Xochi (Clint) Anne MacLeod

BA-CJ (Hons.), 2026

Silver medal recipient

Xochi (Clint) Anne MacLeod was awarded the Silver Medal for achieving the highest academic standing of all graduates in a degree program. MacLeod is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts — Criminal Justice (Honours) with a minor in Law and Governance and has a cumulative GPA of 4.0.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

My most memorable experience at MRU was definitely taking part in the undergraduate moot court. I entered Justice Studies with a strong interest in the law, but when I actually got the opportunity to stand in front of a Justice in the courtroom and make submissions, I knew I never wanted to be anywhere else!

What’s next for you after convocation?

This fall I'm going to attend law school at the University of Alberta, and I'm super excited to learn more about the law. I'm not sure exactly where my path will lead after that, but right now I aspire to be a criminal lawyer handling high-risk, classified cases. But wherever I go, I know the experiences I've had and knowledge I've gained from MRU will help me achieve whatever I put my mind to!

Kayla Aren Evenson

Aviation Diploma, 2026

BRONZE medal recipient

Kayla Aren Evenson was awarded the Bronze Medal for achieving the highest academic standing of all graduates in a diploma program. Evenson graduates with a Aviation Diploma and has a cumulative GPA of 4.0.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

My most memorable experience at MRU was visiting the WestJet campus as a field trip with the Aviation Student Executive. Seeing the inner workings of a large Canadian airline like WestJet was an incredible experience. We had a tour of the De Havilland Dash 8 and the Boeing 737 aircraft as well as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was particularly cool as it is a wide-body airplane that has a surplus of automation and long-range flight capabilities. I have fond memories of visiting the flight deck as well as pretending to be a first-class passenger.

What’s next for you after convocation?

After convocation, I plan to continue my education with MRU’s Bachelor of Aviation Management degree program. Concurrently, I will be continuing with my commercial pilot license and multi-IFR flight training. When I complete that, I will be working on obtaining a class 4 instructor rating with the goal of finding work as a flight instructor. My ultimate goal is to become an airline pilot with a major carrier.

Joban Brar

BCIS, 2026

Wednesday, June 10, 2026
10 a.m.

Joban Brar is graduating with a Bachelor of Computer Information Systems with minors in Marketing and Data Science and has been selected as the 2026 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Science and Technology.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

While it sounds cliché, it's difficult to choose my most memorable experience at MRU because I have had countless meaningful experiences. I have attended events, taken part in marketing campaigns, hosted club events, met so many people and learned so much. Something I recall quite fondly is my very first day at MRU. It was a Thursday, I only had one lab and I didn't know anyone in the course. As I left, one of my now close friends, Roma, ran after me to chat about the course, forming a bond as two of the only girls in the class. Since then, we have grown tremendously, both personally and academically, going on to attend hackathons with our friends, Prince, Kaydence and Raymond.

I spent many nights in the library studying alone or with friends. It was tiring in the moment, but I can look back on those nights as an important part of my MRU experience. Another standout memory is winning best poster at the co-op work term presentations last summer. Rushing to class or events, hearing the bells from the carillon ringing at the hour, or seeing the flowers bloom during spring are all seemingly mundane things that I appreciate about MRU and will miss.

What’s next for you after convocation?

Like before I started my degree, I am not entirely sure about my next steps but I am optimistic about what the future holds! For now, joining the corporate world seems like a natural next step, though I would eventually like to pursue a master's or other graduate degree. I would love to continue learning and contributing to meaningful and challenging work! Outside of work or school, with my newfound free time, I have plans to travel, read recreationally and spend time in nature.

Ayden Ali

BA, 2026

Wednesday, June 10, 2026
2 p.m.

Ayden Ali will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts — Sociology major and Marketing minor and has been selected as the 2026 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Arts for Convocation this spring.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

Reflecting on my time at Mount Royal, it’s difficult to choose just one memorable experience because so many amazing moments have shaped my journey in meaningful ways. Throughout my time at MRU, I’ve been fortunate to be involved in many different areas, including research, governance, volunteering and community engagement. Each experience has shaped me in ways that have helped me grow and every new opportunity was something I truly looked forward to.

