Celebration is in the air! It's Convocation season at Dalhousie, with thousands of graduates crossing the stage from May 21 through 31 in Halifax and Truro. Get to know some of them with our grad profile series, with more profiles being added every day of Convocation.
Learn more about Convocation and view webcasts of all the ceremonies at dal.ca/convocation.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences, Aaliyah Arab-Smith has her sights set on attending medical school and being a leader in the African Nova Scotian community.
Breaking barriers beyond the classroom
Manar Elgamil began her computer science studies from afar during the pandemic. When she finally arrived in Halifax, she dove in headfirst and became a passionate advocate for supporting women in tech.
Finding community in the sandbox
Almas Anwar Hussain Shaikh says entering Dal's Master of Applied Computer Science program was one of the best decisions she's ever made. Finding a supportive tech community in Halifax was the gravy.
Finding her strengths and leadership ability
Sun Lee saw the true impact of recreational therapists while working in the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and sought to become one herself.
Fulfilling a lifelong dreamAneika Vassal was Inspired by her elementary school nurse to work in healthcare, now a proud member of the Black Nurses Association of Nova Scotia with a keen interest in dementia research.
A dramatic awakeningDaniel Nwobi of Nigeria was looking for a program that encompassed the multidisciplinary tools he’d need as an actor. The Fountain School offered that and so much more.
Embracing her twin passionsLouisa Steigenberger knew Dal was the right school for her after discovering it had strengths in both costume studies and law.
Like walking in a dreamAnn LaBillois long dreamed of going to university. When she finally did so at Dal after entering retirement, it opened new avenues for learning and an opportunity to share her wisdom and life experiences as Dalhousie’s Elder in Residence.
Don't be afraidKrista Collier-Jarvis took a fascination with scary stories to new level with a dissertation focused on contemporary zombie narratives, inspired by research into Indigenous Gothic, popular culture, museologoy, and creative approaches to trauma.
Joel Richard's journey to become an astronaut ignited his passion for medicine.
Michelle Wang, whose own parents immigrated to Canada from China in the 1990s, met with other second-generation Canadians for her honours thesis on how food shapes cultural identities and experiences.
When Dal medical student Aditi Sivakumar asked Prince William for advice on her advocacy efforts when she met him in London, he encouraged her to dream bigger — so she did.
By reframing her childhood experience of seeing her brother struggle with genetic illness, Qëndresa Sahiti found empowerment in her ability to make a difference and enrolled in medical school.
Military vet inspired by Weldon legal tradition
Caleb MacDonald entered the Schulich School of Law after two decades of service with the Canadian military and RCMP.
Engineering solutions for fellow students
Phoenix Doucet-Bernard’s experience as a champion for his engineering classmates during the COVID-19 pandemic led him down a path of student advocacy.
Community builder fosters sense of belonging
Onye Njoku was drawn to the Schulich School of Law's tight-knit and supportive community, offering her own time and leadership to student groups and university initiatives over the years.
From refugee to patient advocate
Mariam El-Aghil says there wasn’t a single defining moment that convinced her to become a dentist, but growing up during the civil war in Yemen played a big part.
Providing dental hygiene care on the wing
When Autumn Penney applied to Dal's dental hygiene program, she had no idea it would kickstart her career in the profession in such a non-traditional way — flying into remote parts of Labrador to provide care to underserved communities.
Cultivating connections from Italy to Canada
A year abroad in Canada for Italian student Andrea Grigolon turned into a different kind of international adventure, earning a joint degree between Dalhousie and Aeres University in the Netherlands through the International Food Business program.
Landscape Architecture grad embraces unexpected opportunities
From meeting inspiring visionaries to exploring Indigenous influences in the field, Kai King's journey through Landscape Architecture studies has been defined by an openness to new experiences.
From fear to fascinationOnce afraid of bugs, Plant Science graduate Alexe Indigo will soon dedicate her PhD to them.
Where space and accessibility meet
Master of Planning graduate Yaba Osifo's experience as a person with a disability has fuelled her commitment to fostering accessibility in the built environment.
Unlocking architecture's social dimensions
Master of Architecture graduate Stavros Kondeas reflects on the power of the lasting friendships and collaborations he’s formed and how they’ve spurred both academic and professional growth.
Many things have taken Mary Mackay by surprise since she arrived at Dalhousie, most of all the change between who she was when she arrived and who she is now as she crosses the stage to receive her Bachelor of Management.
Three‑time scholarship recipient 'pays it forward'
Management and Science grad Arcel Siosan does not let anything come between him and his aspirations to make a difference.
Moving outside her comfort zone
Registered nurse Moira MacArthur shifted from the frontlines of health care to an MBA, a tough decision that has opened new doors in her career.