The Scholars

Ashley Dodd

Ashley’s time at UBC has been less about following a straight path and more about figuring out how different interests connect. Studying philosophy enhanced her critical thinking, while her experiences working, leading teams, and starting a business pushed her to apply those ideas in practice.

As she moves forward, she’s focusing on building a career at the intersection of finance, sustainability, and long-term impact. She’s interested in being part of decisions around what gets built and how capital is used to support more sustainable, long-term development

Jasmine Barret-Ferris

Jasmine’s time at UBC has truly been unforgettable. She’s deeply grateful for the opportunities she was given through the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars program.

She’s had the chance to meet people from all of backgrounds and built friendships that have shaped who she is today.

Beyond that, she’s strongly valued learning from some of the best professors and academics in the world, an experience that has broadened her perspective on people, history, and the world in ways she’ll always carry with her.

After graduation, she hopes to attend law school and pursue work in the human rights sector, with the goal of helping others access the same kinds of opportunities she’s been fortunate to receive.

Lena Hart

Lena’s time at university has profoundly shaped who she is today, and she is deeply grateful for the scholarship support that made many opportunities possible. During her studies, Lena joined the Army as a musician, performed in concert alongside Katy Perry, and had the honor of performing on Parliament Hill.
She also served as a mentor and teacher, balanced an intensive academic schedule, including ten courses in one semester and worked three jobs to support herself.
Lena’s university journey demanded immense dedication and perseverance, and she hopes her achievements make her family proud. As the first in her family to earn a Bachelor’s degree, this milestone holds deep meaning.
After graduation, Lena plans to continue her musical career with the Canadian Military while focusing on creating balance in her life. She looks forward to nurturing relationships with loved ones, spending time in nature, and continuing to teach, create and contribute meaningfully to her community.

Leila Bamigbade

Laila’s experience at UBC has been a transformative journey, with each year bringing its own challenges, growth, and accomplishments. It has been as much a process of unlearning as learning: challenging assumptions, questioning dominant narratives, and critically examining institutions, power, and inequality. UBC has pushed her outside of her comfort zone, becoming a space for reflection where she has learned to navigate complexity and engage more intentionally with the world around her.
As Laila looks ahead to graduation, she is excited to help advance more equitable systems for youth and to continue pursuing work grounded in community and social justice. She also looks forward to having the time and capacity to travel, explore her hobbies in sewing and DJing, and build a life that reflects balance, purpose, and imaginative curiosity.

Paul Omony

Paul’s time at UBC has been filled with ups and downs but overall, it was a really meaningful experience that he’s grateful for. Being part of the BTSP community and serving as Vice President of the Black Mental Wellness Collective has been especially impactful and contributed to a lot of his personal growth.
Through his psychology degree, he has developed a strong interest in neuropsychology, mental health, and supporting others.
After graduation, he’s looking forward to starting his MSc in Applied Neuropsychology and continuing to build on experiences that have shaped him over the last four years

Samantha Smith-Fletcher

Samantha’s journey at UBC has been one of growth, independence, and self-discovery. Moving to Vancouver alone encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone and build a life she is proud of, one that balances academics, work, and personal aspirations.
Studying psychology has deepened her understanding of people and the world, while also fostering confidence in trusting her own intuition and decisions. As graduation approaches, Samantha looks forward to the next chapter: pursuing a career in human resources and continuing to grow both professionally and personally.
With plans to move abroad and explore life beyond Canada, she is excited to carry the lessons and experiences gained at UBC into the future and create new opportunities along the way.

Edna Eguale

Edna’s journey at UBC has been filled with unforgettable memories and meaningful experiences, marked by countless learning opportunities both in and outside of the classroom.
As graduation approaches, it feels surreal to be closing this chapter, yet there is great excitement about exploring the world beyond campus.
With a degree in Science, she hopes to take the knowledge and skills gained over the past four years into new experiences that create a lasting, positive impact on the world.

