First-year student launches travel startup LocalLink

Noah Hemphill

Saint Mary’s student and Enactus Saint Mary's member Noah Hemphill is turning his passion for travel and entrepreneurship into a tech-driven solution designed to reshape how people explore new places.

Noah chose Saint Mary’s for its strong business reputation, supportive environment and the opportunity to experience a new city while staying connected to his home in Prince Edward Island. He also highlighted the value of the university’s highly accredited business program and the opportunities it provides, which made choosing the Bachelor of Commerce at Saint Mary’s an easy decision.

Now, as a student entrepreneur, Noah is building his venture LocalLink through Enactus SMU, with additional support from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. The project is a trip itinerary builder designed to create highly personalized travel experiences based on user preferences.

“LocalLink takes basic information about a user and asks a series of questions to build a hyper-personalized itinerary,” Noah explains. “Instead of only showing generic attractions you might find on TripAdvisor or Expedia, it highlights well-known destinations as well as hidden gems tailored to individual interests, budgets and preferences.”

Beyond curated itineraries, LocalLink is also being developed as an all-in-one travel platform. Users will eventually be able to book hotels, activities and flights directly through the site, keeping everything in one place and aligned with their personal budget and travel style.

His inspiration for LocalLink comes from years of hands-on experience in tourism. Having worked in the PEI tourism industry through his teen years, he noticed a consistent pattern: travellers often remember the lesser-known, unexpected experiences most, yet major platforms tend to prioritize larger, more established attractions.

“Smaller businesses and unique experiences often get overlooked because they don’t have the same visibility. LocalLink is about changing that—helping people discover experiences they wouldn’t have otherwise considered, while also supporting small businesses.”

— Noah Hemphill, SMU student and LocalLink founder

Noah and the LocalLink team recently won the Sobey Strategy Case Competition hosted by the SMU Accounting Society

As a member of Enactus SMU, Noah has also been inspired by the organization’s recent national and global success, which he sees as a reinforcement of his decision to study at Saint Mary’s. He credits the Enactus community with providing access to mentorship, resources and like-minded innovators who help strengthen his entrepreneurial journey.

Looking ahead, Hemphill sees strong alignment between his commerce studies and his venture. Skills learned in areas like data analytics and accounting are already being applied directly to LocalLink’s development.

“Everything I’m learning in my degree feeds back into my business,” he says. “It all connects.”

As LocalLink continues to grow, Noah is encouraging others to follow along on Instagram as the platform moves toward launch.

Interested in learning more about how entrepreneurship can blend with other areas of study? Explore programs and events at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

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Applications open: the Access Ability Incubator returns for 2026

The Access Ability Entrepreneurship Incubator, facilitated through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, is returning for 2026, continuing its mission to support entrepreneurs who self-identify as living with a disability. Following the success of previous cohorts, the program renewal marks another step forward in creating more inclusive pathways into entrepreneurship.

Since its launch, the incubator has supported over 40 participants in starting and running their own businesses, providing not only the tools to build viable ventures but also a strong sense of community and confidence. The program is designed to reduce common barriers to entrepreneurship by offering structured support, mentorship and financial resources.

The 2026 extension will run from May through December and be delivered across two 14-week cohorts, with 11 participants per group. Throughout the program, participants will engage in hands-on, participant-centred learning that focuses on validating business ideas, developing practical skills and building sustainable plans for growth.

Participants receive compensation throughout the program, aligned with minimum wage, as well as $1,000 in seed funding to support early-stage business development. In addition, they gain access to one-on-one mentorship, peer collaboration and a supportive network tailored to their needs.

By combining financial support with guided learning and mentorship, the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Incubator empowers participants to move forward with clarity and confidence in their entrepreneurial journey.

Applications for the 2026 cohorts are now open. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply here and take the next step in bringing their business ideas to life.

Empowering women through bold ideas

Students from three universities participated in the FemXchange Innovation Sprint

In celebration of International Women’s Month, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre brought together students and founders for an Innovation Sprint featuring FemXchange, a growing platform designed to help female+ individuals share skills, build connections and support one another.

