Candidate Bios - UBC Board of Governors

Are you still biting your nails refreshing the UBC housing portal? I did that too, 10 years ago, when I started my undergrad here.

Still scrolling through internships, wondering if you’re good enough? I did that too, 6 years ago, when I first graduated. (Spoiler: You got this.)

Worried AI might take your job? Me too, just the other day.

UBC students face housing insecurity, career uncertainty, and a job market where no job feels safe from AI. As the MBA Society President and a two-time UBC student (BCom ‘19, Honours), I know these struggles well and I’ve tackled them firsthand. Now, I’m ready to take that fight to the Board.

I’m running to:

• Push for housing transparency & affordability so students have real options.
• Expand career mentorship & job pipelines so every student feels ready and confident.
• Prepare students, faculty, and UBC itself for the AI-driven future that’s already here.

The challenges we face today will define our future, and that of UBC students for years to come. We need student leaders with a vision, who aren’t afraid to step up, and push for real change.

Hi, my name is Alexander Wong. Vote for me as your BoG Rep.

I’m a 2nd-year Neuroscience student, running to fight for three key changes:
🔹Stronger Science Representation – Our faculty simply deserves a louder voice in student government.
🔹Smarter AI Policy – One that embraces AI as a tool, not fear it — allowing students to use AI and giving them free AI tools as part of the UBC student bundle.
🔹More Research Opportunities – More funding, more positions, more chances for students to thrive.

Vote for me, and let’s make real change happen.
📌 Learn more at http://linktr.ee/bardiamz05

I’m Cade Desjarlais, a first-year law student at UBC, and a proud member of the Metis Nation of BC. I completed my Political Science degree at UBC Okanagan, where I served on the student union for three years, including as VP External and President. During my time at UBCO, I led key initiatives, including securing $2.4M for UBCO’s Food Hub, launching a new graduate student endowment, and advocating successfully for increased transit services to campus.

I’m proud of my work to create a $7M commitment from UBC for student rec. space, increase mental health coverage by $6.6 million, and create a $50,000 transportation subsidy. I’ve also played a significant role in advocating for student affordability, creating work-learn jobs, and pushing for the creation of UBCO’s first Black Student Space program.

This work in advocating for students to UBC has equipped me well to understand how the Board works. I want to continue my advocacy by focusing on increased financial aid and long-term food security funding, increasing student housing beds, enhanced mental health resources, and creating an accessible, stable learning environment. Please visit votecade.ca for more information, thank you!

As a current Student Senator and the former VP Academic and Current Co-President of the UBC Disabilities United Collective, I know how to advocate for students. Over the last year, I successfully:

• Secured tens of thousands of dollars for accessibility initiatives
• Fought to prevent cuts to student services
• Advocated to improve CfA processes and for a list of example accommodations to be listed on the CfA website
• Started a review into the exam hardships policy to be more flexible for students
• Fought to get student discipline and academic standing appeals hearings restarted after an over 6-month hiatus

I have the experience and knowledge needed to be an effective Student Governor. If elected, I will fight for:

Affordability
• Tuition freeze
• Food security funding
• Needs-based aid

Housing
• Off-campus rental bursary
• Cap student housing fee increases
• Increase student beds and below-market rate housing

Supporting Student Workers
• Increase worklearn and undergrad research funding
• Improve co-op opportunities and lower fees

Ethical Investing
• Divest from ties to human rights abuses
• Expand UBC’s fossil fuel divestment commitment

votejasper.ca

UBC is recognized as one of the best universities in the world; however, as students, we continue to face numerous challenges. I have worked at all levels of government advocating for youth, and I aim to leverage what I’ve learned to drive genuine change. I intend to bring that experience to the Board of Governors to ensure that UBC retains its status as one of the world’s leading universities.

My campaign is founded on two key commitments: accountability and affordability. If elected, I will advocate for:

• A student discount at the campus Save-On-Foods to make life more manageable.
• Increased funding for research positions and lab equipment to uphold our reputation as a top research university.
• More support for the AMS Food Bank to guarantee that no one experiences hunger.

We can and should strive for better as a university. If you agree, stand with me.

Vote Mohkam for Senate and Board of Governors.

Learn more: @Mohkam_Malik

Yi is a graduate student in Finance at UBC with a passion for student advocacy, financial transparency, and institutional accountability. Yi has actively worked to improve financial accessibility, student engagement, and institutional accountability at UBC.

Yi serves as the Chair of the House Finance Committee at the UBC Graduate Student Society (GSS), overseeing financial strategies that enhance student resources and funding opportunities. As the founder of the Chinese Graduate Student Association (CGSA), Yi has built a supportive platform connecting students across disciplines, organizing cultural and academic events that enrich student life.

Yi is running to bring a strong student voice to the Board of Governors, ensuring transparency in tuition decisions, financial allocations, and student services. With experience in financial analysis, governance, and advocacy, Yi aims to push for equitable funding, improved research support, and increased affordability in housing and tuition.

Vote for Yi Chen to ensure your voice is heard in shaping UBC’s future.