Office of Student Academic Services

shannon.sterling@sauder.ubc.ca

As the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs, I am responsible for the vision, leadership, and strategic planning for the operation of the BCom and DAP programs and related student services. My role also includes acting as the liaison between students and the faculty. OSAS administers all matters concerning academic programs, study abroad and exchange programs, personal and academic advising, scholarships, and graduation. Please make a point of becoming familiar with our staff and services. We are here to assist you in any way we can!

craig.kingsep@sauder.ubc.ca

In my role I'm responsible for the strategic oversight of the systems and processes that sustain the operation of the Undergraduate Office and administration of its programs. This includes curriculum change implementation, course and exam scheduling, enrolment management, and service delivery. As an alumnus of UBC, I'm thankful for the many opportunities and benefits from my undergraduate education. I'm committed to enhancing and expanding the ways in which our team can support students in achieving their own rewarding and transformative learning experiences.

gabriela.aragay@sauder.ubc.ca

604.822.9424

I work with UBC Sauder students in the design of their educational plan based on their life goals, abilities, and aspirations while helping them interpret policies and procedures as they apply to their programs. Being a lifelong learner, I help them identify and improve their study habits and time management skills to enhance their academic performance. I also evaluate and make strategic recommendations for areas of improvement in student advising services while working closely with Commerce Peer Advisors. I have an M.Ed. in Adult Learning and Education, a B.Arch from ITESM, and over 15 years of experience in the field of education.

visha.thamboo@sauder.ubc.ca

Pronouns: She/her

My role as Associate Director, Student Engagement and Development is to focus on orientation planning and transitioning BCom students to UBC Sauder. I also strive to build programming that fosters student leadership and involvement, both in and outside of the classroom. I graduated from UBC with a BA in International Relations in 2016, where I loved creating meaningful experiences and interactions for my peers through Orientations, Residence Life, the Student Leadership Conference and student clubs. I loved it so much that I decided to make a career out of it! With my experience of hosting small intimate events, to large-scale Orientations, I hope to help you re-imagine your degree and push you to make the most of your time here at UBC Sauder. 

naoki.yamane@sauder.ubc.ca

ale.vega@sauder.ubc.ca

amanda.gallen@sauder.ubc.ca

amber.chow@sauder.ubc.ca

berry.lau@sauder.ubc.ca

emma.copping@sauder.ubc.ca

gabriela.delgado@sauder.ubc.ca

ingrid.mas@sauder.ubc.ca

zhishu.wang@sauder.ubc.ca

sheila.dsouza@sauder.ubc.ca

I work with students to help them understand academic requirements, university policy and procedures and what kind of university resources are available to them. Equally important, though, is the collaborative work I do with students in exploring opportunities for personal and academic growth and in identifying strategies for capitalizing on their university experience. Before I joined UBC, I was an instructor and also had roles in education management. I have a BA in Political Science from SFU, an MA in East Asian Studies from Sogang University in Seoul and an MSc in Japanese Studies from the University of Oxford.

abril.castillo@sauder.ubc.ca

My role as an academic advisor is to help students with course planning and degree requirements. My goal is to be able to connect while helping them understand the BCOM program requirements, university policies and procedures as well as provide information about UBC resources available for them. I’ve started my career in the education field in Mexico and continued it here in Canada. I have an MSc from the UPM in Spain and a BSc from the ITTG in Mexico.

ann.gilray@sauder.ubc.ca

I support UBC Sauder students in their participation in international programs; from the early stages of promotion through to transferring credits post-experience, and everything in between. I have traveled extensively and know first-hand the many amazing benefits of international exposure and studying abroad. I am also responsible for entrance and continuing student awards.

galina.garkova@sauder.ubc.ca

With over 10 years of experience in academic advising and a background in supporting international students, I am passionate about fostering student success. In my role as an academic advisor, I help students navigate the academic system by clarifying degree requirements, course selection, and university policies, while connecting them to campus resources when needed. I guide students to make informed decisions, set goals, develop strategic plans, solve problems, and explore options—all to ensure they feel supported and motivated throughout their academic journey. I hold a BA in Leadership from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law from Queen’s University.