The sprint welcomed 14 students from Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University and Mount Saint Vincent University, all tasked with tackling a real challenge: how FemXchange can grow sustainably through partnerships while continuing to engage the right members and stakeholders. The opportunity came at the perfect moment, as conversations are already underway to deepen collaboration between FemXchange and the Centre, particularly in ways that could better connect students, alumni and existing programming.

“I was blown away by the bright, diverse minds in the room,” said FemXchange Founder Caroline Mastropaolo. “As a solo founder, having such a range of fresh, objective perspectives is incredibly valuable. I’m excited to hit the ground running with all these new ideas.”

Not only were students solving for business growth, but they were doing so for a platform rooted in empowerment and access. As a bonus, all female participants received one year of free access to FemXchange, turning the experience into something that extends well beyond the classroom.

The solutions presented reflected both creativity and strategic thinking. First place went to Saint Mary’s University arts student, Stuti Sandhu, who proposed partnerships with university alumni offices, venture capital firms and small business insurance companies. Her idea also highlighted an important social impact angle, suggesting the platform could support survivors of domestic violence and economic abuse by promoting financial independence.

Second place was awarded to commerce student Isabella Scuse and science student Abdinasir Ali, both from Saint Mary’s University, who developed a multi-partnership approach. Their strategy included collaborations with Etsy to support DIY entrepreneurs, Credly for certifications, Shopify for scaling businesses and RBC for funding and financial literacy.

Third place went to Saint Mary’s MBA students Laura Thompson, Benjamin Broadbent and Noah Zelin-Opps. Their plan focused on partnerships with universities, professional organizations and platforms like PrestaShop, alongside a detailed activation strategy that included chatbot integration and a WhatsApp ecosystem.

Overall, the Innovation Sprint highlighted what’s possible when the right people, purpose and timing come together.

If you’re interested in learning more about the next Innovation Sprint, sign up for our newsletter.

Student behind AI ranching technology wins $10,000 grand prize in The Arena 2026

Haden Harrison, a Bachelor of Commerce student from the University of Calgary, has been named champion and awarded the $10,000 grand prize in The Arena, Saint Mary’s University’s national pitch competition.

After 31 days of intense competition, with over 64 participants from 41 post-secondary institutions across Canada, Haden emerged as this year’s champion with his innovative agtech startup, Agrivanna, which provides AI-powered virtual fencing and comprehensive herd management solutions tailored for large-scale Canadian ranching.

Haden presents his pitch on Agrivanna at The Arena

“The Arena has been a highly professional and very well executed event, truly one of the best I’ve been a part of. Competing in a unique bracket-style format is something I had never experienced before, and in the spirit of innovation and trying new things, this structure has been both enlightening and a lot of fun,” says Haden. “It has also pushed us to sharpen our story, pressure-test our business model, and connect with an incredible community of founders, mentors, and supporters.”

The Arena, presented by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University and sponsored by Metronomics, is a high-stakes, high-energy pitch showdown. Sixty-four of Canada’s most promising student entrepreneurs compete live, under pressure, for the title of the nation’s top innovator and a $10,000 prize.

Modelled after the NCAA March Madness championship, The Arena unfolds in a bracket-style competition from March 3 to April 2. Each matchup is a standalone battle—fast, focused and decisive. Pitches are delivered live. Judges deliberate in real time. Winners advance. All matches are streamed online, drawing audiences from across the country.

Throughout March, participants competed in a head-to-head pitch competition, presenting their ventures to panels of expert judges. In total, $17,000 in prizes were awarded: $10,000 to the first-place winner, $5,000 to the runner-up, and $1,000 each to third and fourth place. Prizes were sponsored by Metronomics, founded by Saint Mary’s alum Shannon Byrne Susko BComm’89 BSc’92,

“We’re thrilled to be presenting The Arena for the sixth year in a row. The Arena isn’t just a competition. It’s where Canada’s next innovators step into the spotlight,” said Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. He adds, “The Arena would not be possible without partners such as Shannon Byrne Susko.  We are also so thankful to our elite panel of judges, who, with their vast range of expertise, bring invaluable experience to the competition.”

