- Faculty & Staff
- About
- Departments and programs
- Anthropology
- Applied Legal Studies
- Cognitive Science
- Criminology
- Economics
- English
- French
- French Cohort Program
- Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
- Gerontology
- Global Asia
- Global Humanities
- Graduate Liberal Studies
- Hellenic Studies
- History
- Indigenous Languages
- Indigenous Studies
- International Studies
- Labour Studies
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Social Data Analytics
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
- World Languages & Literatures
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
- Research
- Teaching
- News
- Community
- FASS at Surrey
- Next steps for new students (redirect)
Students
New FASS undergraduate fellowship program nurtures promising young leaders
As the spring semester draws to a close, 尤物视频's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) is proud to celebrate the successful conclusion of the first cohort of the FASS Dean's Undergraduate Fellowship鈥攁 program designed to cultivate the leadership potential of the university鈥檚 most promising students.
Announced last November, the fellowship brought together 23 students from across the arts, humanities, and social sciences鈥攅ach selected for their exceptional academic achievements, intellectual potential, and their embodiment of core humanistic values. Universities play a critical role in shaping not only the intellectual capacities of students but also their character and leadership potential. The FASS Dean鈥檚 Undergraduate Fellowship serves as a critical space for developing the next generation of leaders.
鈥淲e created this fellowship to foster leadership that is rooted in compassion, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to making a positive impact,鈥 says FASS Dean Laurel Weldon. "More importantly, we wanted to recognize our students who are not just excelling at their studies, but who are also driven by a sense of purpose and a desire to contribute meaningfully to their communities. This program gives them the opportunity to expand on those qualities.鈥
Over the past few months, the students took part in a fully-funded leadership seminar course, where they had the unique opportunity to learn from and engage with prominent civic, community, and university leaders such as SFU President Joy Johnson, BC Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender, Terry Beech (MP and Minister of Citizens' Services), Jennifer Lyle (CEO, Alzheimer Society of BC), and Jonathan Cot茅 (former mayor of New Westminster). Through thought-provoking and intimate discussions, the students learned firsthand about the speakers' personal journeys, their leadership philosophies, and their thoughts on complex social issues鈥攇aining insights that will shape both their academic and professional futures.
The feedback from the speakers was overwhelmingly positive. Many commended the students for their enthusiasm, their thoughtful questions, and their eagerness to contribute to the ongoing conversations about leadership in an increasingly complex world.
"As the Member of Parliament for this community, I鈥檓 fortunate to witness firsthand the incredible work SFU is doing. Meeting with the FASS Dean's Undergraduate Fellowship students was truly inspiring," says Terry Beech. "SFU is at the forefront of shaping the future, and the fellowship is a perfect example of how the university is empowering students to think critically, innovate, and lead with purpose. SFU is not just preparing students for academic success, but for making a real, lasting impact on the world."
Lyle echoes this sentiment, 鈥淚t鈥檚 so important to give back to the next generation of leaders and to provide opportunities for mentorship. It was a privilege to spend time with students as part of FASS Dean鈥檚 Undergraduate Fellowship initiative."
After a series of seminars throughout the semester, the program culminated in an evening of celebration at the Diamond Alumni Centre. Surrounded by friends, family, and academic mentors, the inaugural cohort of fellows were honoured for their dedication to excellence, their commitment to personal growth, and their potential to lead with purpose and integrity.
"Now more than ever, our world needs leaders who are values-driven, creative and committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable future,鈥 says SFU President Joy Johnson. 鈥淪tudents will benefit from this program for years to come, and I am grateful for FASS鈥 investment in transforming the SFU experience for students across the arts, humanities and social sciences."
The program looks forward to welcoming its next cohort of fellows this fall and continuing to provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills that will serve them well throughout their careers and beyond.
SFU is at the forefront of shaping the future, and the fellowship is a perfect example of how the university is empowering students to think critically, innovate, and lead with purpose. SFU is not just preparing students for academic success, but for making a real, lasting impact on the world.
Terry Beech, MP Burnaby North-Seymour and Minister of Citizens' Services
Photo gallery
Below are some snapshots of the first cohort of the FASS Dean's Undergraduate Fellowship during the leadership seminars throughout the semester and the celebration event recognizing their achievements.




















