Meet valedictorian Suhani Dhillon

Posted on Thursday, June 18th, 2026

Why did you choose Algonquin College?valedictorian Suhani Dhillon

I came to Algonquin College from more than 12,000 kilometers away from home, searching for opportunity, direction and a future that felt meaningful.

What drew me here wasn’t just the reputation of the College — it was the kind of education being offered. I wanted something practical, something human, something that would challenge the way I think.

Being part of Wellness, Public Safety and Community Studies changed me because these fields are built on a person-centered approach. They teach you that real impact is never about power or titles — it’s about people. It’s about listening, advocating, supporting and showing up for communities in ways that genuinely matter.

Somewhere between placements, classrooms and real-life experiences, I stopped thinking only about success and started thinking more about purpose.

What is your favourite memory from your time at Algonquin College?

One of the moments that stayed with me the most was being elected class representative.

I always thought leadership meant being confident or outspoken, but this experience taught me something different. Leadership is about responsibility. It’s about making sure people feel heard. Advocating for my classmates, bringing their concerns to professors and realizing people trusted me to represent them made me grow in ways I didn’t expect.

At the same time, some of my favorite memories were also the small, chaotic moments we all shared as students — trying to survive placements, presentations, deadlines, emotional burnout and somehow still laughing through it all.

To my fellow DSW students: I genuinely don’t think people understand how emotionally demanding this field can be until they experience it themselves. Supporting others while learning how to take care of ourselves at the same time was one of the hardest and most beautiful parts of this journey.

What does being named valedictorian mean to you?

Being named valedictorian means a lot to me because this journey shaped me far beyond academics.

There were moments of homesickness, emotional exhaustion, self-doubt and trying to balance work, school and life as an international student. I’ve always been hyper-independent, but this experience taught me that strength is not just independence — it’s community too.

The people around me changed me. My professors, my friends, my classmates and the support systems available through the College reminded me that growth happens when people believe in each other.

More than anything, this recognition represents resilience. Not perfection — resilience. Because every student sitting here today fought battles nobody else fully saw, and we still kept going.

What advice do you have for future students?

I think a lot of us spend so much time trying to become successful that we forget to become intentional.

This experience taught me that the future is built by the habits, people and choices we commit to every single day.

I’ve always had an obsessive personality, and for a long time I thought that was something I needed to control. But I learned that if your strong suit is obsession, then become obsessed with growth. Become obsessed with discipline. Become obsessed with building a future that aligns with who you truly want to become.

And most importantly — don’t isolate yourself. Community changes people. The right conversations, friendships, mentors and support systems can completely transform your life.

What did you enjoy about your program?

What I loved most about the Developmental Services Worker program was that it constantly reminded us that care is not one-dimensional.

This field teaches you to see people beyond diagnoses, limitations or labels. It teaches you to lead with empathy, dignity, patience and understanding.

The person-centered approach within Wellness, Public Safety and Community Studies changed the way I see human connection and advocacy. It taught me that sometimes the most meaningful impact comes from simply making people feel valued, heard and supported.

And while the program challenged me academically and emotionally, it also helped me become a stronger, more grounded version of myself.

That growth is something I’ll carry with me long after graduation.

Algonquin College’s 2026 Convocation ceremonies will take place from June 23-26, 2026, at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Graduates will participate in 12 ceremonies over four days.


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