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. Check the PP Council Guidebook for more information on available positions!
Timeline
Nominations for the 2026/2027 PP Council will open on September 14th!
Nominations: September 14th, 12:00 AM - September 23rd, 5:00 PM
PP Council 101 (Info Session) - September 16th, 4:00 PM @ Engineering Student Centre
All Candidates Meeting - September 23rd, 6:00 PM @ Engineering Student Centre
Campaign Period - September 24th, 12:00 AM - October 2nd, 4:00 PM
Voting Period - September 28th, 12:00 AM - October 2nd, 4:00 PM
(Unofficial) Results Party - October 2nd, 5:00 PM @ Engineering Student Centre
Debates
Debates will take place TBA in the atrium of the Engineering Student Centre (ESC).
2025/2026 Outgoing Council
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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 E
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.
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.
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.
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.
Elections Timeline
Nominations Open: September 15th @ 5:00pm
Nominations Close: September 25th @6:00pm
All Candidate’s Meeting: September 25th @ 6:00pm
Campaign Period Starts: September 25th @ 12:01pm
Campaign Period Ends: October 8th @ 11:59pm
Results Announced: October 9th @ 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.
