As our 2025 graduates prepared to say farewell to UBC, we asked them to take a moment to reflect on their time with GRSJ – what stood out for them, what they’ll miss and what’s next now that they’ve completed their degree. Here’s what some of them had to say!
Marianne El-Mikati, MA
What Stood Out? Both the content and the structure of this program lends itself beautifully to fostering meaningful, lasting connections, so I’ve met some of my favourite people ever through GRSJ. The rigorous and creative work we do knits us together through shared values, joy-making, and critical conversations. I’ll cherish the spontaneous birthday parties and tearful chats we had in GRSJ 500; we really gave Dr. Pilar Riano-Alcala a run for her money!
What Will You Miss? I’ll miss the chaotic genius of GRSJ the most! I’ve given diverse guest lectures in Dr. Alifa Bandali’s courses, from the trad wife movement to diasporic belonging and Indigenous solidarity, which has empowered me to become a multi-faceted scholar. I love that we can yap about TikTok beauty trends and end up quoting Sara Ahmed; it’s a special kind of unhinged wisdom that I’ll really miss.
What’s Next? After taking a year off to heal from writing a 200-page thesis, I’ll apply to PhD programs so I can delve deeper into themes of migrant justice, collective memory, and intersectional solidarities. I’m also still writing poetry and non-fiction, and helping build grassroots initiatives like community libraries and student journals.
Erin Selh, MA
What Stood Out? I will never forget my cohort I entered the program with in 2022. We all became fast friends, and created an environment of support to aid each other in the journey of grad school. As well, I wouldn’t have been able to complete this degree without Dr. Alifa Bandali, Dr. Chris Patterson, Dr. Mila Zuo, Dr. Pilar Riaño-Alcalá and Alicia Warkentin.
What Will You Miss? I will miss all my professors, my friends from different cohorts and the warmth of the Institute.
What’s Next? I am not too sure what the future has in store for me. However, over the summer I would love to write creatively and sharpen up my artistic skills.
Dr. Sheila Sengupta, PhD
What Stood Out? I have enjoyed every course that I studied and admired my teachers who led me so ably into fields unknown to me. My academic venture from a world of science and mathematics into one of gender and social justice seemed a challenge till I actually familiarised with new ideas on gender, archival and memory studies.
What Will You Miss? Of course it will be the amazing people in the GRSJ who guided me through the contours of a new academic space. Also, the scenic beauty of UBC, and the long walks through the lawns to the Koerner Library and the many hours I spent there scourging through the latest journals, and books. The place has so rightfully earned the epithet – A place of learning.
What’s Next? Short term: Converting and publishing my PhD dissertation into a book that would add to my existing list of published books. Long term: make a film /documentary on the lives of Bengal Partition Refugees to enhance my research findings .
Viplav Subramanian, MA
What Stood Out? Working with Professors like Ayesha Chaudry, Minelle Mahtani and Jemima Pierre! Memorable activity was to spend time with and work with my accountability buddy and close friend Sabine at the GRSJ Library and TA Office.
What Will You Miss? Being able to run into our lovely staff at the main office and having some fun and really caring conversations.
What’s Next? Looking for full time employment opportunities while staying connected to academia through attempting to publish, attending talks, keeping up with the readings :)
Upandha Udalagama, MA
What Stood Out? A defining moment in my GRSJ journey was Professor Minelle Mahtani’s course, GRSJ 515: Keeping the Creative in Mind, which revealed how social justice extends beyond academia. It challenged me to reflect on identity, power, and privilege, emphasizing creative storytelling. This class broadened my worldview, fostering an intersectional approach that grounds my activism, research, and community engagement.
What Will You Miss? I’ll miss the thrill of course selection and immersion in new subjects. While learning continues lifelong, formal studentship provides unique freedom to explore unfamiliar disciplines alongside diverse peers. My highlight was a transdisciplinary course through the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, where our cross-field collaboration culminated in presenting strategic recommendations to the Vice Provost on strengthening UBC’s transdisciplinary initiatives—each term brought that precious sense of boundless possibility.
What’s Next? Looking ahead, I feel incredibly privileged to be in Vancouver—home to stunning alpine lakes. I’ve compiled must-visit destinations like the turquoise Garibaldi Lake and stunning Joffre Lakes. Having dabbled in watercolor painting, I hope to blend my artistic pursuits with these natural wonders, capturing their serene beauty on canvas. We’ll see how it goes…
Angella Asabaawebwa, (BA, GRSJ Major)
What Stood Out? What stood out most was how deeply personal and transformative the learning felt. My favourite course was GRSJ 326: The Politics of Gender, Families & Nation-Building with Dr. Alifa Bandali. At that time I was making sense of what home means and it gave me the language to describe my feelings.
