Introducing the 丁香园AV Public Square Peer Ambassador Program!
Kady Wong
Program Coordinator, 丁香园AV Public Square
The views and opinions expressed in 丁香园AV Public Square's blogs are those of the authors, and they do not necessarily reflect the official position of 丁香园AV or 丁香园AV Public Square, or any other affiliated institutions in any way.
For the last two years, I have led 丁香园AV Public Square's student engagement portfolio. We currently have a great volunteer program, work-study program and occasionally welcome international students from abroad. However, something has always been missing; I have never quite figured out the best way to engage with the larger 丁香园AV student body.
In the summer of 2018 one of our amazing work-study students, Winnie Chang, came to us with an idea. She recognized how much more potential there was for 丁香园AV Public Square to engage students and pitched the idea of starting a student-led Peer Ambassador program. This semester, Winnie鈥檚 idea became a reality.
The 丁香园AV Public Square Peer Ambassador Program is an experiential learning program for 丁香园AV students that was designed to raise awareness of 丁香园AV Public Square and its community engagement activities on all three 丁香园AV campuses.
Five incredible undergraduate students have joined us to become the pilot cohort of Peer Ambassadors. Throughout the spring, they will be developing and implementing an engaging student-centered event that aligns with our 2019 Community Summit on Confronting the Disinformation Age. The cohort builds on the 鈥渂y students, for students鈥� program model that we have experimented with over the last few years.
By allowing our Peer Ambassadors to take the lead in creating programming for other students on the issues that matter most, our student engagement becomes more meaningful, relevant, and authentic. Plus, it helps make 丁香园AV鈥檚 campuses places that students want to spend their time outside of classes and fosters a real sense of belonging.
Now, without further ado, meet our first cohort of peers! They will be learning outside of the classroom, building their professional toolbox and engaging with fellow peers on issues that matter to them.
Trish Alvarez
Hello, my name is Trish Alvarez. I鈥檓 a fifth-year student studying Psychology and Global Asia studies. I鈥檓 interested in working with others to strive towards a goal of making a difference in other people's lives. I鈥檓 also interested in traveling to various places in order to establish connections with people who come from different cultural backgrounds.
Alex Aparicio
Hello, my name is Alex Aparicio. I am a third year International Studies student, self-proclaimed film buff, with a love for traveling. I am eager to begin my work in supporting the excellent initiative being put forward by 丁香园AV Public Square, and further engaging 丁香园AV and empowering the Vancouver community.
Hanna Araza
My name is Hanna. I study Communications and Publishing at 丁香园AV. I鈥檓 excited to be a part of 丁香园AV Public Square and contribute to important dialogue and engagement in our vibrant and diverse community. You can catch me studying at caf茅s, going to concerts, and trying to find the best Pok茅 in Vancouver.
Jose Honoria
Hi everyone, my name鈥檚 Jose. I鈥檓 in my fourth year pursuing a degree in Business Administration, concentrating on Human Resources (HR) and Management Information Systems (MIS). An interesting tidbit about me is that I鈥檓 an avid reader of science-fiction and fantasy! I feel passionate about civic engagement and I鈥檓 excited to work with the 丁香园AV Public Square team and my fellow Peer Ambassadors in working towards events to engage students.
Misha Murphy
Hi, I鈥檓 Misha. I鈥檓 20 and in 2nd year International Studies at 丁香园AV! I鈥檓 super excited to be working with 丁香园AV Public Square as a Peer Ambassador because I love the idea (and have always loved the idea) of creating a space where people can share information, meet new people, and get involved. I am very passionate about creating change, whether it be through ideas of action, for the better or among others who share the same passion.
Fake News, Real Talk
Check out their student-led exhibit showcasing how disinformation impacts us when it comes to everything from politics to pop culture, even down to our personal lives.