The SOCA Black Student Support Centre (BSSC) staff are hired staff support that helps SOCA carry out our initiatives, and is a resource available for Black students on campus. The SOCA BSSC staff carries out services of the new SOCA Black Student Support Centre. As we return to in-person activities, Araba and Marie will be available at the SOCA lounge, in Room 1430 of the Student Union Building. Make sure to swing by and say hello, and feel free to ask them any questions!
Contact Email: bssc.coord@sfss.ca (Araba) or bssc.asst@sfss.ca (Marie)
SOCA BSSC Phone: +1 (778) 782-7750
Hours Available: Monday - Thursday: 10:00am - 5:30pm | Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm
Support also available through this Job Request / Support form. You can fill this for support related to space bookings, vendor requests, promotions, and more!
Contact Email: bssc.coord@sfss.ca (Araba) or bssc.asst@sfss.ca (Marie)
SOCA BSSC Phone: +1 (778) 782-7750
Hours Available: Monday - Thursday: 10:00am - 5:30pm | Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm
Support also available through this Job Request / Support form. You can fill this for support related to space bookings, vendor requests, promotions, and more!
Get to know the staff by reading some fun facts and the coordinator's biography below!
See job description (coordinator) and job description (assistant)
See SOPs.
Aicha Araba Etrew - SOCA BSSC COORDINATOR
fun factsName: Aicha Araba Etrew
Role: Staff Support - SOCA Black Student Support Centre (SOCA BSSC) Coordinator Educational Background: BA political Science with Sociology, MA International Affairs, MA Communication Country of Birth / Background: Ghana / Political Science, International Security, Communications and Advocacy Hobbies: Soccer, Gaming Favourite Phrase(s): “I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me.”; “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart.”– Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Philosophy: There is no such thing as failure instead an experience for growth and excellence. Favourite Food(s): None Preferred Social Media Contacts (if any): Twitter - @ara_by, Instagram – ara_by, Facebook – Araba Etrew-Boahene Contact SOCA BSSC Assistant, Marie Alemi at bssc.coord@sfss.ca |
|
biography
Ms. Etrew is a political scientist, gender, and human rights advocate with several years of experience and skills in policy research analysis and advocacy, negotiations, development programming, communication, monitoring and evaluation. She has worked in the academia as well as in domestic and international development sectors on issues of good governance, sustainable development, social inclusion, gender equality and human rights.
Ms. Etrew holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Political Science with Sociology, Master of Art in International Affairs both from the University of Ghana, and a Master of Art in Communication from Simon Fraser University, Canada.
Born and raised in Ghana, Ms. Etrew, started her career in the West African country where she supported marginalized and underprivileged groups and communities to influence governance policies to meet their needs. Her work on elections, and gender mainstreaming programmes assisted women to be elected and appointed into the local governance system in districts such as Ada East, Atwima Mponua and Wenchi in Ghana. Her passion for community services informed her work in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Ghana. Here as part of the WaterAid Ghana team, she worked on different projects such the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) to sanitation, institutionalized theatre for change and effective / adequate WASH service delivery at WaterAid, as well as provided technical assistance to mainstream gender in WASH services and access for rural and urban poor. Her work on gender mainstreaming programs also positioned her to lead the strategy development for the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Education programme at WaterAid Ghana.
Ms. Etrew is family oriented and is married with two children (a daughter and a son). Her ultimate goal as an African is to create a space in a world where her children and persons that identify as Black will no longer feel threatened by the system. Therefore, her mantra, “There is no resting until the safety, security, physical and mental growth of younger Black generation and generations yet to be born can be guaranteed – I live for my community.”
Ms. Etrew holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Political Science with Sociology, Master of Art in International Affairs both from the University of Ghana, and a Master of Art in Communication from Simon Fraser University, Canada.
Born and raised in Ghana, Ms. Etrew, started her career in the West African country where she supported marginalized and underprivileged groups and communities to influence governance policies to meet their needs. Her work on elections, and gender mainstreaming programmes assisted women to be elected and appointed into the local governance system in districts such as Ada East, Atwima Mponua and Wenchi in Ghana. Her passion for community services informed her work in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Ghana. Here as part of the WaterAid Ghana team, she worked on different projects such the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) to sanitation, institutionalized theatre for change and effective / adequate WASH service delivery at WaterAid, as well as provided technical assistance to mainstream gender in WASH services and access for rural and urban poor. Her work on gender mainstreaming programs also positioned her to lead the strategy development for the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Education programme at WaterAid Ghana.
Ms. Etrew is family oriented and is married with two children (a daughter and a son). Her ultimate goal as an African is to create a space in a world where her children and persons that identify as Black will no longer feel threatened by the system. Therefore, her mantra, “There is no resting until the safety, security, physical and mental growth of younger Black generation and generations yet to be born can be guaranteed – I live for my community.”
Marie Alemi - SOCA BSSC Assistant
|
Name: Marie Alemi
Role: Staff Support - Black Student Support Centre (BSSC) Assistant Coordinator Educational Background: Bachelor Degree in Sociology, UBC Country of Birth / Background: Khartoum, Sudan Hobbies: Reading, Listening to Music & Podcast, Working out, Exploring Nature, Visiting Museums & Art Galleries Favourite Phrase(s): "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you." Dr. Seuss Philosophy: "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, our greates fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that frightens us". Favourite Food(s): Salata Aswad Preferred Social Media Contacts (if any): Facebook - Marie Alemi, IG - @mariesmiless Contact SOCA BSSC Assistant, Marie Alemi at bssc.asst@sfss.ca |
|
biography
Marie is a designated assistant for the Black Student Support Centre at Simon Fraser Student Society. She was born in Khartoum, Sudan and has lived in Geneva, Switzerland for 15 years. At 18, Marie decided to pursue her bachelor's degree in Sociology at the University of British Columbia. After completing her degree this past May 2022, she has been able to use her knowledge and skills to help foster community alongside the Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry. Marie has had a number of volunteer experiences since high school including mentoring asylum seeking children with the Red Cross Federation to becoming UBC's VP Marketing for the African Awareness Initiative and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. Along other school initiatives, she previously worked for UBC's Sexual Violence Prevention Office as a social media coordinator and completed one term with UBC's Alma Mater Society.
Marie devotes her interests in humanitarianism, diversity, equity and inclusion to her parents who have now retired from their positions at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In her spare time she likes to volunteer, explore nature, workout, read, listen to music and podcasts.
Marie devotes her interests in humanitarianism, diversity, equity and inclusion to her parents who have now retired from their positions at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In her spare time she likes to volunteer, explore nature, workout, read, listen to music and podcasts.