A question cuts through the quiet hum of the open-concept office of the Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub at the University of the Fraser Valley. Amrit Mahal, a recent graduate research assistant, notices problematic language on a provincial education webpage during her research — so she crosses the room to approach Dr. Martha Dow, director of CHASI, for her perspective on the issue. Within moments, others swivel their chairs closer. Jeff Mijo-Burch, CHASI’s communications and design specialist, begins pulling archived versions of the site to compare the history of edits. A small discussion huddle forms around Jeff’s computer as the team breaks down the issue and possible resolutions, and identifies partners to work alongside with for solutions. Before long, Martha is on the phone with a representative from ministry responsible for the page to help them work through the suggested updates.

Scenes like this are everyday occurrences at the Community Health and Social Innovation Hub (CHASI) — and they help explain how students like Chloe Raible discover not only what they want to study, but how they want to lead.

When Chloe first arrived at UFV, she didn’t have a fixed idea of where her degree would take her. What she did have was curiosity, a desire to make a difference, and an openness to learning — qualities that would shape her time at CHASI.

A 2024 Bachelor of Arts graduate, Raible joined CHASI as a student research assistant in just her second semester. Starting that early meant she was immersed in research methods, community engagement, and collaborative problem-solving well before encountering many of those concepts in the classroom.

“I started working at CHASI quite early on in my degree, which meant I needed, and received, a significant amount of mentorship,” Raible says.

CHASI’s open-concept workspace is intentionally designed to encourage collaboration, but it also creates space for student leadership. Students and recent graduates like Amrit and Chloe are trusted to identify issues, ask hard questions, and take initiative — knowing they have the support of faculty and staff behind them. For Raible, working in that environment helped transform theory into practice while building confidence alongside skill.

Watch Chloe’s story here:

One formative project for Chloe was After the Flood: Community Response and Recovery, a 2023 study examining the challenges faced by residents following flooding in the Sumas Prairies. Raible contributed to data collection, analysis, and reporting, gaining her first hands-on experience with disaster response and recovery research.

“That project helped me realize this is an area I want to keep exploring,” she says. “It showed me how community-engaged research can lead to real impact.”

As Chloe grew in her role, she began mentoring newer student researchers — completing a full-circle journey from learner to leader. The same culture of peer support and shared responsibility that empowered Amrit also allowed Chloe to guide others through their first research experiences.

“Chloe has been with us almost from the beginning of CHASI,” says Dr. Martha Dow. “Watching her take on more responsibility and mentor other students has been incredibly rewarding. She brings integrity, compassion, and an incredible work ethic to everything she does — we often call her our Swiss Army knife.”

CHASI’s student-centred model reflects UFV’s commitment to changemaking — turning learning into meaningful action. UFV President James Mandigo describes CHASI as a living example of that vision.

“CHASI responds to community-identified needs through mentored student research and knowledge mobilization,” Mandigo says. “It’s where learning meets purpose.”

Now preparing to begin a master’s program in in Psychology at the University of Essex, Chloe credits CHASI with helping her find both her direction and her confidence.

“CHASI taught me that your path doesn’t have to be linear,” she says. “What matters is finding spaces that support your growth and help you make a difference.”

Ready to collaborate? Have a question? Interested in joining the CHASI team? Visit ufv.ca/CHASI to learn more.