This year, there are six candidates running for The Ubyssey's Board of Directors. We asked each of them why they are running for the Board — read what they wrote below.
Ian Caguiat
Being an AMS executive this year has shown me the important contribution of The Ubyssey to students, and I hope to be a part of it next year by being on the Board! Ever since my first year, I’ve always seen The Ubyssey as an outstanding pillar of the UBC community, delivering prints and articles that enhance student awareness and understanding — whether that may be news, humour, opinion or culture.
With my skills and experience as the VP administration of the Alma Mater Society, student senator of the Faculty of Arts and VP administration of the Arts Undergraduate Society, I plan to ensure that the Ubyssey is accountable to its yearly financial planning, to establish community partnerships for industry connections and editorial support and to explore the expansion of the Board of Directors to increase The Ubyssey's outreach, involvement opportunities and resources.
I’ve always been passionate about journalism and communications, and I have valuable experience in strategic planning, governance and student engagement to contribute. I hope that you decide to put your trust in me and vote Ian for the Board of Directors because I am so ready and excited to continue working for students through The Ubyssey!
Julia Do
I'm Julia (she/her), and I'm running to be on your Ubyssey Publications Society Board of Directors to represent diverse student voices. The increasing campus culture of political polarization and student dissent stresses the role your student newspaper plays as an impartial and up-to-date news source. As a former staff writer for the Ubyssey, I have written articles covering student issues like housing, affordability and UBC/AMS news coverage. I resonate with and will uphold the paper's values of journalistic ethics and reporting integrity.
My platform, vision and prior experiences will help amplify student voices and push for greater transparency at UBC:
- Strengthening relationships with Ubyssey writers and alumni network to bolster student journalism here at UBC
- Encourage high school students' interest in journalism through the expansion of the Ubyssey scholarship program and high school outreach programming
- Seek additional sources for Ubyssey funding and enhance financial transparency
I'm a third-year student in political science and chemistry, and I'm grateful to serve students as the vice-president internal of the Arts Undergraduate Society, campus tours ambassador, Undergraduate Chemistry Society and involved in undergraduate research. Thank you for considering my candidacy. Vote Julia Do, it's the right thing to do!
Ethan Lui
I’m running for The Ubyssey Publications Society Board of Directors because I understand how valuable the publication is for our community and I want to contribute to its continued success. As the speaker of council of our Arts Undergraduate Society, a member of advisory groups on campus, a volunteer for the AMS Food Bank and a contributor to student research, I’m confident that my extensive experience working with students and policy will show me as a qualified candidate. Throughout my academic career, I’ve proven myself as a diligent worker with integrity and drive to create meaningful impact. Therefore, I see the Board of Directors as a way to continue my contribution to supporting student excellence here at UBC. I want to do this by bringing in new initiatives, such as the creation of new research partnerships dedicated to student writers and an exploration of strategies to increase student engagement. Since this position has responsibility for The Ubyssey’s financial operations, I would also use my experience to explore additional opportunities to diversify funding. Overall, I hope voters see my candidacy as a continuation of my determined work for students, and a move to support the best interests of the publication and our readers.
Mokham Malik
I am running for the board because I am a firm believer in student news. I hope to bring a fresh perspective and commitment to student voices to the board, having worked at all levels of government fighting for youth. With a background rooted in advocacy and community service, I am no stranger to the importance of effective communication and informed discourse. My dedication to transparency and accountability, showcased with my experience, aligns seamlessly with the ethos of The Ubyssey. I envision a newspaper that serves as a platform for all students, providing a space for marginalized voices to be heard and stories that reflect the rich diversity of the UBC community. With my leadership, The Ubyssey is poised to embark on a new era of excellence, driven by a commitment to journalistic integrity, inclusivity and student empowerment. As a member of the board, I will work tirelessly to uphold the values of The Ubyssey and ensure that it remains a cornerstone of student life at UBC.
Learn more about me on Instagram @Mohkam_Malik
Emma Martin-Rousselle
I'm running for Ubyssey Publications Society Board of Directors out of a genuine care for student journalism. Because UBC does not have an undergraduate journalism major, The Ubyssey is pivotal in allowing for students to gain hands-on experience in journalism — something I very much value and want to support!
My interest in this position began in my first year, when I was a casual Ubyssey contributor. While there, I noticed a great sense of community and was inspired by the talented students I worked alongside. Since then, I’ve come to better understand The Ubyssey's role in keeping UBC informed, and would be thrilled to be involved behind-the-scenes, providing insights on marketing strategy & election visibility, plus supporting the expansion of The Ubyssey's first-year scholarship program.
With my leadership experience as Arts Undergraduate Society president, among others, I also feel well-equipped for this role, which is another reason why I am running. I bring experience from across campus, as a residence advisor, student ambassador and former teaching assistant, allowing me to work with diverse teams and amplify the interests of students. My professional internship experiences have also provided experiences in communications, business development, marketing and sponsorship strategy and relationship management.
Ferdinand Rother
I'm running to ensure The Ubyssey's financial health and advocate for fiscal responsibility. My aim is to foster a stronger community through partnerships, career panels and journalism workshops, while championing investigative journalism and navigating the challenges of bill C-18 and social media engagement.
Share this article
First online
