PP Council Elections
PP Council is your First Year Council, run by PPs for PPs. PP Council enhances the first year experience, from events to sports teams to academic advocacy. Read up on the positions and your candidates below.
Debate Schedule
Debates will take place Wednesday, September 24th in the atrium of the Engineering Student Centre (ESC).
4:00pm: Treasurer & Vice President
4:15pm: Secretary
4:30pm: Vantage Rep & Academic Rep
5:00pm: Social Media + Graphics Rep & Sports + Charity Rep
5:15pm: Social Coordinator
5:40pm: President
Candidates
President
The President leads PP Council - they are the official spokesperson of all first years, they sit on EUS Council and the AMS First Year Committee, and they supervise the PP Councillors.
Ivan Alcaraz
Hey PPs! My name is Ivan Alcaraz, and I am running to be your PP Council President for 2025-2026!
A little about me! I'm a Vancouver local, I love raccoons, and donuts, and raccoons eating donuts! I always wear a hat, so it's easy to spot me! I am super extroverted, not shy, and always happy to be in-front of the mic. I hope you like the sound of my voice since you'll be hearing it a lot more!
In high school, I was an elected student council member, music council president, and active member of the school community. I gained plenty of experience in event planning and outreach. My undying school spirit has not stopped in university, and I am motivated to share it with you all!
I have tons of ideas to make our first year the best as possible, including big social events, big PP spirit, and helping you reach the academic status you want! (Locked in with Ivan! We are NOT failing first year!)
If I win, I’ll dye my hair the beautiful engineering BRIGHT RED!
I hope my passion for this position has persuaded you, vote Ivan Alcaraz for all your PP presidential needs, A to Z! @ivan4ppprez on Instagram!
Ajay Murali
Starting my first year at UBC as an international student was overwhelming. Adjusting to a new culture, living on my own, and handling countless weekly assignments left me feeling completely lost at first. I wanted to do so much but often doubted myself and avoided opportunities that were right in front of me. However, hearing about the PP Council elections made me realize that first-year engineers have the power to shape their university experience and make it truly meaningful. This sparked my drive to take on every possible university “side quest,” including running for PP Council President.
I am running for President to inspire all first-year engineers to embrace challenges, explore different activities, and make the most of every opportunity at UBC This role is not just about getting involved; it’s about creating events and initiatives that support mental health, provide essential university skill workshops, and bring everyone together to celebrate student life. I believe I am a strong candidate to lead this year’s PP Council because of my experiences in student societies, my active involvement in university clubs, and my passion for leading events and initiatives.
As your PP Council President, I will not only plan events—I will encourage every first-year student to fully dive into university life, seize new opportunities, and make every moment count because we can.
Jot Mehtab Singh
Yo PP’s! My name is Jot Mehtab Singh (call me Jot) and I am running to be Your PP President this year!
I am originally from Abbotsford, a 2-3 hour drive from here. I am also a huge Formula 1 fan. My favourite driver is Carlos Sainz. I love cars and watching them go vroom every Sunday (Goddamnit, Ferrari!)
Fun fact: I used 3-4 hours every day from Abbotsford to UBC to attend 8AM lectures. Insane, I know! But luckily I found a place nearby, which also allows me to be more available to serve the PP Council.
Some of my past leadership roles in High School were:
Vice-president of KEY club
C.O.O. of Writers’ Club
founder and President of the Academic Aid Program.
All three of these roles were heavy on community and I feel that the role of the PP President is to create a community based on fun and relevant change for all First-years in Engineering.
As a commuter, I feel like a lot of commuter students need more support compared to those living in residence. My goal(aside from teaching you ALL the 6-7 Handshake) is to bring change – as small as advocating for more variety of foods available at the Eatery, to as big as advocating for the UBC Skytrain link. It may seem like a far stretch, but all change- however big- starts at a small level.
So, vote for fun. For change. For a leadership that cares. Where YOUR voices shape our council.
Rowan Chow
Being a leader takes sacrifice..
.
.
And for my sacrifice, I am RUINING MY DIGITAL FOOTPRINT!!
If you haven't already seen my posts, my name is Rowan, and I am excited to be running for PP President!! In my free time, I love watching anime, playing video games, and shamelessly talking about my vast knowledge of niche Instagram reels.
