Ryan Holliday

Ryan Holliday

Associate Director

(He/Him)

BA Interdisciplinary Studies, Education Focus
MEd Educational Psychology with emphasis on exceptionality

What was your experience of further or higher education like?

I loved my undergraduate experience and I do not think my path was uncommon. I changed my major at least four times during my undergraduate studies: Earth Science to History to Biology to Interdisciplinary Studies (thematic study in Science Education). It also took me five and a half years to graduate as I worked full-time throughout my degree (and changed my major so many times!).

I also had a humbling start to my studies. Coming out of High School, I thought I was a very good student until I stepped foot into first year Chemistry. After failing the course, I realized how my High School study strategies did not work as well at University. I also learned that 8am classes three times a week would not work for me at all.

I retook the CHEM course in my third year with newly developed study skills (including study groups, looking at practice exams, accessing the TA office hours, etc.) and ended up doing so much better. Being successful in this course after failing it is one of my proudest memories of my undergraduate degree.

I also moved onto a Masters degree despite not having a perfect undergraduate record – I had two fails, some Ws, and a few other not so great grades.

Amy Becir

Academic Advisor

(She/Her)

What do you value about Academic Advising?

I value my role in bridging the gap between the academic side of things, and the many opportunities, supports, and resources UBC offers!

Why do you like supporting students?

I love chatting with students and finding out about their motivation for being at UBC!

Momoko Paek

Momoko Paek

Academic Advisor

(She/Her)

What do you value about Academic Advising?

Advising is a space to intentionally connect about a major (pun intended) project and investment in life – your degree.
It’s rare in large institutions to find spaces where you can connect with another human being solely to question and reflect on your interests, and why you’re here at UBC. I value that both certainty and uncertainty are embraced in each interaction.
I also value the sheer range of things that you can talk about with an Advisor. Sometimes it’s nitty-gritty of degree requirements, and other times, it’s more about life itself – what’s going on, and how that might be impacting your years-long project.
UBC’s a big place, with many different types of teams here to support you. I hope you consider Advising as one to turn to – whether you’re feeling lost, or know where you’re headed but just need someone to talk it through.

If you were to meet your younger self again, what advice would you give based on your experiences?

Prioritize your own well-being, first and foremost. Reminding students of this will become both the hardest and most rewarding part of your job in a few years.
Also, take more of that elective you lost track of time reading about. Trust me.
Oh, and go easy on bubble tea.

Patricia Shang

Patricia Shang

Academic Advisor

(She/Her)

B.A. in Geography (Environment & Sustainability), University of British Columbia
Certificate in Career Development and Academic Advising, University of Calgary

What do you value about Academic Advising?

An advising conversation can cover a wide range of topics related to your academics—whether it’s exploring the diverse program and course offerings, planning your degree progression, overcoming obstacles in your studies, or simply getting registration assistance. I value the pivotal role academic advisors play in guiding students to navigate their unique academic journeys.
The undergraduate years can bring a mix of challenges and opportunities as many of you transition into a new phase of life, discover your interests and potential, and make important life decisions. A visit to the Arts Advising office during this time might find you a helping hand, a listening ear, and a friendly connection.

What was your experience of further or higher education like?

My undergraduate experience was shaped by my identities as an international student, a transfer student, and a first-generation student. I came to appreciate university education as an avenue of self-discovery – an opportunity to better understand my approaches to learning, my strengths, and aspirations. What higher education meant to me evolved continuously as I navigated my studies—through changing my major, transferring universities, engaging in co-curricular activities, and exploring various career paths.

I also valued the opportunities university provided to develop my interests and abilities in research. Conducting research projects through the MURC and directed studies has enabled me to apply my knowledge in the field to tackle real-life problems.

These experiences, alongside my academic learnings defined my unique 4.5 years of higher education journey.

Who or what made the biggest positive impact on you when you were studying? And how did they support you?

A number of supportive professors really made a positive impact on my studies. Studying with them helped me to appreciate how various teaching and learning styles interact, and the importance to seeking help when needed. The Professor Emeritus who taught me first year math reassured me that having many questions about the course material was not seen as a sign of deficiency, but rather a measure of progress as I identified the gap in my knowledge and worked towards bridging them.

I hope that you too encounter kind professors, teaching assistants, and advisors who make a positive impact on your studies!

Natasha Philander

Natasha Philander

Academic Advisor

(She/Her)

What do you value about Academic Advising?

I value creating and holding space for students to share what is happening in their lives. University can feel incredibly isolating and alienating, sometimes having 5 extra minutes to talk through how things are going can really make a difference. I value holding a little space to let someone share what is happening and hopefully walk away feeling a bit better.

Why do you like supporting students?

I know how vital being seen can be to anyone, but especially to students. I know that during my undergrad I didn’t go to academic advising because I didn’t see anyone who looked like me. I thought that I would be judged, or I would get in trouble for not knowing things. I am grateful to have the opportunity now to hopefully be a person on campus where students know that they can ask a question and know that there is no judgment. I don’t care if you are failing or thriving, I am always going to be grateful you are in my office and looking for support.

