As a student volunteer for UBC Giving Day this past April, Ian Caguiat saw firsthand how donor support creates lasting impact.

“I was involved with the communications that were sent out beforehand—and also a volunteer on campus during UBC Vancouver’s Giving Day,” says Ian.

“It was just really wonderful to see how everyone both on campus and off campus was giving back to the UBC community—especially to students in need of those causes, awards and bursaries.”

Being part of that effort deepened Ian’s understanding of how donors shape the student experience.

“I think the support doesn’t just create new opportunities—but makes sure the opportunities that we have right now are sustainable and continue to impact students in the best way possible,” he says.

When Ian arrived in British Columbia from the Philippines at age 14, he couldn’t have predicted just how deeply he’d embed himself into campus life at UBC. As the first in his family to attend UBC, Ian was looking for more than just a classroom education.

“I thought UBC was a good place where I could not just be learning academically, but also be exploring other opportunities on campus,” Ian explains.

Now in his final year of political science, Ian has made the most of those opportunities—becoming a key figure in the UBC student community through leadership, volunteerism and mentorship. One of the most meaningful parts of his journey has been his involvement with the UBC Student Alumni Council (SAC), where he served on the media production committee.

“Being a member of the SAC has been one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences I’ve had at UBC. As a student leader as well, because you get to be a part of a warm, inclusive, very approachable community of students,” he shared.

Beyond SAC, Ian has taken on numerous leadership roles across campus. He served as Vice President of Administration for the Alma Mater Society (AMS) and, over five years with the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS), he played a key role in launching the new Arts Student Centre in 2021. He also served as a student senator for the Faculty of Arts, welcomed new students as an Imagine Day orientation leader, and led UBC Kababayan—the Filipino student association—as president.

Ian has also built a wide range of professional experience through UBC’s Work Learn program. He has held roles as a Cultural Assistant at the English Language Institute, a Social Media Coordinator with UBC Student Housing, and an Associate Career Advisor at the UBC Career Centre. These roles, he says, gave him valuable insight into different corners of campus life and confirmed his interest in pursuing a career in higher education.

In reflecting on the generosity that supports his fellow students, Ian is grateful to have played a role in celebrating and advancing donor impact through his volunteer work. He has these words for donors: “Thank you for being a good example for us students. When it comes to donating and giving back to the community, you help students get where they aspire to be.”

That spirit of giving has left a mark on Ian. He’s already thinking about how he can give back to the UBC community as an alumnus and support causes he believes in.

“I also hope to be able to give back to the community myself the same way that donors are doing—through UBC Giving Day.”