91ÅÝܽ

As a student, Callie values curiosity. She thinks that everyone should stay curious—including about her.

Chiko is a fourth-year undergraduate student from Zambia who embraces the diverse experiences SFU offers. With a passion for sustainable and equitable solutions, she aims to pursue opportunities that enable economic growth in developing (particularly African) nations, while endorsing environmental and social stewardship. Collaborative course projects like the Skytrain-based CityStudio initiative stimulated her learning in design thinking and community-driven development.

Beyond academia, Chiko appreciates SFU sports, enjoys leisurely walks, and participates in the First Responders Club. She values building connections within the SFU community through events with the International Club and the Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA). Chiko has taken on leadership roles, such as FIC Orientation Leader. She immerses herself in books and film and finds satisfaction in cultivating new skills.

Chiko is honoured and grateful to be part of the Dean's FASS Fellowship and looks forward to engaging with community pillars and her inspirational peers.

As a research assistant with the Spaces for Aging, Growth and Empowerment research group, Eldrick contributes to projects exploring seniors’ health, community engagement, and the role of senior centres in primary care. His work focuses on improving mobility and social inclusion for older adults through age-friendly planning and design. Eldrick is passionate about creating cities that are equitable, accessible, and rooted in social connection.

Beyond research, Eldrick works with SFU’s Meeting, Events and Conference Services (MECS), where he supports the planning and coordination of campus-wide events. His professionalism, reliability, and teamwork have made him an integral part of the MECS operations team. Active in his community, he volunteers with Collingwood Neighbourhood House and St. Jude School, supporting intergenerational programs for seniors and youth.

Eldrick’s academic and co-curricular experiences reflect his dedication to community-building and inclusive urban design. He hopes to pursue graduate studies in urban planning and continue advancing policies that make cities more age-friendly and socially just. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing ice hockey, travelling, and engaging in creative projects that connect people and place.

Eli is a settler living on the unceded territories of the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), Kwantlen, Matsqui, and Semiahmoo Nations. He works with Parks Canada’s Indigenous Stewardship and Cultural Heritage Directorate and as a youth leadership facilitator for Metro Vancouver’s Youth4Action Program. At SFU, he is a member of the Fire and Ecosystems Research Lab. He will be writing his honours thesis on community forest policy and Indigenous Self-determination on the Sunshine Coast. He is also the inaugural president of the Resource and Environmental Management Student Association and a recipient of the 2024 Faculty of Environment Changemaker award. Outside of school, Eli volunteers with the Township of Langley’s Emergency Support Service Program. He also serves as a youth representative on the Township’s Recreation, Culture, and Parks Advisory Committee and on the Museum Advisory Group. Outside of school, he loves to camp and mountain bike. His favourite hobby is travelling with his girlfriend.

A 4th year student at 91ÅÝܽ, Erinn is currently enjoying her fall semester abroad at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. During her free time, she enjoys reading with a cup of tea, writing short stories, and going for long walks with her dog. At SFU, she has helped plan and organize the 2024 World Literature Conference. This experience has been a highlight of her time here, as she participated as both an organizer and a presenter. The following year, she helped plan the event in the format of a film festival and enjoyed it thoroughly. She feels very honoured to be receiving this fellowship, and looks forward to what the future has to offer. 

As a student in Political Science with a minor in Social Data Analytics at 91ÅÝܽ, Eva is interested in how data can make visible the social and environmental dynamics that often go unseen in policy-making. Her research with the British Columbia Humanist Association, which examined gendered and religious bias in legislative dress codes, deepened her understanding of how institutions can both reflect and reinforce inequality. Through Ocean Wise’s Youth to Sea program, she led community initiatives centered on marine conservation and sustainable practices, and she later collaborated with the United Nations Association in Canada to facilitate discussions on climate finance and global cooperation. She has come to see data as something deeply human, a way of understanding the world and the people in it. Looking ahead, she hopes to bring this perspective into work that bridges data with climate or social policy, helping shape more thoughtful and inclusive approaches to change. 

Josiah is a fourth-year student working towards his bachelor degree in English alongside a minor in Educational Psychology. His community involvement has consisted of being a collective member for Out on Campus (a SFSS department) and volunteering with high school teachers in the classroom. Though his love of learning supersedes genre, his primary interests are in contemporary poetry (both as a writer and enjoyer), gender, and ecology. In the process of completing his English honours, Josiah hopes to explore the ways in which these interests work together to create an understanding of gender that transcends a culture/nature binary. 

Outside of his academic life Josiah works part-time in customer service to support the extravagant lifestyle of his cat, Sweet Pea. He is also a novice birder and loves going on walks and hikes in hopes of finding another species for his life list. Ultimately, Josiah takes pleasure in doing anything that brings people together; from baking to sharing poetry to crafting with friends, he loves it all. 

Justine is a Cognitive Science student focusing on philosophy, psychology, and linguistics. She is interested in the social and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, specifically on mental health, community building, politics, and individual rights. 

