We’re so proud of the more than 2,400 people who earned the privilege of walking across the stage at the university’s Spring Convocation ceremonies on June 17, 18 and 19 at the Winspear Centre, including more than 660 from the Faculty of Arts and Science.

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

MAHER AL RAYESS
Bachelor of Science, Psychology

My dream has always been to be a doctor. Growing up, my favourite subjects were science and math, and I’ve always been driven to help others. Fuelled by curiosity regarding the human body’s biological, chemical and mental mechanisms, I wanted to combine all my interests, so I majored in psychology and minored in chemistry. 

During my time at MacEwan, I had the opportunity to be vice-president of two student groups, found and act as president of MacEwan’s Pre-Med Prep Group, be a MacEwan Ambassador for two years and even act as a research assistant.

Perhaps one of my greatest university moments was competing for and receiving the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship in 2024, a competitive provincial studentship supporting full-time health and medical research over the summer. This experience allowed me to step into both the health-care and research fields, which I am very passionate about.

Next, I am looking to pursue a master’s in translational medicine, and I will also be looking to apply to medical school, where I hope to apply all that I have learned at MacEwan toward making an impact in others’ lives. I am forever grateful to all the people who have helped shape me into who I am today, especially my parents and brothers, who have stood by my side and inspired me to be my best version of myself. Although many of them may not know it, I carry with me all of the interactions I’ve had here at MacEwan with friends, peers, faculty and staff, and I hope they will help me become a better physician in the future.

RHIANNON BESSETTE
Bachelor of Arts, History

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study at first, but I knew I had to do something in history. As a kid, I was obsessed with Little House on the Prairie and any movie that combined history, myth and adventure. With one parent who was adopted and the other side of my family being very disconnected from our Métis heritage, I have always been curious about the stories behind those things including genealogy and what heritage means. Being skilled in historical research and archiving and having administrative knowledge puts me in a position to help others access their own lineage and know their own stories. 

I ended up majoring in history and having a dual minor in classics and arts and cultural management. Throughout my degree, I worked at various heritage sites and had an amazing opportunity to do a semester placement as an intern at the City of Edmonton Archives. 

I learned so much, explored the collection and felt that I was actually contributing, even though I was only there for a few weeks. The archives have a tradition where they gift you a photo, and the people I worked with all signed a card for me – that felt like a defining moment and reassured me that I was on the right career path. 

My favourite part about history isn’t the specific statistics or facts, but the personal stories. I’d much rather dig through my friend’s great-grandfather’s service record to see what he was doing on his days off in Switzerland during WWII (and how his pay was garnished for it) than know how many tanks were in a particular square kilometre of battle space (although that can still be interesting at times). It’s why I’m working with a co-author to research Métis WWI veterans, finding and making their stories accessible. I hope to move forward and expand this scope and eventually have it lead to a master’s degree.

AMANNI HABIB CHAABAN 
Bachelor of Science, Psychology 

I’ve always been fascinated by the mind – how we think, feel and make decisions. Growing up in a big family and helping raise my siblings gave me a deep sense of empathy and responsibility. I want to carry that forward into medicine one day, where I can truly help people in a holistic, informed way.

My younger siblings reminded me every day why I push so hard – to be a role model, to open doors for them and to show that no matter your circumstances, you can chase your dreams. On tough days, their little drawings on my desk were my motivation.

A special moment during my time at MacEwan also involved children. As president of the Create for Kids student group at MacEwan, I organized a Cookies and Cards fundraiser for the Stollery Children’s Hospital. Seeing our team come together, watching students pour their hearts into making cards and selling baked goods, and raising over $1,000 in just one day – it was unforgettable. It reminded me that leadership isn’t just about organizing; it’s about creating meaningful connections and impact.

I try to do that while wearing many hats – a psychology student, a wedding coordinator, a car wholesaler and the president of two student groups. My journey at MacEwan has been anything but linear, but that’s what made it special.  

BRITNI SKYE GORMAN
Bachelor of Arts, Honours Psychology

After hundreds of hours spent reading police files, entering data, running analyses and countless late nights rewriting, revising and perfecting my thesis, I was finally able to share my honours thesis project at Student Research Day. Standing in my pink blazer in front of students, faculty and my son was a full-circle moment that reflected all the hard work, growth and passion I had invested during my time at MacEwan.

Initially, I came to MacEwan to pursue a degree in criminology, but that changed for me during PSYC 212 when one of our assignments was to create a research proposal. As I explored the impact of practicing daily gratitude on happiness, I developed an interest in research, which changed the trajectory of my academic journey and ultimately led me to pursue the honours program.

I have always been passionate about criminal justice and addressing the injustices that Indigenous Peoples face on a daily basis. This passion, combined with my growing interest in psychology, gave me the opportunity to explore human behaviour through a lens that complemented my interest in the law. Through my research, which explored the predictive accuracy of the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) tool for Indigenous offenders, I was able to bridge both disciplines in a way that felt purposeful.

Now I’m taking some time to be present with my son, doing more research, preparing to present my thesis at the Canadian Psychological Association’s annual conference and working toward publication. I look forward to pursuing graduate studies in law and forensic psychology with the goal of using my academic and lived experience to support Indigenous communities.

BLAKE WADE MADAY
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry

I enjoy the intellectual challenge chemistry offers. Like a carpenter making a piece of furniture, chemistry allows me to see tangible results from experiments. There’s just something extremely satisfying about getting down to business and grinding in the lab. I’m excited to eventually transfer the knowledge I gained during my degree into an industrial setting where it can have that direct, observable impact.

