Akuol Riak and Ian Caguiat are recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Leader in the UBC Community Award, recognizing their commitment to shaping positive communities and healthy campus cultures at UBC.
Akuol Riak, Sociology
Throughout her degree, Akuol was an active participant in campus life, holding leadership positions with the Arts Undergraduate Society, Alma Mater Society of UBC (AMS), Go Global, Agora Cafe, and more. Across these roles, Akuol remained committed to building an engaging and supportive campus experience for her peers.
Akuol consistently presented her research, participating in several undergraduate conferences such as the Coordinated Arts Program (CAP) Conference, International Association for Youth Mental Health (IAYMH) Conference, and Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference (MURC).
Who made the biggest difference in your experience at UBC Arts?
Many people have made a difference in my experience at UBC Arts! My CAP friends from first year are the sweetest, smartest, and coolest people I know. My core friend group has stuck by me through thick and thin. My professors have positively impacted my academic experience, from writing references to helping with coursework.
In addition, through my involvement in the AUS for nearly three years, I had the privilege of working with amazing, dedicated volunteers. Everyone I have met along this journey has made a special impact on my life.
What version of you arrived at UBC, and what version is leaving?
I came to UBC intending to become the greatest collegiate track and field athlete. I was a varsity athlete for two and a half years, and my entire life orbited around track practices, gym schedules, and competitions. The person I was in my first year would never have imagined I would leave the sport I loved. When I left the team, I felt like I lost my identity, and I didn’t know what my future would hold. With time and reflection, I learned that there is more to life than sports. I realized I could devote myself to many different passion projects and that my identity was not rooted in my titles or work, but in my character and values. I leave UBC as a multifaceted, courageous, and compassionate individual.
What are you taking with you from your time at UBC Arts (that isn’t on your transcript)?
I have developed many relationships with my friends, classmates, and professors. I leave with countless memories, from attending Imagine Day to presenting at my first research conference in CAP, and volunteering with the AUS.
I take with me the knowledge I have gained in my classes about thinking critically, challenging the status quo, and making a difference in the world. I have also developed a strong understanding of what it means to be a leader, shaped by my roles as AUS VP Student Life and an Arts Orientation Leader. I have truly enjoyed my time as an Arts student, and I am grateful for all the opportunities and memories.
Ian Caguiat, Political Science
At UBC, Ian held numerous leadership positions across several student governing bodies, from the Arts Undergraduate Society to Alma Mater Society of UBC (AMS) and UBC Vancouver Senate. He advanced initiatives related to food security, affordability, student government transparency, and climate initiatives.
Ian also served as the President of UBC Kababayan Filipino Students’ Association, where he was recognized on a national scale for his work in mental health advocacy and cultural engagement within the Filipino community. He also built a partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver to support Overseas Voting Registration during the 2022 Philippine elections.
Who made the biggest difference in your experience at UBC Arts?
The people who made the biggest difference in my experience at UBC were those who showed me what campus engagement and representation could look like in practice, even if I never spoke with them directly.
I looked up to student leaders, advisors, and storytellers who inspired me through their work in student advocacy, modelling care-centred leadership, and using storytelling to strengthen campus connection. Beyond UBC, interning for the Hon. Rechie Valdez showed me how a passion for representation and advocacy can extend into public service. Together, these examples allowed me to quietly say, “I want to be them.”
What version of you arrived at UBC, and what version is leaving?
I arrived at UBC with a very clear plan: finish my degree in four years, go straight to law school, and say yes to every opportunity along the way. I believed that turning something down meant wasting chances or risking relationships, so I rarely paused to question whether a path truly fit me.
The version of me leaving UBC is more comfortable with uncertainty and more confident in making intentional choices. I have learned that saying no can be an act of self‑respect, and that unplanned changes often opened doors I never would have considered otherwise.
I leave with a deeper trust in my judgment and an openness to paths that don’t follow a perfect or expected timeline.
What are you taking with you from your time at UBC Arts (that isn’t on your transcript)?
What I’m taking with me from UBC Arts is an understanding of how important it is to stay grounded in community and to respond thoughtfully to what those communities need.
I would not have had the confidence to step into leadership at the AMS without the encouragement I found through the Arts Undergraduate Society and UBC Kababayan, which were spaces that affirmed my identity and gave me the courage to take on new roles, shaping how I approached leadership going forward.
UBC Arts taught me that meaningful leadership starts with listening and acting in ways that reflect the communities you care about.
