We’re so proud of the close to 2,200 people who earned the privilege of walking across the stage at the university’s Spring Convocation ceremonies on June 20, 21 and 22 at the Winspear Centre, including more than 550 from the Faculty of Arts and Science.

“Whether they completed a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, graduates from our faculty leave not only with deep disciplinary knowledge but with a broad appreciation of the importance of both the sciences and arts to the community around us,” says Dr. Melike Schalomon, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science. “Go and celebrate your achievements, graduates, and show the world what you can do!”

Here, future counsellors, doctors, community workers, mathematicians, scientists, lawyers, dentists and researchers look back on their time at MacEwan and forward to their bright futures.

ABBY-LEE ABBOUD
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology

Eighteen years ago, I wanted to pursue a law degree, but when I talked to an advisor at MacEwan and learned what was required academically, I felt defeated. I was a high school dropout, not a scholar. So I followed other career paths – administration, hospitality, management, construction and trades – but my passion for law never went away. After I was injured in a car accident in 2016 and had to start over, it was time to take another look at the one career I had always wanted. 

My inspiration is my little brother, Joseph. I chose to study criminology because I believed, and still do, that the best way to help correct and mitigate flaws in our legal system, not only as a lawyer but as a member of society, is to, at the very least, understand why they exist. I have had the pleasure of experiencing justice, but I also have had to bear witness to injustice. 

Now, I’m applying to law schools and graduating with distinction from the same university I couldn’t see myself succeeding at when I walked away so long ago.

AMELIA ALTMIKS
Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy

I was into beekeeping before I started my degree, and the six years I’ve spent volunteering with MacEwan’s Hives on Five allowed me to gain a lot more experience and inspired me to create and seek out shared urban agriculture spaces. I started The Hive: Urban Community Agriculture in 2020 and installed the first honey bee hive at a community garden in Edmonton that year. This year, my project was awarded a City of Edmonton grant, allowing me to host courses and programs. 

I came to MacEwan because I knew I wouldn’t be happy in a career that didn’t feel meaningful. I wanted to be in the community service sector specializing in climate justice and sustainability, and I needed a degree to do that. I originally planned to major in sociology, but I fell in love with philosophy. 

I've always been comfortable asking myself questions that I might not get the answer to: What is love? What is the good? What is justice? What is the point? Some questions need to be asked to have a good life. 

One of my favourite times at MacEwan was the hour a philosophy professor and a group of students spent talking after class. We were engrossed in the content and excited to bounce ideas off each other. That moment was defining for me because I realized how much I knew – and didn’t – and how to ask better questions.

MOMINAH BHINDER
Bachelor of Arts, History

I've always been drawn to history and anthropology because they answer the "why" question. Studying in both disciplines taught me how to analyze situations and form independent opinions, free from mainstream media or stereotypes. 

I enjoyed examining evidence and constructing persuasive arguments to uncover the reasons behind events in history. In anthropology, I appreciated exploring the evidence and forming theories within cultural contexts. 

I really enjoyed two courses I took with an Indigenous focus. In HIST 369, we discussed treaties, their complications and their impact on Indigenous communities. In ANTH 250, we analyzed the stereotypes that Indigenous people face. Both history and anthropology helped me gain a deeper understanding and develop an informed perspective. 

What’s next for me? MacEwan’s Careers and Experience was super useful in helping me find out what type of career I can pursue besides the traditional route. It opened up a whole new variety of career paths for me.

ANTHONY CARROLA
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences/Psychology

I struggled with not knowing what I wanted when I began my post-secondary education. I vividly remember debating which program to enroll in, which classes I should take, and whether becoming a university student was even the right path. I chose the Bachelor of Science program just to get a sense of which science courses I was passionate about. After my first year, I chose to double major in biology and psychology. 

Getting my first letter from the university registrar informing me that I was on the Dean’s List was surreal. That letter showed me that I had made the right decision and that my dedication, work ethic and perseverance had paid off. 

While they are separate sciences, there is a lot of overlap between biology and psychology when it comes to the nature versus nurture debate. They both also connect to my goal of becoming a family physician. I knew that biology was essential for aspiring doctors. I also thought that having a strong background in psychology and understanding more about the human mind would only strengthen my understanding of the human body.

I’m taking a small break to travel – I’m looking at Portugal or sightseeing within Canada. I’ve already written the MCAT and will continue to work on strengthening my resume and qualifications so I can gain acceptance into medical school or a graduate program in psychology. 

HAYLEIGH DANSEREAU
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
Governor General’s Silver Medal (Degree)

I transferred to MacEwan from the University of Victoria after really struggling with large classes and being far from home. The “cooperation over competition” atmosphere at MacEwan helped me thrive – I went from barely passing and wanting to drop out of university to finding a program that I loved and excelled at.

