51�Թ�app

Dr. Alex Mitchell, 2025 Promising Alumni Award recipient

“Receiving the award means a lot to me,” says Alex. “Camosun represented a place where I got my footing in education and ss a C student in high school, it allowed me to get a foothold in academia.”

Alex’s education journey started at Camosun when he applied to the Associate Degree program. After graduating in 2015, Alex transferred to the University of Victoria (UVic) and completed a degree in Biology which led to the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he graduated with a Doctor in Dental Medicine in 2024.

“Camosun helped me to develop a really strong foundation of knowledge,” adds Alex. “To understand how things work opposed to memorizing facts. Additionally, Camosun allowed me to develop my critical thinking and problem-solving skills because the exam questions were testing the fundamental concept rather than rote memorization.”

Alex has immersed himself in lifelong learning, participating in various qualitative research projects. These include improving the UBC Dentistry online interview process, integrating nurse practitioners across British Columbia, and exploring how Ketamine Assisted Therapy can help nurses with PTSD (Roots to Thrive). Alex was accepted into University of Alberta’s periodontal program, reaching a lifetime goal when he graduates as a periodontist in 2028.

“Camosun helped me to develop a really strong foundation of knowledge.”

- Dr. Alex Mitchell, Promising Alumni Award 2025 recipient

“My aim is to become a well-rounded periodontist that keeps up with the latest innovation and literature while maintaining my passion practicing periodontics and return to the Victoria community which has given me so much,” says Alex.

Alex has consistently shown a desire to give back to the community and foster a supportive environment for those around him. While pursuing his dental studies, Alex was elected by his classmates as Admissions Representative for UBC Dentistry and served  twice as the Dentistry Senator, advocating for the well-being of the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program.  These elected roles highlight the esteem in which Alex is held for his dedication and service. Alex also volunteered at the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society, a low-cost dental clinic where he consulted with patients facing financial constraints and provided emergency treatment options to help relieve patients’ pain.

Beyond direct patient care, Alex founded the UBC Dentistry Peer Mentorship Program, collaborating with faculty at UBC to create a structured system for students to receive wisdom from more experienced peers. He organized training sessions, including suicide prevention training, and regularly scheduled meetings which allowed students to talk about school stresses.

“Congratulations Alex on your commitment to your community and to lifelong learning,” says Dr. Lane Trotter, president of 51�Թ�app. “We are all impressed by your efforts to help those in need of support.”

Alex has some advice to current students. “Take full advantage of your time at Camosun. Talk to your instructors. The small class size allows the professors to be themselves more and they know you as a person, not just a number, they’ll be able to get to know you.”