This year, the judging panel featured seven distinguished judges representing the vast range of Canada’s business landscape. Alongside Shannon was Mark Brand, Chef & Social Impact Entrepreneur, Upward Kitchens; Janice Buchanan, Director of Marketing & Agency Services, Irving Oil; Jennifer Grimm, Founder, LUX Beauty; Catherine Bagnell Styles, Co-Owner, Gallery on Lincoln; Dr. Michael Khan, President and Vice-Chancellor, Saint Mary’s University; and Diane Lafontaine, Chief Marketing and Corporate Strategy Officer, BDC.

“The Arena is where bold ideas meet real-world pressure,” said competition judge Diane Lafontaine. “It was exciting to watch the final competitors rise to the moment and prove they’re ready to build something that matters.”

Impressed with both finalists, Metronomics awarded the second-place winner, Meghan Brar from the University of Guelph, an additional $5,000, bringing this year's prizes to $22,000.

Since its launch in 2021, The Arena has awarded over $93,000 in prizes and showcased more than 380 student ventures from across Canada. With a focus on growth, innovation and cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre continues to support the next generation of founders.

Final round of The Arena 2026 features top student innovators from across Canada

After four weeks of head-to-head competition and standout pitches, The Arena 2026 is heading into its final round, bringing together some of the top student entrepreneurs from across Canada.

Now in its sixth year, The Arena, hosted by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, has grown significantly in both reach and reputation, with a record 41 post-secondary institutions participating. What began with 64 student competitors has now narrowed to just two finalists, each representing the increasing ambition and innovation of student founders nationwide.

Moving into the final round of competition are Haden Harrison from the University of Calgary and Meghan Brar from the University of Guelph.

Haden founded Agrivanna, an agtech startup providing AI-powered virtual fencing and comprehensive herd management solutions tailored for large-scale Canadian ranching.

Meghan created Belaris Biotech, a medtech venture focused on advancing regenerative medicine through smart drug-delivery systems.

While both ventures are in different industries, they share a common goal: building solutions that are innovative, scalable and meaningful. Their final pitches will test not only their ideas but also their ability to clearly communicate and execute them under pressure.

As the competition has evolved, so too has the calibre of talent, with participants and judges setting a new standard for excellence.

“Now into its sixth year, we’ve set a new standard. We see the level of ambition get better every year, and this cohort is no exception,” says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. “By recruiting national business leaders to support our student entrepreneurs, we’ve turned The Arena into a platform where students aren’t just pitching ideas, they’re building real, scalable businesses.”

Beyond the diverse range of student ventures showcased this year, the final round features a panel of seven distinguished judges representing Canada’s business landscape. Spanning across sectors from banking and technology to social entrepreneurship and investment, these leaders, many of whom have built and scaled their own companies, bring invaluable, firsthand experience to the stage.

"I'm thrilled to be judging The Arena because the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs deserves a stage that matches their ambition,” says Mark Brand, Chef & Social Impact Entrepreneur, Upward Kitchens.

“Right here in Nova Scotia, that entrepreneurial energy is the backbone of our communities, and this competition pushes student founders to sharpen their ideas, think on their feet and rise to the moment. I can’t wait to see what they bring.”

— Mark Brand

Alongside Mark, the judging panel also includes Shannon Byrne Susko BComm’89 BSc’92 (Metronomics), Diane Lafontaine (BDC), Janice Buchanan (Irving Oil), Jennifer Grimm (LUX Beauty), Orlane Panet (MicroHabitat) and Dr. Michael Khan (Saint Mary’s University).

Together, these judges have the experience to see exactly how a startup can grow, run smoothly and stay successful in the long run. They’ll be looking at each pitch from every angle—from the big-picture strategy to the day-to-day details. To learn more about this year’s judges, visit our webpage.

