Convocation ‘25: Dylan Draker, BSc

Dylan Draker, BSc Psychology

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With an offer to play volleyball for the Vikings, Dylan chose to study at Augustana, where he’s made the most of living in a small, vibrant community. Eager to give back, Dylan has refereed volleyball tournaments, coached children’s volleyball on weekends and served as a wellness ambassador on campus.

Dylan is graduating with a bachelor of science in psychology and plans to work for a year while volunteering in sports clinics. He will then pursue a master’s in sports psychology, focusing on concussion therapy.

Congratulations, Dylan!

What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A Augustana for your studies?

I was originally planning on going to North Campus for school, but I was also looking to play volleyball in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). I was offered a spot on the men's Vikings volleyball team, and I was super excited to be able to go to the U of A while also playing in the ACAC. I had been teammates with some of the guys who were on the team, and they only had good things to say about the school and the team, so I was grateful to get that opportunity.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at Augustana?

I have lots of good memories at Augustana, from all the home games, team practices and late nights spent studying at the library, so it is very difficult to pick just one. One that comes to mind though, is from when I took a painting class in the art studio, where I would often spend hours working, well into the night (back before I understood how to properly budget my time and before I prioritized sleep...). I would bike back home through campus, and it was always so peaceful, and I was happy to be in a familiar and safe space (not to mention getting a whole art studio to work in!). 

Tell us about your favourite professor/lecturer and/or class.

It's hard to pick just one favourite professor or class! I got the pleasure of meeting a bunch of different profs and taking a variety of interesting courses. For psychology, I really enjoyed my capstone class with Sean Moore, as we dove into the history of psychology and the development of the field. It was an interesting way to wrap up my psychology degree, and it really put things into a bigger picture. Also, a huge shout out to Julian Forrest for teaching me how to paint. He was super supportive, and it was nice to mix in a class that was totally different from my science courses. Overall, I really enjoyed the small class sizes at Augustana, and I value all of the one-on-one time that I got with my professors, not to mention all the support and guidance that they have given me for pursuing graduate studies!

Did you take on any leadership roles while you were a student, either on campus or in the Camrose community? 

I had many leadership opportunities through my volleyball team, which I am very appreciative of. This involved reffing volleyball tournaments and coaching elementary school kids' volleyball on the weekends. I love the Camrose community and my sport, so it was great to give back to the community!  I also enjoyed being one of the wellness ambassadors on campus, as I got to help give back to students and offer support and guidance to help enrich the university experience!

How did you get where you are today?

I got where I am today from having an open mind and from the support of everyone around me. I did not know what I wanted to do after university, and I even switched my degree in my third year, from biology to psychology. My first year was during the pandemic, when I didn't even get to meet anyone in person. However, I took a chance, and I stuck with it. I went through many ups and downs, but I persevered. My teammates, friends, professors — everyone — helped me along my journey and helped to shape the person I am now. I was open to new opportunities, which helped me navigate through courses and all the group work and presentations, volunteer work, coaching and working as a wellness ambassador at Augustana. I am very lucky and grateful for the time that I spent at Augustana, and I am grateful for the positive experience that I had.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

My advice to Augustana students is that Camrose has so much to offer, and that it is up to you to make the most of it: Go to all the events on campus, go to sporting events, stop at all the booths in the Forum and get free snacks, go to different events in the community and read the school newsletters (yes... check your school email... it’s worth it, because that’s how you find out about cool events going on). This will help you to meet people, and I bet that you will meet lifelong friends. Also, go to class and talk to your professors if you get the chance... take advantage of those small class environments! That's my advice if you really want to experience the true Augustana Advantage!

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

I am going to bring some family to Camrose for my convocation, and I am excited to be around all of my fellow graduates as I'll get to chat with everyone, as we all practically know each other at this point! Also, you can bet that I will be making an appearance at OC’s later that night...

What's next after graduation?

I am taking a year to work, gain some more volunteer experience at some sports clinics, and then I plan on applying for a master's in sports psychology, hopefully in concussion therapy! Thanks for everything Augustana, and go Vikes!!