51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏ

By Nicole North

Itzel Symonds was selected for the inaugural cohort of the FASS Dean’s Undergraduate Fellowship because of her exceptional academic achievements and her ongoing commitment to compassion, creativity and leadership. Itzel is a mature student and a mother of five, and throughout her life she has taken on several volunteer roles. 

One of Itzel's favourite volunteering positions has been teaching music to children. She has found the role to be a deeply rewarding experience that helped her realize how much she enjoys working with kids. It also ties perfectly into her love for early language acquisition, which remains one of her primary areas of interest within Linguistics. Itzel will be graduating with an undergraduate degree in Linguistics during the October 2025 convocation ceremony. 

Please share your motivations for enrolling as a mature student at SFU.

I immigrated to Canada when I was 10 and had to quickly adapt to a new culture and language. Learning English as a second language was both challenging and formative—it sparked an early curiosity about how we acquire language and communicate across cultures. In high school, I was a dedicated volunteer. 

However, upon graduation, I was unable to pursue post-secondary education due to our immigration status. Instead, I began working, met my husband, and started a family. A few years later, I felt it was finally time to continue my educational journey.

My interest in Speech-Language Pathology developed over many years of searching for a path that aligned with my passions. I enrolled at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, carefully selecting courses that supported my goal. When I realized I needed more Linguistics coursework than was available there, my adventure at 51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏ began.

Since transferring, I’ve immersed myself in Linguistics, which led me to join the Linguistics Student Union (LSU) in my second semester. I believe that being involved in volunteer roles contributes to a richer educational experience that goes beyond academics. This belief motivates me to stay engaged—not just in my own schooling, but in my children’s as well. 

For me, pursuing higher education is about more than earning a degree—it’s a journey of growth, purpose, and a full-circle moment that connects my own experience learning English to my passion for Linguistics.  

Tell us about your academic journey so far.

At KPU, I took a Psychology class with a professor who invited me to join her as a research assistant, a role I’ve proudly continued ever since. Working in this small lab has given me expansive opportunities to present our work at conferences and poster sessions. The experience has been invaluable, offering me firsthand insight into the world of research and deepening my academic interests.

When I transferred to SFU, I was an intended Psychology major. However, as I became more immersed in Linguistics, I realized it had become my true passion—especially as someone who had once struggled to learn English and now wanted to understand how language is acquired and processed. 

I initially added a Linguistics Extended Minor, but that didn’t feel like enough—so here I am now, as a Linguistics major with a Psychology extended minor and a Certificate in the Linguistics of Speech Science.

At SFU, I became involved with the LSU first as Merchandise Officer for a couple of years, then also as Communications Officer. Last semester, I stepped into the role of Vice President, and I now end my term as President of this incredible team. These roles have given me a strong sense of belonging, which is what we aim to promote and advocate for all students entering Linguistics.

Please describe your experience as a FASS Dean’s Undergraduate Fellow, including highlights and challenges.

Upon receiving my acceptance letter from SFU, I was awarded the Ken Caple Transfer Entrance Scholarship—an unexpected recognition for my academic work at KPU. In Fall 2024, I received another unexpected letter: a nomination to the FASS Dean’s Undergraduate Fellowship program. To say I was surprised is an understatement. The letter described the fellowship as being awarded to students who demonstrate strong academic performance alongside core humanistic values. To me, just the nomination was an honour, but I was thrilled to hear I was selected to join the Fellowship.

At the time, the fellowship was just beginning, and none of us quite knew what to expect from the program. I can now say it turned out to be an incredible experience. We had the opportunity to meet and engage with local leaders who were generous with their time and perspectives, openly discussing pressing issues affecting our communities, province, and our country.

A common thread throughout the speakers’ advice was to pursue what truly inspires us—and to remember that the path to our goals is rarely a straight one. Their stories highlighted how growth often comes from detours and challenges, and that fulfillment lies in following what genuinely resonates with us, even if the journey takes unexpected turns.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was impostor syndrome—wondering whether I truly embodied the qualities described in that letter as much as others in the room. Some days it was hard, making the trek up to Burnaby Mountain on rainy or snowy evenings, but I’m so glad that I did. The conversations were always enriching and thought-provoking—made even better by the stunning view from the sixth floor of the Academic Quadrangle!

What are your goals, aspirations and ambitions for the future?

My ultimate goal is to become a Speech-Language Pathologist, combining my interests in language development, cognitive science, and community care. In the near future, I plan to apply to an SLP master’s program, where I hope to continue exploring early language acquisition and work directly with children and families in a school setting.

I also plan to stay involved in advocacy and outreach—through Parent Advisory Councils, research, and community groups. Long-term, I see myself working in a school setting, with school-aged children or multilingual communities, where I can apply my academic background, my lived experience, and my passion.

Being the mother of five children, I feel I’ve completed a masterclass in multitasking before even applying to grad school. Yet, returning to university has been one of my most rewarding challenges in a path rooted in family, ambitions, communication, and lifelong learning. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had so far and excited for what comes next.