Justine’s honours project revolves around AI recommendation systems and their influence on personal autonomy. Currently, Justine holds two research positions, one with an AI research group and the other with SFU’s CORTECH lab, studying concussion recovery and tech interventions. She hopes to integrate research in any future career she chooses.

As the co-president of Reclaim Tech, Justine provides SFU community members a safe space to explore the ever-changing world of technology and its impact on our lives. Justine is also an Area-Coordinator in SFU residence. Overseeing the townhouse buildings, she supervises 9 staff and almost 400 students with the goal of building a safe and inviting community for all. 

During her free time, you can find Justine trying out new recipes, singing and writing music, cuddling her cats, or going on a run.

In the final year of her undergraduate degree in Criminology at 91ÅÝܽ, Julianna developed a strong interest in the intersection between psychology and the legal system over the course of her studies. It has led her to pursue an honours thesis examining how psychopathy influences legal outcomes in criminal trials. These experiences have deepened her passion for criminology, and she hopes to continue studying how different psychological constructs impact trial outcomes in a master’s program.  She is currently involved in two research labs at SFU. She has learned a lot about the longitudinal outcomes of young offenders in the Incarcerated Serious and Violent Young Offender Study (ISVYOS) with Dr. Evan McCuish, and the impacts of problematic reasoning in sexual assault trials working with Dr. Helene Love. Outside of academics, she enjoys bodybuilding, travelling, and exploring new tasting menus with friends.

Lisa Kim is a fourth-year undergraduate studying majoring in Political Science and Criminology, with a minor in International Studies and Public Policy. This year, Lisa is completing the honours program within Political Science. She is excited to be pursuing her interests in the Canadian Court system, particularly in relation to Charter law. 

Lisa currently is serving her 2^nd term as the Co-President of the Political Science Student Union, as well as the Editor-in-Chief for Gadfly (SFU's Political Science Undergraduate Journal). Beyond Political Science, Lisa also acts as the International Studies Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) Councillor, an English Second Language Tutor at the Student Learning Commons (SLC), and a Student Senator on SFU Senate. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, swimming, and spending time with her sisters. 

A fourth-year student, Mari is enrolled in the history department’s honours program and is working towards a certificate in French. They are passionate about modern history, particularly the legal and social histories of the United States and the Philippines. Their honours thesis seeks to examine the evolution of U.S-Philippine relations during the Philippines’s post-dictatorship administration (1986-1992). Moreover, Mari is an active member of the FASS community. They have been a peer mentor for SFU Surrey’s FASS Friends and Mentors program for the past three years, and they are a former member of the History Student Union. Mari is currently employed as an elementary school tutor for Friends of Simon, where they work with newcomer children to improve literacy skills.

Aside from university, Mari can be found drawing, gardening, and going on walks. They are honoured to be nominated as a Dean’s Undergraduate Fellow, and would like to thank their family, friends, and academic mentors for all their support.

Mason Mattu is a student in his final year of the International Studies program, concentrating in International Security and Conflict. With a goal to promote access to justice, Mason founded Youth Justice Link, a nonprofit organization that connects youth to accessible legal resources. Through conferences, workshops, and innovative community outreach, he leads a passionate team that has impacted thousands of young people across the province. In addition to his work within the legal field, Mason also served as a Youth Ambassador with the US Department of State, where he engaged in cross-cultural dialogue to promote community changemaking. Named his city’s Future Leader of the Year, Mason brings extensive experience in political advocacy and campaign work, driven by a mission to promote civic engagement among young adults. He plans to continue his community advocacy work through a future career in law and politics. Beyond Mason’s work in the community, he is a Section Editor for SFU’s student newspaper The Peak , a singing teacher, and a poet.

Melissa is in her final year at SFU, pursuing Linguistics, Print and Digital Publishing, and Philosophy. The diversity across these disciplines have allowed her to explore a wide variety of interests, including syntax and acquisition of language, formal logic, and the book publishing process. However, the highlights of her time at SFU have largely centered around connecting with the Faculty of Arts and Social Science community, through her executive roles in the Linguistics Student Union and Philosophy Student Union. Additionally, her experience as a FASS Peer Mentor has deepened her commitments to community engagement and student welfare.

Following her undergraduate degree, Melissa intends to pursue a master’s degree and career in Speech-Language Pathology, as well as continue her volunteer work with a stroke recovery group. Outside of her studies, Melissa loves working as a barista, and also enjoys reading, attending concerts, and travelling.

Mia is a fourth-year student in the French Cohort Program with aspirations to build a career in public policy. Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Quebec before settling in British Columbia, her own immigrant experience and transitions through different educational systems have shaped her interest in immigration and education policy. She is committed to promoting the French language and culture in British Columbia. She has served as a judge for Canadian Parents for French’s Concours d’Art Oratoire Provincial Finals and have visited high schools across Vancouver to advocate for the French Cohort Program. Outside of university, she works as a pharmacy assistant technician, which has deepened her understanding of healthcare accessibility and public health policies. In her free time, she explores creative pursuits through singing, songwriting, and painting.

