Ashley Jang

About

June 18, 2025 – For Ashley Jang, it was those first-year jitters that kick-started her leadership involvement in LFS.

Remembering how nervous she was on Imagine Day, she decided to volunteer at the following year’s event as an Orientation Leader so that she could create a sense of community for incoming students.

“Reflecting on my first-day anxiety, I was determined to offer the same support and sense of belonging that I received. This sparked my passion for leadership. By creating connections and helping new students feel at home, I witnessed how community fosters growth and empowers students.”

Jang says that one of the most important aspects of peer support is fostering meaningful relationships and trust, so that people feel comfortable reaching out to ask questions and to build connections. COVID-19 presented extra challenges, a time when Jang served as a Senior Orientation Leader and had to prepare Orientation Leaders to welcome new students using virtual meetings. She hosted virtual socials, check-ins, and prioritized communication – and her efforts paid off.

“After Imagine Day, several leaders approached me for mentorship on leadership positions and co-op applications, reinforcing that leadership is about fostering relationships that support peers’ growth – not just executing events.”

She has also been involved in LFS ACE (Academic and Career Engagement) Team and served as the first LFS Student Recruitment Coordinator, a new year-long co-op position. It was here that Jang represented UBC to the external community and initiated creative ways to talk about LFS to high school students. 

“I launched the LFS Outreach Assistant program, providing 19 LFS students with leadership and public speaking opportunities while mentoring prospective students. Additionally, I engaged 13 faculty members in recruitment events, strengthening LFS’s reputation as a friendly and supportive faculty. Seeing prospective students return to multiple events – and later get admitted into LFS – proved that this program was making a meaningful difference.”

Top tip for becoming a leader:

My tip for building leadership skills is to be intentional about the specific skills you want to develop. While it may be tempting to improve everything at once, focus on a few key strengths to build on, weaknesses to improve, and lessons to learn within the context of your role. Once you’ve identified these elements, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of the steps needed to support your growth as a leader. It’s also important to reflect on these areas regularly to stay aligned with your goals.