'Freedom to explore who I am': Valedictorian finds growth, direction at UTM

Benji Jacob had already lived in three different countries before he arrived at the University of Toronto Mississauga and up until that point, movement had long felt like the only constant in his life. 

That changed as he settled into his undergrad at UTM, with his post-secondary chapter coming to represent a grounded period where he was able to explore his interests and build on his passions. 

Now, as Jacob graduates as the valedictorian of UTM’s class of 2026, he credits the community that challenged and supported him for helping him evolve into who he is today. 

“I arrived in Canada alone with two suitcases and a backpack, carrying great excitement, an awareness of how much this opportunity meant,” said the 22-year-old.

“UTM gave me the space and freedom to explore who I am more fully and authentically, and to grow into someone I am proud of becoming.”

Jacob initially planned to pursue neuroscience at UTM but shifted his academic path after considering what resonated most with him. 

“I realized my myriad of interests funnels to understanding and helping others,” he said. “I became so invested in social psychology and personality psychology; I realized that those were where my true genuine interests were.”

Jacob is graduating as a psychology specialist, with a double minor in biology and biomedical communication.

While he’s looking to the future with plans to eventually pursue a PhD in social personality psychology, he’s also hopeful some of the initiatives he started during his undergrad can last long after his time at UTM. 

The Studio X art collective is one of those programs – and an initiative Jacob is immensely proud of. 

“It's my little baby. It's my third space,” said Jacob, who didn’t want to forgo his love for art when he came to UTM. “I’m just following my passion.”

In setting up the initiative in 2022, Jacob searched for likeminded students who wanted to express themselves through art beyond their program of study at UTM. That group, which became Studio X, creates campus art installations featuring student-made paintings, photography, screen-printing and more. 

“We wanted to beautify spaces around UTM but also share profound messages about social justice issues and provide a space for learning,” said Jacob.

His desire to foster inclusion also led him to a job as a research assistant in the lab of psychological and brain sciences professor Dr. Joanne Chung, studying the experiences of racialized undergraduates. 

Jacob became the senior project co-ordinator for the lab’s longitudinal study “Giving Voice,” which looks at how personality and wellbeing develop within the university context.

“I didn't realize research could be so personal,” said Jacob. “I always thought it to be very technical and distant, but I've seen how rich and community-centered research can be.” 

Jacob, who came to UTM with the support of the prestigious Lester B. Pearson Scholarship program, also became a Laidlaw Scholar, which allowed him to pursue independent research on queer person of colour identity development.

He also got involved in various aspects of campus life through roles as a residence services assistant, working for Student Recruitment and Admissions and as president of the Psychology Association of Undergraduate Students at Erindale, where he established community partnerships and mentorship programs to help undergrads at UTM. 

“I hope people remember me as someone who likes to lead with the heart and likes to build community,” said Jacob, who received several leadership awards during his undergrad as well. 

“I’ve really tried to creatively think of ways to do that, whether that's through art installations or mentorship programs.”  

As he plans his next steps, Jacob said he’s proud of his UTM legacy and wants to reassure first-years who might be anxious about university – as he was – that everything is going to work out. 

“You don't need to have everything figured out – this is a time for you to make mistakes, to learn and grow,” he said. 

“University is an incredible opportunity but you need to be ready to make the most out of it.”