Shiva Bakhtiary is a 4th year undergraduate student who transferred from Douglas College to Simon Fraser University to complete a double major in psychology and sociology. She emigrated from Iran when she was 9 years old and is one of the few women in her family who has had the opportunity to receive a rich education experience. At Douglas College, she was a Student Ambassador where she led campus events such as Campus Tours, Information Sessions and New Student Orientations. Her love for children and their social well-being has driven her to volunteer in many local organizations providing counselling and peer support for troubled youth in Vancouver. She is currently volunteering as a liaison for Kids Help Phone Canada where she carries out awareness presentations across schools in the lower mainland to discuss delicate but powerful topics such as peer bullying and youth suicide prevention. Besides community service, Shiva also enjoys nature and writing poetry.

Through a semester in Dialogue, Shiva is excited to discover the capacity of her own abilities and to begin new initiatives in transformational leadership. With this opportunity, she hopes to succeed in spreading the awareness of youth focused issues and how the community can tackle the challenges through implementing program such as peer support and youth suicide prevention workshops.

Heather Balch was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia and is currently living in Port Coquitlam. She is a charming and vibrant person who is interested in many different things. After studying at a couple post-secondary institutions and switching between majors, Heather is now in her final undergraduate semester graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Geography at Simon Fraser University. Heather’s passions lie in fashion, hair styling, make up, and geography and she is currently working at Suki’s Hair Salon. Heather is interested in how she can intersect her passions with her educational training and is exploring ways of doing so. She is intrigued with Green Circle which is a conservation company that recycles every aspect of a hair salon and does their part in environmental stewardship. Heather hopes to one day become a sustainability consultant for corporations that interconnect with her passions. Heather has also developed an interest in property and social housing concerns in British Columbia and is exploring this at an academic level. In the future, Heather hopes to travel the world, specifically to South East Asia, and is excited to see where that may take her.

Loryn R. Blower is a Métis Indigenous rights activist who approaches the world with a curious mind and motive to pose real solutions to complicated social issues. Loryn is pursuing a dynamic degree in Environmental Geography at SFU. This has opened up avenues to explore her many interests in social and environmental justice such as; Indigenous rights, public health policy, and queer justice. Loryn observes the crucial intersection between environmental issues and Indigenous justice and knows that in order to achieve enduring social change in both realms, we must collectively challenge damaging stereotypes through active educational campaigns.

Loryn recently sat as a council member for the First Nations Student Association (FNSA) working to promote Indigenous awareness at SFU. She has also recently started working as a Treasurer and a Director for the Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG), a non profit society that works within an anti-oppression framework and utilizes consensus decision making. Additionally, she has worked as a Peer Mentor at SFU, and as an Indigenous Student Ambassador for SFU Recruitment. Both positions have reinforced for Loryn the value of healthy and supportive community development within academic institutions. Both insightful and considerate, Loryn is steadily learning that promoting justice for marginalized individuals can be achieved through education, dialogue and perseverance.

Being a fourth year Kinesiology student, Margaret Chang has a great interest in the function of the human body and the health concerns related. She hopes to one day be a pediatric physiotherapist where she can rehabilitate children with physical disabilities. Through a semester in Dialogue, Margaret hopes to increase her understanding on BC’s current situation in order to apply her passion to the community. She is eager to learn how to effectively promote physical health and nutrition to the public to halt the increasing risk of current diseases. Presently, Margaret is lifeguard and a swimming instructor at the Jewish Community Centre. On top of that, she volunteers at the SFU Physiotherapy Clinic where she treats athletes’ injuries and assists physiotherapists. She is also the student trainer for the SFU varsity softball team. Outside of student life, Margaret enjoys immersing herself in a variety of different hobbies. Some of these include baking, singing, playing volleyball, sewing, and jewellery making. Margaret is a well-rounded, independent and creative person who wishes to make her passion, creating healthier people, a reality.

Georgia Clayton is a fun-spirited, charismatic and enthusiastic character. She is currently a fourth year student at Simon Fraser University and is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Gender, Sexuality and Women Studies (GSWS). In the near future, Georgia aspires to be a high school teacher and guidance councilor. She enjoys working with people in all walks of life and is constantly searching for ways to be part of positive change in our society. She is an active player in the community working as a peer educator in Sex Education through a program run by Vancouver Coastal Health called Condomania. Georgia is also very keen on feminist ideals and is involved in a number of outreach programs and anti-violence work through organizations such as Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW). This summer her latest ambition is to work with young children as a day camp leader. She is incredibly excited about this program and is curious about the ways in which dialogue can facilitate social change in our community.