In terms of experience, I have held various leadership positions, including being the student council president and a leader of the Truth and Reconciliation, Model UN, STEAM, and Intramural Badminton clubs. I was also part of the Sunset Community Centre’s Youth Council, where we planned and ran large community events, such as Halloween and Christmas celebrations.
Besides the typical skills of communication and organization, I learned that, at its core, being a good leader means truly listening to those you are leading. Through these experiences, I am here to make this year your BEST YEAR EVER. That being said, I am FULLY committed to WINNING E-WEEK THIS YEAR TO PROVE THE PPs ARE THE BEST DEPARTMENT!!! I plan to bring back the Pre-E-Week parties to build hype and hold E-Week tryouts to find our most dedicated engineers for the competition. I am also prepared to advocate for all our needs on a weekly basis and communicate them to the EUS council. And of course, I’m also planning on running an amazing PP Gala at the end of the year!
Be sure to check out my Instagram if you haven’t already @rowan4prez !!!
Jessie Zou
PPs, if you’re reading this, it’s time to go out and vote! I’m Jessie Zou, and I’m running to be your next PPP, or first year Engineering Council President.
As PPP, I want to make sure that YOU have the best first year experience possible. This means: lots of first-year social events, academic support, and free hygiene products (to beat the friendless, failing, stinky engineer stereotype). Additionally, I want to continue enlarging our PP spirit to prove that we ARE the best department on campus!
I’ve been involved in leadership since youth—almost for 6-7 years (haha). I’ve consistently led student initiatives since junior-high. Some highlights:
Co-leading Student Council in my high-school of ~2.6k students; running events like fundraisers, volunteering, spirit weeks, community outreach, and their deeply humiliating promotion campaigns (shoutout @sc_western and my aura loss!).
Senior executive for Model UN; running one of the biggest provincial conferences 3x; and winning awards at international conferences! I’m a big fan of public speaking (AKA yapping).
A member of my city’s school-board superintendent advisory council, which managed all 143k students in CBE
Co-creating an organization to upskill underprivileged youth in technical digital skills, impacting 8k+ Canadian youth (if you need help for APSC 160—hit me up!)
Some more things that are relevant: I’m from Calgary, BIG Google-Calendar fan, and light-blue red-bull lover.
Some things that AREN’T relevant: my birthday (September 26th), and my Instagram @jessiez4prez (for the buzzcut that MIGHT be happening…)!
If you want to get sendy this year, vote Jessie!
Wren Tram
Hi! My name’s Wren, I use they/them pronouns, and I am super excited to be running for PP President. As an extroverted person who loves performing, you will definitely hear me coming before you see me (and not just because I’m 4’ 11”...)
I know that this year will be full of ups and downs, as we navigate screencasts, questionable group projects and dreaded midterms, but as your President, I will be putting all my effort into making this year the MOST exciting, fun and memorable time possible. First year engineering may be difficult, but together we can do this!
I’m from Toronto, and I’m prepared to bring my experience and enthusiasm to PP Council. As a former Captain of my robotics team and Vocal Captain of my school’s musical, I know that a team’s success is fully dependent on the strength of its community. I plan on working diligently with the rest of the Council to create opportunities to grow as a community, work hard in our courses and party even harder!
You may be wondering, do I have an Instagram? The truth is, I would rather be out and about getting to know you, so be prepared for me to come up to you before class to strike up a conversation! If you ever see me, please introduce yourself because I would love to meet you.
If anything I’ve said resonates with you, please vote for me!
PPs, let’s have an awesome first year! And remember, ERTW :)
Vice President
The Vice President supports the president, and takes on special projects. They are responsible for coordinating the PP E-WEEK team, and making sure the PP Chariot and Ball Model are up to scratch!
Ruby Ke
Maybe we'll all go bald from the stress, but more than our (alleged) academic weaponry, we engineers know how to have fun; and that's exactly why I'm running to be your PP Council Vice President.
Over the past few years of running clubs and organizing events in and outside of high school, I've come to love putting together awesome events. From running numerous hackathons to simple weekly events with my fellowship, I've organized more events than I can count. As your PP VP, my goal will be to make sure that our cohort of first years have more fun than every other faculty on the UBC campus. From a killer E-Week to the First-Year Engineering Gala, I'm committed to making sure this year is as phenomenal and memorable as possible for each and every single one of you.
