Yazdan Gordanpour, Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies – Sustainability Theme student, and Sheela Mbogo, Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies – Global Studies Theme student, are improving graduate student life at UBC Okanagan
Yazdan Gordanpour and Dr. Lesley Cormack
YAZDAN GORDANPOUR
Described by colleagues as a powerful advocate and student leader, Yazdan has been involved in graduate student advocacy since the start of his doctoral program at UBC Okanagan. Over the past three years, he has worked hard to improve the rights of graduate student teaching assistants (GTAs). In addition, he has created a Caucus to ensure that GTA issues are a focus during Collective Bargaining, was instrumental in implementing BCGEU Orientation for TAs, and has represented many TAs in departmental disputes.
In addition, Yazdan co-founded the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Course Union in 2022, which improved connection and community amongst IGS students. Yazdan also co-organized the IGS Student Conference twice and served as a student representative on the Sustainability Theme Committee.
More recently, Yazdan has led the founding of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) at UBC Okanagan. This was a demanding undertaking, as there were many legal and financial complexities involved due to the current structure of the Students’ Union Okanagan (SUO). With the new GSA, Yazdan hopes that efforts toward graduate student advocacy will be sustainable across generations of graduate students to come.
SHEELA MBOGO
Sheela Mbogo and Dr. Lesley Cormack
As a committed and passionate leader, Sheela has identified gaps in graduate student and international student representation at UBC Okanagan and worked to fill those gaps. As a Director at Large on the Students’ Union Okanagan, Sheela has represented voices from marginalized communities to the board of directors. From there, Sheela initiated a project called the Community of Consent to foster an environment at UBC Okanagan that promotes a culture of consent for all students.
Additionally, Sheela works in the Sexual Violence and Prevention Office as an International Student Support Coordinator, where she has developed a comprehensive curriculum covering sexual health, as well as the prevention and response to sexual assault for international students. There has been high interest from graduate students, particularly women, in attending. These students have expressed their relief in knowing they will have the opportunity to engage in sexual health discussions and learn more, as these topics are often considered taboo in many of their cultures.
The 2025 Graduate Dean’s Student Leadership Awards were presented at the Student Involvement and Leadership Awards ceremony. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
2025 Student Involvement and Leadership Award Winners