Kelsey is a Vancouver born and raised third year psychology student. She is an explorer of diverse academic interests, having begun her studies in accounting, and meandered through fine arts and general arts before settling with psychology. She also has professional experience from her work at a bank during a year off from university. Kelsey’s exploration of her academic and career path is ongoing; she is hoping to gain more clarity in this regard through her participation in the Semester in Dialogue.

While her parents are “practical people”, Kelsey’s decision-making process is an evolving one, in which emotion and irrationality play a recognized role. Kelsey has plenty of gumption, and is drawn to life experiments. For example, she trained for and completed a marathon, though she has no particular interest or identification with athleticism. Similarly, she decided to be a serious party girl for several months, in order to see what it was like, though she doesn’t enjoy clubbing. Kelsey has a harmonious nature: while most would regard a daily commute from Kitsilano to SFU taxing, she takes it in stride, and even enjoys it, using the personal time for dreaming and relaxation.

Kelsey is a deeply religious person, placing her relationship with God centrally in her life. She tries to be both intentional and implicit in her relationship with God, participating in a cell group within her church which explores the Christianity’s charismatic teachings. Kelsey aspires to connect everything she does with God’s will.

Transferring to SFU from Trinity Western University after a devastating knee injury ended her elite soccer career; Chantal Esperanza underwent an identity crisis as she re-evaluated her life without soccer. Taking a break to reconsider what matters most, Chantal bought a plane ticket and headed to Cordoba, Argentina for what she would later consider to be her most life-changing experience. Working at a drop in center with at risk youth who were targets of discriminatory practices by authorities; Chantal experienced things that she could have never imagined possible. Despite the tragic circumstances that these kids were in, Chantal believes it was here that she learned the true meaning of hope, celebration and strength. Moving away from the view of “what can others do to me”, into the view of “what can I do for others”, she has now dedicated her life to social justice and continues to express an attitude of gratitude each and every day. Graduating with a B.A in International Studies, Chantal is of Filipino and French-Canadian decent something that she strongly considers impacts the way in which she sees the world. A compassionate, thoughtful and deeply engaged young woman, Chantal is most concerned with issues of food security, sustainable energy resources, and environmental justice, just to name a few. An Eco-Feminist at heart, she feels most grounded in nature.

Eager and dynamic, Jeannette Friesen is pursuing an Honours degree in International Studies and a Minor in Sociology with a specialization in Comparative World Politics, Culture and Society.  Jennie has also completed two co-op terms, one with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and another volunteering with the Solidarity Movement in Bolivia.  During her travels, she has developed a strong sense of social responsibility and a passion for diverse cultures.  Jennie has taken an innovative self-reflective approach to social change, exploring the ways in which she can recreate the world around through her own choices.  She is an authentic and optimistic voice during dialogue sessions, inspiring many creative conversations about the possibilities for our future. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the issues she encounters, she excels at taking a solution-based approach to social change. By participating in dialogue, Jennie hopes to learn more about collaboration, community engagement, and how to create safe spaces to discuss complex social issues.

Vibrant and expressive, Rohini Grover is befittingly pursuing a Major in Communications and a Minor in Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. Her warmth and optimism is highly contagious, and soon after meeting her you will understand the true strength of a smile. Although small in stature, when Rohini walks into a space her presence makes an impact.  As an international student from New Delhi, India, Rohini brings a fresh perspective and an informed awareness to the broad spectrum of topics discussed in the dialogue program on Social Change. Recognizing her humble background she feels a responsibility to use her education in dialogue and writing to bring voice to women in India who do not have access to the same privileges. While volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society she has also cultivated an appreciation for life and a wise understanding of how hope is perhaps the most effective element to overcoming our most overwhelming issues, both personally and internationally. Although she divides most of her time between classes, volunteering and work, Rohini still takes time out for herself to cuddle up with a chai tea and a good book.

We would all like to be Nicky Grunfeld, but only she can be. Possessing a drive for adventure and the strength to withstand life’s frustrations, Nicky performs as a star does—brightly and steadfastly. Being both a farmer and an explorer, Nicky is a walking contradiction; thus she is uniquely capable to challenge those frustratingly ubiquitous moments of contradiction in life, when paralysis is easier than action.

Deeply tied to the land, Nicky loves putting her hands to the soil and making things grow. She runs youth programs to share this passion with young ones, and to teach what she has learned over the years. She is currently conducting a self-directed study in Land and Food Systems at UBC, and has worked as a beekeeper and on farms far into the past.

