From left to right: Lena Karlström, Director of Nordic Studies, and Ashley Samsone, Nordic Studies minor
“Together and individually, Lena Karlström and Ashley Samsone embody the spirit of community-building, mutual support, and inclusive higher education in the UBC Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies (CENES).”
The 2023 CENES Excellence in Mentorship Award been conferred on a team of mentors, Lena Karlström, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Nordic Studies, and Ashley Samsone, graduating minor in Nordic Studies.
They were co-nominated by 15 students and faculty members across the CENES Department. It is fitting that an experienced colleague like Lena, who for decades has served generations of students at UBC, would team up with an ambitious and thoughtful student leader like Ashley, who has herself just been hired full-time as part of the staff leadership in CENES. Both of them lead with compassion, care and competence, and they are both respected far and wide for their accomplishments in promoting Nordic cultural studies and the humanities at UBC more broadly.
“We in CENES believe in student leadership and mentoring, just as we believe that students and early-career leaders like Ashley have a lot to teach us all,” said CENES Head, Professor David Gramling, who chaired the selection committee. “I consider both Lena and Ashley indispensable confidants in the effort to advocate for student-centred language and culture learning at UBC. I can’t imagine CENES without them.”
Testimonies from their nominators further share their willingness to create a vibrant and welcoming community.
Lena Karlström
During her time at UBC, Lena’s commitment to letting her students thrive, both academically and socially. Her commitment to her students and the Nordic program, both in and out of the classroom, is felt deeply by many within the department and students.
“Lena Karlström has been a kind presence, a model educational leader, and an immensely generous mentor to generations of students and faculty. Over the past two years, Lena's invaluable contribution to the social health of CENES has once again been on full display: After the return to regular university operations following pandemic-related restrictions in 2021, she has invested an inspiring amount of time and energy to support community members and to foster a welcoming environment.”
“Karlström has worked tirelessly to provide students with new pathways to deepened their interest in and intensify their study of the Nordic region, providing personal support and securing external funding for those interested in study abroad.”
Ashley Samsone
Though this award, initially meant for Faculty, has only been awarded twice since its inauguration, Ashley is the first student to be nominated and accepted as a recipient. As an active student leader, her work has been recognized across the Nordic program and the department.
“Ashley Samsone has become an integral part of the CENES department; there’s clearly a before Ashley and after. Even more crucial is Ashley’s role as a Nordic minor and active member of the UBC Scandinavian and Nordic Student Association (UBC SNSA). An outstanding aspect of Ashley’s mentorship is that she also guides faculty and staff at CENES to better understand the needs and wants of students.”
“Her high level of community involvement marks her as not just a notable student but as a person ardent in promoting others’ involvement in both social and academic undertakings. An upcoming event that she singlehandedly came up with the idea for, and pursued, is the visit from the bestselling author Bill Arnott. In short, we all, faculty and students alike, become better people with Ashley as our mentor.”
Congratulations, Ashley and Lena!
