Flavour of the Month: Violet
We asked Kelli Kadokawa, our Manager of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, for her favourite flavour!
What is your favourite flavour and why?
One of my favorite flavours is violet. I’ve known and loved this flavour through Choward’s Violet Mints since I was little. My dad would buy these all the time – there would always be a partially eaten roll of Violet’s in the car, on the counter, in the junk drawer. When I got older, my dad would send some in his care packages. Now my kids bring them home for me whenever they see them.
How long have you worked in LFS and what is your role?
I started my role as Manager, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, in early June, so it’s only been a couple of months. I work with an amazing team supporting our graduate students and postdocs in their LFS trajectory – from application to graduation and everything in between. I’m keen to dig in to projects like graduate student onboarding, streamlining how we track student progression, and optimal funding allocation.
How has your experience working at UBC over the past 13 years influenced your work and perspective within LFS?
Great question. I spent the last 11 years in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies where I had the fortune of doing a variety of different things, from reviewing theses and dissertations and advising prospective and current students, to providing resources for graduate programs to optimally support their graduate students. Even though I’m still very new to the team with lots to learn, I’m grateful to be able to bring this breadth of experience to the role. In my career at UBC, I kind of grew up within the graduate education landscape and one of my main priorities has always been graduate student wellbeing and success. I appreciate the different lenses through which I am able to support the graduate education community.
What is your most enjoyable part of your role?
There’s a tie between the more direct support I’m able to provide our graduate students and the connections I’ve been making with all of my new colleagues. Honestly, feeling helpful at the end of the day is very fulfilling.
What is the highlight of working in the LFS?
I am so fortunate to have fallen into such a supportive, collaborative and inspiring group of colleagues who share similar goals. I look forward to coming to work each day!
Do you have some top tips for prospective students considering applying to a graduate or postdoctoral program?
I encourage prospective graduate students to do their homework before applying. Why UBC? Why LFS? Why this particular program? Establish fit with the program, and if that can’t be done, it’s okay to look elsewhere. Read up on what faculty members are working on. Ask current graduate students and postdocs what it’s like to work with their supervisors and colleagues. Be specific and compelling when reaching out to potential supervisors. Consider the cost of living in Vancouver. There are ways to make it work, but it’s good to have realistic expectations sooner rather than later.
And finally, where on campus, is your go-to place to eat and/or place to relax?
Oh this is a hard one because I have several go-to places! I’m a sucker for Triple O and The Deli but my new fave is, Firehouse Subs, which is dangerously close to my office. I can relax almost anywhere, but I have to say the Nitobe Japanese Garden is unparalleled in its beauty and tranquility.