Whether it was being president of clubs at school, running a department in Canada's largest high school hackathon, or mentoring thousands of teens from 180+ cities around the globe on running their own hackathons, I've always taken on leadership roles. As your PP VP, I'll center my focus on bringing what you want to see from the council to life all while making sure we're as effective of a team as possible.
TL;DR: Vote Ruby Ke as your PP Council Vice President if you want to have a First Year Engineering experience you won’t forget. Find me on Instagram @rubyforppvp to see more of my campaign!
Andaya Vincent
Hello First Years! I’m Andaya Vincent, and I am running to be your PP Council Vice President for 2025-2026 season!
I grew up here in Vancouver, Kitsilano and have always been familiar around the UBC Campus. I just returned from a GAP year in Senegal and South Africa! I enjoyed that challenge and now I’m ready for this one!
I’m excited to help create an inclusive, fun, and unforgettable first year for all of us. I’m passionate about connecting with people and want to bring that energy to our Engineering community.
As Vice President, my goal is to make sure every one of you feels welcome, heard, and part of something special.
Whether it's organizing E-Week, making sure the Chariot and Ball Model are on point, or just creating more opportunities for us to have fun, I want to make this year one to remember. Together, we’ll make this year unforgettable and fill it with great memories and experiences.
I’m ready to listen to your ideas, queries, and concerns. If you just want to chat, I’ll be spending a lot of time around the Engineering Student Centre, so please don’t hesitate to drop by! Let’s make this year one for the books!
Kevin Li
Hi! I’m Kevin, and I’m hyped to be running for PP VP! You may have seen me walking around campus campaigning or asking for LinkedIn connections. Either way, I’m always open to talking and hearing your thoughts.
Reasons to vote:
Lots of leadership + project planning experience!
Organized a 1100+ student event for my Capstone (Graduation) Project
President of 2 clubs in HS
Multiple positions in other organizations (Cadets!!!)
Always open to talk or complain about classes
What’s the point of going to the lecture when the pre-reading is going to cover the exact same content word for word... looking at you phys157 ;)
More active on r/ubcengineering than Piazza
As the PP VP, I will:
Increase participation for EWeek + other projects
Ensure they’re well planned out and fun
Improve communication so you know what to expect well in advance!
Make Campus RCMP raise an eye when they see red
Bring back the dab
No matter what, I’m looking forward to being involved, whether it be yelling about demolishing 40 beers or cramming finals together last minute. Let’s make our first year with UBC Engineering memorable and one that we (and everyone not in engineering) will never forget!
Check out @vote4kevinli on Instagram to learn more!
Academic Rep
The Academic Rep works alongside the EUS VP Academic to improve the academic experience of the First Year class. They represent the PPs alongside the President at Grand Council and other academic meetings.
Ani Nahapetyan
Hiya PP’s! I am so excited to be running for academic representative this year! As your academic rep, I will be your voice in communicating your concerns, suggestions (and even complaints) to advocate for improvements in your first-year academic experience. Aside from the traditional Beef & Pizza sessions each term, I want to expand your influence over the course of the entire year— starting now. After all, your expectations and concerns are likely to change over time, so it’s important to start addressing them right away. From questionnaires and interviews to in-person study sessions and chats, I want to hear what you have to say. Over my years in high school, I was nominated and elected class president twice and served as the student council secretary. Now, I want to specifically focus on making your first university year the best it can be!
Some of the goals I’d work on include:
More opportunities to earn bonus credit, as done with APSC 100,
More access to design teams for first years through workshops and training sessions, particularly for those of us with limited technical experience,
Interviews, group study sessions, and anonymous questionnaires to hear what you have to say about your courses and academic experience so far.
I love hanging around the ESC, so pop by and say hi sometime! You can also check me out on my campaign account on Instagram, @ani4academicrep. Thank you for considering me and I hope to meet you all soon.
Oliver Clouston
Hi PPs! My name is Oliver Clouston and I am running for the position of PP Academic Representative for the 2025-2026 school year. I am extremely thrilled to be given the opportunity to run for an elected position on the PP council and even more excited at the idea of becoming your Academic Representative. As a person who spent all three of his highschool years in the student council and as vice-president in grade 12, I am missing connecting with a large student body to make a difference. Positively shaping the lives of students and my peers has always been something I wish to do and becoming the academic representative allows me to give back to my community.