What Will You Miss? I’ll miss the meaningful conversations—both in class and in passing—that challenged and expanded my worldview. I’ll miss being surrounded by people who were passionate about justice, and the safe spaces where I could show up as my full self: Christian, African, woman, and scholar.
What’s Next? I’m currently working and considering graduate studies in Gender and Social Justice or Bible school. Long-term, I hope to return to Uganda to use all I’ve learned to make a difference through a social justice lens. In the meantime, I share the gospel through my YouTube channel and podcast, Voice Note Sermons, where I connect scripture to everyday struggles and testimonies.
Madi Beaudry, (BA. GRSJ Minor)
What Stood Out? What stood out most was learning in community. GRSJ fostered a space where lived experience shaped dialogue, and I gained as much from peers as professors. Our classroom conversations were honest, challenging, and transformative. That sense of shared growth and solidarity is something I will always cherish.
What Will You Miss? I will miss the friendships I built at UBC and GRSJ. These relationships fostered critical thinking, meaningful discussion, and safe spaces for growth. I will miss the UBC community but I know it is one that expands beyond campus and will remain a lasting and important part of my life.
What’s Next? My future goals include working to address the housing crisis and supporting individuals within the legal system. I plan to focus on advocacy and practical solutions that can help create real change, whether through direct support, volunteer work, or contributing to policy development in future.
Lucia Cleland-Zarb, (BA, GRSJ Major)
What Stood Out? While at UBC I was able to take courses of all different specialties but GRSJ classes were always my favourite. The class that changed the course of my degree was pedagogies of social justice which made me realize my interest in disability studies and education!
What Will You Miss? What I will miss most about my time in GRSJ is my lovely classmates and professors who cared so deeply for each other and the content.
What’s Next? This year I’ll be taking a year off to work and hopefully do some traveling! After that I aim to go to get a masters in disability studies.
Jenny Huang, (BA, GRSJ Minor)
What Stood Out? Being the Mutual-Aid Organizer for the GRSJUA! I absolutely loved helping to deliver social justice-oriented events for students and found myself another home away from home in the form of my fellow execs. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to give back to the GRSJ community and beyond.
What Will You Miss? All the GRSJ courses I’ve taken as a GRSJ minor (BSc major)! They have changed my life, forcing me to unlearn and relearn the world and its diverse groups of people and our relationships with one another. The wonderful profs and lessons shared are priceless, now more than ever. Thank you.
What’s Next? Medical school! I hope to carry forward the knowledge acquired through my minor in GRSJ into a career as a physician that embodies feminist, queer, decolonial, patient-centered and justice-oriented care. It’s a long road ahead, but I am committed to reimagining what constitutes as exceptional health care for our most vulnerable.
Tendai Ingram, (BA, GRSJ Major)
What Stood Out? Engaging with many different forms of knowledge and learning, GRSJ allowed for a divergence from traditional educational methods I really appreciated
What Will You Miss? The bubble in which I was able to take specialized classes on topics I was interested in and engage in conversations on sensitive topics in a safe space.
What’s Next? My goal is to work with DEI initiatives in the film industry with a focus on Racial representation.
Jasmine Manango, (BA, GRSJ Major)
What Stood Out? Being able to look at the knit and crochet projects I worked on during class or between study sessions and remember where I was and what I was doing while I was still working on them. Yarn carries memories and my projects are an archive of my time at GRSJ.]
What Will You Miss? Having a dedicated space to explore so many interesting ideas with my classmates 🙂 I’m a big believer in the significance of intellectual intimacy and how bonds can be formed by the shared excitement and curiosity that comes with exploring ideas with other people.
What’s Next? I’m starting my MA at GRSJ in the fall! My research will be about Filipino immigrants with disabilities in Canada. I plan on starting my first hand-knitted sweater soon too 🙂 I’m also saving up to buy the materials to learn Tunisian crochet, weaving and sewing!
Orla Moore (BA, GRSJ Major)
What Stood Out? The professors and community are absolutely what make the GRSJ program so unique. I have had the privilege of being educated by some of the most compassionate, genuine, grounded individuals in the field. Professors like Alifa Bandali, Kim Snowden and Litsa Chatzivasileiou have inspired me in so many ways.