For those reasons, I think my most memorable experience was actually my very first day here on campus. Learning about my faculty, meeting my peers and hearing about all the opportunities available to students gave me so much hope and excitement for the future. It made me realize that university would be about much more than classes; it would be a place where I could grow, contribute and explore new passions. Looking back now, it’s especially meaningful because many of the opportunities I learned about that day eventually became part of my own journey.

What’s next for you after convocation?

After convocation, I plan to continue pursuing my long-term dream of becoming a professor. Throughout my time at MRU, I’ve been fortunate to learn from professors and mentors who pushed me to grow, supported my goals and helped me reach new heights. In the future, I hope to give back by doing the same for students and creating a positive impact through teaching and mentorship.

This summer, I’ll continue working in research at MRU, which I’m very excited about. Before eventually pursuing graduate school, I also want to spend time exploring the world through travel. Travelling has already shaped my perspective in so many ways by exposing me to different cultures, experiences and ways of thinking, and I know those experiences will continue to influence both my personal growth and future career.

Angelo Lozancic

BBA, 2026

Thursday, June 11, 2026
2 p.m.

Angelo Lozancic will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration — Accounting (Co-op Education) and has been selected as the 2026 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Business, Communication Studies & Aviation for Convocation this spring.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

Being a research assistant and working on co-authoring cases/articles has been my most memorable experience at MRU. I gained exposure to new concepts, new interests, new ways of thinking and spent hours talking with — and learning from — professors who have become mentors. Moreover, the ability to think critically and to synthesize and present information that academic research teaches has been invaluable to me in the classroom, the workplace and life in general; research has been so memorable because the application of the principles thereof is something I find myself doing all the time. I would like to especially thank professors Don Haidey, Mauricio Latapí and Leda Stawnychko for the privilege of working for them.

What’s next for you after convocation?

Through my last year of classes, I have been working full time at an energy company and working part time in research assistant roles. After graduating, I will continue to work in all these roles until the end of this summer, when I will be going back to the accounting firm I did my first internship with to pursue my CPA as a member of their assurance group.

Jessica Cuillerier

B.Ed., 2026

Friday, June 12, 2026
2 p.m.

Jessica Cuillerier will be graduating with a Bachelor of Education — Elementary with a minor in French and has been selected as the 2026 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Health, Community and Education for Convocation this spring.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

It’s hard to choose just one memorable experience because my time at MRU was filled with opportunities that truly helped shape who I am today. One of the most impactful experiences was working as a research assistant for Dr. Jodi Nickel. Through that work, I discovered a real passion for literacy research. I loved digging into the coding process, working with data and later presenting our findings at conferences. That experience inspired me to pursue a master’s degree so I can continue contributing to literacy research.

I’m also incredibly proud of my work with MRU Reads. Supporting students in their reading journeys, mentoring new tutors and helping expand the program were all experiences that meant so much to me. Some of my fondest memories also come from volunteering with MRU’s Transitional Vocational Program, both as an adult literacy tutor and as a classroom tutor. I developed a deep connection to the program, its leaders and especially its students.

Beyond that, every opportunity at MRU, from being involved in first-year mentorship to serving as a SAMRU governor, left a lasting impact on me. Each experience helped shape my values and strengthened my commitment to servant leadership.

What’s next for you after convocation?

I’m currently teaching Grades 4 and 5 full-time in a French immersion classroom and I truly love being in the classroom. Teaching has confirmed for me that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

In the next few years, I hope to pursue a master’s degree focused on literacy research so I can continue exploring ways to support readers of all ages and abilities. I also plan to continue volunteering in literacy-focused programs because helping students develop confidence and joy in reading is something I care deeply about.

Looking ahead, I would also love to become a mentor teacher myself. MRU gave me incredible guidance, encouragement and opportunities throughout my degree, and I hope to one day give back by supporting future educators in the same way.