With this in mind, my goal is to connect the first year engineering student body to the academics team of UBC to the best of my abilities. This means going above and beyond in my role. Past the Beef and Pizza events, I plan on implementing multiple surveys throughout the year to collect vital data on academic complaints. I also plan to make academics an important factor when planning for PP events. And finally, I hope to work as a voice from the students to work with the academics staff on improving Canvas usability.
I have many hopes and plans for this position and with your vote, I hope to be able to be able to implement them. When you get your ballot, please vote for Oliver Clouston as your Academic Representative.
Aria Mohammadvalsamani
Hello,
My name is Aria with a long last name. I have lived in Vancouver for years and went to U-Hill, the public high school right here on the UBC campus.
As first-year aka. PP, I know many of us are feeling the pressure of the academic load and the jump from our smaller high schools to university life. I’m running for Academic Rep because I want to show everyone that you’re not alone in finding this transition tough, and more importantly, that we can turn those challenges into joy using top-tier strategies from learning research. I’ll help us apply these skills in practical ways to make our day-to-day study not just manageable but rewarding.
It’s worth mentioning that I’ve already earned 4 patches, and I’m aiming for the golden ones as well. Back in high school, I gained experience leading as Club President and Vice President of the engineering club, the biggest and most active club on campus. I’d like to bring that same energy that I have for EUS roles and organization experience to the EUS so we can minimize our number of cries per course.
At the end of the day, what I value most isn’t just your vote, it’s your trust.
Do trust.
Insta: @aridemic
Austin Liao
Social Coordinator(s)
The Social Coordinator is - as you could probably guess - responsible for social events! They strive to enhance student life and the social environment for the PPs. They sit on the EUS events committee, and meet with the social/events coordinators of Department & Ex-O clubs. Two PPs can run together and co the role.
Shayan Fazal & Abhi Maheswaran
Hey, PP fam! We're Shayan and Abhi, two first-year students who met on imagine day and now, we imagine creating the best first year for every one of you out there. We understand how daunting the first year can be, but also how much fun it can be if you’ve got the right community around you. We can help with that. Our strategy? Plan events that are more than just check-the-box socials — ones that actually get people talking, laughing, and feeling like they belong. From hyped-up nights to cozy study breaks, we want to make sure there’s something for everyone.
Our motto: no PP left behind. Whether you’re loud, quiet, sporty, artsy, or just here for the free pizza, we want to create spaces where you can show up as yourself and leave with a smile.
We’ll bring the energy, the memes, and yes — the responsibility too (because these events don’t just plan themselves). Vote for us if you’re ready to make this year unforgettable, one event at a time.
Laila Shetty
Hi! I’m Laila, and I’m a proud PP! I hope you will give me the opportunity to make your first year in UBC Engineering as fun as it can be by voting for me as PP Social Coordinator. Sometimes, after being stuck in your room studying for hours on end, with no grass to touch, you may long for social interaction. You are forced to study from the sidelines as people from other faculties hang out with each other, because let’s face it, Arts has half the amount of work we have and Sauder kids just eat crayons. Those from other faculties simply don’t understand our pain. This is where I want to help you. I’ve seen the diverse personalities from our cohort and our fun-loving energy. I want to plan events to bring all of us together. Now I know that sounds slightly idealistic of me, but at my high school, I managed to host a book trivia competition that somehow had a great turnout, even if some of the people barely read. I think that given the fact that I could bring in people who weren’t even knowledgeable about the subject of the event together, I’ll be able to find some ways to bring us together as well. If you have any questions, ideas, or just want to talk, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram (@laila_for_ppsoco). I hope that you keep me in mind when you are voting for PP Social Coordinator!
Mel Edgell
Hey PPs! My name is Mel and I am so excited to be running for PP Social Coordinator! I will plan the events that you guys ACTUALLY want to show up for. First year eng comes with a heavy course load, and that work can sometimes feel like it’s leeching all the joy out of university. With me as social coordinator, we can plan events to make first year FUN. This year would be full of barbecues, study & snacks nights, sports days, karaoke nights, brunches, parties, and so much more. To plan the best events possible, I also want to hear from YOU! One of the things I would implement is an event suggestion form. This way, I can hear all of your amazing ideas and bring them to life!