I can’t say too much about my research project because it’s protected intellectual property, but the basics are that it involved a liquid-liquid membrane separator. My research supervisor, Dr. Roland Lee, was one of my biggest supporters. When times were tough, he helped me remember that chemistry can be fun. I also have to shout out his research assistant, Guzal Mamadalieva, for all of her advice. And I wouldn’t have made it very far without my mom and dad. What they lacked in knowledge of chemistry, they more than made up for with their unwavering belief in me.

Presenting my work on Student Research Day was an important moment – not only for the public speaking aspect but also for the experience of sharing something I was responsible for from scratch and answering questions about it. That was something I hadn’t had to do before, and I think the experience sparked a fire in me for innovation and helped me feel a sense of confidence in my abilities.

BRYNN O’CONNELL
Bachelor of Science, Honours Applied Statistics

If someone had told me in high school that I’d one day become the first student to graduate with a major in Honours Applied Statistics from MacEwan University, I likely would have laughed. I originally took statistics to fulfill an elective requirement – one course I assumed I’d never revisit. But somewhere along the way, the subject grew on me. I realized that statistics wasn’t just about numbers – it was about solving puzzles, bringing clarity to chaos and using data to make sense of the world.

Coming from a small town in Alberta, I was drawn to the idea of learning in an environment where professors knew my name and classmates became friends. And that’s exactly what I found. From late-night study sessions in the math and stats department to national case study competitions, my time here has been filled with meaningful connections, unexpected opportunities and a lot of growth.

No one influenced my journey more than Dr. Brian Franczak. As my thesis supervisor and mentor, he believed in me – even when I didn’t. He created space for me to grow, supported me through every challenge and always knew when to offer guidance. He opened doors to research opportunities, national conferences and collaborative projects that shaped not just my education but my confidence.

Right now, I’m working as a manufacturing methods analyst while continuing research with Dr. Franczak, building on my honours thesis. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue graduate studies in statistics and continue bridging the gap between academic research and real-world impact. I’m excited for what’s ahead, but I’ll always be grateful for where it all started.

JENNIFER CHIAMARA ONWUEGBULE 
Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy

I always wanted to study political science, but after my first philosophy class with Dr. Edvard Lorkovic, I knew for sure that it was the right choice for me. That class, his teaching style and his humour made me want to pursue philosophy further, and getting the chance to laugh in class took some of the weight off a busy day, busy week or heavy lecture. 

At times, studying philosophy has been challenging, but at other times, it’s been fun to read and discuss all these different views and try to understand them. I hope to become a lawyer, but I know plans can change. No matter what happens, I’m happy with my major in philosophy and my minor in gender studies. They both give me options to consider.

A person who inspired me to make a difference during my time at MacEwan would have to be my sister. She has always talked about how she went through her university years without doing anything. My mum would joke that my sister passed through university but did not allow university to pass through her. I really took that to heart, and it pushed me to put myself out there, try to do more and make more out of my time at MacEwan.  

LAUREN NICOLE TKALCIC
Bachelor of Science, Honours Biological Sciences
Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence

When I first came to MacEwan, I was sure I would major in molecular biology and become a genetic counsellor. Even back then, I knew that really small changes in cells could impact an entire human system, but I had no idea how much we already understood about these tiny cells. It’s fascinating to know how they work and the many opportunities this field offers to address real-world issues like treating and curing diseases.

I never expected to get involved in research, but in my second year, Dr. Melissa Hills invited me to join a project redesigning a current biology lab at MacEwan to reduce barriers for students with disabilities. I worked on this project for two years and created instructional videos to help students learn how to use lab equipment. While preparing for Student Research Day this spring, I analyzed usage data and saw firsthand how many students at MacEwan use those videos. I remember how challenging the course was when I took it myself, so it was really incredible to see how my work was helping other students succeed.

As I worked with Dr. Hills on this research project and two others focused on inclusive course design for students with disabilities, I discovered a deep passion for reducing barriers that led me to realize that occupational therapy is the perfect path for me. I will be starting my master’s degree in the fall!

BRIAN CLARENCE YOUNG
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology

My journey to MacEwan started a bit later in life. I come from a family of tradespeople and blue-collar workers and worked various jobs before committing to university, so this academic path was a new mode of skill-building for me. A family member who previously attended MacEwan, majoring in sociology and minoring in anthropology, inspired me to follow in their footsteps. I’m glad I did.

Sociology helps us understand how societies have operated in the past, how they function today and how they may evolve in the future – especially through the lens of institutions. I was also drawn to anthropology, particularly linguistic anthropology. Working closely with Dr. Jenanne Ferguson, whose mentorship in linguistic anthropology helped shape my academic path, gave me the confidence to engage with complex theoretical frameworks and apply them meaningfully to my writing. Being nominated by Dr. Ferguson for – and receiving – the 2024 Transdisciplinary Undergraduate Best Student Work Award for my paper “Language and Power: The Impacts of Internalized Colonialism” was a defining moment and deeply affirming. 

Studying at MacEwan gave me fresh perspectives that I found both practical and inspiring, and exploring language’s role in shaping society helped me discover my passion for sociolinguistics. But connecting with the kihêw waciston Indigenous Centre was a cornerstone of my experience. It played a vital role in building a sense of community and belonging.

This fall, I’ll begin a master of arts in cultural, social and political thought at the University of Lethbridge. I’ve always valued the flexibility to blend disciplines in my research, and I’m excited to continue exploring that freedom as I move forward in graduate studies.