Melissa Alvarez Del Angel and Tashauna Reid
Valedictorians Melissa Alvarez Del Angel and Tashauna Reid will represent the Faculty of Science at their ceremonies on Thursday, May 28. Watch the graduation livestream and find the convocation program on our website.
Melissa Maria Alvarez Del Angel
Psychology (Hons)
Born and raised in Tampico, Mexico, a chance mix-up between two universities with the same name—one in Texas, one in Halifax—led Melissa Alvarez Del Angel to an inspiring educational experience, the chance to meet her best friend, and to find a supportive community far from home.
“Looking back now, I couldn’t be happier that life brought me here,” says Melissa.
Melissa is graduating with a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, with Honours in Psychology.
Through a wide range of experiences on campus, Melissa understands how supporting others can make a difference in their lives. She lived in residence for four years, and this experience has shaped her educational journey.
“Every time you lend a hand, decorate your floor, or give someone directions to the laundry room, you’re shaping someone’s university experience.”
Melissa and the Res Life team
Her passion for student support led her to the Residence Wellness Team, where she eventually earned the position of Chair, while also working as a Resident Assistant for three years. Melissa was also Executive Editor of the SMU Journal.
Beyond campus, Melissa volunteered at Peter’s Place, assisting individuals recovering from brain injuries. She was also involved in the French Woodland Conservation Project, helping educate children about the preservation of yellow birch trees, and supported initiatives through the IWK Foundation.
She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology and become qualified to conduct assessments while collaborating with healthcare professionals to reduce barriers that prevent individuals from reaching their potential. Above all, she hopes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Her favourite quote by Dr. Seuss is, “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” That phrase stays with her every day. If she can help even one person feel seen, supported, or hopeful, she will consider her work meaningful.
Q & A with Melissa
Why did you choose Saint Mary’s University?
My family wanted me to study in Texas since it’s close to Mexico and we have family there. I was looking at Saint Mary’s University in Texas when I accidentally clicked on Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. A few minutes later, I realized it was a completely different school, but something about SMU in Halifax felt right. SMU ended up being the last of 14 universities I applied to, and it became the easiest decision. Looking back now, I couldn’t be happier that life brought me here.
Did you live and/or work on campus?
I lived in residence for all four years. In my first year, I saw a “Welcome to Res” poster and decided to attend. That’s how I discovered the Residence Wellness Team. I started as an assistant and was later promoted to Chair of the team. I also worked for three years as a Residence Assistant (RA).
Residence Life taught me that a small act, a “Hi, how are you?” can mean the world to someone else. You won’t always know the full story of what someone’s going through, but you can be the person who helps them feel seen. Safe. Included. Being an RA means helping make residence feel like home.
Melissa and Sara at the Dean’s List event
What was your favourite class?
Intro to Calculus at 8 a.m. Not because math was my strongest subject, but because it was the first class I attended at SMU and where I met my best friend, Sara Živaljević. That class introduced me to my soul sister.
Which instructor had the biggest impact on you?
I have been incredibly fortunate to learn from inspiring professors and mentors such as Dr. Margherita Cameranesi, Dr. John Calder, Dr. Jim Cameron, Dr. David Bourgeois and Dr. Nicole Conrad, among many others. They gave me opportunities to grow, challenged me to think critically, and showed me what it means to lead with both excellence and kindness.
What was your thesis title and description? Why did this research appeal to you?
My thesis was titled “Finding Growth Through Faith: Religious Commitment and Post-Traumatic Growth in Young Newcomer Survivors of Gender-Based Violence”. My thesis explored the association between religious commitment and post-traumatic growth in young newcomers in Nova Scotia.
Before beginning my thesis, I had the opportunity to conduct community-based research in Manitoba under the supervision of Dr. Margherita Cameranesi, where I co-facilitated 20 walking interviews with newcomer youth and community supports and safe spaces connected to resilience. Religion and spirituality emerged repeatedly as important mechanisms. That summer, I became passionate about understanding how these factors can promote resilience in this equity-deserving population.
This summer, I will continue working on that project, among others, as a full-time research assistant in her lab, and I will also be attending the Canadian Psychological Association Conference in Montréal to present findings from our previous research on refugee youth.
How were you involved in the SMU Community?
Along with my Residence experience, I was part of the SMU Psychology Society and served as an Assistant Editor on the SMU Journal before being promoted to Executive Editor.
I also participated in the undergraduate summer research program, beginning in my first year under the supervision of Dr. Jim Cameron and, in 2025, under the supervision of Dr. Margherita Cameranesi.
Melissa at the Día de los Muertos event at the Patrick Power Library
How did you connect with supports and services on campus?
As an international student, the International Student Centre became one of my go-to resources. They helped me understand immigration pathways and supported me during my first year while I was adapting to a new culture and life in Canada.
The Writing Centre was another resource that made a huge difference for me, especially in my second year when I was learning how to write more formal academic papers and research assignments. I was also a note-taker through the Fred Smithers Centre for several years—an experience I cherish.
The Career & Experiential Learning office also played a major role in my experience at SMU. Updating my Co-Curricular Record and tracking my involvement helped me recognize how much I had grown throughout university. I’m grateful to Christy Starkey for all her support!
Finally, being both a resident and later an RA allowed me to become very familiar with the many supports and resources available at SMU. That is why I decided to write an RA Manual to leave as my legacy and to help new RAs become familiar with resources they can share with their floor members.
Melissa earned many leadership awards along with scholarships during her time at SMU
Did you receive any scholarships or awards at SMU?
