Exemplifying the spirit of MSVU, Suwela Paim Vassoa’s dedication to uplifting others, fostering inclusive communities, and pursuing academic excellence has made a meaningful impact on the MSVU community. Her exemplary work ethic and scholarly ability are reflected in her high GPA, academic awards, successful co-op work terms, and studies abroad in France through MSVU’s student exchange program. Her commitment to campus life has deeply benefited her peers.
As a Residence Assistant, Suwela met all students with kindness, helping them transition to living away from their families, settle into a new country, and navigate the ups and downs of university life. As a Student Ambassador, she helped create a welcoming and engaging experience for prospective MSVU students. She was also a member of the Public Relations and Communication Student Society, the Afrocentric Society, and the Students of African Descent Advisory Committee.
Suwela represented MSVU at the North American Model United Nations conference at the University of Toronto for three consecutive years (2024-2026), as part of a competitive student delegation. Beyond campus, she continues to make a meaningful difference at her church, where she is a volunteer welcome desk attendant, assistant dance instructor, and young adult leader – roles that reflect her dedication to mentorship and community building.
Suwela will deliver her valedictory address during the spring 2026 convocation on Thursday, May 14 at 2 p.m. You can watch the ceremony via MSVU’s Facebook and YouTube pages. We asked Suwela to tell us more about her time at MSVU and what’s next for her. Read on to learn more about Suwela.
Name: Suwela Paim Vaz Vassoa
Hometown: Maputo, Mozambique (but I have dual nationality… I’m Mozambican and Brazilian)
Current city/town: Halifax, NS, Canada
Degree being awarded: Bachelor of Public Relations (Co-operative Education Route), minor in Marketing
Previous education completed: High school (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, 2020, and Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education, 2018)
Q. What/who is your most memorable class, professor, project or learning activity? Why?
I had so many interesting courses, especially within my own department of Communication Studies. Seeing how much I enjoyed my required public relations classes always felt like confirmation that I was doing the right thing. The most memorable course activities were always the practical ones, such as the multi-day crisis communication simulation developed by Dr. Ellen Shaffner, the media training and live media interview simulation with Dr. Amy Thurlow, and the final client project with Dr. Roy Jamieson. These exercises and professors helped me discover my passion for writing speeches and crafting rapid responses, dealing with crises, engaging with the media, and communicating strategically. I’m sure no one from my cohort will ever forget the (fictional but intense) drama we went through with Tidal Winds and Sebastian during that crisis simulation.
Q. What is your proudest accomplishment from your time at MSVU?
My proudest accomplishment during my time at MSVU was being selected as the preferred candidate for all four co-op placements I applied for during the last round. It was an incredibly rewarding moment because I knew I was competing alongside many talented and capable classmates. More than the result itself, it was meaningful because it reflected the growth, confidence, and professional skills I had developed throughout my degree. It reminded me that hard work, perseverance, and believing in your own potential can open doors that once seemed out of reach.
Q. What is your favourite MSVU memory?
My favourite MSVU memory is probably the collection of residence events I went to with my friends, from the intimate ones in a lounge in the Birches to the bigger ones, such as the end-of-year festivals. I always appreciated the different opportunities to show up and have fun activities to do with my friends, and I also loved planning residence events when I was working as a Residence Assistant.
Q. What kept you motivated during challenging moments?
I am so grateful for the community I have found at MSVU and Halifax overall. It was often through my friends and the people surrounding me that I had confirmation that I was in the right place, doing the right thing. This certainty was what motivated me during challenging moments. I was always reminded that I had people I could count on. In many instances, I experienced God’s grace through their lives, which supported and encouraged me.
Q. What value or lesson from your time at MSVU will you carry forward?
Not to sound repetitive, but a key value I will carry forward will be the power of community and supporting each other with love and encouragement. In each one of my courses, I never felt like I was competing with others; rather, there was this collective sense of doing better together. I always used to say that in PR, we were mostly a bunch of annoying perfectionists, in the nicest way possible. This always made group projects collaborative and meaningful.
Over the months, we were well aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses and would work together to achieve the best results considering each person’s uniqueness. “You’re incredible in design but not the best editor? No problem! A huge part of our project is based on style and aesthetics. I’ll take care of the other part while our other colleague will develop the research.” This is how it usually went.
Our world is better when we can listen to and learn from each other. We all have something to offer and something to be inspired by. As the quote attributed to Mia Couto says: “Listen, and you will realize that we are made not from cells or from atoms. We are made from stories.”
Q. Do you have any advice for students just starting out?
I have two pieces of advice for students starting university:
Go to all the orientation events and try your best to talk to people, anyone around you. The best way to start is always: “Hi, I love your shirt. I don’t think we have met yet. My name is Suwela, what’s yours? What program are you in?” Everyone at orientation is just starting as well and is equally nervous and trying to connect. It’s the best place to get to know people who are in the same stage as you and it’s the space where it’s easiest to start conversations without it being awkward.
If you are facing an issue, there is probably a student service that could be helping you with it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and inform yourself of what options and opportunities are available to you. There is so much that you’ll never know about unless you do your research. MSVU is full of kind people and I have found that its environment and services structure is specifically designed for your success. Ask questions. Meet with people.
Q. What’s next for you?
I am now on the search for a full-time position in public relations and communications. I love this field, and I am so excited to contribute to an organization that aligns with my values and interests. There are a lot of cool things happening in Halifax right now, despite the chaos of the world, so I think I’m going to stay here for now and see where the opportunities take me.
Q. What word best describes your time at MSVU—and why?
I feel like the word “experience” best describes my time at MSVU. I started university well aware that there are many things that I would only be able to do in life through my student status. Being a student opens up so many specific opportunities, and I am happy that I was able to capitalize on those and get as much as possible out of them. I knew it wasn’t only about the academics, it was about the people I could approach as a student, the places I could request to visit, the jobs I could apply for, the chances to be selected to participate in a team or program, the ability to easily go on a study abroad semester. I experienced so much in such a short period of four years. I really wanted it to be meaningful and unforgettable and it was.
Q. What’s a small joy that got you through your degree?
A (literal) small joy was the tiny ducks that emerged around campus towards the end of my first year and into my third year. I went on countless tiny duck hunts from Seton to Evaristus with my friends. This was always a fun study break activity and a chance to spend quality time together, talking about deep life questions while we looked for the small plastic birds that came in different colours.
Q. If your MSVU experience had a soundtrack, what song would be on it?
Wow. I love this question! If I’m being honest, I don’t really listen to music very often, so I’ll have to borrow from Moana and say “How Far I’ll Go.” As an international student, moving countries for university sometimes did feel a bit like setting sail into unknown waters and figuring things out as I went. It feels fitting for a journey full of growth, new experiences, and the occasional dramatic main-character moment. Of course, during stressful weeks and the end of each semester, there were definitely a few background notes of “Under the Sea” too.