When William “Will” Kizell (British Columbia, 2026) first arrived at the University of British Columbia, he wasn’t looking for a fraternity. He was chasing something else entirely: a discus.

A finance and accounting dual major from Brockville, Ontario — a small town of just 20,000 — Will came to UBC primarily for track and field. In fact, stepping onto a plane for the first time to move across the country was part of a larger goal: pushing himself out of his comfort zone. “I needed to get out of my hometown… and kind of live a little,” he said.

But what he found at UBC went far beyond athletics or academics. He found AEPi, and ultimately, a leadership experience that would define his college years.

Will didn’t join AEPi right away. His first year was consumed by school and the demanding schedule of a varsity athlete. But the summer before his second year, a simple direct message changed his trajectory. “He reached out to me saying he was part of the Jewish welcoming committee… and wanted to grab coffee,” Will recalled. It turned out to be a clever introduction to AEPi, but it worked. “I met a handful of the guys, and I was like, ‘this is awesome.’ And then I just joined… and I’ve loved it ever since.”

Like many AEPi stories, Will’s experience quickly became about more than just membership…it became about responsibility. After joining the chapter, he didn’t stay on the sidelines for long. He joined the executive board within a year and would go on to serve as Lieutenant Master and ultimately Chapter Master. But his presidency didn’t begin at a time of great promise for the chapter. “When I took over, we had about 10 to 12 guys… and it was looking downhill,” he said.

Faced with the possibility that the chapter might not survive, Will made a decision that defines leadership in AEPi: he stepped up. “I felt like if I didn’t take over, we weren’t going to make it.” What followed was nothing short of transformational. By the end of his term, the chapter had nearly tripled in size to 30 active brothers. Along the way, they hosted events, built a stronger presence on campus, and created a more vibrant Jewish community.

“We hosted tons of events… philanthropy events, parties… we grew the fraternity and we’re in a good spot now.”

If rebuilding a chapter wasn’t enough, Will was doing it all while competing at a high level in track and field. At UBC, he became a two-time NAIA All-American and set a school record in discus, all while serving as AEPi’s chapter master. The workload was intense. “I was training three to four hours a day… and gone every other weekend competing,” he said.

In fact, he describes that period as “the most stressful time” of his life — juggling leadership, athletics, and academics simultaneously. And yet, it’s clear that AEPi was never something extra, it was something essential.

Ask Will what has mattered most about his AEPi experience, and his answer is immediate.

“The relationships… the people,” he said. From his own chapter to brothers he met at conventions and across North America, AEPi created a network that extended far beyond campus. “Some of my best friends are from the chapter… I’ll go to their weddings,” he said. Even during a summer internship in Toronto, Will chose to live in the AEPi house at the University of Toronto, continuing to deepen those AEPi bonds..

This spring, Will will graduate and begin his career at Deloitte in Toronto, transitioning from student-athlete and chapter president to young professional. While he’s stepping away from competitive track, he’s not stepping away from AEPi. “I hope to stay involved,” he said.

And given his impact already, there’s little doubt he will.

#ProudtobeaPi