I received a Renewable Entrance Scholarship, along with a Leonard T. Rambeau Scholarship, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility (EDIA) Champion Badge 2025, Dean of Science Access to Research Award 2025, Student Leadership Recognition Award 2025, Turning Points in Leadership Award 2025, Wicked Problems Award 2023, and First-Year Undergraduate Summer Research Award 2023.
What are your plans for the future?
Aside from working as a full-time research assistant in Dr. Cameranesi’s lab, I also recently began working at Erica Baker Psychological Services as an Office Manager. Through this role, I have learned more about the care, professionalism, and dedication involved in psychological services and assessment. I am now strongly considering a future in psychological assessment because I have been inspired by the phenomenal professionals I have met along the way. What I hope to achieve in the future is simple: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Any other successes you’d like to share?
More than anything, I’m proud of the fact that I came to a completely new country by myself and slowly built my life here. I dedicate this achievement to my mom, who passed away almost two years ago. I know that if she had not raised me with the strength and determination she did, I would not be where I am today. Everything I have accomplished carries a piece of her with me.
Tashauna Ramona Reid
Psychology (Hons)
For Tashauna Reid, her time at Saint Mary’s was a journey of growth, courage and discipline.
Originally from Jamaica, she questioned her place in higher education after graduating with a low GPA in high school. Acceptance to Saint Mary’s offered a turning point, and her transformation into a top student and campus leader was remarkable.
Tashauna is graduating with a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, with Honours in Psychology and a minor in Biology.
As a science tutor—a role offered to students with high GPAs—she supported others in their academic pursuits. She earned a spot on the Dean’s List, a Student Leadership Award, and a My East Coast Experience bursary in recognition of her hard work. As a Welcome Week Pack Leader, Tashauna supported new students, and her leadership of the Caribbean Society offered community away from home.
Tashauna plans to pursue a career in the field of medical neuroscience
Along with being named valedictorian, Tashauna has been recognized for her work as a Black Founder and has shared her voice as a panellist at many leadership and empowerment conferences.
As the founder of College Life Academy, a digital platform with more than 280,000 followers, Tashauna supports students worldwide with study techniques and academic guidance. Her work has led to partnerships with Best Buy and recognition through media features.
Building on her success as a Bachelor of Science graduate, Tashauna plans to pursue a career in the field of medical neuroscience.
Q&A with Tashauna
Why did you choose Saint Mary’s?
I chose SMU because it was the perfect balance between opportunity and community. I loved that it had the reputation and resources of a strong university, but still felt close-knit enough that professors knew you by name. The campus being so close to the ocean and nature parks also made it feel like a place where I could grow both academically and personally. And as an island girl, being close to the ocean was VERY important to me.
What was your favourite class?
My favourite classes were Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience (PSYC 4120) and Neuroscience Research Methods (PSYC 4190). I have always been fascinated by the brain, so those classes were easily the most exciting.
Tashauna earned third place with her oral presentation at the 2025 Psychology Student Conference
What instructor had the biggest impact on you?
That would be my Honours thesis supervisor, Dr. Jason Ivanoff. He always encouraged my curiosity in neuroscience in a way that made learning exciting. His classes were always engaging and he was very patient and supportive throughout my thesis journey. With his guidance, I was able to place third for my oral presentation at the 2025 Psychology Student Conference.
What was your thesis title and description? Why did this research appeal to you?
My thesis was titled “Blink and You’ll Miss It: The Impact of Short-Form Content on Sustained Attention.”
My research looked at how short-form content, like TikTok videos, may influence attention. This research appealed to me because social media is such a huge part of everyday life, especially for students and younger generations, yet we still know so little about how constant exposure to fast-paced content affects the brain and attention. I was really interested in exploring whether short-form content only harms attention, as people often claim, or whether it could improve certain attentional abilities, like rapidly switching focus.
How were you involved in the SMU Community?
I was highly involved in campus life and leadership. To name a few, I served as President of the Caribbean Society for three years, and before that, I served as the VP of events for one year. I was also the founder and President of the Science Society during the 2024-2025 academic year. This year, I presented at the Student Leadership Conference in March.
Outside of student leadership, I worked as a Chemistry Teaching Assistant and was also involved as a student entrepreneur through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.
Tashauna was a presenter in the Entrepreneurship Centre’s Makers and Movers series
What was your favourite SMU memory? My favourite SMU memory is honestly the moments that came from being involved on campus, whether it was working on my thesis, presenting at conferences, or being around friends and classmates who were just as passionate about what they were studying. One standout moment for me was when SMU created new spaces on campus where students could socialize and study together.
What will you miss about Saint Mary’s?
I will miss the familiar study spots on the 5th floor of the Science Building and the 4th floor of the Sobey Inspiration Hub (they were like my second home because I spent so much time there), the professors who genuinely knew and supported me, and the feeling that there was always a space on campus where I belonged.
How did you connect with supports and services on campus?
The Black Student Advising Office provided a strong sense of community. I used the International Student Centre for immigration support, which was extremely helpful. I visited the health clinic as needed and used Career Services for resume support and preparation for future opportunities.
What advice would you give your younger self who was just starting university?
I would tell my younger self to trust the process more and not be afraid to take up space. At the beginning, I would remind myself that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away, because university is about learning, growing and exploring. I would also find a way to get involved early and take advantage of opportunities, even if they feel intimidating at first. Most importantly, I’d remind myself that building relationships with professors, peers, and mentors can open doors you didn’t even know existed.