Student Stories

For Julia Moraes, life has been anything but ordinary. Born and raised in Brazil, she arrived in Canada eight years ago with dreams of higher education and the hope of building a brighter future. Fast forward to 2024, Julia not only graduated from the University of Guelph’s Criminal Justice and Public Policy (CJPP) program but also became the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Dr. William (Bill) O’Grady Prize for Excellence in CJPP.

Hunter Rusk recently completed his BA Hons. (2024) in Geography with a minor in Applied Geomatics at the University of Guelph. He is now beginning his MSc in Geography, focused on passive microwave soil moisture monitoring from a UAV. Highlights include his adventures during his time with the Madagascar field school and his independent study leveraging high-tech remote sensing technology.

What motivated you to pursue the Master of Conservation Leadership program, and what specific areas of conservation are you focusing on? How does your current work/career fit into this?  

What motivated you to pursue the Master of Conservation Leadership program, and what specific areas of conservation are you focusing on? How does your current work/career fit into this?  

What motivated you to pursue the Master of Conservation Leadership program, and what specific areas of conservation are you focusing on? How does your current work/career fit into this? 

What motivated you to pursue the Master of Conservation Leadership program, and what specific areas of conservation are you focusing on? How does your current work/career fit into this? 

Pursuing a master's degree has always been a personal and professional goal.  As a site manager for a large scale marine protected area, I work with many experts and scientists at the national and international levels.  Obtaining a master's degree in Conservation Leadership provides me with additional tools and knowledge to advance the work that I do.  

What motivated you to pursue the Master of Conservation Leadership program, and what specific areas of conservation are you focusing on? How does your current work/career fit into this?  

Toby Zhou, a Class of 2021 alum with a major in Applied Human Nutrition and a minor in Marketing, launched her entrepreneurial journey in the summer of 2019. With support from the Wood Centre, she now dedicates herself full-time to making bubble tea more sustainable, accessible, and affordable!

Zahra's academic journey resonates with passion and resolve. Beginning her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, she now charts a course toward a Master's in Applied Social Psychology, driven by a singular goal: to illuminate the Autistic experience. Guided by the powerful ethos of "nothing about us, without us," her interests in qualitative methods, neurodevelopmental disabilities, critical disability scholarship, and mental "health" or mad studies converge to weave a rich tapestry of understanding. 

Stop Food Waste Day is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about food waste. This year, we are spotlighting Alumni Amar Laila, a graduate from University of Guelph in behavioral nutrition, showcasing his innovative approaches to addressing food waste. Through education and advocacy, the campaign empowers individuals and businesses to reduce waste and build a more sustainable food system.