Congratulations to our graduating Psychology students for their outstanding contributions to the Arts community, UBC, and beyond!
As the Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, the Faculty of Arts recognizes outstanding undergraduate student leaders who have shaped their communities on campus and beyond.
Among them are several Psychology students whose leadership, resilience, and commitment to community have made a meaningful impact during their time at UBC. Read about our graduates’ experiences and reflections as student leaders.
Award Nominees
Hiya Bansal, Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
Serving as an Arts Peer Academic Coach (APAC) transformed my understanding of leadership. In one-on-one coaching sessions, I met students navigating academic probation, impostor syndrome, cultural transitions, and burnout. Supporting them required more than strategies. It meant showing up with empathy and having the ability to listen without judgment.
This role also challenged me personally. As someone who has experienced rejection and self-doubt during my own university journey, I had to confront and grow through those experiences so I could show up authentically for others. More than any title or event, APAC shaped the kind of leader I aspire to be: grounded in empathy, intentional in action, and deeply committed to helping others recognize their capacity to thrive.
Erin Fan, Psychology
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
My time at UBC helped me realize how capable I am of accomplishing my goals and overcoming challenges. Throughout my degree, I found myself in situations that pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and face barriers head-on. I realized just how resilient I can be, and how driven I am to achieve what I set my mind to.
Mehak Fatima, Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Say yes to spaces that scare you a little. When I came to UBC, I didn’t fully understand how much power students have in shaping the institution. Join the committee. Apply for the role. Start the initiative. You do not need to feel “ready.” Leadership is something you grow into, not something you arrive with.
Remember that your voice matters. Universities are shaped by those who participate in them. Ask questions. Advocate when something feels unfair. Bring your lived experience into the room. You’re not just here to earn a degree, you’re here to help shape the community you’re part of.
Mya Froese, Honours Psychology
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
I learned that it’s okay to fail, it’s okay to be wrong, and it’s okay to not find your place where you expected to. I learned the most valuable life lessons by picking up the pieces when things didn’t go how I would have liked them to.
Ananya Gupta, Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Be brave. The opportunities are endless if you ask for them as you enter classrooms, student spaces, or difficult conversations. Never let insecurity stop you from applying for a role, joining a project, or putting yourself forward. It takes curiosity and courage to be a leader.
Balance academics with participation and look after your wellbeing. Sustainable leadership needs boundaries, time for reflection, and a community. Seek mentors, ask questions, and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you.
Arts will teach you more than theory. It will teach you critical thinking, empathy, and communication. Say yes at the right moments, but when you do, go all in. Your ability to make an impact starts with believing you belong in the room.
Katie Hartman, Psychology
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
I learned that the people you surround yourself with don’t just come by chance. I am grateful to be surrounded by such authentic, thoughtful, supportive people, and I’ve come to see that showing up with integrity, consistency, and kindness, has helped me build this community.
Malika Kahlon, Honours Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
The opportunity that had the most impact on me was my work with the Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference (MURC). When I first joined, I saw it primarily as a platform for undergraduate students to present their research.
But as I trained adjudicators and designed presenter workshops, I realized it was also about creating opportunities for students to engage with work across disciplines and discover research they might not have encountered otherwise.
As Co-Chair, I focused on building a conference where all students, not just presenters, could attend sessions outside their field and learn something new.
Jenneil Lai, Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Be courageous and stay curious. University is one of the few times in our lives when so many opportunities are in one place, so say yes to the things that spark even a small sense of excitement. Growth rarely feels comfortable at first, but those moments often shape us the most.
Give yourself permission to explore without having everything figured out. Your path doesn’t need to look linear or perfect. UBC Arts offers an incredible diversity of ideas and communities, and the confidence and clarity you’re searching for often comes from showing up consistently and being open to learning. Trust that you belong here, and that your voice has value.
Victoria Li, Honours Psychology
What student leadership opportunity had the most impact on you during your time at UBC?
The opportunity that had the greatest impact on me was reestablishing the second women-matching (including trans and non-binary athletes) competitive ultimate frisbee team at UBC in my first year.
This experience shaped me profoundly because it taught me what it means to lead with both vision and responsibility. I learned how to navigate institutional systems, advocate for equity, and build community in a way that genuinely expands access.
What made this experience transformative was seeing how the team reshaped the community around it. Since its reestablishment, nearly 300 athletes have engaged with the program, and several have gone on to represent Team Canada and Team Hong Kong. Those outcomes reflect not just athletic success but the impact of creating space where it didn’t previously exist.
Rebecca Mayfair, Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Step outside of your comfort zone and try things, even if you’re unsure at first. Give yourself the chance to succeed, make mistakes, and learn from the people around you. Some of the most meaningful experiences come from opportunities you didn’t plan for but decided to say yes to.
UBC is a vibrant and diverse community, with so much to learn beyond the classroom. Get involved in student groups, attend events, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or reach out for support. You’ll learn just as much from the people around you as you will from your coursework.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Growth takes time, and everyone’s journey looks different. Trust that you belong here, and allow yourself to explore, reflect, and grow along the way.
Madeleine Quong-Lee, Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Say yes to opportunities and put yourself out there! University is so much more than courses and academics. Some of my most meaningful experiences in Arts came from stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things (like ballroom dance)!
UBC is full of communities that will welcome you exactly as you are, and I found that growth often happens in moments when you take risks and allow yourself to be supported.
Kate Seeley, Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Try new things! This is an explorative time in your life, use that to your advantage.
Devina Singh, Psychology
What advice would you give to incoming UBC Arts students?
Don’t wait until you feel completely ready to try something new. University isn’t a straight line for most people. It’s normal to question your interests, so give yourself permission to explore without needing every choice to make perfect sense right away. A lot of my growth came from stepping into spaces where I was still learning and figuring things out along the way.
Let yourself change! The person you are when you arrive won’t be the person you graduate as. Try classes that surprise you. Follow interests that don’t fully “make sense” yet. Pay attention to what feels energizing, and focus on people, not just productivity. Go to office hours, stay a little longer after events, and talk to classmates. University ends up being shaped far more by the people you invest in and the ways you allow yourself to grow than by a checklist.
Brooklyn Wiens, Psychology
What did you learn about yourself during your time at UBC?
I learned that I am capable of enduring challenging situations. It gave me confidence going into the future.
From leading student organizations and research initiatives to fostering inclusive communities, these students exemplify the diverse ways Psychology students contribute at UBC.
Congratulations to our graduating students for their achievements!
A version of this announcement was originally published on the UBC Faculty of Arts website.
