SHCS Shoreline Cleanup 2025
On Thursday, June 5, in honour of World Oceans Day, our team spent the afternoon cleaning up trash on Wreck Beach, ultimately diverting 20.1 lbs of trash from the beach during our annual shoreline cleanup, organized by chef Hoang Nguyen in partnership with the OWC. Items included everything from cigarette butts and bottle caps to glass and plastic bags. A small step for cleaner coastlines—and a reminder to consume with care! View a photo of our shoreline cleanup crew.
Welcome back Jenny DeGelder, SHCS UBC Okanagan
We are delighted to have Jenny DeGelder return to SHCS, UBC Okanagan, as the SHCS Administrator. A multi-talented manager, Jenny began with SHCS in 2017 covering a temporary leave as a Conferences Sales and Services Manager. When that contract came to an end, Jenny briefly worked as dispatcher with Campus Security, returning to SHCS as a Conference Sales and Services Manager, and later as an Assistant Manager at the Nechako Residence Front Office. In early 2024, Jenny and her husband relocated to Vancouver Island. But to the good fortune of SHCS, Jenny and her family returned to the Okanagan earlier this year.
Feeding the Future: SHCS hosts 2025 CCUFSA National Conference
From June 23 to 26, 2025, SHCS is hosting the 2025 national conference for the Canadian College and University Food Service Association (CCUFSA). Hosted annually at a Canadian college or university, the CCUFSA National Conference brings together higher education food service leaders from across the country for events, educational speakers and panelists, a vendor trade show, a chef’s culinary challenge, one-on-one networking and more. This year’s theme is Feeding the Future, and we look forward to welcoming delegates from across the country to UBC.
SHCS Nutrition and Wellbeing 2024/25 report
SHCS Nutrition and Wellbeing recently released their 2024/25 report and plans for 2025/26. The informative and engaging report reviews 2024/25 programs and outlines 2025/26 plans, highlighting events, workshops, booths, articles and initiatives aimed at enhancing the health, wellbeing and nutrition literacy and skills of students living in residence. It also features the first staff-focused initiative, SHCS Nutrition Month Bingo, which was launched this past year in collaboration with the OWC.
2025 VPS Pancake Breakfast
On Wednesday, May 28, staff from across the Vice-President Students (VPS) portfolio—including SHCS—gathered with colleagues and friends from across the university and enjoyed delicious pancakes and smoothies, plus awesome draw prizes, at the VPS Pancake Breakfast. Hosted by Dr. Ainsley Carry, VP, Students, and Dr. Samantha Reid, AVP, Students, the morning event was held at Orchard Commons and Open Kitchen Dining Hall. Many thanks to the Food Services staff who catered the event.
WorkSafe Magazine features SHCS staff
As we reported in February and April, WorkSafeBC visited Facilities and Building Services in January to cover our team’s innovative work supporting staff and helping to reduce musculoskeletal injuries at work. Initially featured in WorkSafeBC’s March 2025 Ergonomics E-news, this story is also the spotlight feature in the summer 2025 edition of WorkSafe Magazine, which will be published in print and online soon.
Many thanks to everyone in Facilities and Building Services, Occupational Health and Safety, and UBC Ergonomics, for their role in supporting this unique story and helping to promote safer workplaces across BC.
C&A receives 2025 Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards
Congratulations to the team at Conferences and Accommodation (C&A) on receive Traveller’s Choice Awards for all three of their UBC Vancouver hotel and hostel properties: Gage Suites, West Coast Suites and Pacific Spirit Hostel. This award recognizes properties that are among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. Learn more.
2025 Food Services Apprentice Dinner
On May 28, 2025, UBC’s Culinary Apprenticeship Program celebrated another successful Apprentice Dinner, highlighting the talent and creativity of our emerging culinary professionals. Take a peek at the event and learn how this hands-on program is shaping future Red Seal chefs and strengthening UBC’s culinary team. Learn more and check out photos.
Reusable container program launches at UBC Vancouver
Through a new partnership with Friendlier, a unique Canadian reusable container company, meals and beverages served at Hero | Harvest Market (Brock) and Harvest Market (Ponderosa) will now come in reusable containers or cups. This simple swap is part of UBC Food Services’ ongoing effort to reduce single-use waste on campus. Learn more about how it works, see it in action on @ubcfoodie and watch for additional locations this fall!
Congratulations to Jillian Klassen, C&A/A&R
Congratulations to Jillian Klassen, Sports and Venue Partnerships Manager, Conferences and Accommodation (C&A) / Athletics and Recreation (A&R) and her partner Chris. At 10:22 pm on May 28, 2025, they welcomed baby boy Seth, who weighed 7lbs, 10 oz. Jillian shares that big sister “Molly is obsessed with her new little brother!” View a photo.