But while Nicky is deeply connected to her roots in plant growth, she, like the bees, endeavours to discover fresh bloomings. In younger days this explorer spent years near Montreal, in Eastern Canada, and as far afield as Prague, Romania, Israel, Abu Dhabi, India and Nepal among others. Today, intellectually and practically speaking, Nicky is interested in the possibilities for people to come together and interact in public spaces, and for communities to grow and build the world they inhabit.

She seeks to empower the initiatives of local communities, and this summer Nicky will be working with the project ‘City Commons’ to help new, meaningful public spaces get built.

Oh how you should be glad
If you’re to meet a heighty lad
Lukáš Hyrman (pronounced Lou-Kash)
Bespectacled with a light haired ‘stache

He meets the world with curious cheer
To bounce a thought or lend an ear
A great challenge, it seems to he
Is communication, its difficulty
But stories hold the vital key
To share them ‘cross the mighty sea
Or gaining insight from history

He journeyed Europe, tramped for days on end
Hopping trains and finding friends
Czech’s wooded landscape by foot he goes
A pint, a fish, a quick repose

On education, he cannot see
How it is a commodity
It should be open, if you choose
A right for all (what is this ruse?)

Who knows what’s next for dashing Lu,
Might build a boat and sail it too
And fill it up with books piled high
To go explore with such a guy
As with Lukas, sea to shore
Oh, life would never be a bore

Savanna Jones Martin is on the verge of graduating from Simon Fraser University with an undergraduate degree in International Studies and a minor in Legal Studies. Within these studies she has focused her interests towards the examination of the global political economy, economic development and the environmental and social impacts related thereto. Additionally, she has been intrigued by issues related to the enforcement of the criminal law and its intersection with international and domestic human rights standards.

Savanna has studied music, design and art history at l’Accademia Italiana in Florence, Italy, as well as international law at L’Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) in Paris, France. These experiences abroad have bridged the gap between Savanna’s academic interests and her love of languages, art and music.

Savanna is a classically trained vocalist with a passion for Jazz, Blues, and Bossa Nova styles. Music allows Savanna to experience the pleasure of being truly present in the moment and of finding centeredness.

She is fluent in English, French and Italian and is working on learning Portuguese and Spanish, and hopes to one day speak Mandarin. She is a warm, welcoming and well-versed individual who is eager to act in ways that bring social change that is effective and tangible, not simply idealistic. Fostering global relationships, full cultural immersion and volunteering to promote women’s health are some of her many interests.

Izzy Kim is a fourth-year Communication major interested in architecture and urban planning. She was born and raised in the Lower Mainland with her younger brother. Her father works for the City of Vancouver and often discusses political issues and current events with her, which stemmed part of her interest in social change.

Izzy works at a café on Commercial Drive and considers her self a people person who loves to strike up conversations with strangers, especially on the Drive. She previously volunteered for a number of groups in her high school, was a member of the Cross Country team and still enjoys running. Izzy is a fan of Stephen Colbert and John Stewart, who is on her list of people to meet before she dies. She has a lot of respect for their factually-based commentary and that they are good public speakers.

Izzy applied for the Semester in Dialogue with the interest in learning more about social change in BC and becoming empowered. “I know I can make a difference,” Izzy says, “I’m just not sure how yet.” She wants to learn what she can do to make a change around her by starting in small steps, and working toward a bigger goal.

Maayan Kreitzman is partaking in the Semester in Dialogue course at Simon Fraser University to explore the topic of social change with the interest of pursuing further education in communicating science to policy makers to create change. Having returned last August after spending four years in Israel volunteering in an agricultural community and then completing her masters in bioinformatics, she has since been working at the BC Cancer Agency in the research labs. Her work involves writing and using computer programs that analyze biological data, such as genome, protein, and RNA sequences, to understand and use the knowledge derived from the large amounts of data.

In her free time, Maayan can be found knitting, biking, reading and gardening. She enjoys exploring the foundational needs of good soil and the many benefits of compost. While completing her bachelors of science at UBC in plant biology, she was involved in the farm on campus, and continues to have a garden wherever she lives. Maayan also volunteers at Co-op Radio where she has transitioned from being an active listener to cohosting morning programs. Radio is her favourite communication medium.

After growing up in Vancouver, Shelley Lai moved to Victoria for four years--an experience that shaped her appreciation for both the vibrancy and diversity of city life, but also the simplicity and serenity of small-town living. It was in Victoria that her political consciousness was borne, through many hours reading the weekend Globe & Mail and listening to CBC Radio, but mostly through personal interactions that made her realize the profound personal impact that politics had on people’s lives.

