond my academic pursuits, and a strong sense of purpose. Whether it was supporting individual students in their academic journeys or contributing to impactful research, these experiences taught me the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and compassion, qualities that continue to guide my aspirations and the work I pursue.
Haesol Kim, Psychology
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
I learned so much about myself, both academically and personally. Being at UBC has helped me realize that I thrive in environments where I can learn from others, connect with people from diverse backgrounds, and explore topics that push me to think beyond the surface. I’ve grown not only in my academic pursuits but also as a person, becoming more open to new ideas and perspectives while understanding the importance of personal and global connections.
Shannon May Craig, Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on your during your time at UBC?
Taking on a role with greater responsibility in the lab, one that required leading a team of research assistants, helped grow my confidence in my skills as a leader. It helped me realize that the leadership skills I had gained outside of academia still translated to my work at UBC.
Sidney Nedelmann, Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Volunteering at AMS Peer Support has definitely shaped how I think about leadership. I’ve learned that being a leader isn’t about having all of the answers—it’s about creating a space where people feel heard, supported, and empowered to navigate their own challenges. It’s so important to help people feel less alone in what they’re going through, and my time at Peer Support has really strengthened my commitment to mental health advocacy and making support more accessible.
Josh Tan, Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
The most impactful student leadership opportunity during my time at UBC was my Work Learn position as an Arts Peer Advisor with Arts Academic Advising. It was both exciting and rewarding being able to apply my knowledge of academic policy to help students with their degree planning at the front reception. Being able to work with the dedicated advisors and staff who all share the same passion as I do for supporting students, has inspired me to want to continue helping others in my future career.
Tomas Vanderkam, Honours Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Serving as President of the UBC Ukrainian Students Union. In this role, I have organized guest lectures, advocacy events, and collaborations with national organizations to support Ukraine and raise awareness on campus. Coordinating efforts with NGOs, academic institutions, and student leaders has challenged me to think strategically, manage complex initiatives, and build a strong, engaged community. This experience has deepened my leadership skills, reinforced my commitment to meaningful advocacy, and shown me the power of student-led initiatives in driving real-world impact.
Congratulations to out graduating Psychology students for their achievements!
A version of this announcement was originally published on the UBC Faculty of Arts website.