I have 7 years of event planning experience, and have held presidential roles for the past 5 years. I am very familiar with the event planning process, and have all the necessary skills to plan incredible events for you. I am organized, detail-oriented, and hard-working, and I will put in the effort to plan all sorts of events, making sure that there is something for everyone.
I am here for YOU! It is so important to me that everyone, no matter what you’re interested in, can find something they enjoy. If you’re looking for fun, engaging, and well-planned events that will give you a much-needed break from our insane workload, vote Mel Edgell for Social Coordinator!
Aryan Mehta
Hi, I’m Aryan Mehta, and I’m running for Social Coordinator of the PP Council. First year engineering can feel like running a machine at max capacity: long labs, endless problem sets, and a caffeine input/output ratio that violates conservation of energy. That’s where I come in to help balance the equation with events that keep us connected, recharged, and laughing.
As Social Coordinator, I’ll engineer socials that are more than just study breaks. Think of them as stress-relief valves: from casual hangouts and game nights to big events where the only thing we calculate is how much fun we’re having. I have years of experience in organizing teams, clubs, events and sports before, making me ready to handle logistics while still making sure the vibe is right.
Why vote for me? Because I believe engineering isn’t just about surviving, it’s about thriving together. The formulas and deadlines will come and go, but the friendships, memories, and inside jokes we create will last way longer than a midterm grade.
So, if you want a year filled with more than just textbooks and torque problems, a year of connection, laughter, and some really good engineering puns — vote Aryan Mehta for Social Coordinator.
Let’s set a standard first-year engineers will look up to; we’ll turn every lecture, lab, and lounge into a memory worth bragging about!
Join the journey and follow along on Instagram @aryan4ppsoco_eus
Arshia Sorourian
Hey y'all, I’m Arshia. I am looking to go into aerospace engineering and am running to be YOUR social coordinator. A little about me, I love aviation and am currently working to get my pilot's license. I also love fishing and exploring BC’s beautiful creeks and coasts. If I’m not in class, I’m probably flying, fishing or fly fishing. If fishing has taught me anything, it's how to party. As a result, I am dedicated to working my butt off to bring YOU the most fun you can have in your first year of engineering. If you like BBQ, white girl music and RED spirit: Vote Arshia for Social Coordinator
Ethan Hu & Patrick Li
Hello everyone! Our names are Patrick and Ethan, and we are running to be your PP Council Social Coordinators.
Long gone are the days where engineers are stuck in their dorm for days on end, because we are making a promise to you to host events that you won’t want to miss! However, WE are not your Social Coordinators, YOU are your own social coordinator. Our promise to you is that your ideas are our ideas. As long as you tell us what you want, our goal is to make sure that it happens.
The reason we run for this position is to be able to play a part in making your days a little bit better. With our experience in event planning, we’ll guarantee that your first year in engineering will be filled with memories that last a lifetime. If you’re looking for the specifics, check out our Instagram @eepy_socos!
We want to make sure that you feel welcome in UBC Engineering. But don’t take our word for it. Come out and see for yourself!
Sports & Charity rep
Sports & Charity Rep oversees sports and charity events and services, from coordinating PP UBC REC and EUS interdepartmental teams to coordinating PP involvement in EUS charity events like Blood Drives or Movember.
Sabin Nowak
Hi everyone! My name is Sabin, and I am so excited to be running for the position of PP Sports and Charity Rep.
All throughout high school, I’ve held key roles in a student council organization. Last year, I was a council chair, responsible for planning many events for 150 students, including an overnight camp trip, as well as running weekly meetings with the council body, conducting group interviews, and responding to many parent emails. I tell you this to show that I am quite familiar, comfortable, and experienced in a student council environment.
But why did I choose to run for Sports and Charity specifically? I am someone who absolutely loves sports. I am very competitive, and have played sports all throughout my life, dedicating countless hours to training and competing. I have history with basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, ultimate, track and field, cross country, and spikeball. I know what it takes to put together a winning team, and if elected, I will be dedicated to forming the best PP REC and EUS interdepartmental teams as possible from the raw athletic talent us engineers have.
I also have a strong passion for charity; one that I hope to make contagious amongst all PP’s! I can’t wait to coordinate PP involvement in charity initiatives such as the Blood Drive, Movember, and more!
So, if you want the best intramural teams and charity events, vote Sabin Nowak for PP Sports and Charity Rep!
