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“When I first walked into Queen’s, I was like, where are my people at?” recalls Izel Villela (Applied Economics 27’). That question became the spark behind her work with the Queen’s Student Diversity Project (QSDP), where she now serves as co-president alongside Kiana Lin (Politics, Philosophy and Economics 26’). 

Both students describe QSDP as a space that uplifts the beauty of diversity and creates room for students to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. “Our goal is to make sure everyone feels welcomed,” Izel says.

Each month, QSDP hosts Diversity Connects events that highlight one culture at a time. These gatherings bring together students from different cultural backgrounds to share their culture and find community among other diverse and international students. 

Last year, the group partnered with and the  to host a salsa dancing night. Karaoke was another hit event among international students who connected by singing in multiple languages. 

“These events are about more than just activities,” Kiana explains. “They’re about building community, so no one has to feel alone.” 

The group’s biggest initiative is the annual conference, bringing together students and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds to discuss career development and leadership, and to reflect on the challenges and opportunities shaped by cultural differences. Izel and Kiana hope to grow the event this year, seeing it as a chance to show what success looks like across communities.

“For minority groups, it’s powerful to see other people who look like them thriving,” Izel says. “It shows you - I can make it. My ethnicity, my race, is not a limitation.”

QSDP also runs a podcast, which will return this year with a new focus on faculty perspectives on systemic inequalities. For the co-presidents, amplifying these voices is another way of sparking honest conversations on campus. 

QSDP’s work ties into a broader vision of sustainability by fostering strong, connected, and diverse communities on campus. By reducing inequalities and creating spaces of belonging, the group helps strengthen the fabric of Queen’s. As Kiana explains, sustainable development only happens when cultures collaborate. For her, QSDP is “a place where minority students can connect, feel safe, and fully engage in the community.” 

Looking ahead, Izel and Kiana hope more students will take part in the project’s events and initiatives. Their advice is simple: “Don’t be scared to reach out,” they say. “Because if you don’t, you’ll miss out.”