Three Students Win Leadership Awards

June 25, 2025 – The LFS Undergraduate Society (LFS|US) recognizes three students with 2025 Leadership Awards for their outstanding contributions to the Faculty and university. Congratulations to Ashley Jang, Leonard Zheng and Maria Serban!

The LFS|US created this award to recognize students who have made a lasting impact on the LFS students community. For Jang, Zheng and Serban, their contributions – through both volunteer and paid roles – uplifted a range of students, including those new to UBC, deciding on a major, or inquiring about how to build their personal and professional skills.

Each winner receives a $500 gift card to the UBC Bookstore. To be recognized, students must be nominated by the members of LFS community (including staff and faculty members, fellow students or alumni), with final award recipients determined by an Awards Committee.

Ashley Jang – Applied Animal Biology

Ashley Jang’s experience in first year sparked her interest in leadership and community growth. She has been involved in Imagine Day as both an Orientation Leader and a Senior Orientation Leader. Ashley’s work on the ACE Team and as a Student Recruitment Coordinator created meaningful change to supporting LFS faculty members and building opportunities for LFS students.

Leonard Zheng – Food, Nutrition and Health

Through various student leadership roles for the LFS|US, the LFS Mentorship Program and UBC-wide sustainability initiatives, Leonard Zheng has helped to address student concerns about food insecurity and academic progress. Leonard’s experiences in a wide variety of roles taught him how to adapt, supporting his work in engaging alumni and supporting first-year UBC students at Jumpstart.

Maria Serban – Dietetics

Maria Serban channels her passion for nutrition and health as she leads the Nutrikids club. Maria works with a team of four executives and more than 90 student volunteers to deliver nutrition workshops to elementary school students. Maria also supported student-faculty collaborations through her work as an Undergraduate Academic Assistant and helped engage prospective dietetics students through mentoring in the UBC Dietetic Student Community.