Growing Chefs 2025
In May 2025, Food Services’ chefs David Speight, Darren Clay, Johnny Bridge and Amanda Rehel once again volunteered with Growing Chefs, a local non-profit organization. This year was the fifth year that our chefs have volunteered with the program since 2018, and their second year at Bayview Community Elementary School in Kitsilano. This year, the team led a grade one class through activities such as planting a windowsill garden, pickling vegetables, discussing food preferences and culturally appropriate foods, and making a salad. View a photo.
New IT website in SHCS Staff Hub
SHCS Marcom and IT are pleased to announce the launch of a new IT website for SHCS staff, as part of the SHCS Staff Hub. This new site features important resources for SHCS staff on both campuses, making tech support easier and more streamlined. From setting up Outlook and mapping your department drive to restarting your VDI, you’ll find step-by-step guides for resolving many common issues. Plus, there are clear instructions on after-hours emergency support, team member profiles and more. Thank you to Leon Leung and Sam Pat in SHCS IT for their collaboration on this project. Visit the site (CWL login required).
Food Services’ Summer Sizzler with Chef Amanda Réhel
UBC summer foodie events are back! If you missed the recent Summer Sizzler, be sure to try out Chef Amanda Réhel’s recipe for Blueberry, Arugula and Fonio Salad with Spiced Cashews and Ginger Vinaigrette. Don’t miss the next event—follow @UBCfoodie or subscribe to the GoodEats Newsletter for the latest food news and events on campus.
Changes ahead at the University Centre
The Leon and Thea Koerner University Centre, home to Sage Catering, is currently undergoing a few changes. After the departure of the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, which occupied a portion of the building for many years, our Sage team now occupies most of the building—adding three more bookable spaces for meetings and events.
Starting later this fall, we will be renovating the University Centre’s upper level, a project made possible by the Peter Wall Legacy Fund. This renovation will include the patio and the old seminar room, now re-named the Wall Collaboration Centre, which will serve as a venue for members of the UBC community, Wall Fellows and Wall Research Awardees to congregate, exchange ideas and collaborate on solutions.
Congratulations to Amy Shin
Please join us in congratulating Amy Shin, from the SHCS HR team, on the birth of Rowan Junhee Shin. Rowan was born on April 6, 2025 at 2:45 am, weighing 7 lbs, 9 oz. Amy reports that big sister Charlotte is thrilled about her new role and everyone is doing very well.
Welcome Richa Kothari, Organizational Development and Learning Specialist
A warm welcome to Richa Kothari, our new Organizational Development and Learning Specialist in SHCS HR, who starts on Tuesday, May 20. Richa is a strategic organizational development and learning leader with over 15 years of global experience in learning strategy, leadership development and workforce transformation. For the last four years she has worked for Scotiabank, with a focus on learning and development. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration, Richa is also a certified Insights Discovery practitioner and a Neurolinguistic Programming practitioner. Welcome, Richa!
Session 2: Child Care workshop series with Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre
On Saturday, April 12, UBC Child Care educators presented the second session in Doing Sustainable Pedagogies in Early childhood Education, a series with UBC’s Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre (Faculty of Education). This session, for the early childhood education community, was led by Amy Young, Senior Educator, Erin Bowman, Program Manager, and Deb Thompson, Associate Director, Program Development. In the session, (re)Turning to Garbage Pedagogies: What Might Garbage Provoke and (re)Produce in Early Childhood Settings? the educators returned to a story that began as an encounter with garbage during forest walks with young children. Learn more and check out a recording of the first session, which took place in February.
Professional development opportunity at xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)
Take part in a unique professional development opportunity at xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Truth & Reconciliaction: Decolonizing Educational Praxis, offered by Ena Point, UBC Child Care, through her organization sniw̓ Consultants. The session takes place on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 9:45 am to 4:30 pm at Musqueam Golf Course. Learn more.
UBC Bookstore support for graduation: May 21–29
During UBC graduation ceremonies, the UBC Bookstore manages regalia rentals (gowns, hoods and mortarboards) for roughly 10,000 graduating students—in Vancouver, under the leadership of Ana Munoz, Operations Manager. This process includes launching the rentals web page, preparing inventory, rented from Gaspard, and overseeing the regalia pickup and return process throughout graduation.
As of the fall 2024 graduation, students now pick up regalia and line up for their procession at Brock Commons South—a distinct upgrade from the former tented location in the Buchanan building courtyard—where Ana assembles a team of 20+ staff to support the operation, starting as early as 7 am. With 90 different hoods for different degrees, supporting graduation is no simple task!
Back at the Bookstore itself, another key piece of graduation support is led by Shane Gopaulsingh, Bookstore Manager: offering a wide selection of grad merchandise, including flower bouquets, diploma frames and the ever-popular grad bears. This year, the Bookstore is also hosting an activation space outside the Bookstore, featuring games, refreshments, music and Instagram-worthy photo ops.
On the Okanagan campus, graduation takes place on June 5 and 6, and the ceremony is similarly supported by the fantastic team at the UBC Okanagan Bookstore, under the leadership of store manager, Ryan Hirowatari.