Watch the final round live

With two exceptional competitors and a panel of experienced judges, the stage is set for a compelling final round, one that reflects how far The Arena has come and the new standard it continues to set for student pitch competitions in Canada.

The Arena 2026 finals will take place on Thursday, April 2, at 7 p.m. ADT, where one finalist will be named the next champion and awarded the $10,000 grand prize sponsored by Metronomics, founded by CEO Shannon Susko BComm’89 BSc’92.

A finals watch party will be held at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University, 5907 Gorsebrook Avenue, in room SH211.

Can’t make it? You can also tune in live on LinkedIn, YouTube or Facebook.

Saint Mary’s students earn recognition as 2026 Frank H. Sobey Award winners

Olivian Sanderson

Conrad Scotchburn

Two students from Saint Mary's University have been named among the eight recipients of the prestigious Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies, recognizing their outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to community impact. 

Olivian Sanderson of Pugwash, Nova Scotia, a third-year student known for her strong academic performance and active engagement in the Saint Mary’s community, and Conrad Scotchburn of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, a fourth-year student recognized for his leadership and commitment to excellence in business studies, are the University’s 2026 award recipients. Selected through a rigorous process, they were chosen from a competitive pool of 34 nominees put forward by business school deans across Atlantic Canada. 

Each year, the Frank H. Sobey Awards celebrate undergraduate business students who demonstrate excellence not only in academics but also in entrepreneurship, leadership, philanthropy and future career potential. This year’s cohort reflects a diverse and accomplished group of emerging leaders from across the region. 

As award recipients, they will each receive $50,000 and be paired with an experienced mentor through the program—an element consistently highlighted by past winners as one of the award’s most valuable aspects. 

Demonstrating leadership and peer support

During her time at Saint Mary’s, Olivian has been active in programs at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, including the award-winning Enactus team. This helped her create Sociable, an online community platform that helps students connect, get peer support and gain access to campus events. "The Frank H. Sobey Award gives me space and the resources needed to build my business or start other ventures that also contribute to the mission I have of helping young students," she said.

Conrad used his experience as a former varsity athlete and business student to create Sideline Reset, an app that connects student athletes with peers who share their unique mental health concerns. "Winning the Frank H. Sobey Award is an incredible honour and validation of the hard work I put in." Learn more about their businesses in the videos below.

In addition to the eight winners, 26 other finalists will receive $3,500 scholarships in recognition of their achievements. 

Established in 1989, the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies support the development of future business leaders at universities across Atlantic Canada. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $4 million to students. 

For Saint Mary’s, the recognition highlights the strength of its business students and their growing impact both locally and globally. 

Watch:

How leaders at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre are building their own venture

Michael Sanderson MBA’08 and Meredith Drost BComm’19 MTEI’25, leaders at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, have started their own venture called Athena’s Playground

At the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, supporting entrepreneurs doesn’t stop at mentorship; it often means leading by example. That’s exactly what the Director, Michael Sanderson MBA’08 and Manager, Business Design, Meredith Drost BComm’19 MTEI’25 and their third co-founder, Mukul Gupta BSc’14, are doing through their latest venture, Athena’s Playground.

They co-founded Athena’s Playground, an online learning platform designed to bring people together through shared interests; whether that’s cooking, dance, photography or other creative pursuits. Building on the idea that learning should feel accessible, social and inspiring, the platform creates a community where people can explore new hobbies and connect with others from around the world.

“We wanted to create something that makes learning feel more accessible, connected and rooted in community,” says Meredith Drost. “Turning lessons from local experts into bite-sized micro-sessions makes new skills more attainable.”

The venture is entering an exciting new phase with the launch of its Kickstarter campaign. For the co-founders, the campaign represents more than just fundraising—it’s an opportunity to test, validate and grow the business to 50 trainers, bringing on new courses and applying the same entrepreneurial principles they use every day at the Centre.

Their dual role as educators and active founders highlights a core strength of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre: its commitment to experiential learning. By actively building and scaling a venture, Michael and Meredith are reinforcing the Centre’s approach of learning by doing, demonstrating what it looks like to take an idea from concept to market.

