2024 LFS Undergraduate Student Leadership Award Winner: Jason Pang
| Jason Pang (he/him/his) |
| Year level: Class of 2024 |
| Program: Global Resource Systems |
April 25, 2024 – Jason Pang has held many student leadership roles in LFS, and in his senior years he was a Teaching Assistant and LFS Student Ambassador. Passionate about sustainability, he also served as AVP Sustainability with the UBC Alma Mater Society for two years.
“I am grateful to be surrounded by a community of passionate peers tackling some of our world’s most pressing challenges, such as food insecurity, animal welfare, and the climate crisis, to name a few.”
How did you leave the student community in a better position?
I was honoured to serve as the elected President of the Land and Food Systems Undergraduate Society (LFS|US) from 2021 to 2022. During my presidency amidst the pandemic, we, unfortunately, had to temporarily pause one of our flagship programs, the Wednesday Night Dinner (WND), which offered a bi-weekly affordable 3-course community dinner through the LFS|US.
Despite the discontinuation of WND, I was inspired to enhance the program by initiating a complete renovation of the kitchen. The previous space posed significant logistical challenges for student volunteers. Over the summer, I collaborated with my Senior Advisor, the LFS|US Engagement team, and the LFS Operations team to completely redesign the kitchen space. We successfully reopened WND in early 2022, and it has since continued to host numerous community dinners in the renovated space.
Additionally, I facilitated discussions with Agora Cafe to grant them access to the WND Kitchen, which has expanded its management capacity and food storage capabilities to combat food insecurity on campus. My involvement with LFS|US has provided me with a nurturing community of peers turned friends, where I have gained valuable insights into myself as a leader and the importance of advocating for others as a community steward.
What is the next step for you after graduating?
I have been accepted into the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program at the University of Toronto, which I plan to pursue upon graduation. Through my specialization in Global Resource Systems (GRS) with a focus on corporate sustainability, I have developed a robust foundation in this field that I aim to deepen through postgraduate studies. Ultimately, I aspire to work in consulting, serving as a catalyst for the private sector in areas such as net-zero agriculture, climate change, and sustainability strategy.
What is your tip for LFS students?
My most memorable experience during my undergraduate degree—and a ‘Tip for LFS students’—is to go on exchange! UBC GoGlobal offers a wide variety of global experience programs for LFS students, including studying a semester at a partner university, participating in on-location courses through Global Seminars, or representing your school in global conferences and special programs.
I was fortunate enough to exchange at the National University of Singapore, where I applied my knowledge of vertical farming and food insecurity in a completely different environment. This experience allowed me to expand my global perspective and deepen my understanding of my degree in a whole new way. In addition, I am incredibly grateful for the local friends I made and all the delicious food I ate along the way!
Tagged with: 2024, Awards, Global Resource Systems, Undergraduate