A Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) student leader is being recognized for breaking down barriers for mental health support in her community.
Graduating from KPU with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Minor in Counselling, Mehreen Mundi is the recipient of the university’s 2025 Future Alumni Award.
Growing up in an immigrant South Asian family, Mundi noticed the stigma surrounding mental health in her community. A desire to break that pattern for future generations led her to pursue a career in psychology.
“Mental health is often overlooked and misunderstood, especially in marginalized communities,” she says. “Many don’t get the care and support they desperately need, so I want to help break down some of those barriers and advocate for underserved populations.”
Mundi’s journey at KPU began when she took a high school dual credit marketing course at the university. Having had a positive experience, she went on to complete her undergraduate studies at KPU, too.
“I really loved the experience because of the smaller class sizes and supportive environment,” she says. “Psychology is very hands-on because you really have to observe people to learn, for example, body language and tone, which you can't really do in larger classes. The one-on-one mentorship I got from faculty also helped increase my communication skills and how I understand people.”
Mundi has been actively involved in several extracurricular activities during her time at KPU, all while maintaining a 4.2 GPA. As a Student Ambassador with the department of Student Affairs at KPU, she provided support to students and visitors and assisted with on-campus events, including the Student Mental Health Fair.
Mundi has also promoted awareness and access to mental health support through various research initiatives at KPU, including the Matsuba Applied Developmental (MAD) Lab and the Building Essential Skills in Therapy Lab, which she helped co-found. Working as a call taker with the Community Helpline for Incarcerated People project, she provides non‐stigmatizing, trauma‐informed support and resources to incarcerated people in B.C.
Mundi, who will be starting a master’s in counselling this fall, plans to continue advocating for mental health accessibility among vulnerable populations.
“My goal is to become a clinical psychologist and serve marginalized communities. I want to create mental health interventions that can actually help people break the stigma, have more open conversations about mental health and feel empowered to seek out the support they deserve.”
The Future Alumni Award recognizes future alumni who are KPU students at the time of nomination and have demonstrated significant service, leadership and vocational achievement at the university.