“This is exactly what we’re doing with Athena’s Playground,” says Michael Sanderson, “taking an idea and building it into something we can test, refine and grow.”

The Kickstarter campaign also reflects the collaborative and community-driven mindset that defines Athena’s Playground. Supporters are not just backing a product; they’re helping shape a platform designed to make learning more engaging and become a part of the community.

Through Athena’s Playground, Michael and Meredith are creating a new kind of learning platform while showing exactly what it means to lead from within the entrepreneurial journey.

Discover how the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre supports ventures like Athena’s Playground and follow their journey through their live Kickstarter campaign.

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The founders of Athena’s Playground were recently featured on Global News Morning Halifax.

Bringing trades and business together at the 5th Provincial Innovation Sprint

Students across Nova Scotia participated in the Innovation Sprint with Graves Electrical Ltd.

The fifth Provincial Innovation Sprint brought together by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and Nova Scotia Community College, gathered students and industry leaders at the NSCC Burridge Campus in Yarmouth, with additional students joining virtually from the NSCC Digby Learning Centre. The event connected 28 NSCC students from programs including Trades, Electrical, Business Administration and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning with Graves Electrical Ltd, a growing Atlantic Canadian company with ambitious national goals.

Founder Dwayne Raynard and two members of the Graves Electrical team presented students with a real challenge: how could Graves Electrical expand strategically and explore partnerships as it works toward becoming Canada’s first National Open-Shop Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Contractor. What made the Sprint interesting was that the same challenge is currently being explored by professional consultants hired by the company.

Students worked in teams to analyze the opportunity from multiple angles, offering creative and practical solutions. The range of perspectives and ideas impressed both the Graves Electrical team and Sprint organizers, demonstrating the value of bringing fresh student thinking into complex business conversations.

The winning team, made up of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning students Jake Whynot, Bill Ogdon, Josh Ford and John Gosson, presented a strategy focused on building partnerships with First Nations communities across Canada. Their proposal addressed several of Graves Electrical’s goals simultaneously, supporting national expansion while also creating opportunities for community integration and open-shop employment across the country.

Second place went to Business Administration students Angel Goreham, Jaxon d’Entremont and Ella Dyson, who explored expansion into the marine and shipping industry. Their concept highlighted an underdeveloped market where Graves Electrical could establish a strong early presence while building long-term relationships within coastal and small-town economies.

The third-place team, Sarah Thurston, Bryndis Baldursdottir and Chloe Deveau, who are all Administrative Professional Program students, proposed the creation of “Graves Academy,” a training and development initiative designed to support employee recruitment, professional growth and retention. Their idea focused on building a strong workforce pipeline while offering career mobility within the company.

Beyond the competition, the event also sparked early conversations about a potential scholarship or sponsorship opportunity between Graves Electrical and NSCC, highlighting how the Innovation Sprint continues to create meaningful connections between students and industry.

If you’re interested in being part of a future Innovation Sprint, click here.

Being There: How Stuti Sandhu is supporting older adults through preventive care

Stuti Sandhu

As a fourth-year arts student studying psychology, Stuti Sandhu is turning her passion for helping others into meaningful action. As the founder of Being There, Stuti is working to address a critical gap in community support for older adults by creating a preventive care model designed to help them maintain independence and age in place.

Her journey began long before the idea for Being There took shape. Growing up, she always knew she wanted to help people. While many children dream of becoming astronauts, engineers or superheroes, Stuti envisioned starting a nonprofit organization that would make a real difference in people’s lives. At the time, she didn’t know exactly how that dream would unfold, but she continued to pursue opportunities that allowed her to serve others.

That clarity came while volunteering in hospitals. During this experience, she encountered many older adults navigating complex health challenges and a lack of preventive support. She began to see firsthand how easily small issues, such as dehydration, missed meals or forgotten medications could escalate into serious health concerns.

Those observations sparked the idea behind Being There. The organization focuses on prevention, aiming to support older adults before health challenges become emergencies. By identifying early warning signs and providing consistent community support, Being There works to reduce avoidable emergency department visits and help older adults maintain their baseline health and independence for as long as possible.

