The Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies (CENES) is looking for undergraduate student colleagues to join this year’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council.
Students must have completed at least one CENES course (either in CENS, DANI, GERN, GMST, NORD, POLS, RUSS, SLAV, SWED, UKRN, and/or YDSH) to apply.
Applications will be accepted until August 19, 2025 at 4 pm.
What is the CENES Undergraduate Student Advisory Council?
CENES understands the value of cultivating community, which has been a primary focus for our department over the last number of years. Our Council members are students helping students, while being guided and supported by CENES faculty and staff. By working together, this Council is able to support the student experience as the department continues its efforts in providing opportunities in professional development, academic resources, and opportunities for students to meet peers through various CENES events.
Some endeavors of the Council that you might be familiar with include the CENES Curiosity Cluster, which supports students on their research, writing, and academic journeys. The CENES First Year Language Lesson event at Vanier has become an annual tradition wherein Council members and CENES faculty visit First-Year residence Place Vanier to meet First-Year students and offer language lessons with the aim of highlighting unique course opportunities in CENES and Arts. Encouraging students to interact with their peers, faculty, and departmental staff allows students to build connections throughout their time at UBC.
“In the CENES advisory council, your ideas are not only welcome but are encouraged, your concerns are listened to, and you are given all the tools to be successful in your position on the council and as a student.”
What can students expect of their role on the council?
CENES Advisory Council Members celebrating CENES community achievements at the 2024 Cenies.
Council members will draw on their unique perspectives to help CENES connect with current and prospective students on our diverse Majors, Minors and language programs. Students on the Council will also support initiatives that promote knowledge sharing and creating community around the CENES German, Modern European, Nordic, and Slavic and Eastern European Studies programs.
Some of the tasks Council members can expect include the following:
- Monthly Meetings: Students are expected to attend three 1-hour council meetings per term with CENES Directors of Undergraduate Study and the Undergraduate Program Assistant. Depending on projects, Council members might need to meet or communicate more frequently with their peers.
- Program Ambassadors: Students on the council will visit CENES classes to provide short presentations about CENES classes and programming. These ambassadors will be representatives of each of our programs, and can answer questions about particular CENES programs to fellow undergraduates.
- Social Media: Interested students may be asked to support the creation of social media content in consultation with CENES Staff.
- Alumni Connections: Provide ad-hoc support to CENES staff on various alumni-focused campaigns or projects
- CENES Curiosity Cluster: This student-led research cluster creates space for undergraduates interested in publishing and research to dedicate time to their projects, learn new skills, and have access to resources for academic success. Council members will coordinate meetings by connecting with partners like faculty, the UBC library, and potentially alumni.
- First Year Programming: Council members will support with the annual First Year residence event, in either Winter Term 1 or Term 2.
- CENES Events: Council members may be called upon to provide support for networking events such as CENES undergraduate mixers, Careers Night, and more.
- Student led-initiatives and ideas: Students are welcome to present their own ideas that the Council may be able to support!
Due to the nature of these tasks which require further networking with UBC staff and faculty within and outside of CENES, work on the Council will engage students to articulate their views on some of the key challenges and questions of higher education for the present and the future. We intend to engage students’ wisdom and insights, and to recognize and credit students as equals in this planning process.
“It is a great way to gain communication and advocacy skills through this council and see how you can make change as a group.”
Beyond a mere line on a resumé, experience on the CENES Undergraduate Student Council will allow students to sharpen and practice their engagement with institutional matters, organizational psychology, practical strategies in communication and marketing, and critical issues in higher education planning. There will also be ample opportunities to work alongside like-minded colleagues who have a passion for multicultural, multilingual education.
How to apply:
Please complete this brief online application form. If you have questions, please email the Undergraduate Program Assistant, Ashley Samsone, at cenes.undergrad@ubc.ca.
Applications are due by August 19, 2025 at 4:00 pm.