Upon returning to her hometown, Shelley enrolled in political science classes at Langara College, which provided her with a strong foundation of political knowledge while also instilling a strong sense of civic responsibility and a passion to create a better world. Now, as a fourth-year communication major at SFU, she is interested in using communication and media to educate and engage youth in politics to shape a better world.

Shelley was drawn to the combination of the Undergraduate Semester in Dialogue program and the Leading Social Change in BC - Innovation and Transformational Leadership course for their emphasis on civic participation and the opportunity to develop dialogue skills as a tool for effecting positive social change. Shelley enjoys exploring city neighborhoods and photographing street scenes. She also has a passion for creative writing and journalism, and continues to write and blog in her spare time.

Umme Mansorry is an undergraduate student finishing her degree in Psychology with a minor in Counseling and Human Development at Simon Fraser University. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career as a marriage counselor or as a social worker. She has a passion for helping others and through this she wants to create dialogue between couples and potentially play a role in saving marriages. She was born in London, England but is currently living in Richmond, B.C. Umme is presently employed at Future Gate Ltd., where she works with international students and helps them get settled in Canada by assisting them with university applications and creating training manuals. She is active in the Muslim community in leadership positions in terms of planning events, activism, and Islamic education. She has many interests which include multiculturalism and building bridges between cultures, and wants to help create spaces for communication and understanding across different backgrounds. She also is interested in environmental sustainability and wants to help raise awareness to citizens on ways they can practice conservation everyday in practical ways. These passions of hers are truly displayed in her personality and her upbeat nature. She enjoys spending her free time reading and her favourite book is Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood.

Accomplished and multitalented Vancouverite Monica Miller is a writer, editor, social media communicator, and print and web designer. After graduating with honours from Langara College's Publishing Program in August 2007, she completed SFU's Writing & Publishing Program with a certificate in editing.

Monica has been doing web design and blogging since 2001, teaching herself everything she knows. She started her own blog in 2008 as a personal creative writing space, while providing entertainment for other bloggers and making new friends. An avid reader, writer, and journalist, she reviews books and films, writes about city events and travel, and contributes to SFU’s student newspaper, The Peak.

Currently, Monica works as a freelancer, providing web and graphic design, social media marketing and consulting, website management, and writing, editing, and publicity for small businesses. She also still contracts with Rebus Creative, where she worked full-time for three years on projects such as The Word On The Street Vancouver and The BC Book Prizes.

Monica’s passion for arts, culture, and social change drew her to SFU’s Undergraduate Semester in Dialogue Program and the topic of Leading Social Change in BC - Innovation and Transformational Leadership.

Equipped with enough optimism to span two life times, Mariza Phillips is a force to be reckoned with. While Mariza is completing her last year of her undergraduate career in Communications, she considers herself a life-enthusiast. When she is not at school, you may find her at a local music event, her favorite yoga studio or snowboarding on Whistler Blackcomb mountain-which she considers her home away from home.

Mariza remains deeply involved in her community. In addition to being heavily involved in the local music scene of Vancouver, Mariza is frequently engaged in issues as far ranging as mental health and conventional modes of education to child soldiers. Mariza strongly attributes her commitment these issues to her own life experiences as well as the various cultural influences of her diverse heritage.

While popular culture and serving her community are frequently viewed as two disimilar activities, Mariza strongly believes that she can combine her life passions for music, politics and travel into a life-enriching project centred on social change. Though it may take time, Mariza is up for the challenge- this no surprise, since she lives by the motto: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” - Invictus. 

Menelaine Valencia is a fourth year student at SFU majoring and specializing in Fine Arts. Her goal is to be a dance and visual arts secondary teacher, where she hopes to create spaces for youth to use arts as a creative outlet to discover more about themselves and their passions. Menelaine is passionate about many forms of dance, and is continuously challenging herself to learn different styles. She is actively involved in numerous dance groups that include: SOLdiers, SFU contemporary dance program and PRAISE T.E.A.M, and is also an active member of the Christian community.  This summer Menelaine will be busy with her passion for dance by competing in the World Hip Hop International Las Vegas championships. She is excited to be apart of the Semester in Dialogue, as she looks forward to having her horizons opened to the diverse and fluid perspectives that are brought to the group and to the classroom and apply these to her own interests. Menelaine brings to the group a diverse and fascinating perspective of connecting the relationship of fine arts with social change and leadership.