Ella Moser, McGill’s newest Loran Scholar

Ella Moser has always prioritized building community. The newly named Loran Scholar arrives at McGill with a strong record of leadership grounded in empathy, creativity and a drive to make meaningful connections wherever she goes.

The Loran Scholarship is one of Canada’s most prestigious undergraduate awards. It recognizes young people who demonstrate not only academic achievement, but strength of character, a deep commitment to service and the potential to lead with compassion and integrity.

Moser has engaged in mental health advocacy since high school and also launched an intergenerational project to combat loneliness among seniors.

 

Destigmatizing mental illness

As mental health chair of Horton High in Wolfville, N.S., Moser led efforts to destigmatize mental illness and build a more supportive school environment. One of her most impactful initiatives was the creation of “Affirmation Stations,” spaces where students and teachers could write and exchange handwritten notes of encouragement.

“My goal has been to respectfully educate and help reframe the way people think about mental health, changing the more traditionally negative views to one of more understanding,” she said.

 

Fostering connection across generations

For Moser, small, thoughtful gestures can have a lasting effect, especially when they’re part of a larger culture of care.

This belief in the power of human connection inspired Moser to launch Positivity Pals, an intergenerational initiative designed to combat loneliness among seniors. Her experience as a volunteer “friendly visitor” in palliative care and nursing homes showed her how isolating those spaces can be.

“Last summer, I launched Positivity Pals, an intergenerational project connecting the Wolfville Girl Guides and other youth with seniors in our community,” she said. With handwritten notes, cheerful crafts and creative art projects, Moser and her team reached out to seniors in local homes. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Now, she hopes to expand the program to Montreal and continue building connections across generations.

 

Back to her roots

Although Moser grew up in Nova Scotia, she said she has always felt a strong connection to Montreal, the city of her birth, where, over the years, she would travel to visit family.

“Being able to return to my roots was a strong pull,” she said. “And of course, McGill’s international academic reputation was also a key factor.”

Moser has enrolled in the Faculty of Science and says she is leaning toward a major in neuroscience.

Loran Scholars benefit from a four-year, comprehensive leadership-enrichment program, tuition waivers and financial support, and a network of peers and mentors.

 

Perseverance and empathy

In addition to her other accomplishments, Moser is a competitive athlete with international experience. She plays floorball, a fast-paced indoor hockey-style sport that remains relatively unknown in Canada. Last spring, she represented the country at the U19 Women’s World Floorball Championship in Lahti, Finland. The Canadian team didn’t win a game, but the lessons were invaluable.

“We were overmatched, but we were relentless,” she recalled. “That tournament taught me about perseverance, even when you’re up against impossible odds.”

 

Headed for medicine

Moser said she plans to pursue a career in medicine, with a focus on compassionate care.

“I love the idea of potentially making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, not only by helping treat illnesses, but also by helping foster a more empathetic health-care system,” she said.

As Moser begins her time at McGill, she brings with her not only a strong sense of purpose, but a clear vision for the kind of change she hopes to make.

Last spring, Ella Moser (right) represented Canada at the U19 Women’s World Floorball Championship in Lahti, Finland