For Stuti, entrepreneurship has played an important role in turning her academic knowledge into real-world impact. Through her psychology program, she developed a strong understanding of research and human behaviour. However, it was through her involvement with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and the World Champion Enactus Saint Mary's team that she learned how to implement ideas and build solutions that address real community needs. The business was also a part of the team that recently took third place in the 2026 Desjardins Community Empowerment Challenge at the Enactus Regional Exposition this February.

She says that many students in arts and science fields are motivated by a desire to change the world, but often lack the tools to turn research into action. Entrepreneurship, she believes, provides that pathway.

Today, Being There is preparing to launch its first pilot program, marking an exciting milestone for the organization. Stuti hopes the initiative will not only support older adults in the community but also inspire greater collaboration among organizations that share a commitment to improving aging care.

As the project grows, Sandhu continues to focus on her original mission: ensuring that older adults feel supported, valued and able to live independently for as long as possible.

Interested in learning more about how entrepreneurship can blend with other areas of study? Explore programs and events at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

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Sisters in STEM: Makayla and Mia Makhlouf make multitasking look easy

Makayla and Mia Makhlouf

From her first day on campus, Mia Makhlouf had high standards to live up to. Luckily, she has an excellent role model in her sister, Makayla.

Makayla graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology in 2025. During her time as a student, Makayla was an active volunteer in student societies, organizing the first Science Gala at Saint Mary’s in November 2024—her first time managing a large event. She found sponsors, managed ticket sales, booked space, sourced decorations and many other details that made it a successful event for upwards of 150 students. She followed that success by landing a position as the Human Resources Volunteer Coordinator at the Magnetic World Music Festival, where she coordinated 100 people each day of the three-day festival in downtown Halifax.

Mia is following in her sister’s footsteps—she is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Science with a Diploma in Engineering while maintaining a busy extracurricular schedule.

Along with her role as the Engineering Society’s Vice President of Media, Mia works part-time at an engineering company. She was a three-time gold medalist in public speaking with Skills Nova Scotia before returning as a coach. Her public speaking skills have also made her a valuable member of Enactus Saint Mary’s, a student-led entrepreneurial community focused on making a positive impact in their communities. She joined Enactus on Makayla's recommendation, and it has been the highlight of her time at SMU.

“One of the best things that I have done was join not just Enactus, but an extracurricular in general,” says Mia. “It can be easy to feel burnt out when you just have schoolwork all the time; being part of something else can feel like you’re accomplishing something.”

“... being part of something else can feel like you’re accomplishing something. It can also open your eyes to so many more opportunities and show you what you can do with your degree and what change you can create—like environmental or societal change.”

— Mia Makhlouf

Mia was a presenter on the national Enactus team at Saint Mary’s that won the 2025 Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand—an incredible recognition for their two student-run social enterprises, Alaagi and Square Roots. Mia’s background in public speaking began as a student at École Secondaire du Sommet, a French high school in Halifax. Her ability to apply her engineering and scientific knowledge to entrepreneurship is a key skill that allows the team to share their businesses with international judges.

Mia delivered an award-winning presentation at the Enactus World Cup in September 2025

“I didn't always realize what an important skill public speaking would be,” says Mia. “Being around my engineering peers who are very technically minded, they have such great ideas, but when it comes to presenting them, that's the hard part.”

“To explain something clearly, you must really understand it,” she says, adding that “textbook learning is one thing, but to be able to translate that into something that anyone can understand—and potentially buy into—is a real skill that's extremely valuable.”

Those public speaking skills are ones she can share with younger students. As an alumnus of the Skills Nova Scotia program, she competed at the national level for three years, delivering speeches on the value of skilled trades and technologies. She’s now a mentor and coach for high school students and will take a provincial gold medal student to the nationals.

“It was honestly better than ever winning anything to see someone that I worked with succeed…I feel like I found my calling,” says Mia.

Why Saint Mary’s?

