“Michael not only embodies the vision and mission of UBC but elevates our workplace to new heights through his positive attitude, exceptional work ethic, and genuine care for his colleagues. Michael doesn’t just meet expectations—he consistently exceeds them.

“His collaborative spirit is evident in his immediate response to volunteer for tasks that benefit the team, such as offering to drive teammates during snowy weather or the recent transit strike, offering to switch days off to ensure a teammate’s happiness, or going the extra mile to support someone’s attendance at a special event. By taking immense pride in his work and encouraging others to do the same, Michael contributes to the overall efficiency and sustainability of the services provided by SHCS. 

“Michael has earned a reputation as a reliable and supportive colleague, and his influence extends across Residence Life and Administration. His willingness to go the extra mile for his colleagues has not only strengthened professional relationships but has also contributed to the efficiency and effectiveness of the team’s operations. Beyond his professional contributions, it is widely known throughout the department how much he cares. This sentiment is particularly evident during busy periods when he takes proactive steps to promote a positive atmosphere. His early morning baking sessions at 5 am, where he prepares treats for his colleagues, showcase his commitment to creating a supportive and uplifting work environment. This thoughtful gesture not only boosts morale but also reflects Michael’s genuine care for the wellbeing and happiness of his team.

“Michael’s impactful everyday contributions, coupled with his extraordinary dedication and collaborative spirit, make him a true champion of SHCS.”  — Natalie Tole and Alfredo Napuri

“Charlotte brings a positive, vibrant and enthusiastic energy to her daily work, our team environment and any project in which she is involved. She is highly collaborative with other team members and our many stakeholders, and her drive and determination help ensure that projects are completed on schedule and at the quality that our stakeholders and audience expect of us.

“This past year, we revamped our residence orientation, moving away from print materials delivered on move in day to a more contemporary digital orientation experience that stretches from offer acceptance to post-move-in. Charlotte was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition, producing two new major web pages—a Winter Session Residence Guide and a Year Round Residence Guide—for incoming residents, which provide valuable information and links throughout the year. Then, for incoming first year residents, we also launched a summer digital campaign (emails and social media) to send out bite-sized content to students from early in the summer through to mid-September (after move in). These projects involved a massive amount of thoughtful work by Charlotte, involving extensive co-ordination with Residence Life and collaboration within the Marcom team, plus plenty of great writing, visual asset curation and a strong understanding of the needs of our incoming residents.

“Charlotte has contributed so much to our collective work in such a short amount of time, and continues to do so. Her efforts make a big difference toward bringing the SHCS Vision to life, especially in the areas of cultivating community and enriching lives—but inspiring wellbeing isn’t too far behind.” — Mike McGhee

“Paul is an exceptional co-worker and leader. His willingness to share his knowledge and jump in to help makes him stand out. He is detail oriented, focuses on quality, and takes the time to communicate with stakeholders and residents, ensuring that everyone impacted is aware of the steps required to resolve the issue.

“There is no better example than our recent floods in Acadia Park. Paul responded to each flood, helping to address the problems with burst pipes and stopped any further impact.

“During the January arctic freeze, pipes burst in 18 units over a course of 48 hours. Paul was the first to respond to these callouts and worked over 36 hours in two days to fix the burst pipes and stop any further impact. Paul was quick, efficient, and empathetic toward resolving the issue for impacted families. He responded to each call with grace and a willingness to help. We are lucky to have a plumber like Paul on our staff.” — Kate Allan and Claudia Popa

“Ken is extremely dedicated to his work and the overall wellbeing of the Bookstore. He consistently goes well above and beyond the requirements of his job and is arguably the UBC Bookstore’s most dedicated employee. He is well known as the McGyver of the Bookstore.

“Regardless of how busy he might be (see: always), Ken still goes out of his way to take the time to listen to people’s needs and ensure that every staff member is well equipped and has everything they need—including making sure the staff have home-baked goods or fresh vegetables from his garden! He is dedicated, efficient and meticulous in his work.

“Ken has navigated significant change in recent years, adapting new technology to bookstore processes while supporting and guiding staff to deal with it and improve overall service levels along the way.

“He was instrumental in ensuring the office moves in the Bookstore happened seamlessly for all involved. He responded to each individual’s specific needs to have their workstation set up properly and in a timely manner during the busiest time of the year.

“Ken is also extremely dedicated to supporting students and customers through providing excellent service, advocating for processes that protect their needs, and ensuring that the UBC Bookstore upholds the stringent data privacy standards set forth by the university. He is solution-focused, an adept problem-solver and community-minded.” — Alexa Evely and Steve Alb