Mishael is an Honours Philosophy and Political Science student. He is drawn to philosophy of law, social epistemology, moral philosophy, and international law and governance.

On campus, Mishael loves to contribute to the SFU community and ensure that everyone feels welcome. He has held multiple leadership positions: Philosophy Student Union President, Political Science Student Union Co-President, and Amnesty SFU President. Outside of clubs and student unions, he has also completed two terms on the SFU Senate and volunteers for the Student Learning Commons. 

In terms of work experience, Mishael has worked across both the public and private sectors. In the federal government, he has worked for Transport Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada through the Co-op program. As well, he has contributed to ARK Renewable Energy, a solar construction company, as a Sales Representative and Project Manager.

Currently, Mishael is applying to law schools across Canada. If you are interested in connecting, Mishael is always eager to meet new people!

Honours thesis:

Sadie is a fourth-year student interested in addressing social and economic inequities through the creation of effective and innovative policy solutions. She currently works as Research Support for the , a collaboration between SFU, Stanford, Yale, and the University of Michigan, focused on combating forced labour in global supply chains. In this role, she assists with logistics, grant finance, copy editing, and project management.

Sadie is the co-founder and former co-president of the SFU Public Policy Student Association and currently serves as a reviewer for the SFU POLIS Undergraduate Journal of Society and Culture. She recently completed a semester abroad at the University of Copenhagen, where she broadened her academic and cultural perspectives. Looking ahead, Sadie plans to continue her studies in graduate school. Beyond her academic pursuits, Sadie enjoys swimming, dancing, and spending time with her dog!

Samuel applied to SFU to take the first steps towards his goal of being a Byzantinist. Now that that step is almost done, he is looking forward to further exploring the subject by hopefully undertaking a master’s degree here at SFU. His current research centers around the role of education in promoting republican political culture in the Medieval Roman Empire. This specific focus branches out into a broader set of interests, many of which he has acquired or further developed during his undergraduate studies—namely, Pedagogy, Political Science, Rhetoric and Philosophy. His stay in the Department of Global Humanities and his forays into the classes offered by the History department have enabled him to expand his historical interests by introducing him to various stories, peoples, cultures and periods. He also had the opportunity to undertake a work-study and to give a talk at a conference, the latter of which he will get to do again this coming spring. Outside the classroom, he continues to pursue his passion for education by working part-time at a day-care. Moreover, during his free time he like to paint and to go birdwatching.

Seema is completing a degree in criminology and is hoping to pursue law school after she graduates. Her passion for a career in law stems from her own experience of navigating life with a disability, which has shown her the importance of advocacy and equal access to support. This experience motivated her to help those who may feel unheard within the context of the criminal justice system. 

Her strong commitment to legal advocacy has been central to her professional growth. She gained early experience at Sovereign Law Group during high school, continued to expand her exposure to the legal field at Sukhija Law Group, and most recently, completed a summer internship at RTG Law Group. These experiences worked to strengthen her interest in the legal field, specifically criminal law. Her undergraduate studies have allowed her to excel in relevant courses where she has gained valuable legal knowledge and lasting relationships with professors who have provided tremendous support in her academic journey.

Shivani is a fourth-year student, pursuing a major in Psychology, as well as a minor in Counselling and Human Development. Her academic interests lie within social psychology, more specifically in understanding the aspects of social connections and societal factors, which influence human behavior and well-being.  

As a Research Assistant in the Gerontology Lab at SFU, Shivani contributes to a study, which investigates the roles that social connection, physical activity and aging have on overall health and well-being. She expresses deep gratitude to her mentors, within the lab, for their guidance and support, as well as for sparking a strong sense of purpose and belonging for her, within the field of research.

Beyond her academic endeavors, Shivani enjoys volunteering within her community and values applying the knowledge she has acquired from her degree, into real-world contexts. In her personal time, she is passionate about making music, through singing and playing piano. She has also developed a love for baking desserts for her friends and family. Shivani is honoured to have been nominated for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Undergraduate Fellowship and looks forward to continue learning and growing, through both her academic and personal endeavors. 

Xander Elstone is a settler who grew up on the unceded territory of the qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼənÌ“, qÌ“icÌ“É™yÌ“, and se’mya’me Nations. He is a fourth-year student studying Anthropology and Indigenous Studies. He is currently writing his undergraduate honours thesis, which is ethnographic research on the precarity experienced by federal public service workers with insecure contracts. Xander is interested in topics of precarity, systems of care, subjectivities of resistance, Land Back and Self-Determination, settler-Indigenous relations, and political anthropology, as well as ensuring that anthropology continues to be decolonial. Xander is pursuing a minor in Indigenous Studies to decolonize his mind and his worldview. 

Xander is also one of the cofounders, and current Editor-in-Chief, of Polis: Undergraduate Journal of Society and Culture. He has also done co-op positions with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and continues to work there as a Negotiations Analyst while completing his degree. Above all, Xander is passionate about fostering community and building authentic relationships. He is especially thankful to the community within SASU that has made his undergraduate experience one full of friendship.