Meet KPU: Mehreen Mundi

Kwantlen Polytechnic University student leader Mehreen Mundi is being recognized as the winner of the university’s 2025 Future Alumni Award. The honour recognizes a KPU student who has shown exceptional leadership and service achievement.

Mundi has graduated with a bachelor of arts in psychology and a minor in counselling. From being a student ambassador in KPU’s Student Affairs department to working as a call-taker to help provide support for incarcerated people in B.C., Mundi has been involved in many extracurricular activities during her time at KPU. 

Mundi started her master’s in counselling this fall. Her goal is to increase access to support for those struggling with mental health through her work. 

When did you join the KPU community and why?

It began when I was still in high school. I took a dual credit marketing course with KPU. At that time, I was still figuring out what I wanted to pursue, and I saw that as a good opportunity to explore my interests and gain more clarity about my future. Through that experience, I realized marketing wasn’t quite the path for me, but I really loved KPU and the community.

For me, it was the small class sizes, the supportive faculty, and peers. They all fostered an incredible sense of community, and I knew that KPU would be the perfect place to pursue my undergraduate studies in psychology. Since psychology is very applied, I knew KPU’s emphasis on hands-on learning would allow me to learn in a meaningful way. 

Looking back now that I’m done with my undergrad degree, I feel like my journey at KPU has been one of the most rewarding educational experiences of my life, and it has prepared me well for graduate studies and life beyond the classroom. KPU has been the best educational journey of my life. 

How did you feel when you found out you were going to receive the 2025 Future Alumni Award?

I was so elated because I didn’t even know this award existed. I got this award and another one and I was so shocked. It was really special, especially coming towards the end when I was thinking about my expenses for grad school. I feel like that really helped me ease some financial burden because it came at such a good time. 

What is your favourite story or experience from your time at KPU?

The most defining chapter of my life at KPU was working at the information desk with Student Affairs in the Surrey campus. In that role, I was privileged to connect with people every day — students, staff, faculty, and campus visitors. 

I really liked the start of each semester when the campus buzzed with excitement and nervous energy. I loved welcoming new students, helping them navigate those first few days, and watching their confidence grow was really rewarding for me. 

This reminded me how powerful small acts of kindness can be — just a smile, a few words of encouragement, or simply listening can make someone feel welcome and belong in a new environment. 

I’m really grateful for the mentorship I received in that position. My supervisors really supported and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, apply for scholarships and awards, and embrace new opportunities for growth.

That really pushed me to take on challenges I was hesitant to try, and in doing that, I discovered what I was capable of.

Secondly, I really enjoyed my involvement with the BEST Lab at KPU under the guidance of Dr. Evan Lopes and Dr. Deborah Mater. Their mentorship and passion for teaching shaped my academic journey and outlook on life. The hands-on training and opportunities I got to learn from their experience were meaningful to me in my psychology education.

I also developed counselling and communication skills that continue to influence how I communicate, listen, and connect with people. I’m really grateful for the chance to learn and grow in such an enriching environment. 

What message would you like to share with people new to the KPU community?

KPU has so many opportunities to grow both personally and academically. The thing to remember is that support is available and there are opportunities, but you have to reach out and seek them. The university has resources for everything.

I personally benefited a lot from the Learning Centre’s faculty tutors, which helped me hone my writing skills and achieve high grades in my courses. I also relied on the Student Awards and Financial Assistance Office for support and guidance in navigating scholarships, grants, and student loans, which really helped reduce my financial burden during university. I feel like these resources led to my student success. 

Every small interaction counts. You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll learn, or what opportunity will open along the way. Get involved — it helps you find your place here and builds a real sense of belonging and community. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll discover how genuinely supportive and inspiring the KPU community is. 

What are you currently working on?

I just began my master’s program in counselling psychology this fall. Alongside my studies, I continue to serve as a call-taker with the community helpline for incarcerated people, where I provide non-stigmatizing, trauma-informed support to incarcerated people across B.C.

Looking ahead, my goal is to become a psychologist and work with marginalized and underserved populations, particularly veterans and immigrant communities. I’m passionate about creating innovative, culturally sensitive mental health care that breaks stigma and ensures equitable access to mental health care for all. 

What is something you would like people to know about you?

I came to Canada as an immigrant, and like many others, I started my journey with challenges and uncertainties. I’m very grateful for the support, guidance, and mentorship that I received from the KPU community. 

I feel like the support and encouragement of my managers and faculty members gave me the confidence to apply and win many awards and scholarships, which really helped ease the financial burden. I encourage every student to take advantage of the opportunities KPU offers. Apply for awards, get involved, and immerse yourself in the community — you’ll be amazed at how much you can learn, grow, and achieve along the way.

I grew up in a South Asian household where mental health was misunderstood and stigmatized, and this really shaped my goal and mission to break the stigma, help others feel safe seeking support, and ensure no one suffers in silence.

I’ve learned that caring for your mind is really important and true strength begins with  compassion, both for yourself and others. One message I hope people could take away from my journey is that you don’t have to have everything figured out. All you need is a little courage, a community that lifts you up, and a belief that your voice matters because it truly does. With those, you can go further than you ever imagined and help others do the same.