Samuella Okolichi

Samuella is looking forward to taking a gap year to travel, relax, celebrate, and apply for medical school. After years of balancing academics, work, and extracurricular commitments, she is excited for the opportunity to slow down and be intentional with her time. Traveling will allow her to experience new cultures, gain perspective, and step outside of her comfort zone.
She is also looking forward to resting and celebrating how far she has come, especially after completing such a demanding chapter of her education.
At the same time, she is eager to focus on preparing for medical school applications. This gap year feels like a meaningful transition one that will help her recharge, grow personally, and enter the next stage of her journey with clarity, confidence, and renewed motivation

Shemi Abiola-Ayorinde

Shemi’s experience at UBC and in the BTSP have definitively changed him as a person. In his five years completing his Biology degree, not only has he developed his analytical skills and a mastery of the fundamental principles of life science, but he has also moulded himself into the person a younger Shemi aspired to be.
Shemi has grown a community of peers and friends that he will carry with him for the rest of his life. UBC gave him a place to flourish and encounter ideas, cultures and people he would have never come across otherwise.
The future is daunting as always and it is sad to say goodbye, but he looks forward to continuing his development as a leader, challenging himself in new environments, furthering his education, exploring the world and using the principles he has learned at UBC as he attempts to leave his imprint on it.

Shauna Ndoping

From Ottawa, Ontario, Shauna moved to Vancouver for university to gain a new experience away from home. She’s committed to expanding her knowledge of the world around her as it pertains to weather and climate. Her academic passions include extreme weather, climate change, climate adaptation, and science communication.
Currently, she is a part of two labs in the Departments of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Mechanical Engineering. In her free time, Shauna loves to read and go skating

Adeola Adeniji

University has been a season of growth, learning, and discovery for Adeola, and she wants to carry those experiences forward. She is excited to keep learning and growing, both personally and professionally, and hopes to work in spaces where she can merge the skills developed at Sauder with her growing interest in marketing and technology.
After graduation, Adeola hopes to take some time to travel and spend quality time with family before fully jumping into the next chapter of her life.
Most of all, she is looking forward to embracing new challenges and seeing where this next chapter takes her

Mofetoluwa Olagesin

People always say graduation is bittersweet, but for Mofe, it honestly just feels bitter. University has been the best time of his life, and it’s hard to accept that it’s coming to an end.
Across six semesters in Vancouver, plus time in Copenhagen and Shenzhen, Mofe has experienced so much, learned even more, and built friendships he knows will last a lifetime. These past few years have taught him a lot about who he is, and those memories are something he’ll always carry with him.
What is he looking forward to after graduation? Honestly, it’s continuing the relationships that UBC gave him. That’s what matters most.
While he sends his regrets, he wishes he could be at graduation tonight. All the thanks to BTSP—UBC for none of this wouldn’t have been possible without the program.

Aase Ade-Akhani

Aase is from Edmonton, Alberta, and currently in the Faculty of Arts pursuing an Honors degree in Political Science. She ultimately aims to pursue a career in policy advising to help shape more equitable and inclusive public policies.

In her spare time, she enjoys watching rugby, thrifting, and reading.

Amina Mohamud Ismail

Amina is in the Faculty of Arts pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. She is from Winnipeg, Manitoba and comes from a Somali background. She eventually hopes to become a lawyer and advocate for those who are not able advocate for themselves.

In her spare time she enjoys reading, baking, and spending quality time with friends. 

Audrina Borden

Audrina is in the Faculty of Science planning to major in Integrated Sciences. She plans to study how race, gender, and identity shape the healthcare people receive, with the long-term goal of becoming an Obstetrician/Gynecologist.

She hopes to be a voice for Black women and mothers in medicine, working to address systemic inequities and improve maternal health outcomes. In her free time, Audrina enjoys dance, choreography, and mentoring young students.  

