Hello, my name is Akiko Ohta. I’m a Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Education. Before starting the doctoral program at SFU, I lived, studied, and worked in different parts of the world. I am passionate about making this world where anyone can make their lives following their wishes and desires and working toward becoming whom they want to become.

The summer has begun and we are here to share both good news and the sad news... As many of you may know, the programs here at SFU Surrey - TD Community Engagement Centre is filled with talented, passionate and very loving individuals. We are sad to share that Eleanor Wong, who was our Volunteer Engagement Assistant and a recent SFU graduate, has parted ways with SFU Surrey - TD CEC to pursue her path as a teacher. We had the opportunity to share a feature on Eleanor's story and her words of wisdom with volunteering.

Raching Readers has always been a highly sought out program to volunteer for. This summer, we're very fortunate to our two Racing Reader Lead Volunteers join us back! Helen, who is one of them and Japnaam, who you will get to know through this blog! Japnaam is a 2nd year student at SFU, majoring in Sociology with a minor in psychology. With the dream of becoming an elementary teacher, she has joined Racing Readers as one of our Lead Volunteers to further solidfy her passion for supporting students.