Rawan A.

Bilingual (Arabic/English) programme support and coordination professional with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Law and Society from the University of British Columbia, and three years of frontline support to refugee and newcomer students resettled through the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program. Experienced in individual case support, referral coordination with institutional and community partners, orientation design and facilitation, and documentation of participation and outcomes. Combines this with four years of team supervision, budget and inventory oversight, and operations coordination in high-pressure, deadline-driven settings.

Motivated by the rights of refugee and displaced children and seeking to contribute to humanitarian programme coordination, planning and reporting.

Front Store Supervisor at Shoppers Drug Mart (2024-01 – Present)

• Supervise daily front-store operations and lead a team of cashiers and merchandisers, allocating tasks and adjusting coverage in response to fluctuating demand.
• Manage cash deposits, opening and closing procedures and inventory systems, holding accountability for the accuracy of financial and stock records.
• Train and onboard new staff on operating procedures, service standards and compliance requirements, improving team consistency.
• Resolve escalated customer and operational issues under time pressure, applying company policy consistently and documenting outcomes.
• Implement corporate policies and merchandising standards across the front store, monitoring compliance and correcting deviations.

Sales Associate at Old Navy (2023-01 – 2024-01)

• Delivered customer service in a high-volume retail environment, supporting smooth daily operations through peak trading periods.
• Supported inventory control and stock accuracy, and maintained consistent presentation standards across the sales floor.

Restaurant Manager at Saray Turkish Cuisine (2021-01 – 2023-01)

• Managed daily operations of a full-service restaurant, including staff scheduling, service coordination and workflow planning across front- and back-of-house teams.
• Supervised and supported staff through high-demand service periods, adapting plans and reallocating resources as conditions changed.
• Planned and delivered private events end to end — engagement parties, birthdays and school functions — coordinating client requirements, logistics, timelines and budgets.
• Oversaw inventory, supplier ordering and financial tracking, monitoring costs against anticipated volumes.
• Trained new staff and upheld consistent service and hygiene standards.
• Resolved customer concerns professionally, protecting service quality and repeat custom.

Student Staff & Peer Mentor at World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Student Refugee Program (2021-01 – 2023-01)

• Provided one-to-one and group mentorship to refugee and newcomer students resettled through the WUSC Student Refugee Program, supporting academic, social and personal transition throughout their first year in Canada.
• Assessed individual settlement needs and supported students to secure housing, register for provincial health coverage, open bank accounts and complete government documentation, accompanying them to appointments where required.
• Served as an Arabic–English language bridge for Arabic-speaking students in interactions with college staff, service providers and government offices.
• Established and maintained referral pathways to campus counselling, academic advising and tutoring, and to external community and settlement organizations, following up to confirm students accessed the support identified.
• Designed and facilitated orientation sessions covering academic expectations, campus systems, student rights and daily life in Canada for each incoming cohort.
• Coordinated and promoted student events and scholarship initiatives, increasing participation and engagement among sponsored students and the wider student body.
• Maintained confidential student records and case notes in line with privacy requirements, and tracked participation data to inform programme planning for subsequent intakes.
• Collaborated with college staff, faculty and the WUSC Local Committee to identify service gaps and strengthen the delivery of student support services.
• Supported the onboarding of incoming peer mentors, sharing practices for culturally responsive support to newly arrived students.

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Major), Law and Society (Minor) – University of British Columbia (2025-01)