Cindy Truong

About

Year	Third Year
Degree	Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics
Hometown	Vancouver, BC

From Lemon Bars to Leadership: Building Community Through Food  

Cindy is a third-year student in the Food and Resource Economics (FRE) Program who discovered her path through an unexpected combination: lemon bars at Imagine Day and a high school business course she couldn’t stop thinking about. Starting as a student in the Food, Nutrition and Health (FNH) Program, she realized she missed the business concepts from high school and transferred into FRE in her second year, a decision that aligned her passion for food with her interest in supply chains, sustainability, and operations. 

How did you first become interested in Food and Resource Economics? 

In high school, I took a business and marketing course, which made me torn between pursuing business or science, but I couldn’t see myself in any Faculty other than LFS. I had always been interested in food and cooking, even exploring becoming a chef, but I realized I was more drawn to the broader food systems side. My parents suggested nutrition as a starting point. After my first year as an FNH student, I kept thinking back to that business course and realized I really missed those concepts. That led me to discover the FRE program after taking LFS 100, and I began tailoring my courses to transfer into FRE in my second year. I am hoping to pursue future careers in analyst roles, along with anything sustainability, supply chains, and operations related. I feel that my degree will be a great foundation for my career aspirations.  

Which course and instructor have had the greatest impact on your academic experience and why?  

My favourite course has been FRE 302, which I’m taking this term. It reminded me of why I chose to pursue FRE, as the class focuses on interactive learning through team activities, projects, Kahoots, and discussions rather than traditional lectures. I felt genuinely engaged and able to apply what I am learning. My favourite instructor in LFS is Karen Taylor (FRE 302 & 306), who brings real-world examples into class and helps make course concepts practical and meaningful, all while keeping the learning environment fun and engaging. 

Can you share a challenge you experienced and how you overcame it? 

Planning my courses and switching from FNH to FRE felt overwhelming at first. I created about ten spreadsheets to organize everything and worked closely with LFS Academic Advising, who were incredibly helpful. I also found the LFS ROOTSS Canvas modules very useful, they answered many of my questions and became a go-to resource for course planning. I would highly recommend students to refer to them during their course planning, as it is a resource only LFS students have access to.  

What motivated you to get involved, and what roles have you taken on? 

During Imagine Day in my first year, Agora Café was handing out lemon bars and that left a lasting impression. Food is one of my love languages, so when I learned Agora’s mission is  to address food insecurity through low cost and free meals  it resonated with me. After volunteering, I wanted to align my experience with my interest in supply chains, which led me to  become an Inventory Manager , allowing me to apply my  classroom knowledge to an initiative that means a lot to me. 

I also became FRE Representative for LFS Undegraduate Society (LFS|US) after a peer encouraged me to apply. FRE is a small program, which made representation even more important. Additionally, my Work Learn role as Student Circulation Assistant at the library provided me valuable on-campus job experience that fit my schedule in a student-focused environment. 

What’s your favorite memory as a student leader? 

Washing dishes with the team at Agora is my most memorable experience. With music blasting, people talking about their day, and laughter all around, it reminded me about the community aspect of Agora. Being part of the team gave me a stronger sense of belonging and allowed me to connect with people I might not have met otherwise. They helped me understand how different parts of LFS work together and made me feel like an active contributor to the community rather than just a student going through classes. 

What advice would you give students looking to get involved? 

All in all: just APPLY! Join clubs and student leadership experiences early, I started at Agora in my first year, which made my transition from general volunteer to Inventory Manager feel smooth and natural. Getting involved can support your learning in the classroom and help you in your career journey. For competitive Work Learn positions, apply early, tailor your materials, and use UBC’s resources for resume and interview prep. If interviews are on a rolling basis, use that timing to your advantage. 

You received the Dean Rickey Yada Award, what does it recognize and what does it mean to you? 

The award recognizes community service, volunteerism, and leadership. All of my student leadership experience  contributed to this! Time management, discipline, organization, and dedication were important qualities, especially for balancing everything. Since first year, I was interested in different clubs and organizations within LFS, which naturally led me to leadership positions. 

It gave me confirmation to trust the process and keep doing what I’m doing, especially when I was unsure if I was heading in the right direction. Get involved and participate in opportunities that are available to you! You never know who will recognize your work and the impact it will have. 

What advice would you give for adapting to university as a commuter student and making the most of UBC resources? 

Be proactive. As a commuter student, joining clubs and attending events (like those run by LFS) is key to meeting people, even if you go alone. Since class-based friendships can fade, make an effort to stay in touch, most of my lasting friendships happened because I reached out. Your university experience is largely what you make of it, so explore on your own and use available resources. A simple start is checking your email regularly, as LFS newsletters often share valuable opportunities and support. 

How has your experience in LFS shaped your vision for your future? 

Being part of a welcoming and supportive Faculty showed me the value of community and helping others. I’ve developed a vision to pursue a career combining food systems, sustainability, and business to create practical, equitable solutions while staying connected to the local community. LFS taught me the skills I need and shaped the values I want to carry forward in my career.