Gabriel Kulikauskas
Hey there PPs! My name is Gabriel Integrity Kulikauskas, that’s right, integrity is literally my middle name, and I am pleased to say that I am running to be your PP Council Sports and Charity Representative this winter!
Coming from a yurt (tent-ish structure) on a farm in Ontario I’ve been loving the BC horizons and getting involved with the EUS. I love trees, raccoons, music, and obviously, engineering!
Why me: Sports have played a major role throughout my life, from playing hockey and soccer as a little kid to becoming a gold-medalist wrestler and a provincial competitor for biathlon; I have been exposed to, and loved, a vast selection of sports. As for charity, I can say much the same. From winning a CN Tower stair climb for charity as a kid to participating in two Relays for Life and a 10k charity run this last year, it’s safe to say I’ve been involved. I have also collected over 450 volunteer hours with the YMCA, a worldwide charity and youth organization, where believe it or not, I also helped run sports events. I was primarily involved with water activities with the YMCA as I later became a lifeguard and swim instructor, though I was also Cross Country and Ultimate Frisbee captain in high school. This year I am hoping to do lots of skating, snowboard, and get more involved with sailboat racing so I can impress my grandfather when I go back to sailing at his club next summer.
Vantage Rep
Our Vantage Reps focus on the academic and social interests of Vantage One Engineering students. They’re responsible for getting Vantage students engaged & involved with PP Council (and the EUS!)
Christopher Rodas Castillo
Hello fellow Vantage engineers, my name is Christopher Rodas, and I am running to be your next EUS Vantage Representative.
As international students, we bring incredible diversity and a global perspective to UBC Engineering. However, navigating a new university while trying to connect with the wider campus community can be a challenge. My mission is to serve as your dedicated bridge to the EUS, ensuring every Vantage student feels supported, informed, and fully integrated.
To achieve this, I have a clear, two-part plan. First, I will launch the "Vantage Monthly Digest & Study Hall." This will be a simple monthly message highlighting the most crucial EUS events and deadlines, cutting through the noise so you never miss an opportunity. This digest will be followed by organized group study sessions, creating a consistent space for us to collaborate and succeed academically together.
Second, to build lasting social connections, I will work with the EUS to establish an "EUS Buddy Program." This initiative will pair Vantage students with experienced upper-year mentors who can be a friendly guide at large events, answer questions about engineering life, and make our entire community feel more welcoming.
With my previous experience, I have the skills and passion to turn these plans into reality. I am ready to be your advocate and your voice. Let’s build a more connected community, together.
Gam Inthoong
Hey friends! I’m Gam, and I’m so excited to be running for Vantage Representative this year. Being part of the Vantage program has been such a unique experience. It’s full of new opportunities, challenges, and adjustments, but also an amazing chance to grow and connect with people from all over the world. I know how important it is to feel supported and included, and that’s exactly what I want to bring to this role.
As Vantage Rep, I’ll work to make sure our perspectives are always represented in the Engineering Undergraduate Society. I want Vantage students to feel like an important part of UBC Engineering, not just within our program but across the whole community. My focus is on creating opportunities for us to connect—whether through events, collaborations, or just simple ways to bring people together. I also want to listen to your ideas, concerns, and feedback, and make sure they’re heard where it matters.
Most of all, I want to make this year a memorable one for all of us. The Vantage program is full of diverse, talented, and inspiring students, and I believe our voices deserve to be celebrated. If you choose me as your rep, I’ll do my best to support you, represent you, and help make Vantage feel like home.
Social Media & Graphics Reps
Social Media and Graphics reps are responsible for promotion and communication regarding all events and services of the PP Council - they maintain the PP Council Instagram and other socials, create posters, and make the PP Slipstick (yearbook) pages. Two PPs can run together and co the role.
Sophia Bamforth
How would you feel about missing out on engineering events and only realizing it after? Well you don’t have to worry! Ditch the FOMO because with Sophia Bamforth as your Social Media and Graphics Representative you’ll never miss out on any events. In my background, I’ve managed two high school affiliated instagrams for two years, so I am ready to take on the responsibility of managing. I definitely find joy in graphic design and hope to apply this to creating fun reels and posts, in addition to the PP Slipstick (yearbook). My hobbies also include sports like wrestling and listening to A LOT of music. My plan is to create a widespread platform of advertising where all events would get posted on their respective social media accounts, in addition to posters with up to date information that are always in the same location. My advertisements would not only be informative, but visually interesting and entertaining. So remember, when you see Social Media and Graphics rep vote Sophia Bamforth.