My dream is medicine, and I’ve always been really interested in biology. I need to know the “why” behind things, so the cellular stream of biological sciences was perfect for me. And taking BIOL 208 ultimately changed my life. I met my two best friends in that class and later started working as a research assistant for Dr. Kevin Judge, who taught the course. Practicing lab techniques while doing fun fieldwork taught me so much and opened many doors. (It also resulted in strange looks from lots of people as I wandered random ditches with a bug net.)

Having things to ground me outside of school really helped me – volunteering as an assistant coach with the U18AA Edmonton Pandas female hockey team for three years and the North Central Impact U18AA a year before that. Hockey and rugby were my outlets on bad days. And getting up from my desk to do something I loved was often more productive than a night of studying. 

Because of my experience as a research assistant and at the MacEwan Writing Centre, I now have an amazing job in the medical testing field. I’m taking a break to work before applying to medical school, where I hope to specialize in surgery or emergency medicine.

CHEYENNE GREYEYES
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

I wanted to contribute to discussions about mental health in my Indigenous communities and gain skills to help people during difficult times, so I decided to major in psychology and minor in anthropology and sociology. Initially, I wasn’t sure how my degree would translate to the real world, but as I took classes, I found that I was interested in Indigenous methodology, language revitalization and anything that had to do with Indigenous history, modern issues and politics. 

Meeting Roxanne Tootoosis, an Elder at kihêw waciston, was a defining moment for me. She brought me closer to my Indigenous community, opened my eyes to traditions and ceremony and helped me find my sense of belonging and identity. In the end, she became family. 

With Roxanne’s encouragement, I wrote an academic paper with Celina Vipond called “What is Home? Wisdom from nêhiyawêwin.” The process of having it published in the Radical Housing Journal in 2022 showed me how important it is to spread awareness and validate Indigenous knowledge in academic spaces. I was also part of a research team with profs from MacEwan and U of A on a project called Decolonizing Transitions from Care, I’ve done multiple podcasts and webinars, and even presented my research twice at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. 

I took a year off when Roxanne passed away in 2021 but made sure to return. She had always reminded me how important it was to get my degree – that as an Indigenous two-spirited person, I needed to represent my people and undo the erasure we have faced through colonization.

LARISSA HERON
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences

Growing up, I always knew that my Mom was a MacEwan alum, but I didn’t really understand the significance until I was older. She was the first Indigenous woman from her family to complete her college studies to be a legal assistant. It was a big deal. She gave birth to me during her last year of studies in 2000, so technically I attended my first MacEwan classes as a baby. 

When it was my turn to come to MacEwan, my original plan was to be a nurse. Then, I discovered research – specifically, scientific research – and decided to study cellular sciences. When I took a class with Agata Becalska, it opened my eyes to the delight of microbiology. It was as if these small but complex cells were working in communities so efficiently together that they created an entire human. It was mind-blowing to me because It reminded me just how strange but amazing it is to exist at all. 

I wanted to understand the cellular community at a deeper level and how the environment impacts cellular function. Today, I’m continuing scientific research, but on more of a community level. I have a special interest in traditional Indigenous plant use and community health practices. I plan to have a career informing health care policy about patient experiences and how Indigenous communities can be better served by our current health system.

TERA JACOBSEN
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

Growing up, I was always the friend people came to for advice or to talk to when they had problems. Eventually, helping with mental health became a big focus for my future endeavours. I spent 10 years working at the carnival during the month of July, and after high school I spent two years travelling through Southeast Asia and Europe. My degree offered a way to combine my passion for helping people get through their life struggles with my love of culture and counterculture. 

Being accepted as a volunteer for the MacEwan Anti Violence Education Network (MAVEN) team felt like everything I had been working towards throughout my degree was coming to fruition. I was volunteering with like-minded individuals who have similar values, becoming part of the campus community and using my background in psychology.  

With help from MacEwan’s Careers and Experience, I got a part-time position as a youth worker while still completing my degree. Now I’m working full-time as a youth counsellor at Chimo Youth Retreat Centre. One day, after I’ve taken a break from school and have some work experience, I hope to pursue a master’s degree and become a practicing counsellor or psychologist.

SHYLA KIRWER
Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Hockey brought me to MacEwan – continuing to play while getting an education was important to me, and MacEwan gave me that opportunity. 

I was part of the Griffins Women’s Hockey three-peat of the ACAC championship during my first year. We were 2-0 in the series against NAIT (our main rival in the ACAC), so a sweep would be a huge deal. When NAIT tied the game to take it to overtime, we felt there was no way we wouldn’t win. It was nerve-wracking and unbelievable when the puck went in for us. Rushing onto the ice to celebrate with my teammates felt amazing. 

During my time as a Griffin, my parents only missed a handful of games. They have always been there to cheer me on – in athletics and academics. 

I chose a Bachelor of Science because it allowed me to take all the prerequisites to apply to dental school. I’ve always wanted to be a dentist. I think it’s because the work is hands-on and offers the chance to impact a person’s oral health and see positive results. 

