This ASU grad put listening first — and now a career in counseling will follow
Ella Canada arrived at ASU on a pre-med track, planning to work with families in a clinical setting. But after taking family and human development classes, she found a stronger pull to the social sciences and now plans to pursue counseling. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2026 graduates.
Ella Canada is heading into spring convocation with a record that speaks for itself.
A Barrett honors student known for making others feel heard, Canada will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in family and human development, along with minors in sociology and justice studies — and a reputation as what one faculty member calls an “exceptional human.”
“Ella really listens to others,” said Associate Professor Sarah Lindstrom Johnson. “And when she hears, she responds in constructive ways. I can’t imagine a student who demonstrates the core charter values of ASU more than Ella.”
A Tempe resident, Canada arrived at ASU on a pre-med track with plans to work with families in a clinical setting. But after taking family and human development classes, she felt a stronger pull toward the social sciences, where she could understand people rather than just treat them. She trusted her gut and changed her major.
Over the course of her degree, Canada’s passion for serving families and children deepened through both coursework and experience. She worked with children across age groups in Mesa Public Schools, and she also researched student well-being in the Positive Environments for Adolescents and Children lab, through which she attended a national event on school safety this past February.
Along the way, she also served as a writing tutor, completed a social work internship and stayed involved in a Panhellenic chapter centered on community service.
That same interest in how people think and connect carried into her honors thesis, where she explored a less-discussed side of social media. Her research examines how social platforms can support community building, coping skills and access to information — offering a more balanced view than the negative framing often seen in public conversation. Impressively, the work is now in progress for academic publication.
After graduation, Canada plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She hopes to eventually split her time between private practice and nonprofit work, carrying forward the same mindset that guided her at ASU: listening to and caring about others.
Ahead of graduation, we asked Canada about her time at ASU.
Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Answer: Young kids are so much more perceptive than we give them credit for. They pick up on so many details that you wouldn’t expect, even the subtlest comments. When I worked in the public school, it was during election season. It amazed me how much they picked up on even those complex topics and conversations.
Q: Shout out a professor, advisor or someone else who made a big impact on your journey — what did they teach you?
A: Associate Professor Sarah Lindstrom Johnson really made an impact on my academic career. She taught me to consider multiple perspectives and showed me the value of connecting with people to hear different viewpoints.
Q: Tell us more about your research findings on the positive effects of social media.
A: My work found that social media has positive effects in three main areas: community building, coping skills during COVID-19, and information gathering, particularly for marginalized youth. In these ways, moderate social media use can be beneficial for adolescents, but of course, excessive use can have drawbacks. For instance, some of these social media algorithms can be really problematic, and I’d love to see some accountability for their effects.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: Take courses that expand your horizons, especially in the social sciences — even if they are outside of your major. They are super helpful for developing communication skills and a broader, less biased perspective. I took some fantastic courses that explored sociology and policy, and they really helped me understand more about the people I plan to work with in my career.
More Sun Devil community
ASU is the No. 2 public university for GI Bill students
For Arizona State University student David Faustino Hernandez, the university’s commitment to veterans goes far beyond symbolic gestures or dedicated support services.In his view, ASU has built a…
From Tempe to the Thames: Sparky takes London
Here’s a sentence you don’t often read: Sparky the Sun Devil, Arizona State University’s official mascot, has been invited to London this summer at the behest of the British Consulate.So thanks to…
ASU alum brings life-changing robotics to LA operating rooms
Nicholas Santos-Ramirez calls in to an interview about his experience at Arizona State University around 5 p.m. It’s just another step in his busy day, on his way home from one of the five hospitals…