Soci Squad Mentors

The Soci Squad Peer Program is the first of its kind from the SSA. Inspired by other mentorship programs, upper level sociology student mentors are grouped with 1st and 2nd year mentees. Large scale social events happen once a month for the purpose of community building, while smaller informal meet-ups with mentors and mentees take place over the school year.

Meet the mentors!

Elizer Erpilla – 5th year Sociology Major

• Passionate about singing and performing on and off campus (UBC Music Initiative)
• Experienced in applying for jobs on campus (law library, aquatic centre, TA)
• Took on a sudden shift in career – dreaming to be a healthcare professional

Talk to me about: Musical performance opportunities, intro to sociology, time management

Iman Ghosh – 4th Year Soci major, minoring in GRSJ

• Been on the SSA exec team for 3 years, and took part in the Urban Ethnographic Field School program over the summer. Currently Co-editor in Chief of Sojourners, and doing an Honours thesis on media sociology!
• Hoping to go on to Mass communications/Journalism after graduating, perhaps in New York – but for now, Vancouver is home to this international student
• Passionate about trying new things and experiences, travelling, and pop culture

Talk to me about: Netflix (since I watch way too much of it), intersectional feminism, and fun things to do in Vancouver!

Elida Ibrahim – 4th year Sociology major

• Passionate about film and new media (former BFA in film prod.)
• Currently part of the SSA exec team and an associate editor for Sojourners
• Worked for a non-profit in Malaysia, took part in the Urban Ethnographic Field School over the summer, and volunteered at the UBC Learning Exchange
• Took me awhile to get involved on campus, so now I’m trying my best to rectify that and give the kind of support I wish I had!  

Talk to me about: films, travel,  Malaysian food,  sociological theories, and study tips

Cecilia Federizon – 5th Year Sociology Major, minoring in GRSJ

• My passions are singing (Broadway and classical), pop culture and intersectional feminism
• I watch too many TV shows (Orphan Black, Stranger Things, The 100, Friends, Galavant, Supernatural, Westworld, How to Get Away with Murder, Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, and Once Upon a Time)
• Currently for the past 2 years, I’ve been acting as Co-President in the SSA and I’ve been a TA for SOCI 100
• I’ve also been involved with UBC Orientations (Orientation Leader & Squad Leader), UBC Peer Programs as a Peer Academic Coach and Student Directed Seminars as a Coordinator for SOCI 433 (Sociology of Fashion)
• My dream job would be to work for Disney as a feminist consultant on their scripts, screenwriting and portrayals in movies. But if that doesn’t work out, I want to work in media/communications 🙂

Talk to me about: TV Shows, Movies, Broadway, intersectional feminism, travel, Disney, getting involved with the department and/or UBC

Lauren Hindley – 4th Year Sociology Major

• Hobbies include being crafty, baking, travel
• Currently a research assistant (R.A) for Dr. Wendy Roth
• Writing an Honour’s thesis on Third Culture Kids’ experience at UBC
• Interested in culture, gender, globalization and exploring Vancouver & beyond

Talk to me about: Travel, food, living abroad, time management, holding down job(s) with a full course load

Noor Hewaidi- 4th Year Sociology Major

• Sociological passions include immigration, race and ethnicity, culture, equity and inclusivity
• Just Noor passions are photography, blogging, writing and foodie-ing!
• Currently a sociology TA, SSA Communications Specialist, MSA Social Director and Soci Peer Advisor
• Just got back from a Study Abroad in Italy…so talk to me about Study Abroad!
• Very passionate about sociology, and currently applying for post-graduate studies in sociology! Would love to talk about career planning.

Talk to me about: Making your student experience meaningful, culture, media, travel and anything you’re passionate about! I love listening to all passions and believe in their worth.

Leanne Huang – 6th year Double-Major in Sociology & Psychology

• Believes that everybody deserves to live safe and happy lives.
• Experience as a UBC “student leader” in roles such as: Orientations (MUG & Squad) Leader, Peer Academic Coach, Arts Tri-Mentoring Program student coordinator, Psychology Student Association’s VP-Academic
• Some UBC Sociology related experiences include being a coordinator for a Student Directed Seminar, a student of the Urban Ethnographic Field School and the Go Global seminar program in Guatemala
• Careers that I’ve considered since 1st yr: dietitian, clinical counsellor, health psychologist,  epidemiologist, speech-language pathologist, family physician, post-secondary teacher, higher education professional, lawyer, psychiatrist….
• I also have paid work experience as a teaching assistant, research assistant, library assistant and I take pride in being a good friend, sister, daughter, granddaughter, and dog co-owner

Talk to me about: health (be it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, financial, etc.); being a UBC student; your life experiences, aspiration, worries, problems — anything!

Kirsten Jade Mendonca- 4th year Sociology Major