Dental school is my dream, and I’m waiting to hear if I will be accepted for the fall. I hope to get some good news soon. 

SHANNON MAJEAU
Bachelor of Science, Honours – Psychology
President’s Medal for Academic Excellence and Student Leadership – Degree

I came to MacEwan to play basketball, and specifically to play for coach Katherine Adams and the program she has built here. She cares so deeply about her players and wants to help us grow into successful individuals – in sport and beyond. Over the past six years, I have learned a lot about myself, including what it takes to be a leader and how my words and actions have the ability to empower and instill belief in others. 

I chose psychology because I’m fascinated by how people think and feel, even without being fully aware of how or why we think and feel certain things. I was drawn to psychology research because it can be applied to real-world situations in ways that help people interact with each other and the world around them. When used appropriately, psychology research offers insight into how humans operate and how we can improve our personal relationships, mental health and well-being, and our interactions with the world. 

My plan is to eventually go back to school for physiotherapy, and eventually work with athletes. I would like to be able to help others in the ways that trainers and therapists have helped me throughout my athletic career. I hope my background in psychology will help me approach athletes in a unique way, and provide insight into how our thought processes and attitudes can impact how we play. 

Sport can be incredibly hard at times, but can also be incredibly rewarding. To be able to experience the highs and lows of team sport with the many incredible people I have met along the way has been such an amazing and unique experience.

MYSTIK ROBINSON-TOD
Bachelor of Science, Mathematics

Math has always been my favourite subject, so choosing my major was easy. I love how concrete math is – there is one correct answer, and when you get there, there’s such a feeling of accomplishment. I tutored junior high and high school students during my time at MacEwan, and my favourite part was always seeing the look on their faces when they really understood a question and the steps they needed to take to complete it; I could see their confidence. 

My family members were my biggest cheerleaders throughout my degree. My parents always emphasized the importance of education and supported me every step of the way. They would help me celebrate tiny victories and always be there in stressful times of the semester or when something wasn’t going quite my way. 

When you start your degree, the finish line seems so far away, so surrounding yourself with people who celebrate the small stuff and root for you every step of the way makes a difference.

DANIEL SANDHU
Bachelor of Arts, Honours – Anthropology

The bulk of my university career centred around the Model United Nations Club. As a member, I’ve travelled internationally and have befriended wonderful individuals from all over the world. I've had the privilege to meet and teach fellow club members and delegates from Germany, Japan, Ukraine and elsewhere.

Model UN also shaped my honours thesis, centring on understanding the spaces that formulated interactions between delegates in Model United Nations. I looked at both active and passive spaces using first-hand data collected from two interviews and participant observation from my trips to Kobe, Japan and New York City. 

As an anthropologist, I have a diverse range of interests. My primary focus is issues of globalization and forced migration due to conflict or environmental crises. As migration attributed to climate change and conflict will increase within the next years and decades, I plan to pursue a master's degree focusing on issues of integration of displaced persons and refugee populations. I have friends and colleagues who are refugees, and I want to do my part as someone who lives in the Global North to alleviate the suffering and hardship of those impacted by globalization, climate change and war.

ZINNIA UNDAG
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry

I always wanted to be a scientist, but chemistry was the last thing I thought I would major in. But after I finished my first-year breadth requirements, I realized how much chemistry is part of our everyday life. I loved learning about its application in forensics, environment and biochemistry. 

Chemistry majors must do independent research or an internship practicum to graduate. I chose to do both, and those experiences were the highlights of my time at university. As a research student, I’ve gained critical thinking and problem-solving skills and written an excellent thesis paper. As an intern student, I learned about chemistry outside of academia and experienced a lot of personal growth.

My professors made a huge difference in my experience – they opened up great opportunities for me. I was also lucky to have a very supportive family, especially my Mom, who always encouraged me to be hard-working and to stay focused on my studies. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

I believe that innovation is necessary for success, so I hope to be part of a research and development team in the future. I hope to specialize in organic chemistry, but this major is so versatile I know there will be many opportunities to expand my experience and skills. 

ALYSHA WISHLOFF
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

When I was 12, I had a clear vision for my future: I wanted to move to New York and work for the United Nations. I think that’s why I gravitated toward a degree in political science.

I have loved learning about the Canadian political system, different types and styles of governments and political systems worldwide, and organizations (including the United Nations) that work together to promote international harmony and tackle the world's toughest issues. 

My sister Shayla inspired me the most during my education journey. She graduated from MacEwan as a nurse and was the smartest person I knew. I have always tried to make her proud. During my last year at MacEwan, she passed away from cancer. Before she died, she made me promise to keep going and to reach my goals. When I didn't think I’d be able to finish my degree, I remembered that promise I made to her, and it drove me to continue to excel in my classes. 

Shayla is why I’m pursuing a master’s degree in health policy. I want to make a difference in the health-care system, make society more equitable, and make the world a better place.