Markus Wong
Hi everyone! I'm running for the Social Media and Graphics position because I've always had a passion for design and art. Growing up, I always enjoyed watching Ghibli movies more than live-action ones because they simply felt more artistic. Within the past few years, I also loved the revolutions made in animated films, specifically in Arcane and Spiderverse, where every frame is a wallpaper. I've gradually learned that visual mediums are powerful in communicating thoughts and emotions and that has led me to pursue different visual interests independently. If you want to see some of my work, message me @markusww! But ultimately, what will I be able to bring to the council? I pledge to bring you all the most up-to-date news to everyone, whether it be through our social media or through posters. I'll also create the most entertaining videos and clips to showcase what our faculty has to offer! Do you want to do a goofy tiktok trend? Just let me know and I'll be there to coordinate it! Thanks for reading!
Gianna Pe
Hello PPs! I’m Gianna Pe, and I am so so excited to be running for your Social Media and Graphics Rep this year! I believe that eye-catching visuals & clear, effective communication is key to bringing the PP council’s affairs to fruition, and that is exactly what I am hoping to contribute this year.
As your PP Social Media and Graphics Rep, I will:
Keep the PP social media pages organized and up-to-date
Collaborate with fellow PP council members to post the most banger reels & visually-appealing posts possible
Make sure all first-year events & services are promoted clearly and effectively, making important info accessible and easy to find
Design the most majestic, tasteful PP slipstick pages
Build PP school spirit, one post at a time :)
I’ve gained some strong graphic design experience as the layout captain of my high school’s magazine, conveying information visually and working under very tight deadlines. I hope to continue honing these skills, and I’m confident that I can use them to contribute meaningfully to the PP council’s operations.
I would be so honoured if you could vote for me, and I promise to represent and connect the first-year community through the PP council’s social media accounts and advertising campaigns!
Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for the money! This means recording all expenditures by PP Council, maintaining the PP Council budget, copying and submitting receipts to the EUS VP Finance, and keeping PP Council up to date with its financial status.
Will Cuddihy
Hey everyone, I’m Will, and I am running to be the PP Council Treasurer this year. Just like you, I paid my $52.19 in EUS fees, and just like you, I want to see that it gets used right.
So why should you vote for me? It’s simple: I’m the guy who is willing to walk an hour to avoid spending $3.50 on the bus. I’m the guy who eats lunch at 3:00 some days so I can get into the cafeteria twice and only pay once. I’m the guy who rides his bike to A&W so that his friend saves a few bucks on delivery fees. If you want someone who will stretch the PP Council’s $4000 as far as it can be stretched, I’m the guy you want.
I have 3 years of experience as a bookkeeper and I am a skilled spreadsheeter, but most importantly, I am willing to be an advocate for your wallets; not just at PP Council, but in the EUS as a whole. How am I going to be held to this promise? I will ensure that this year’s budget and meeting minutes are accessible via a brand-new PP Council website. We live in the digital age - it just makes sense.
I’m just as invested in this as every other PP, because it’s my money too. Help the PP Council do more with your $52.19 by voting for Will.
Irene Ko
Hi! My name is Irene, and I am so excited to be running for PP Council Treasurer!
If elected, my top priority will be ensuring our finances are managed responsibly, transparently, and in a way that maximizes the experience of all first-year engineers. One of the biggest challenges I’ve noticed for first years is the number of surprise costs on top of already high tuition. That’s why it’s so important to me to be honest and intentional with our spending. I am dedicated in making the best first year for everyone while still staying on budget.
For every PP Council event, from food to activities to games, none of it is possiblewithout clear budgeting. I am not only prepared for this responsibility, but I also believe I’m the best person to take it on.
Ultimately, being Treasurer isn’t just about numbers or spreadsheets, it’s about trust. You deserve someone detail-oriented, accountable, and fully committed to making your first year experience the best it can be. I would be honored to serve in this role and ensure our finances are managed with integrity and care.
Vote Irene Ko for PP Council Treasurer!
Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for internal affairs; room bookings for meetings, taking and submitting PP Council minutes, and keeping PP policy up-to-date.