Catherine Pearl

Thursday, June 11, 2026
10 a.m.

Dr. Catherine Pearl, PhD, is an assistant professor of social innovation and the former interim department chair for international business, supply chain management and aviation within the Bissett School of Business. She served as Mount Royal’s first tenure track professor of social innovation.

Her extensive experience spans nearly 20 years in the private sector, complemented by significant leadership in the not-for-profit sector as a consultant, volunteer, and president and CEO of the Calgary Centre for Non-profit Management (Centerpoint). At Mount Royal, where she began as a sessional instructor in 2007 before her appointment to assistant professor in 2015, Catherine has held multiple leadership roles. These include serving as chair of the Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation, where she applied her industry expertise to help shape the University’s business and social innovation curriculum.

Catherine’s scholarship focuses on social innovation, Canada’s social economy and the evolution of philanthropic practices aimed at supporting the economic inclusion of vulnerable populations. She remains an active and influential member of the academic community, most recently contributing her expertise to a program review at Carleton University. Pearl continues to foster the growth of social enterprise and philanthropic evolution through her ongoing involvement in the academy.

Most importantly, Catherine is partner to Greg Brown, mother to Taylor and Channing and grandmother to William Love.

Ben Kunz

Thursday, June 11, 2026
10 a.m.

Ben Kunz is a designer, artist and maker who served as a long-standing faculty member within Mount Royal's information design program. His academic background includes undergraduate studies in fine art and graphic design from the University of Alberta, where his early roles as a typographic technician and teaching assistant established a career-long focus on visual storytelling and the mechanics of making language visible.

His extensive experience spans over 40 years of industry practice, which he integrated into his 16-year tenure at Mount Royal. During this time, Ben provided significant institutional leadership, completing a five-year term as program chair and serving as acting chair in 2020. In the classroom, he was recognized as a dedicated mentor and advocate, using his professional expertise to guide students through the complexities of purpose-driven design.

A proponent of design activism, Ben is guided by Eileen Gray’s principle that "to create, one must first question everything." He remains committed to the belief that design education is a vehicle for intentional transformation and that designers have a fundamental responsibility to advocate for equity and a sustainable world. Moving forward, Ben continues to champion the people and transformative ideas that foster meaningful social change within the global design community.

Patricia Kostouros

Friday, June 12, 2026
10 a.m.

Dr. Patricia Kostouros, PhD, is a registered psychologist and retired professor who served within the Department of Child Studies and Social Work. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts, and a PhD, complemented by her credentials as a certified child and youth care counsellor.

Her extensive experience is rooted in community leadership, where she managed youth and women’s shelters and served as the executive director of a residence for women navigating trauma and addiction. These roles informed her research career at Mount Royal, which focused on gender-based violence, the impact of disasters on shelters, post-secondary student wellness and trauma-sensitive teaching. Throughout her tenure, she was recognized for her expertise in addressing compassion fatigue and for her commitment to fostering wellness within educational and clinical environments.

Patricia has published numerous books and articles and serves on the editorial boards of the Relational Journal of Child and Youth Care Practice and CYC-Net. Her contributions have earned her the MRFA and Canadian Association of University Teachers Distinguished Service Award, an Innovation Award from the Government of Alberta and the Visionary of the Year award from the Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta. A nominee for the MRU President's Award for Excellence in Leadership, Patricia is honoured to continue her work as a professor emerita, remaining deeply involved in advancing the child and youth care discipline and supporting her community.

Dr. Maggie Quance, PhD

Friday, June 12, 2026
2 p.m.

Dr. Maggie Quance, PhD, is a registered nurse with more than 50 years of experience and the former associate dean, Research and Scholarship, for the Mount Royal’s Faculty of Health, Community and Education. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Nursing, a master’s degree from the University of Manitoba and a PhD from the University of Calgary.

