Who’s Who at KPU

Get to know some of the university’s movers and shakers

Some faces are easy to find on KPU campuses, from club members to councillors to presidents. As a new student, it can be tricky to know who to go to when you’re in a pickle, but the best person to talk to is usually less than a click or call away.

Here’s who to know at KPU, whether you’re looking to join a fun new club or pick a bone with university policy.

Name: Alan Davis
Who he is: President of Kwantlen Polytechnic University
What he does: Hires and works with KPU staff, oversees university internal and external affairs, represents the institution as a whole.
Contact him if: You have anything to ask or say about KPU, although Davis will likely pass you along to a more relevant contact.
Favourite movie: Adalen ‘31
Piece of advice for new KPU students: “Teaching and learning go hand-in-hand, and someone can teach day and night, but if someone’s not open to listening, reading, engaging and doing the best they can with the teaching that’s being provided, nothing’s going to happen. It’s that students should accept that responsibility and that role in the partnership [with KPU] that they’ve signed up for.”

Name: Richard Hosein
Who he is: Policy studies student and KPIRG Administrative & Resource Coordinator
What he does: Human resources work, legal filings, financial oversight, and generally keeping KPIRG “running from an organizational business perspective.”
Contact him if: You’re a business, accounting, or human resources student interested in getting experience, or you have an interest in KPIRG’s values of social and environmental justice.
Favourite movie: Stalker
Some advice for new KPU students: “Don’t be afraid to get involved with campus life initiatives. The more you get involved, the more you can figure out what your passion is.”

Name: Argel Monte de Ramos
Who he is: Human resource management student, KPU Student Ambassador for all four campuses, New Student Orientation Leader, KSA Business Representative, executive on the Artversity club, musician, and actor.
What he does: Tours new and prospective students around campus, represents KPU with external events, works on volunteer advocacy and leadership presentations, sits on appointments committee, student life committee, finance committee, and governance committee.
Contact him if: You’re a current or future student who needs help or has suggestions and concerns regarding KPU. Monte de Ramos can help you understand “the steps you need to take and all of the requirements you need to have” to be an active KPU student, including becoming a part of Artversity.
Favourite movie: Mean Girls
Some advice for new KPU students: “Take time to discover what you really like. Students should not rush when it comes to finishing a program because you might not like it or it might be not the right path for you.”

Name: Alex McGowan
Who he is: President of the KSA and Vice-President External Affairs
What he does: Handles campaign and lobbying efforts under the KSA, engages with the community about KPU student needs, mobilizes students around relevant issues, and coordinates KSA activities.
Contact him if: You have any issues or concerns, don’t know who to contact about a topic, or want to participate in advocacy and campaigning at or around KPU.
Favourite movie: Moneyball
Some advice for new KPU students: “Stick around after class. Join a club, have a beer with a classmate, play Pokémon, just don’t go home right away.”

Name: Tanvir Singh
Who he is: Philosophy student, co-founder of the Kwantlen Gaming Guild, KPU Surrey representative, and KSA Vice-President Student Services and University Affairs.
What he does: Deals with students’ issues and university workings, advocates for open educational resources, reviews policies, and manages other goings-ons within the KSA.
Contact him if: You have issues related to your academic life and need someone to advocate to the university on your behalf.
Favourite movie: The Godfather: Part I
Some advice for new KPU students: “Take your first year easy and get involved with non-academic things like clubs and the KSA and groups on-campus.”

Name: Mairi Lester
Who she is: SFU graduate with BA in Geography and Political Science, Sustainability Coordinator for Sustainable KSA
What she does: Works with students and the KSA to become more environmentally sustainable.
Contact her if: You have ideas for eco-friendly and sustainable projects, want to learn more about sustainability, get involved with Sustainable KSA, or have unwanted products to get rid of.
Favourite movie: Benny & Joon
Some advice for new KPU students: “Take a few minutes and try to reduce the amount of waste you bring in your backpack every day. As a student, coffee at the Grassroots, if you bring your own cup, is $0.25 off!”

Name: Natasha Lopes
Who she is: Fourth year political science student with a minor in history, KSA Vice-President Student Life and Women’s Representative, and spokesperson for Women Organizing Opportunities for Women
What she does: Represents students and voices their concerns from both a student life and women’s rights advocacy perspective.
Contact her if: You have concerns about your rights as a student, student events, clubs, WOOW, or general committees.
Favourite movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Piece of advice for new KPU students: “Don’t be scared. I was very scared when I started university, even though it’s a small school. There’s no reason to, and if you’re looking for friends, join a committee.”

Name: Kimberley McMartin
Who she is: Senator on KSA council, Board Organizer for KPIRG, head of Radio-free Kwantlen and the disabilities collective
What she does: Manages the disabilities collective and Radio-free Kwantlen, leads and oversees the Kwantlen Public Interest Research Group, advocates for inclusivity on-campus, and plays a role in multiple clubs.
Contact her if: You’re interested in working with social and environmental justice at KPU, want to learn about accessibility and resources for people with disabilities, or would like to join a club.
Favourite movie: The Glass Bottom Boat
Piece of advice for new KPU students: “Get involved. Ask questions. It doesn’t matter if it’s the wrong person—somebody will know. Open your mouth and speak words.”

Name: Murdoch de Mooy
Who he is: Criminology student, president of the Kwantlen Gaming Guild, KSA Richmond campus representative
What he does: Acts as a spokesperson for the KGG, represents Richmond students, works as chair of environmental sustainability and student services, participates on KSA governance and appointments committees.
Contact him if: You want to become a member of the KGG or any other clubs on-campus, have contributions or concerns about KSA affairs, or have ideas for environmental sustainability.
Favourite movie: Equilibrium
Piece of advice for new KPU students: “Don’t think of university as a means to an end, just to get your piece of paper. Try to think of it as an experience. Experience everything you can. ”

Name: Tristan Johnston
Who he is: Journalism student and Co-ordinating editor of The Runner
What he does: Edits and writes articles for The Runner, sits on the PIPS board of directors.
Contact him if: You want to get involved with The Runner, have an idea for something that should be investigated, or are interested in becoming a writer or photographer.
Favourite movie: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Piece of advice for new KPU students: “Go on an exchange, because that’ll be like going to KPU without actually going to KPU.”