Congratulations to Octreyvian Killian!

We are thrilled to celebrate Octreyvian Killian, a College of Education Learning, Literacy, and Leadership student, for being one of just nine recipients of the prestigious University of Arizona Centennial Achievement Undergraduate Awards!

Octreyvian will graduate summa cum laude in May with a Bachelor of Science in Learning, Literacy, and Leadership, a Bachelor of Arts in German Studies and Philosophy, and an honors designation in Philosophy. He is also part of an accelerated master’s program in Philosophy, with plans to pursue advanced degrees by 2026.

Born in Salt Lake City, Octreyvian has overcome significant family and health challenges, including illness and intermittent homelessness, that required him to pause his educational journey several times. Since joining the University of Arizona, Octreyvian has made a remarkable impact:

• He has served as an undergraduate teaching assistant and tutor at the SALT Center, helping students with disabilities build confidence and skills for success.
• As a preceptor, he developed equitable testing systems to support students with dyslexia and other disabilities.
• Through his research with UROC (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Consortium) as an AWARDSS-PLUS fellow, Octreyvian investigated the challenges impacting transfer student graduation rates, laying the foundation for future solutions.

A dedicated advocate for equity and access for disabled and LGBTQIA+ students, Octreyvian aspires to pursue a doctorate in either Philosophy or Educational Psychology and continue his research on mentorship to reimagine higher education and create transformative opportunities for all students.

We are so proud of Octreyvian’s achievements and his incredible perseverance. Congratulations, Octreyvian—you inspire us all!

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