We Believe: Christina Lennox

As the first in my family to graduate from university, I found the journey both exciting and daunting. Growing up with a single parent, I didn’t have the financial safety net that many others take for granted.

While I’m endlessly grateful for all my mother provided, pursuing higher education meant I had to be creative to support myself. That’s where scholarships, bursaries and grants came in.

Financial support didn’t just cover tuition or textbooks – it gave me something far more valuable: the privilege of time and space to truly focus on my studies. It allowed me to step out from under the weight of financial worry and be present as more than just a student. I could also be a sister, granddaughter, partner and friend.

With this support, I could embrace opportunities that might have otherwise been out of reach. I worked on research projects, applied to graduate school (and got in!), created meaningful art and even got better sleep. This gift of time allowed me to thrive in ways I could never have imagined.

At CapU, I was lucky to be mentored by incredible people, including Elders Rose Nahanee and Sabra Thompson, who saw potential in me not just as a student, but as a person. Their guidance, alongside the financial help I received, gave me the mental and emotional space to succeed.

One of my proudest moments was walking across the stage at Convocation. I graduated with honours and received the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. That day, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride – not just for myself, but for the mentors and my community that had supported me along the way.

I often reflect on how I can give back. Earlier this year, I attended a lecture by Robin Wall Kimmerer, who spoke about reciprocal, radical abundance and the responsibility of giving back. Her words resonated deeply with me. We’ve all been given gifts in some form, and with those gifts comes responsibility.

Sharing my story is part of my way of practicing reciprocity. My hope is that more students can have the same opportunities I’ve been fortunate to receive.

I invite others to ask: ‘What do you excel at, and how can you use it to make a difference?’

Your support doesn’t just help students like me achieve our goals. It creates a ripple effect, inspiring us to give back and create meaningful change in our communities.

Thank you for believing in students like me.

Christina Lennox is a graduate of Capilano University’s Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Psychology program.

CapU School of Motion Picture Arts alumna, Megan Hingson created the above video about Christina. Megan is a talented violinist, filmmaker and storyteller.