Ayomi Sodunke

Ayomi hails from Caledon, Ontario and is in the Faculty of Applied Science pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is particularly interested in exploring the intersection of robotics and mechanical systems. He eventually hopes to work in the field of biotechnology.

In his spare time, he enjoys baking, reading and football.

Cassie Carriere

Cassie hopes to pursue a combined degree in Psychology and Biology to become a psychiatrist in the future.

In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, reading and songwriting. If she were a fruit, she would be a mango: bright, sweet and colorful!

Dean Kiyingi

Dean hails from Toronto, ON and is enrolled in the Faculty of Applied Science. He aims to specialize in engineering physics and has an interest in emerging technologies and entrepreneurship.

He hopes to someday launch a startup of his own, but in the meantime enjoys skateboarding, weightlifting, and spending time with friends.

Dibora Habtom

Dibora Habtom is an Arts student from Winnipeg, planning to pursue a degree in Neuroscience at UBC. She is passionate about healthcare advocacy and community work, especially serving those who are often overlooked or underserved.

Dibora loves meeting new people, traveling, and trying new foods. In her free time, she enjoys reading, staying active, and shopping—particularly exploring thrift stores!

Faris Mohamedali

Faris wants to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is passionate about Pan-Africanism and the intersection between engineering and social change.

In his free time, Faris enjoys working out, playing soccer and hanging out with friends

Ibrahim Heban

Ibrahim, from Richmond BC, is planning to  pursue a degree in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy. He is particularly interested in exploring how political psychology and modern media marketing affect voter priorities and mobilisation. He hopes to pursue a career in social work or in non-profit law.

Fun fact: He is one of seven siblings. In his spare time he likes to spend time with family, read, play sports (particularly soccer, basketball and ultimate frisbee) listen to music, and watch movies.

Kade Cuyler

Kade Cuyler, from Courtenay, BC, is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a minor in Psychology. He is passionate about social justice and is particularly interested in how the law has historically served as a powerful tool for achieving equity and protecting rights. Kade plans to attend law school to become a lawyer, with the goal of advocating for underserved communities and promoting meaningful change.

In his spare time, Kade enjoys swimming, boxing, learning about history, and  trying new food.

Loyd Gebreselassie

Loyd hails from Waterloo, Ontario and is interested in pursuing a double degree in Political Science and Economics, with hopes of becoming a lawyer.

She loves being active, watching shows, traveling and meeting new people

Nanu Ishaka

Nunu is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, she has a strong passion for all things science, and hopes to work in the technology sector, developing sustainable devices.

Outside of academics, she is a member of the varsity track and field team and enjoys reading and keeping up with Formula 1.

Sophia Toye

Sophia is in the Faculty of Arts from Ladysmith, BC on Vancouver Island. In addition to her identity as a Black Woman she is a proud member of Stz’uminus First Nation. She hopes to pursue a degree in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, and is considering a career in law.

In her spare time, Sophia enjoys dance, listening to music, watching reality TV, and spending time at the beach. 

Talia Tuzinde

A simple conversation with her can easily turn into something deeper, as she is always open to talking about life and having meaningful conversations with those around her. With an interest in majoring in International Relations, her goal this year is to learn more about humanitarian aid.

On a personal note, she looks forward to continuing to grow in her faith and is excited to explore all the opportunities UBC has to offer.

Euodia is in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and is planning to major in Nutritional Sciences. She aspires to become a doctor with a focus on addressing racial disparities in healthcare and improving the experiences of Black Women in hospital settings.

She has an avid interest in science, basketball, volunteering, and exploring the connections between nutrition and overall health.

Thierry Moro

Thierry Moro is in the Faculty of Arts at UBC, planning to major in Economics. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, he is also a defensive line recruit for the UBC Thunderbirds football team.

He has future goals of excelling both on the field and in the classroom, with an interest in sports, business, and personal growth.

Outside of football, he enjoys fitness, traveling, and building new connections.