Nicholas Mathias
Hi, I'm Nicholas, and I'm excited to serve as your PP Secretary. Throughout my time volunteering, I've discovered my passion lies in helping others and keeping things organized, which makes the secretary role a perfect fit for my skills and interests.
I bring substantial experience to this position, having logged over 2000 hours of volunteer work and held multiple leadership roles within different organizations. My background includes 4 years of secretary experience, 6 years in manager positions. This diverse leadership experience has taught me how organizations function effectively and how crucial good communication is to success.
You'll always find me prepared—I carry a pen everywhere and keep at least two notebooks on hand because I believe being detail-oriented and thorough is essential for excellent service. I take notes seriously and understand that effective record-keeping is the backbone of any successful organization.
What excites me most about this opportunity is implementing real improvements that benefit our entire class. I have three key goals: maintaining a clean, organized PP room that serves as an effective workspace for everyone; making volunteering opportunities more accessible so more students can get involved in meaningful service; and strengthening communication between our first-year council and the broader class to ensure everyone's voice is heard.
I'm committed to making sure our council runs smoothly and that every student feels connected and informed. I believe my experience, organizational skills, and genuine enthusiasm for helping others make me the right choice for PP Secretary.
Isaac Leung
Hi everyone!
plz vote for me 🙏🙏
(I’m also well versed with many secretarial digital platforms (i.e. google, microsoft 365 canva, notion), and I’ve note-taken in official capacities multiple times prior, but that’s boring)
Anyways here’s some tips I thought I’d share:
Fun Tip 1: when exporting a file to your note taking app, use the print preview to display multiple slides / pages per pdf page. This helps online notes be easier to scroll through :)
Fun Tip 2: when using the reminders app on Apple devices, set a specified time (even for hw / study reminders) to make it give you a notification on your Home Screen
Tony Xu
“A good secretary does what you tell them to do. A great secretary doesn’t need to be asked.” - Donna Paulsen or the greatest legal secretary probably.
I believe that your PP Council deserves its Donna. Committed to serving you, I am pushing for the release of ALL internal affairs of the council so that you do not stay in the dark. In the light, you’ll be able to judge the results of your vote and really understand what happens from within. Speaking of within, the clubroom shouldn’t be just used every now and then. It should be a party room used by all, all the time.
While I’m not as talented as they great and powerful Donna Paulsen, who I am, is Tony! Although I may not have been directly involved in secretarial roles, what I do have is 4 years of experience managing, coordinating, and executing decisions across 4 different clubs.
Possessing this experience, I have an understanding and direct experience with many of the other PP Council roles, managing finance, planning projects, and keeping good relations iwth the public. So not only will I be fulfilling the role of a secretary, I will also connect the members and ensure smooth operations within the council. I will personally enforce the actions of the council into serving you.
Instead of filling in minutes, I’ll be filling you in minute by minute.
Choose Tony to serve as your Secretary.
Choose SecreTony.
Elections Timeline
Nominations Open: September 9th @ 6:00pm
Nominations Close: September 19th @5:30pm
All Candidate’s Meeting: September 19th @ 6:00pm
Voting Opens: September 24th @ 12:01pm
Voting Closes: September 30th @ 11:59pm
Results Announced: October 1st @ TBD
The Legend of the PPs
So why are First Years called PPs? Although we don’t know for sure, we have a pretty good guess that reached us in a form of The Legend of the PPs.
Back in the day, when the old Cheeze Factory was the gathering place of UBC engineers, all decisions of the society were made during weekly tEUSday meetings. Departments spoke in alphabetical order, and to keep first years in the last spot, they were referred to as ZZs. First years obviously thought that it was unfair, but could not do much about it for some time.
However, these meetings operated in a somewhat democratic way, which meant that votes were won by whoever was the loudest. One day, enough ZZs rallied together and passed a motion to rename themselves AAs. This left upper years quite upset, so they banded together and passed a motion declaring that tEUSday meetings would be held in reverse alphabetical order. This carried on back and forth until it was decided that the first years could be called whatever they wanted. Somehow, this ended in the name PP, which stuck.
Today, the president of PP Council sits on the EUS Council, meaning they have a vote on the EUS Council. Although there is no official policy regarding the order of speaking, PPs present their updates after all department clubs.