SHCS Retirements: Spring/Summer 2026

“After 45 remarkable years, today we celebrate Anand as he begins his retirement. His impact on our organization goes far beyond his work—his dedication, wisdom, and kindness have shaped our culture and touched so many lives.

“Anand has been more than a colleague; he has been a mentor, a friend, and a steady presence through the years. We are incredibly grateful for all he has shared with us.

“As he moves on to this next chapter, we wish him every happiness and success. Congratulations, Anand—you will always be part of our story.”

— Steven Tseng, Residence Dining Manager, Food Services

“Shannan is retiring after 20 remarkable years with UBC.  Shannan started her UBC career as a bookstore assistant in 2006 at the UBC Health Sciences bookshop.  Originally located in the Vancouver General Hospital site, the former Health Sciences Bookshop was integrated into the larger bookstore on Point Grey campus in 2008 and Shannan continued her role in the main store location.  In 2014, Shannan moved into bookstore accounting and became a valuable asset (yes, that was an accounting pun) in the cash office. 

“Known for her amazing t-shirt collection and love of Star Trek (all generations), Shannan has been a vibrant and valued member of the bookstore team.  While she will be missed by the many colleagues she’s worked with over the years, Shannan and her husband, Jason, have exciting adventures ahead.  They are eager to return to the Maritimes and spend time with family and friends on the “other coast”.  Exploring new interests & hobbies and travelling will be the priority moving forward.  Please join me in wishing Shannan a happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement.  Thank you, Shannan, for 20 years of dedication and hard work and the wonderful spirit you brought to the bookstore every day!”

— Margaret Tough, Finance Director, SHCS

“After more than 42 dedicated years at UBC Bookstore, we bid a fond farewell to Ashifa Sarai.  Joining us as a rush cashier in August 1983, Ashifa has been the vibrant spark within our team – evolving from her early days at the registers to expertly managing accounts and keeping our team’s spirit alive as our lead social coordinator.  Beyond her formal roles, Ashifa is deeply respected for her wealth of knowledge; she is always the first to offer a helping hand and goes above and beyond to mentor and support her colleagues.

“While we will miss her energy and expertise, Ashifa is ready for new adventures! Her retirement kicks off with a family wedding in Punta Cana this June, followed by the joy of her son’s big Indian wedding in September. Between traveling and keeping active with her extended family, she is looking forward to a well-deserved change of pace (and hopefully some future grandchildren!).”

— Margaret Tough, Finance Director, SHCS

“Randy has been a steady and consistent presence throughout his 24 years with UBC SHCS. Since beginning his time at UBC in 2002, Randy has seen the department through its many iterations, changes, and crises. Over the course of this long and dedicated career, he has served as a source of joy and a steady hand. Always ready with a joke (of varying levels of quality), Randy is joyful, kind, and deeply dedicated not only to the people we serve, but also to his staff team, who do the tireless work of keeping our spaces maintained and clean.

“Randy has played an instrumental role within UBC Student Housing, helping to keep the helm steady and spirits light as we navigated seasonal highs and challenging circumstances. We have been incredibly fortunate to have Randy as our social glue and consistent champion over the course of his 24 years.

“Outside of work, Randy is an avid and accomplished pickleball player and a devoted football fan—two passions he is always eager to share with colleagues and teammates. As he enters this next exciting chapter, we wish him good weather, great friends, and open courts to enjoy his well‑earned retirement.”

— Lyndon Duncan, Senior Manager, Building Services

“It’s hard to believe that someone who looks like they’re only 30 could already be celebrating such a remarkable milestone—but here we are! Over the past three decades, you have built not only a career, but a legacy of passion, care, and dedication that your colleagues deeply admire.

“From your early days at the Bus Stop, IRC, Barn, Subway, Steamies, and Espresso to Go, to becoming a familiar and valued presence at Caffe Perugia since it opened in 2005, your contributions have left a lasting mark across UBC. You’ve been known not just for your hard work, but for the warmth and enthusiasm you bring to everything you do.

“Beyond work, it’s been a joy getting to know the person behind the role. Whether it’s your love for stylish purses (with a special nod to Christian Lacroix—sorry, Kurt!), your passion for travel—especially your memorable trip to Japan with your lifelong friend—or your downtime spent enjoying Hong Kong dramas and karaoke, you bring vibrancy and joy to all aspects of life.

“Most importantly, you’ve built a beautiful life with your husband Kurt of 30 years and your daughters, Nanette and Kirsten. That’s something truly special to celebrate alongside your professional achievements.

“Teresa, thank you for everything you’ve given over the years. You will be greatly missed, but we’re so excited for all the adventures retirement will bring you.

“Wishing you happiness, relaxation, and plenty of time for travel, shopping, and karaoke!”

— Jody Ropas, Retail Operations Manager, Food Services

“Betty is retiring after an incredible 35 years with UBC Food Services. She began her journey in the residence bake shop and, over the years, worked in nearly every area of Food Services. While we could list countless locations Betty has been part of, we believe Starbucks and Booster Juice may be the only places that didn’t get the pleasure of working with her.

“Known for always speaking her mind, Betty also built strong and lasting rapport with faculty, staff, and students alike. When Mercante first opened, Betty worked as a sales attendant and quickly became a familiar and welcoming presence for international students—joking with them, making them feel at home, and turning Mercante into a place they wanted to return to again and again. Many students made Mercante their regular lunch and dinner spot not only for the great food, but for the chance to chat with Betty.

“Twelve years later, Betty returned to Mercante as a supervisor, continuing to provide the same warm, family-style customer service that students and staff have come to know and love.

“As she begins her well-deserved retirement, Betty is looking forward to spending more time with her family and cheering on the BC Lions.

“Congratulations, Betty, on 35 remarkable years of dedication, connection, and care. You will be truly missed!”

— Jody Ropas, Retail Operations Manager, Food Services

“After nearly 15 years of dedicated service, Cissy will be retiring from UBC SHCS Food Services on May 31, 2026. Since joining the team on September 7, 2011, Cissy has been a valued Retail Food Services Sales Associate, known for her warm smile, dependable work ethic, and genuine care for students, staff, and guests across campus.

“Cissy’s commitment to excellence and her steady presence have made her a beloved member of the UBC Food Services community. Whether assisting customers, mentoring new colleagues, or lending a hand wherever needed, she brought a spirit of kindness and teamwork to everything she did.

“As Cissy moves into this exciting new chapter of retirement, we thank her for her many contributions and years of service. She leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, warmth, and friendship — and she’ll be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of working alongside her.

“Congratulations, Cissy, on your well-earned retirement!”

— Connie Lay, Retail Operations Manager, Food Services

“I had the pleasure of working with Ian for several years at The Point, from September 2021 until March 2024, when we unfortunately had to close the business. During his time with us, Ian was a valued member of the team whose hard work, dedication, and experience made a meaningful contribution to the day-to-day operations and overall success of the business.

“As Ian begins his retirement, we want to sincerely thank him for everything he brought to The Point over the years. We wish him all the very best in this next chapter and hope retirement brings him plenty of time to relax, enjoy himself, and pursue the things he loves most.”

— Levi Semadeni, General Manager, Catering and Restaurants