Meet the Programming team
Emily Huynh
she/her/hers
Manager, Student Life and Engagement
My name is Emily and I am an uninvited guest committed to learning and decolonizing myself and my work on the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples and the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples traditional and unceded territories, having moved here from my hometown of Vancouver in 2020. I am of English, Irish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malay descent.
My role at the Office of Student Life focuses on programming for new students, as well as fostering meaningful and inclusive opportunities for student leadership and engagement on our campus. I hold a Masters in Community Psychology, and bring experience in youth work, program and curriculum development, creative facilitation, and systems change. One of my very favourite parts of my work is overseeing our Student Life Grants, where I get inspired by the passion, dedication and vision students bring to our campus!
You can reach me at studentlifemgr@uvic.ca.
Niko Mumford
they/them/theirs
Team Lead, New Student Engagement
My name is Niko, I am a white settler of primarily Scottish and Welsh ancestry, and I grew up here on the stolen lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. My identities as a queer, trans, and neurodivergent person also deeply influence the ways in which I do my work. I come to the Student Experience Team with a decade of experience in program coordination, organizing, and activist spaces, primarily within sexualized and gender-based violence prevention, social justice education, and peer to peer support. I’ve been so lucky to build my experience as an educator, facilitator, and program coordinator in multiple non-profit and community organizations over the years, including the Worker Solidarity Network, Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, and as Education Coordinator of the Anti Violence Project here at UVic. My practices are deeply informed by community-based action and education from anti-oppressive and anti-colonial lenses, and I always strive to centre collective care, mutual aid, accountability, and joy in my work and relationships.
If you would like to chat about student engagement, community building, or need resources, don’t hesitate to email me at nselead@uvic.ca.
Torry Harris
she/her/hers
Coordinator, Student Leadership
My name is Torry and I bring a comprehensive knowledge of the UVic community through my time as a former student and having worked here for almost ten years!
I grew up on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc and am grateful to have called the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən, Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples home for the past thirteen years.
My approach to leadership has been greatly informed by my core values of trust, respect, and community, experiences at UVic, and strength in relationship building. As a leader who identifies as a white settler, I am constantly working to develop my own critical awareness and continually seek opportunities to centre historically marginalized voices.
In my free time, I love listening to podcasts, doing yoga and barre classes, playing board games, trying new restaurants, and spending time outdoors with friends and family.
Hannah McElderry
she/her/hers
Communications Officer
My name is Hannah, I am a white settler of Irish and Polish descent, and I was born and raised here on the unceded territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. I am so grateful to live and learn on these lands and am committed to unlearning and decolonizing my ways of being and knowing.
I am the Communications Officer at the Office of Student Life. I work on creating content to inform and support you in your time as a UVic Student. If you have ever gotten an email from UVic Student Life or UVic Orientation, that’s me behind the scenes! I have a Bachelor of Journalism and a Masters in Science and Technology Studies, where my research focused on climate change communications. I love finding new and creative ways to tell stories and simplify information for diverse audiences. I am also grateful to be a part of the team that puts on Orientation programming – the energy and excitement at the beginning of each school year is unparalleled.
If you have suggestions for UVic Student Life communications, feel free to contact me at oslcomms@uvic.ca
Fahé Villeneuve
she/her/hers
Programs Assistant
My name is Fahé (pronounced Fa-eh) and I am a white settler of French descent who grew up in unceded Algonquin and Anishinaabe territory, colonially known as Ottawa-Gatineau. I live and work on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən, Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, for which I am grateful and always in awe of. As the Programs Assistant for the Office of Student Life, I assist with the various events and workshops put on by the office including New Student Orientation, the Student Life Grant committee and Nourish+Flourish.
I love contemporary art and design, ceramics, board games, ocean dips, paddleboarding, camping and travelling around the beautiful territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples.
You can reach me at eventassist@uvic.ca.