Yubo Zhou
School of Information Master’s Association (SIMA) featured member:
Yubo Zhou, co-chair and Culture of Care representative
Degree: Master of Science in Information ’27
What’s your elevator pitch for your organization?
SIMA is the voice of every MSI student at UMSI — we represent your interests to the administration, bring the community together through events and make sure your time here is the best it can be.
Who can become a member, and how?
All Master of Science in Information students at UMSI are automatically members of SIMA upon enrollment — no application required. However, if you're interested in joining as a board or committee member, applications typically open in late August via email. Keep an eye on your inbox at the start of the school year!
What drew you in?
Having served as a university senator in my undergraduate years, I've always believed in the power of student representation to drive real change. What drew me to SIMA is exactly that. It touches every aspect of student life, from advocating for curriculum changes with faculty, to building community through events, to supporting students' professional growth. That holistic role in shaping the MSI experience felt like a natural fit for me.
If your organization had a theme song, what would it be and why?
“We Are Family” by Sister Sledge. SIMA brings together students from all backgrounds, and at its core it's about building a community where everyone belongs and has a voice.
What are your top events or activities?
Each semester, SIMA runs a packed calendar. Our highlights include a large-scale formal gala, cross-org social events and bar crawls, alumni and internship panels connecting students with professionals, and peer knowledge sharing sessions focused on career and portfolio development. We also host smaller casual hangouts throughout the semester to keep the community connected day-to-day.
What does participation look like week-to-week?
Week-to-week, SIMA officers meet regularly to coordinate across committees: Events, Marketing, Academic and Curriculum, Professional Development, Culture and Community, and others. Each committee manages its own ongoing projects and upcoming activities. Members receive a weekly newsletter with updates, event announcements and opportunities to get involved. Outside of larger events, there's always something happening, whether planning sessions, tabling or smaller community hangouts.
What’s something most people don’t know about your organization?
Most people don't realize that SIMA actually has a seat at the table with faculty and administration — we regularly attend MSI committee meetings, present student feedback and weigh in on decisions like new course offerings. It's not just a social org; we're actively involved in shaping the program that every MSI student goes through.
As a student leader, what are you proudest of?
I'm proudest of the work I've done bringing students together with alumni and industry professionals — organizing events where MSI students could have real, meaningful conversations with people in the field. Earlier in this academic year I also helped run a Mario Kart tournament that honestly just brought a lot of joy and energy to the community. Both experiences reminded me that the best student org moments are when people leave feeling more connected than when they walked in.
What do members gain from joining?
Members gain on multiple fronts. Professionally, they get direct access to alumni and industry professionals, peer support on portfolios and career planning, and a voice in shaping their own academic experience. Socially, SIMA is one of the main places where MSI students — across years, pathways and backgrounds — actually get to know each other outside of class. And for those who get more involved, there's real leadership and organizational experience running events, managing committees and working with the school administration.
What’s a favorite memory from your time in your organization?
My favorite memory is from our very first meeting. We sat in a circle playing Werewolf, a social deduction game where players try to figure out who among them is secretly the ‘werewolf,' and shared an amazing Asian meal. It was loud, chaotic and genuinely fun — exactly the kind of warmth I didn't expect to find in grad school.
Where can I learn more?
Email: [email protected]