What Will You Miss? Being a part of the GRSJUA is something I will miss greatly. That team does so much great work in the community and it made me move through the world differently. I will miss my peers and look forward to seeing it continue to evolve in new ways.
What’s Next? I’m coming back for my MA in GRSJ!! So I will still be around, just in a new capacity.
Mya Stanton, (BA, GRSJ Major)
What Stood Out? My favourite course was GRSJ 425, Critical Perspectives on Gandhi and Gandhiism, with Dr. Tara Mayer. Dr. Mayer emphasized the harm of extrapolating Canadian/North American understandings of colonialism, and broader social justice issues, to other contexts. These ideas shaped how I now view and discuss global affairs that exist outside my own cultural and physical context. I was prompted to step back and realize I don’t know as much as I often think I do, and now, I feel like I have more tolerance for competing perspectives. I took this class exactly when I needed to, and I am extremely grateful for it.
What Will You Miss? I am going to miss spending all my time with people my age, as there are endless opportunities to make friends at UBC. As someone who can be a bit shy, being around other students constantly forced me to get out of my shell, which I miss already. I will also miss how beautiful the UBC campus is. The nature is unreal, and I took for granted being immersed in it every day.
What’s Next? I have just started a new position with Collingwood Neighbourhood House, an organization I was first introduced to through a UBC WorkLearn Position. I am excited to put my social justice skillset to use in a community services role. I do hope to eventually return to school, and have been considering counselling psychology, an MBA in HR or law.
Ophelia Xiner Tong, (BA, GRSJ Minor)
What Stood Out? : I have my first independent publication which rolled out of a GRSJ course with Dr. Alifa Bandali!!
What Will You Miss? Class discussions
What’s Next? I’m looking for jobs hopefully related to community planning and/or urban planning .
Chloe Zhang, (BA, GRSJ Major)
What Stood Out? My first answer will always be my professor, Alifa Bandali. She is such an angel who always guides me and cherishes her students. None of our answers or thoughts were ever considered silly. Her class always ended with our laughter and many discussions. I loved her teaching style when I first took her GRSJ 300 in my first year, when I had no idea about my major or my future. I loved when all of us talked about zodiac signs and analyzed how they represent some minorities and so much more. Thank you, Alifa—always love you <3.
What Will You Miss? I will miss the class vibe—being able to share everything with my classmates and profs without worrying that they won’t understand or might be offended. Our class was always the safest place for us to represent ourselves, with mates who had similar goals toward social justice. I know I won’t be able to experience this vibe after I graduate, especially in my graduate program and work environment. But I will keep an open mind, remain passionate about my major, and change the world around me in my own way.
What’s Next? For the next 16 months, I will move to London, Ontario, to join Ivey Business School and study Digital Management. I hope learning more about tech or software can better help me integrate the traditional social justice industry with emerging technologies (e.g., AI, big data, personalized needs, etc.).
Nia Zilis, (BA, GRSJ Major)
What Stood Out? The first class I took at the Vancouver Campus after transferring from UBC Okanagan was called “Colonialisms and After?” with Dr. Jemima Pierre and it completely altered my perspective on the world we inhabit. The course detailedly explained the global systems of power that govern our world and the histories that have created the current unjust world order. Dr. Pierre is an incredible human and her courses sparked my passion for wanting to become a history teacher–for if we know how we got to this moment, we can understand how to move forward differently. Every course following gave me beautiful tools to think about how to build new worlds with those around me, gifting me wisdom on how to stay hopeful into life after university. I will forever cherish the brilliance my professors and classmates all shared with me throughout my degree!
What Will You Miss? I will miss all of the brilliant humans that contribute to making GRSJ such a special space of learning. I feel overwhelmingly grateful to have been part of a program that facilitated such a supportive and intelligent community. I cannot quite put into words how grateful I am for the GRSJ classes, professors, the authors and scholars we got to read, and my classmates I got to share the past years with. Oh how it will all be missed!
What’s Next? Right now, I work at a little breakfast spot in Bellingham, Washington, where I love implementing social justice principles on an intimate scale. Soon, I plan to go back to school to get my teaching degree to one-day teach history to middle schoolers. GRSJ beautifully demonstrated how classrooms can be some of the most radical spaces for change-making. Until then, I am taking some time away from the university system, striving to practice social justice on multiple scales, and spending lots of time outside with the land 🙂
