Celebrating our grads, fall 2026
November 05, 2026
Ash Moosavi, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), School of Public Administration
What moment or memory stands out most from your time at UVic?
Defending my PhD on July 16, 2026, and hearing that I had passed with no revisions was an unforgettable moment. It represented years of research, learning, perseverance, and personal growth. As someone who returned to academic study while building a career, reaching this milestone reminded me that it is never too late to pursue an ambitious goal and contribute new knowledge to the world.
Where did you spend most of your time studying, hanging out or unwinding on campus?
As an adult student balancing full-time work and doctoral studies, I didn’t have much opportunity to hang out on campus. My time at UVic was mostly spent attending classes and seminars and meeting with my supervisor and faculty members. Much of my studying happened outside campus life: early mornings starting at 4 a.m. before work, evenings, weekends, statutory holidays, and even my vacation time. It was a journey of dedication and persistence.
Which course or instructor had a positive impact on your academic or personal growth?
All my PhD courses were well suited to the program, and I learned a great deal from both the courses and the supportive faculty at UVic’s School of Public Administration (SPA), so choosing just one is difficult. However, Dr. Darlene Clover had a particularly lasting impact during my master’s degree. Her guidance strengthened my research and academic writing skills so much that conducting research and writing papers during my PhD felt far less daunting.
What activity or experience outside the classroom meant the most to you?
One of the most meaningful parts of my PhD journey was finding ways to look after my mental health while balancing full-time work and doctoral studies. I often went on long walks while listening to academic papers and made time for hiking. These walks allowed me to continue learning while stepping away from my computer, clearing my mind, and recharging. They became an important part of how I maintained balance throughout my PhD.
What are your plans for after graduation and is it the path you envisioned for yourself growing up?
I plan to continue combining research, teaching, and leadership in higher education and public administration. Having completed my PhD, I hope to expand my research and teaching while contributing to programs and initiatives that address public policy and social equity. Growing up, I could not have predicted this exact path. My journey has taught me that careers can evolve in unexpected ways and that curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning can open remarkable doors.
Nobuto Arai, anthropology
What moment or memory stands out most from your time at UVic?
Hanging around with my friends. This is a very common answer, but as a student from the other part of the world, I was happy to have a contact with people in the region. People that I met in classrooms at UVic are very friendly and cool even outside of school.
Where did you spend most of your time studying, hanging out or unwinding on campus?
The top floor of the library is the best place to calm down. I used it quite a few times while studying to finish assignments, unless I have to stay at lab to complete it. I also spend a lot of time at the SUB building, having lunch and hanging around.
Which course or instructor had a positive impact on your academic or personal growth?
ANTH 348: Archaeology of the First Peopling of New Territories by Dr. Quentin Mackie. I was not a remarkable student in the classroom, but this course introduced me to the quantitative side of archaeology, which led to taking several computer science courses, although I should have researched more about the field before I started taking computer science courses. Also, it touched Japanese archaeology, which answered my childhood experiences.
What activity or experience outside the classroom meant the most to you?
Just being outside or traveling. Not only seeing people and history from an anthropological perspective, but also driving or changing the environment that I am in refreshes my feelings. When I had a motorbike, I liked riding without any reason to see the beach.
What are your plans for after graduation and is it the path you envisioned for yourself growing up?
I am planning to continuously work in the company where I was hired as a co-op student, as long as my immigration status holds. Working in the cultural resource management industry, I am hoping to gain as many archaeological experiences and skills as I can, since I had never had fieldwork before I was hired.
Will Mullin, geography
What moment or memory stands out most from your time at UVic?
Something about UVic that sticks out to me is the strength of the social science department, and how so many students show the character of future studies, governance, culture, and more. I always felt like I knew someone who knew someone, and it definitely feels like a tightly-knit community.
Where did you spend most of your time studying, hanging out or unwinding on campus?
I spent most of my time while studying at UVic in David Turpin labs, or in the library with my geography and environmental science friends.
Which course or instructor had a positive impact on your academic or personal growth?
I had the privilege to travel with several professors for field schools and engage with communities internationally. Professors Barr, Carodenuto, Dubrawski, Owens, and CA Rose-Redwood, were integral to these field schools, as well as my academic growth in the past few years. By travelling to Northern European cities, counting cacao pods in the rainforest in Belize, and learning about the ecological landscape of the very city we live in, field schools brought me so much throughout my degree, and I attribute much of my learning to these experiences.
What activity or experience outside the classroom meant the most to you?
I was honoured to co-manage a neighborhood equity report in GEOG406: Sustainable Cities, during my final spring term. Over the course of the term, my class directed their research to assist the North Park Neighborhood Association in seeking funding and identifying declining metrics in their neighborhood profile. We worked closely with NPNA to bring forward a presentation at their annual general meeting, and my gratitude goes out to their consistent hard work and dedication to their community.
What are your plans for after graduation and is it the path you envisioned for yourself growing up?
I am interested in applying to UVic’s new Masters of Community Planning, and continuing the relationships I have made with community leaders in Victoria throughout my undergraduate degree. Several professors and city planners have shown their interest in collaborating with this program, and as I was already previously interested in continuing studies through city planning, this would be a great place to explore that option.
Divyansh Kataria, economics
What moment or memory stands out most from your time at UVic?
My first co-op is the moment that stands out. I was 20, an international student, and starting my first corporate job, so I spent day one nervously nodding at acronyms I definitely didn't know. It showed me how the corporate world actually works, and how much I still have to learn. I'm still learning, but I can now definitely spot which meetings could've been emails.
Where did you spend most of your time studying, hanging out or unwinding on campus?
The library tech room, hands down. It's the most underrated room on campus, and I'm only telling you because I'm graduating. It's always free, it's packed with weird machines and equipment, and it has zero windows, so you never know if it's day or night. Perfect for pre-midterm group grind sessions (terrible for your vitamin D)
Which course or instructor had a positive impact on your academic or personal growth?
STAT 350, Mathematical Statistics, was the hardest course I took, and weirdly the one that convinced me I was made for stats. Nothing like suffering through proofs to find your calling. Dr. Vasco Gabriel also took a chance on me with a research internship under him, which taught me what real research looks like and that I can, in fact, do it.
What activity or experience outside the classroom meant the most to you?
Hiking, easily. Mount Douglas, Mount Tolmie, and Mystic Vale were my way of remembering the sun exists after days in the windowless tech room. Then there was CARSA, the gym, which was basically my social hour. Honestly, I went there for conversations. Working out was just a side quest.
What are your plans for after graduation and is it the path you envisioned for yourself growing up?
Still figuring it out, honestly. I'm leaning toward becoming an actuarial analyst in insurance, which I've always wanted to do, and yes, I'm voluntarily sitting my first exam in November 2026. If that doesn't pan out, data analysis is the backup plan. Either way, I'll be getting paid to be mildly obsessed with numbers, which is basically the dream.