06/25/2026
Meet Chichi! 👋
Chidinma Ugbaja, but everyone calls her Chichi, is our Sustainable Energy and Transportation Specialist co-op student. She's spending 8 months with the Sustainability Office through the summer and fall.
Chichi grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and came to TRU after earning a bachelor's degree in International Law and Diplomacy. She's now studying Supply Chain Management and already thinking about what's next.
Chichi will be the first woman in her family to earn a university degree. It's something she's incredibly proud of, not just for herself, but for her family. She spoke about how grateful she is to have parents who encouraged her to keep learning and supported her goals, even when that isn't always the expectation for women where she grew up. For her, education isn't just about getting another credential. It's about opening doors. 🎓
When Chichi arrived in Canada in 2024, she remembers seeing separate recycling bins and asking her landlord why everything couldn't just go into one container. That conversation stuck with her. Soon she was noticing other things that felt completely new, like drinking water straight from the tap and drivers stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks. Those everyday experiences sparked her curiosity about sustainability and eventually led her to explore sustainable procurement through one of her classes. ♻️🚰
Now she's helping monitor energy, water and waste data across campus, comparing it month to month and flagging anything that doesn't look quite right.
Outside of work, Chichi loves to bake. She says her muffins are her specialty, she's a big fan of carrot cake, and after one memorable attempt at making brookies (a cross between a brownie and a cookie), she's already planning a second try.
When asked what she'd like people to know about sustainability, her answer was simple.
It starts with one person.
Putting your recycling in the right bin. Picking up a piece of litter. Looking after the spaces we all share. Small actions might not seem like much on their own, but together they make a difference.
Welcome to the team, Chichi!