Maggie’s extensive experience spans clinical, administrative and educational roles, including significant work as a bedside nurse in labour and delivery. After joining Mount Royal in 2007, Maggie held several key leadership positions, serving as chair and interim director of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. She was instrumental in the growth of the faculty’s programming, notably co-authoring the successful proposal that established Alberta’s first and only Bachelor of Midwifery program.

Maggie’s research focuses on enhancing nursing education and elevating the quality of patient care, with service contributions extending to the Northwest Territories, Ethiopia and Norway. She is a recipient of Effective Team Awards from both Mount Royal University and Alberta Health Services. In her ongoing professional practice, Maggie continues to strive to “make a difference” for those in her care, be they women and families, nurses, students, staff or faculty.

Fahad Zaidi

BCIS ‘12

Wednesday, June 10, 2026
10 a.m.

Fahad Zaidi is a director of software engineering at Neo Financial, Canada’s and Calgary’s fastest-growing startup. Prior to Neo Financial, Fahad spent four years with software startup Quorso and held roles of increasing responsibility in management consulting. Fahad holds a bachelor’s in computer information systems from Mount Royal University, a master’s in technology project management from DePaul University and was named one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 in 2025 by Business Elite. Fahad continues to be involved with Mount Royal as an advisory board member and speaker.

Jenn Lofgren

Business Administration Diploma, 2007

Wednesday, June 10, 2026
2 p.m.

A 2007 Mount Royal graduate with a diploma in business administration, Jenn Lofgren is an award-winning leadership coach and the founder of Incito, a leadership and executive coaching organization that helps executives across Canada and worldwide unlock their leadership potential. She is one of only 60 coaches in Canada to hold the Master Certified Coach designation, placing her in the top five per cent of coaches globally. In 2025, she was named to WXN’s list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100. Jenn is a generous volunteer who mentors students and future entrepreneurs.

Tim Morgan

Aviation Diploma, 1975

Thursday, June 11, 2026
10 a.m.

Since graduating from Mount Royal with an Aviation Diploma in 1975, Tim Morgan has dedicated more than 40 years of entrepreneurship and leadership to Canada's aviation industry. As a founder or co-founder of multiple aviation businesses, including WestJet, Enerjet (Lynx Air), Morgan Air (Air Partners) and Unity Aviation, Tim helped bring both affordable air travel and tailored business aviation services to Canadians. He continues to serve as a business advisor for multiple ventures and is helping to inspire the next generation of pilots as a generous supporter of Mount Royal’s aviation programming.

Alexandra Swiston

BBA ‘19

Thursday, June 11, 2026
2 p.m.

Alexandra Swiston graduated from Mount Royal with a Bachelor of Business Administration — Marketing in 2019. Following graduation, she built her career across leading global organizations, including Ernst & Young and TEKsystems, where she led strategic pursuits and advised on digital transformation initiatives. Alexandra is the founder of Alex’s Atelier, where she partners with clients on marketing strategies and storytelling, helping translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives. She remains actively engaged in the MRU community as a volunteer, speaker and former member of the Alumni Council.

Eden Wilson

BHPE ‘19

Friday, June 12, 2026
10 a.m.

Eden Wilson is a Canadian bobsleigh athlete and advocate. A Calgary local, she graduated from Mount Royal in 2019 with a bachelor’s in sport and recreation management. Since joining the national bobsleigh team in 2020, Eden has competed globally, most recently representing Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy. Beyond the track, Eden is dedicated to youth development through her work with KidSport Calgary and as an RBC Classroom Champions mentor. Her athletic and community contributions were professionally recognized in 2026 with her induction into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame.

Neepin Auger

B.Ed. ‘15

Friday, June 12, 2026
2 p.m.

Neepin Auger is a Bigstone Cree Nation artist and educator who was inspired to pursue post-secondary studies following the birth of her daughter. A 2015 graduate of Mount Royal’s inaugural Bachelor of Education class, Neepin went on to pursue a master’s and now serves as a high school vice-principal. Through painting, writing and teaching, she champions Indigenous culture through storytelling — work that earned her a spot among Calgary’s Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2025.