Volunteer at graduation! Volunteers are needed to support ceremonies on both campuses. Learn more and sign up to volunteer: Vancouver | Okanagan.
UBC Recreation discounts for UBC staff
In Vancouver, UBC Athletics and Recreation (A&R) will soon be opening Recreation Centre North, next to the UBC Life Building. The new centre includes an indoor walk and roll track, which will be free for staff to use. To explore the fitness centre or try out a class this summer, you can claim a free staff 5-day pass by visiting the Rec North front desk between the date Rec North opens (anticipated for June 1) and July 31. To make the process a bit quicker, activate your UBC Rec login online before you visit the Rec North desk.
This summer, A&R is also offering UBC staff a discount on a 1-year staff fitness membership—just $399 (a $140 savings on the regular price) when you buy a pass between May 1 and September 30. Purchase your pass online. Log in with your CWL and enter promo code VPSTUDENTS during the checkout process.
Plus, sign up for exclusive open house sessions in May to have a sneak peek before the Rec North opens to the public and stay updated on the when it opens.
Learn more about perks for SHCS staff.
WorkSafeBC features SHCS staff
This winter, WorkSafeBC visited SHCS to learn more about how our staff are collaborating and innovating to effectively manage the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs), in particular among staff who are required to lift heavy appliances in our student residences.
In addition to being the feature story in WorkSafeBC’s March 2025 Ergonomics E-news, WorkSafeBC’s new Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI) resource features our very own Sarah Brown—the new face of MSI prevention!—on the cover. WorkSafe is currently pursuing an additional story on this subject for the summer edition of WorkSafe Magazine.
Welcome Sarah Stark, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Please join us in welcoming Sarah Stark, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, who is joining the SHCS Marcom team at UBC Okanagan in May. Sarah got her start in marketing after earning her degree from UBC Okanagan, along with a certificate in graphic design. She has previously worked with a marketing agency, an organic farm and a resort. Outside of work, she enjoys running, hiking, yoga and spending time with her husband, friends and cat. Welcome, Sarah!
Spring deals, discounts and happenings at UBC Bookstore
From April 1 to 30, $1 coffee and tea at the Corner Store is back! Bring your own mug and enjoy this little boost in your day—with Ethical Bean coffee and Numi tea. Then, during UBC graduation, May 21–29, the Bookstore’s Grad Sale is on! Take 12% off clothing, giftware, lululemon and more. Plus, throughout graduation, visit the Grad Garden outside the Bookstore—a fun, engaging space with music, games and more. Congratulations to all the 2025 graduates!
Andy Chan featured in The Ubyssey
Andy Chan, Executive Sous Chef of Retail, Restaurants and Catering in Food Services, was recently featured in The Ubyssey, UBC’s student news publication. The article shares Andy’s journey from a high school home economics class to his two decades with UBC Food Services, and touches on Andy’s passions, values, family life, his role in opening DaBao and Hero Harvest Brock Commons South this past year, what he appreciates about working at UBC and more. Read the article.
Smile Cookies are back!
Smile Cookies are back at Tim Hortons and 100% of the proceeds from each cookie sold on campus will go to the UBC Learning Exchange. From April 28 to May 4, stop by one of our campus Tims locations to enjoy a delicious cookie and support an impactful UBC organization.
Welcome Fiona Cameron, Food Services Marketing Specialist
Please join us in welcoming Fiona Cameron, Food Services Marketing Specialist, to the SHCS Marketing and Communications team. Fiona joins us from SFU, where she oversaw digital marketing and community engagement for their Food department. Notably, while at SFU, she collaborated with Indigenous Chef, Steph Baryluk, to develop the award-winning Rooted Indigenous Food program. She has also worked for food companies such as Nature’s Path and Spud. Plus, she operates the plant-based blog Plantily. Welcome, Fiona!
UBC Bookstore launches new passport photo service
Starting April 14, the Bookstore (Vancouver store) is offering a new passport photo service for the UBC community. Located on the lower level of the Bookstore, beside the Campus Mail Desk, customers can get their passport photos taken and have them in-hand within just a few minutes. Regular price for passport photos is $21.95. From April 14 to May 3, the Bookstore is offering a 50% discount. Learn more.
Welcome Shawn Dhanda, Building Services Manager
Please join us in welcoming Shawn Dhanda, Building Services Manager, to the Facilities and Building Services team. Following Mahara Silva’s retirement, Shawn is taking on the role at Place Vanier, where he has already been working for a few months in preparation. The team is thrilled to have him on board, and his expertise will be invaluable in ensuring our spaces are maintained to the highest standards. Welcome Shawn!
C&A honours Long Service Award recipients
On March 31, Conferences and Accommodation (C&A) Vancouver held a mini-celebration for the SHCS Long Service Award recipients from C&A who were not able to attend the SHCS Awards Reception in February. The following hotel service workers were presented with awards for their years of service: Harjinder Kullar (15 years), Julie Estrada (10 years) and Cherry Badana (10 years), along with Amerita Sia (3 years). View a photo.