My name is Johann Sapim. I am in the final year of my undergraduate dual-degree in bio-mechanical engineering and global development studies at Queen’s university. I was originally born in France and permanently moved to Canada at the age of six. I attended a French international high school in Toronto, where I ultimately obtained my French Baccalaureate degree. Upon applying to Queen’s University, I received the Schulich Leader’s National scholarship for engineering studies. At Queen’s University, I have partaken in multiple client-based engineering projects through the context of my courses and extracurricular involvements, notably Queen’s Biomedical Innovation Team. Over the years, I have also worked as a Residence Don to mentor, support and supervise students in residence and organize events geared towards promoting academic excellence and a sense of belonging.
More recently, I have become involved in initiatives promoting equity, diversity and inclusion on my university campus. As a conference administrator on the Queen's Student Diversity Project, I was able to help organize a conference for high school students that addressed equity challenges and solutions on campus, highlighted various resources available at Queen's University, and showcased how students can engage in activism and use their voices for the betterment of their communities. As a Queen's Equity Ambassador, I deliver workshops to prospective Queen's University students and utilize my lived experiences as a BIPOC member of the campus community to support applicants from equity-seeking backgrounds through the admissions process, as well as in their transition to first-year studies.