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Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories – Shelly Eh

By Diana Corredor
In our Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories series, we proudly share the journeys of students who are transforming personal experience into academic and professional purpose. This edition features Shelly Eh, a fourth-year Honours Political Science student with a Minor in Refugee and Migrant Studies at Western University.

Eh’s academic path is deeply personal. During her second year, she enrolled in Anthro 2283: Refugees and the Displaced, taught by Dr. Randa Farah—an experience that reshaped her academic direction. "As someone with a refugee background, this course resonated with me on a deeply personal level," she shares. For the first time, academic material reflected the realities and histories connected to her own community. Through discussions on global conflicts—from Palestine to Sudan to Ukraine—Eh explored how media and public policy shape the narratives surrounding displacement. “It helped me better understand forced migration and see my own background within a global context.”

This powerful connection led her to add a Minor in Anthropology focused on Refugee and Migrant Studies, affirming her identity and enriching her perspective on the political, social, and humanitarian dimensions of migration. “I was moved to see that the institution I attend not only acknowledges these narratives but is home to faculty who actively create space for curiosity, diverse perspectives, and lived experience,” says Eh.

Outside the classroom, Eh has put her knowledge into action. As a student research analyst with the Leadership and Democracy Lab—a faculty-led think tank supported by Western and Trent University—she collaborated with a team of six analysts to investigate the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan’s investment in Mahindra Susten, a green energy company in India. Eh focused her research on financial and economic risks and even had the opportunity to speak directly with an OTPP investor to gain insight for the team’s final report. “This experience allowed me to apply my academic skills in a real-world setting and produce a tangible report to share in my professional portfolio.”

Western’s Writing Support Centre has also played a steady role in Eh’s journey. “I’ve used their services since first year. The staff are so kind and welcoming, and it’s usually easy to get an appointment the same or next day.” The consistent support helped her strengthen her writing across assignments, papers, and reports—building confidence in a key academic skill.

Beyond academics, Eh found a vibrant community by getting involved in student clubs during her third year—a decision she wishes she’d made sooner. She is a member of UNICEF at Western, NDP at Western, and continues to be actively involved with the Leadership and Democracy Lab. Her involvement with UNICEF connected her with the Cross-Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC), where she now volunteers with the Canada Connects program, supporting newcomers in building community connections. With NDP Western, she has gained canvassing experience, met Members of Parliament and Provincial Parliament, and will serve as Vice-President of Activism in the upcoming academic year.

“Through these clubs, I’ve developed skills in communication, leadership, and advocacy,” she says. “Student clubs are at the heart of the university experience—you gain skills and make connections through community building and engagement.”

Like many first-year Political Science students, Eh originally believed that law school was the default path after graduation. However, exposure to professors working in diverse fields and involvement in student clubs opened her eyes to a broader range of career possibilities. “There isn’t just one right path,” she says, “and the faculty helps students see that.”

What stands out most to Eh is the supportive environment in the Faculty of Social Science. “It’s a space where students uplift each other, both in and out of the classroom. There’s no fear of competition or judgment—just room to grow, connect, and be yourself.”

Shelly Eh’s journey exemplifies how education can empower students to explore their identity, develop meaningful skills, and find purpose in community. Her story is a reminder of the strength that comes from turning lived experience into leadership—and the value of spaces that honour and elevate every voice.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories series, and follow us on social media to see how our students are shaping the future.

If you want to share your own story or know someone who should be featured, please reach out to us!