Welcome to UBC and welcome to Jump Start! I am an Assistant Professor of Teaching in WRDS, the writing unit within the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media (JWAM). I might even teach some of you in WRDS 150 (the required research and writing course for all Arts students) in the coming academic year. I love being a part of Jump Start and can say without reservation that it is an amazing program that might be one of the best experiences of your first year. The learning communities I teach will help orient you to the expectations of university level research and writing as well as the history of the land on which you will be studying for the next four years. We will delve into topics such as the ongoing work of reconciliation and decolonization at UBC, what it means to apply disability justice principles to our classroom teaching and learning, and how we can build a diverse and inclusive university community together. As an LGBTQIA2+ instructor, my overarching goal is to ensure that every student feels connected with one another, their professors, and the university community as a whole. Oh, and to have fun! I look forward to meeting all of you soon.