Welcome to the Graduate Student Society (GSS) at UBC Vancouver, the voice for over 10,000 graduate students. As President and a PhD student, I am proud to be part of this diverse and vibrant community. My journey began at a graduate student orientation where I was encouraged to join the GSS. I signed up for the Governance & Accountability Committee as a member, later became Chair, and I serve as a Councillor for my department. My experience reflects that GSS is accessible and inclusive, with many pathways for graduate students to get involved, lead, and make a meaningful impact. I encourage you to take that first step and see where it can lead.

This is an especially exciting time to be part of the GSS as we begin developing our 2027–2031 Strategic Plan. This process will shape our priorities and strengthen our support for graduate students in the years ahead. Your ideas and perspectives will play an important role in building a more responsive and forward-looking organization.

Our executive team of five graduate students, together with Council, committees, and GSS staff, supports the graduate community through financial aid, resources, advocacy, and social programs. Through this collective effort, we aim to strengthen connections among graduate students, the university, and provincial and federal partners.

If you are interested in improving graduate students’ experiences, join the GSS! For more information, please visit gss.ubc.ca. I encourage you to make the most of your time at UBC, connect with others and engage with the GSS.