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2025 Award for Excellence in Service: Tatiana Parrish

As a master’s student in the Department of Political Science, Tatiana Parrish has distinguished herself through her exceptional commitment to graduate student service, advocacy, and community-building. Her leadership has had a transformative impact on the graduate student experience at SFU, both within her department and across the university.

Tatiana’s contributions are wide-ranging and deeply intentional. For two years, she served as the graduate student representative at monthly departmental meetings, consistently offering thoughtful insights and advocating for student needs. She met with faculty leadership to communicate student concerns, reviewed and improved the Graduate Handbook, and helped organize speaker events and workshops—including a public 2025 Canadian Federal Election event and a career panel featuring program alumni.

Graduate Program Chair, Dr. Eline de Rooij says, “Tatiana is exceptional in the way she has consistently and actively worked to improve the experience and voice of graduate students—all while excelling in her own program. Her commitment to fostering a sense of belonging is evident in everything she does. She has supported individual students and worked hard to create a departmental community.�

Tatiana’s service extends beyond formal roles. She’s volunteered at graduate student orientations, organized social events to build community and reduce impostor syndrome, and met individually with students to offer guidance on everything from supervision and course load to university resources and life in Vancouver. She created and managed a cross-department group chat for students writing their theses, helping to alleviate isolation and support mental health during a critical phase of graduate work.

PhD candidate Timothy van den Brink says, “Tatiana has had an incredible impact on our student community. She approaches student leadership with intention and passion, always striving to improve the experience for current and future students. Her active involvement on multiple committees ensures that student perspectives are not only heard but meaningfully considered. She’s the first to offer help in our group chats and reaches out when she notices someone struggling.�

First-year international MA student Papia Chowdhury offers a powerful reflection on Tatiana’s mentorship.

Says, Chowdhury, “When I approached Tatiana with uncertainty about finding the right thesis supervisor, I expected brief advice. Instead, she offered her time and grit. She sketched diagrams and flowcharts to explain departmental procedures, turning something overwhelming into something I could confidently navigate. Her support extended far beyond academics—she helped me with immigration challenges, financial planning, and co-op applications. Her honesty and empathy created a trust that is invaluable. Tatiana is not just a source of information—she is a genuine mentor who invests personally in the success of those around her.�

Tatiana’s impact also reaches beyond her department. She provided input to Graduate Studies and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on initiatives such as alumni mentorship, community-building, and expanding Co-op and career opportunities—efforts that will benefit graduate students for years to come.

We congratulate Tatiana Parrish on receiving the Graduate Studies Award for Excellence in Service. Her dedication to student advocacy, inclusive leadership, and community-building continues to enrich the graduate experience at SFU and serves as an inspiring example of service in action.

The 2026 Graduate Studies Awards for Excellence are opening soon for nominations. Nominations will be accepted from November 1, 2025 until 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 17, 2026.