Career-ready skills, real-world interdisciplinary learning, co-op opportunities
This September, Saint Mary’s University is launching two innovative majors, Health, Wellness and Sport in Society and Sports Business, blending innovation and opportunity in a way that feels unmistakably of this moment.
These new interdisciplinary programs are shaped by conversations across faculties and a clear-eyed view of what students—and the job market—need next.
Built on Saint Mary’s longstanding strengths in community engagement, athletics and business, the programs offer real-world skill-building and co-op placements and will prepare students for high-impact careers in sport.
“These majors were developed with today’s world in mind—and tomorrow’s in sight,” says Dr. Augie Westhaver, associate professor of sociology and co-creator of the new majors. “We wanted to create something practical and forward-thinking, where students leave not just with a degree, but with a resumé and a sense of how to lead real change.”
Flexible paths, focused careers
Students can complete co-op placements relating to Sports Business and Health, Wellness and Sport in Society
The Health, Wellness and Sport in Society major, housed in the Faculty of Arts, draws on the social sciences, humanities and business to examine health, sport, equity and wellness through a broad, socially responsible lens. Students will explore everything from ethical leadership to diversity in sport, connecting their studies to global challenges like inclusion and sustainability.
Offered through the Sobey School of Business, the Sports Business major combines marketing, data analytics, and management with big-picture thinking around ethics, leadership, and sustainability. The program prepares students to lead in a dynamic sports industry, whether in professional sport teams, corporate partnerships, or non-profit community organizations.
The programs see sport not just as a competition, but as a platform for equity, inclusion, and global citizenship. Both majors are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and emphasize socially responsible leadership.
““I wasn’t just looking for theory. I wanted something that would connect me to real careers, real communities and real change. This program brings everything together. I’ve already started exploring the business side of sport, and next year I’ll dive into the health and social issues that really matter. It’s equipping me with practical, relevant skills—and a degree that feels practical, relevant and truly interdisciplinary.” ”
The majors also build on SMU’s existing Certificates in Sports Business and Health, Wellness and Sport in Society, allowing students to stack credentials or shift into the full major as their interests evolve.
Real-world learning starts here
At the heart of both majors is a commitment to learning by doing, built on an interdisciplinary structure. Throughout their studies, students will engage with guest speakers, explore industry discussions, and analyze case studies, gaining insights from professionals working in the sport industry. Sample courses will include Sports Marketing, Human Resources in Sports, Sports Law, Data Analytics in Sports, and Sport, Diversity and Inclusion.
Through co-op placements, community projects and capstone courses, students will collaborate with sports teams, health organizations and non-profits on projects that reflect real industry challenges.
Potential career paths for graduates include Health Promotion Specialist, Facility and Recreation Manager, Sports Marketing Manager, Wellness Program Director, Performance Analyst, and Diversity and Inclusion Officer in Sport.
Connecting academics and community through sport and wellness
Both majors are anchored by the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health, of which Dr. Westhaver is the director. The Centre is an interdisciplinary hub connecting academic research, community engagement, and student learning.
In March 2024, the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health hosted “Sport Studies Outside the Classroom”, an experiential learning symposium in support of the development of sport studies on campus.
Over the years, the Centre has become a touchstone for students and scholars alike, championing mental health initiatives and creating space where community work and academic inquiry intersect. It has a rich history of hosting international conferences, supporting student-led wellness projects, and building industry partnerships that now help power these new majors.
The programs also arrive at a time when mental health in sport is gaining long-overdue attention. The Centre has supported initiatives like the Student Athlete Mental Health Initiative and Here for Peers, and both majors are designed with wellness, not just performance, in mind.
“In designing these programs, we aimed to reflect the interconnectedness of sport, health, and business in today's global landscape,” says Dr. Miguel Morales, associate professor of marketing and co-creator of the new majors. “Our goal was to equip students with the skills to navigate and lead in diverse environments, understanding that success in the sports industry now requires a blend of cultural insight, ethical leadership, and a commitment to social impact.”
Within the classroom, students are encouraged to explore the ethics of wellness, and its role in shaping both individuals and systems. Conversations around resilience, burnout and the emotional weight of high-performance sport are central to the learning, viewed through a socially conscious lens.
New talent helping to guide centre’s growth
Jacob Glover, Managing Director at the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health
Jacob Glover is thrilled to join the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health at such a pivotal time in the expansion of its programs. Well poised to support the centre’s vision as its new managing director, Glover brings experience in sport governance and policy work along with a background in law, philosophy and restorative justice.
Since arriving at Saint Mary’s in January 2025, he has focused on working with the university community “to think about nuanced ways of proactively attending to the well-being of our student athletes,” he says. “This includes working with academic supports as well as Student Affairs and Services and Athletics and Recreation, to connect our students to the resources that help to build a culture of holistic well-being.”
Enhancing the centre’s engagement with other sport institutions and organizations is another priority. In one project funded by the Canadian Olympic Committee, Glover is working with the Restorative Lab at Dalhousie University and Sport Nova Scotia to integrate a restorative approach to Team Nova Scotia’s culture and commitment to well-being at the Canada Games.
Glover joins the centre’s Academic Director Dr. Augie Westhaver and Operations Support Specialists Quinn MacDonald BA’24 and Cedric Ralph BA’25. On deck to help launch the new academic programs is Teaching Fellow Dr. MacIntosh Ross EMBA’96, whose own research explores the intersections of sport and human rights. Three students are on staff for the summer as varsity student-athlete research assistants: Ashley Brady, Ashley Penney and Chad Enwright. Learn more about the centre’s team.