Madeline Stephens

Madeline Stephens

Academic Systems Advisor

B.A. in Political Science and Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, University of British Columbia

What was your experience of further or higher education like?

Pursuing higher education exposed me to ways of thinking and ideas that I otherwise would not have had an opportunity to engage with in such a meaningful way. I learned how to learn, and through the 4 (or in my case, 5) years of writing, reading, studying, thinking, and learning (which included a fair amount of getting it wrong) I came to better understand my own values and what kind of career and life I might find worthwhile. The process of completing my degree helped me grow into the person I am today, and I feel I am better for having completed it.

Why do you like supporting students?

I really enjoy the challenge of demystifying complex rules and policy, and forging ways of more effectively communicating that information to students, so they they feel well equipped to make important decisions about their academics and future. I love hearing about why a certain course or discipline has piqued their interest, and then helping them chart different potential pathways to explore those interests or incorporate the course(s) into their degree.

What does your typical day look like and how does your role support Arts Advising?

A lot of the work I do involves managing the user experience of our systems such as Workday Student. I help solve systems issues that students and advisors identify. I also manage the second degree student portfolio, and I help UBC Okanagan transfer students and internal transfer students understand their requirements when they join Arts. I am also passionate about furthering equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) related work in the office; I have been, and am currently, involved on EDI committees.

Tharanga Senarathna

Tharanga Senarathna

Student Information Support

(She/Her)

BBM
MBA (Marketing)
MBA

Why do you like supporting students?

Supporting students brings me immense joy, drawing from my experiences as an international student and over 12 years in higher education. Contributing to their academic journey by providing guidance and resources is incredibly rewarding.

Elise Vu

Elise Vu

Academic Advisor

(She/Her)

MBA
B.Sc.

What do you value about Academic Advising?

The meaningful connections formed through each academic advising meeting are among the most rewarding aspects of my work. Much like trees in a forest that communicate, share resources, and support one another through their underground network, the connections I build with students allow me to learn from their stories, offer resources, help unlock their potential, and explore opportunities together.

Supporting students as an ally and witnessing their transformation, from their first days at university to the moment they graduate, has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my role. I deeply believe in the transformative power of education and feel grateful to be part of the growth moments when students discover more about themselves, and navigate their academic journey towards their personal goals.

What would surprise people to know about you?

I was originally trained as a Chemist, and my first professional career was in the production industries, where I worked in R&D and Quality Assurance roles. Over time, I realized that my true passion lies more in developing people than in developing materials. This realization led me to where I am today.

What else? I have a strong interest in health sciences and several years of experience working in clinical research. If I weren’t an academic advisor, I’d likely be a doctor.

Jonathan (Jono) Lee

Academic Advisor

(He/Him)

B.Mus in Vocal Performance and English (Emphasis Language), University of British Columbia

What do you value about Academic Advising?

Academic Advising has evolved so much over the years as its scope of work has expanded to address emerging needs and contemporary issues in the post-secondary student experience. Being a student is a lot more complicated than it used to be, with countless new opportunities and avenues for growth and change. Meeting with students, hearing their stories and helping them create opportunities and select options that bring them closer to their aspirations bring me so much joy and meaning. Having worked through a great deal of adversity and uncertainty in my youth with regards to my identity, academic path and career goals, I am always so fascinated to see what unique twists and turns students take on their winding paths to personal success and fulfillment.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments as a student?

During my time in the Faculty of Arts as a B.Mus student, I was one of the recipients of the William and Nona Heaslip Scholarship, which alleviated the financial pressures of school so that I could wholeheartedly study music and English. As the first B.Mus recipient of this major award in the Faculty, I was proud of the narrative I presented in order to win this award, which highlighted the unique marriage of my interests in music and English linguistics. I encourage students to leverage their unique interests and academic profiles to create opportunities and pave the way for new learning and future learners to come.

What does your typical day look like and how does your role support Arts Advising?

As an Academic Advisor in the Academic Systems Team, I work hard to maintain and improve the utilities and tools that faculty, staff and students use for any and all processes and functions. This “behind the scenes” work is rewarding in a different way than advising students in appointments as it impacts large groups and cohorts of students and challenges me to be strategic and more design-minded.

Dawn Cassell

Dawn Cassell

Academic Advisor

M.Ed Psychology, University of Regina
B.Ed. Education, University of Regina

What do you value about Academic Advising?

As an Academic Advisor, I am always grateful to be able to assist and work alongside students as they navigate their way through university. Working in the field of education for several years has allowed me to assist many students as they make several important academic decisions while they work towards successful completion of their degree. It is exciting to watch students learn, grow and reach their academic goals.

If you were to meet your younger self again, what advice would you give based on your experiences?

Always make self-care a priority. Do something daily to honour yourself.

Take risks… Lots of them. You will learn a lot about yourself.

Don’t worry about what others are doing. Chase what you want to pursue.