While Ava Graham grew up respecting CBU and appreciating what the University was doing for her hometown of Sydney, she didn't originally plan on attending herself. Initially, she was going to follow in the footsteps of friends who decided to leave the Island after high school to begin their post-secondary studies on the mainland. After being offered a scholarship and having the opportunity to meet face-to-face with CBU employees, Ava says she quickly realized CBU would be the best choice for her.
"I recognized that CBU's staff had made a genuine effort to get to know me during the interview process; I felt like they really wanted me to attend their university because of who I was as a person - not just because I was one more student to add to their enrollment count," Ava says. "I also realized that I could get the same bachelor's degree at CBU that I could get at a larger university elsewhere, while receiving more opportunities as a result of a smaller student population."
Since becoming a CBU student, Ava has become fully embedded in the campus culture, working and volunteering in a number of roles. What initially started as a Summer position with the CBU Students' Union, has now turned into her role as the Executive Vice President of the CBUSU. "I started working there when I was 17 and so the Students' Union is very close to my heart," she says. "After an intense election (and a re-election), we took office, and I've been loving every minute of it. It's an incredibly full-circle moment for me, and although the job itself is busy, I'm lucky to be working with a wonderful executive team and group of staff."
Ava has also served as Co-President of the Chemistry Society at CBU and Co-Chair for ChemCon, which was recently held at CBU for the first time in over a decade. She has helped plan many fundraisers, including Capers Helping Capers and Christmas Daddies.
Earlier this year, Ava was awarded the McCall MacBain Regional Award which recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength and intellectual curiosity. The prestigious award will provide her with funding for a full-time master's or professional program at any public university in Canada.
Ava says after finding out she had won, she immediately wanted to reach out to all those, from parents and friends to professors, who supported her through the application process. "Now that it has settled in a bit, I'm not only reflecting on winning the award but also on my time at CBU as a whole," she says. "I've had an amazing undergraduate experience and I'm really grateful for everything that has led me to this point. I'm proud to have received this award on a personal level, but I think it also speaks to the incredible opportunities and the level of support students receive here at CBU."
Ava encourages all students who are eligible to apply for the McCall MacBain scholarships to do so. "The application process gives you the chance to reflect on your life and your motivations," Ava says. "Even if you don't get selected, it allows you to take the time for introspection, which I don't think many of us do often enough."
Congratulations to Ava on this momentous achievement and all the best in her future endeavours.
