With convocation ceremonies taking place Friday, May 30, the University of Northern British Columbia’s Class of 2025 is ready to embark on a new chapter in their lives.
Two students, Sean Robinson and Guowei Li, have been selected by their peers to represent the graduating class as valedictorians.
Both are graduating with high honours and bring an impressive list of accomplishments both on and off the UNBC campus.
All the way from China: His passion for the environment brought Guowei Li to Prince George
Li will graduate with a PhD in natural resources and environmental studies. He was inspired to study at UNBC by Jueyi Sui, a professor in the School of Engineering known for his work in cold region hydraulics.
Li completed his undergraduate studies in China, but his passion for the environment ultimately brought him to Northern BC.
“I have a huge passion for the environment,” said Li. “When I was choosing my undergrad degree, I chose environmental engineering because, when I was young, I always admired superheroes. Obviously, those are fantasies, and you won’t get a chance to have a superpower. But one professor in my undergrad always told me that as an environmental engineer, if you can help future generations — even just a little bit — then you are a superhero to them. The reason why I’m so passionate about the environment is because I want there to be a future for my and others’ future generations.”
Describing himself as a “professional student,” Li has maintained a 4.33 GPA throughout his academic career. He is a recipient of multiple accolades, including the Graduate Teaching Excellence Award.
His doctoral research in river ice hydraulics has led to three peer-reviewed publications focusing on eco-hydraulics under ice-covered conditions. His work contributes to the development of climate-resilient infrastructure in northern communities.
Li has also co-authored several academic articles presented at national and international conferences. In addition to his research, he has worked as a teaching assistant in seven courses across Engineering and the Department of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.
“The reason I started to become a TA is I realized that it’s not just about knowledge,” he said. “It’s not just about how high a score you got on the exam. It’s about the process of learning. Not many professors are addressing the importance of the learning process. So I figured if I could somehow bridge the gap between students and professors, it would be a good experience for both.”
He said one of the highlights of his time at UNBC was working as a student assistant at the Academic Resource Centre (ARC).
“My highlight here, I would say, is my experience as a student assistant for ARC,” said Li. “That is a place where students with special needs are accommodated. The reason why that is one of my highlights is because it’s through that experience that I realized it’s all about perspectives. When I was in China, I had heard about ADHD and other mental states. It’s not a disease — it’s just that people have different learning processes. We’re all different individuals. My time at ARC really taught me to value those different perspectives.”
Outside the classroom, Li has volunteered with UNBC’s sustainability G-Force team, the Prince George Public Interest Research Group, the Northern BC Graduate Students’ Society, the Salvation Army, and youth mentorship programs at Westwood Church.
He hopes his journey inspires both his classmates and the wider Prince George community.
“When I was young, I always enjoyed reading biographies of famous people,” said Li. “As I grew older, I realized each person’s story is unique. My final words to the Prince George community and to my fellow graduates are: we are all our own superheroes. We write our own stories — so your story should also be valued, and it belongs only to you.”
Li plans to pursue a faculty position at a Canadian university and continue working as an environmental consultant—hoping to be, in his words, “a superhero” to future generations.
A hometown voice: Sean Robinson reflects on his journey
Sean Robinson — Yagabax̱ to his Nisg̱a’a family — is sharing valedictorian honours with Li. He is graduating with a bachelor of arts (honours) in history.
Robinson has a strong legacy of service to Northern BC and a deep connection to UNBC. Both of his parents, Andrew and Rheanna Robinson, earned graduate degrees at the university. His mother is now an associate professor in the Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities.
“I grew up here in PG,” said Robinson. “My mom’s from Smithers and my dad’s from the Nass Valley. Our lives were all kind of formed around the Highway 16 corridor. UNBC was always around. I even participated in the summer camps they run. The service that UNBC provides to Northern BC is vital.”
Robinson has an extensive record of involvement and achievement. He led the UNBC History Club, contributed illustrations to children’s books exploring disability in Indigenous communities, and represented UNBC at Model NATO in Germany. He also won the Canadian Society of Patristic Studies’ national student essay prize.
His writing has been published in Thimbleberry, UNBC’s literary journal, and The New Quarterly, based in Ontario. He has also presented research at York University in Toronto and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
Despite his achievements, Robinson said the highlight of his time at UNBC was studying abroad.
“My professors were very insistent that I take those opportunities,” he said. “Starting in my second year and up until just three weeks ago when I went to Mexico City, I’ve been to over 11 countries as part of my education. The longest was a six-month stay in Northern Spain. Through international programs, I’ve become much more familiar with various languages — I can read Arabic script, and I’m fluent in Spanish. The international aspect is definitely the highlight.”
Robinson also shared his deep appreciation for his hometown.
“Going around the world made me extraordinarily grateful to live here,” he said. “PG, for all its naysayers, is a very special place. We have a tight-knit community with people who are interested in sharing and working together. The natural scenery can’t be underestimated. It shaped my worldview and taught me to be more open to others.”
Robinson will begin a Master of Arts program at the University of Victoria in the fall. His academic focus will be on Indigenous historical agency and intellectualism in Canadian and American literature.
He closed by emphasizing the importance of supporting UNBC.
“There are many thousands of people in Prince George and across the North who fought to bring UNBC into being,” he said. “I would like people to remember that history and to cherish the work they did. The fact that we have post-secondary education in Northern BC is phenomenal. We shouldn’t take it for granted. UNBC is fighting for you, and we should fight for it, too.”
