Concordia great grads reflect on the lessons they’ve gleaned during their time at university

Solène Thubert

Bachelor of Arts, Communications and Media Studies, and Marketing

The best decision I made during my journey at Concordia was getting involved in student associations and competitions. The Debate Society, the Concordia Business Review and the Jeux de la Communication played a key role in shaping my creativity and honing a strategic mindset. They also connected me with a network of driven, ambitious and inspiring individuals.

While studying communications in the Faculty of Arts and Science, I had the opportunity to join the Marketing Elective Group, which allowed me to take marketing courses at the John Molson School of Business. These courses perfectly complemented my program and gave me a solid foundation for the role I hold today.

In fact, all these experiences gave me the curiosity and confidence to take on a new challenge in parallel with my studies: launching a startup.

Passionate about my field, I wanted to channel my creativity into a project with real purpose. That’s why, alongside two other students, I co-founded Trolet, a startup focused on giving used shoes a second life and keeping them out of landfills, tackling the environmental impact of the fashion industry. This venture allows me to create and test freely, while contributing to a more sustainable and positive future.

Finally, being both a student and an entrepreneur enabled me to receive the MITACS Accelerate Entrepreneur Grant, through which I co-authored a case study on my startup with Michèle Paulin.

Zoe Marner 

Bachelor of Arts, Creative Writing and Theatre

I can only assume that teaching a creative discipline is challenging. Luckily, Concordia has the best educators. My first playwriting class with Kate Sterns was the most formative learning experience I had at Concordia. The fact that this class was on Zoom speaks to Professor Sterns’s capacity to transcend limitations. She gave me the practical tools to find the story inside me. She didn’t shy away from sharing constructive criticism. Her virtual class was a space to laugh, cry and make bold choices.

She carefully shaped my first one-act play; any recognition I’ve received is due to her guidance. In a creative field, it is easy for professors to project ideas onto their students. She doesn’t project — she sees her students as they are, and what a gift it is to be seen. When I’m writing, I still hear her guiding voice pushing me to challenge myself.

Julia Spinney

Bachelor of Computer Science

I think my most formative experience at Concordia was working as a student facilitator for Concordia's Homeroom program. It gave me the chance to develop skills that weren't necessarily included in my classes, like professional and interpersonal skills. I felt extremely supported by all the leads I worked with: Ky Palanca, Paige Hilderman, Joel Dinku and Julieta Torres.

In my last year of school, I was feeling lost about my future career. Could I find somewhere that I truly "fit"? It was transformative and inspiring to work with people who were motivated and fulfilled by their work, and it reassured me about my future.

Thank you so much to everyone at the Dean of Students Office for supporting me throughout my degree. I highly recommend a student staff position for anyone who'd like to get involved at Concordia.

Rudyard Pejo

Bachelor of Arts, Human Relations and Psychology

Joining FOCUS (Filipino Organization of Concordia University Students) was one of the most life-changing parts of my university experience. It was a moment of rediscovering my culture and finding community during a time I needed it most. I started as a reserved first-year student who had to mentally prepare just to walk into an event. Three years later, I completed my third mandate at FOCUS as co-president.

I used to think I needed to have all the skills to be part of something, but I realized that skills can be learned. What truly matters is if what you pursue is aligned with your intentions and values. I embraced that mindset by going through unknown opened doors I never imagined. Through it all, I discovered my true passion: serving the community, especially the Concordia one, where people believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself.

Karolyn Chen

Bachelor of Commerce, Human Resource Management

The past three years of my undergraduate journey have been filled with personal and professional growth, with the catalyst being my term abroad at Singapore Management University. I pursued this opportunity for myself, and it became an invaluable experience. Stepping outside my comfort zone led me to make friends from around the world, immerse myself in a new culture, gain broader perspectives and even go parasailing in Thailand. 

That experience sparked a shift in how I approached my time at Concordia. I realized that university is what you make of it, so I leaned into opportunities that aligned with my values. Whether it was becoming a sustainability ambassador and hosting Repair With Care mending workshops, or co-researching accent bias with the Applied Linguistics Lab, each experience helped me build confidence, connect with others and engage more deeply with the world around me. They reminded me that learning doesn’t just happen in classrooms, it thrives in community.

Anne-Leslie Louis

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies

I couldn't be more excited for the future! My time at Concordia was great, especially in my major. I had the chance to work at NouLa, the Black Student Centre, which was a truly enriching experience. During my time there, I took courses on Black Canadian history and contemporary arts. As a Black woman, I aimed to focus my education on perspectives beyond the dominant white narrative, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to do so.

Initiatives created by the students greatly enhanced my experience. Concordia students are bold and committed to community, which made me feel valued. Programs like the People's Potato, various clubs, the Hive and the resources provided by the university — including the Zen Dens, peer support and FutureBound — contributed significantly to this positive atmosphere.

For more information, visit Concordia’s Graduation and Convocation website.