jamie.tooze@sauder.ubc.ca

I have enjoyed advising international students since I first worked as a graduate school advisor and management trainer in Tokyo, Japan in 2001. I joined the UBC Sauder Undergraduate Office in 2005 and have strived to help each individual student reach their academic goals. I graduated from UBC in 1996 with a BA in International Relations and a Minor in History. After UBC, I completed my graduate studies in the Asia Pacific Management Cooperative Program at Capilano University.

jessica.pilfold@sauder.ubc.ca

As an academic advisor, my goal is to support you in achieving your personal and academic goals during your time at UBC Sauder, and help you navigate your program requirements and UBC policies and procedures. Before joining the OSAS team, I spent a year teaching academic and self-management skills to students at academic risk, and worked in student engagement and development for 5 years focusing on orientation and transition, student groups, and co-curricular activities. I hold an MSc in Chemistry from UBC Okanagan and an MEd in Student Development and Student Services in Higher Education from the University of Toronto.

katelyn.huang@sauder.ubc.ca

As an academic advisor at UBC Sauder, I prioritize supporting students in navigating their studies and exploring options for personal and academic growth by connecting them to various resources. Before joining UBC, I worked at several higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. I hold an MSc in Human Resource Management from Cardiff University and an MEd in Higher Education from UBC.

kirsten.decle@sauder.ubc.ca

As an Academic Advisor, I provide holistic support to Sauder students throughout their time at UBC. I connect with students where they are at; to help navigate university policy, to explore options, to make good decisions, and to develop academic plans which align with their goals. I work closely with students interested in international exchange throughout the application process, and remain a point of contact during their time abroad and return. Everyone's academic journey is different and my role is to guide and empower our students to achieve success by being informed and supported.

ruth.kwok@sauder.ubc.ca

My role as an academic advisor is to support you in your journey from the time you enter the BCom program to graduation. An alumna of UBC and with several years of experience in undergraduate student advising, student development, and education management, I can assist you with navigating policies, interpreting degree requirements, and connecting you to campus resources supporting your academic, personal, and professional goals.

wally.mitchell@sauder.ubc.ca

I have worked in the field of student recruitment and advising for many years, joining UBC Sauder in 2007 as an Academic Advisor and Recruiter for the BCom program. My career has been spent both in Canada and Australia, starting my career managing the Sociocultural Program for the UBC English Language Institute and also working as a study abroad and exchange advisor at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. I hold a BSc from the Faculty of Agriculture at UBC and a graduate degree in International Relations from Macquarie University.

zeynep.altintop@sauder.ubc.ca

My role is to support BCom, DAP, and RHL graduate students to ensure a seamless transition to UBC Sauder, helping them kickstart and flourish within their own academic journey. Before taking on this role, I was an Academic Advisor at OSAS and worked as Student Information Support and Academic Advisor at the UBC School of Kinesiology. I hold a BKIN and MEd in Higher Education from UBC.

Lauren leads the Imagine Day Orientation program, Student Experience Grants, and a variety of other events throughout the year to support students in their journey at UBC Sauder. She graduated from UBC Sauder in 2015 with her BCom degree, specializing in Marketing, and has worked in the faculty in various event planning and student engagement roles since. She cares deeply about the students in this school and is passionate about creating a culture in which every student feels like they belong.  

My role as Indigenous Student Engagement Advisor is to support Indigenous Sauder students through creating programming that builds community and uplifts Indigenous students' personal and professional development. Before joining the OSAS team, I was the Program Manager for the Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA at Simon Fraser University. I graduated from UBC Sauder with a BComm Specializing in Marketing and a Concentration in Sustainability and Social Impact.

My name is Hammond (they/them – but feel free to use whatever pronouns). I am a UBC alumni, I completed my BA in Psychology and recently completed my Diploma in Adult Learning and Education. I have worked at UBC in various roles supporting undergraduate research programs, Work Learn, recruitment, and orientations. Most recently I worked at Go Global supporting students going on exchange and managing the Global Ambassadors program.