The sisters have a family connection to the university—their aunt and uncle, Nali and Dr. Fred George, are cherished members of the Saint Mary’s community and generous donors who established scholarships in entrepreneurship and geology/business studies. Beyond that, they chose Saint Mary’s for its small classes and connected campus.

Mia loves that she got to know her professors, whose flexibility allowed her to work around Enactus competitions. The ability to take spring and summer courses also made it easier to maintain her busy schedule.

Makayla agrees, adding that she appreciates Saint Mary’s size, knowing that in the future, she’ll move to a much larger school. Makayla has been working toward becoming a doctor since high school; she is now busy studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which she’ll take in the spring. 

Choosing a career

Both Makayla and Mia have been working towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields since grade school and have mastered being well-rounded students, combining education, extracurriculars and supporting their family. They are multilingual, speaking English, French and Arabic.

“I knew that whatever field I wanted to go into, I wanted to create something of my own, whether that was interior design or fashion design,” says Mia. “I chose engineering not because I excelled at math or science, but because it challenged me. There are so many different pathways and opportunities that you can do once you're an engineer, like industry work, research or go more into entrepreneurship or leadership roles.”

Makayla’s microscopic artwork was featured in the SMU Science calendar in 2025

Makayla, who majored in biology, has aspired to study medicine for as long as she can remember. She began building a solid resume to achieve that goal while in high school, and her persistence in contacting doctors led to landing two 80-hour co-op positions in plastic surgery and physiotherapy through Nova Scotia’s O2 (Options and Opportunities) program.

“It’s a great way to see if the career you’re thinking about is the right one for you,” said Makayla, adding that she enjoyed being able to watch surgeries and meet medical students.

Makayla comes by her interest in healthcare—and community service—honestly. Their parents met when they were both volunteers with the Lebanese Red Cross in Batroun, near Beirut in northern Lebanon, before emigrating to Canada in 2000.

Their parents’ commitment to service, first through the Lebanese Red Cross and later through building a life and business in Halifax, continues to shape the sisters’ outlook and guide them as they look ahead.

As Makayla prepares for the next step toward medical school and Mia continues to balance engineering studies with leadership and mentoring, both are carrying that perspective forward. At Saint Mary’s, they found a campus where they could challenge themselves, try new things and grow into their own paths while staying grounded in the values that brought their family here in the first place.

New at SMU: Bachelor of Engineering in Resource Engineering

Starting in fall 2026, students can earn a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Resource Engineering at Saint Mary’s. Choose between Renewable Energy Engineering and Mining Engineering.

Learn more about these exciting new programs!

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Access Ability entrepreneurs come together to celebrate and connect

Will Brewer, Halifax’s official town crier and owner of Planet 21, opened the Access Ability event

Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

Molly Morgan, Project Manager with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

A town crier’s bell isn’t a typical way to start an event at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, but that’s how the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Celebration Event kicked off at Saint Mary's University last month. Will Brewer, owner of Planet*21, opened the afternoon in full town crier fashion, setting a light and welcoming tone for a gathering that was long overdue. 

The event brought together entrepreneurs who participated in the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Program. For many, it was the first time meeting in person since 2023, when the program ran in a fully virtual format, making the in-person gathering significant. 

The purpose of the event was simple: recognize progress. Entrepreneurs showcased their businesses, connected with mentors and community partners and watched promotional videos featuring participants and their work. Spring rolls were served by KevEthels, an entrepreneur from the program, adding a practical example of how participants continue to build and grow their ventures. 

The room included family members, friends, speakers, mentors, videographers and community supporters. The mix reflected what the program is designed to do: create space for entrepreneurs with disabilities to develop their ideas while building strong networks around them. 

Dayle Eshelby, a 2026 Speaker Series participant, shared afterward, “It meant so much to people to see the possibilities in that room. The energy was almost palpable. I am certain it will remain strong and be a boost for everyone.” She added that because of the program, she feels she is on the cusp of changing her life. 

Alumni and speakers shared similar feedback. Ghazal Afrahi, a participant of the 2024 cohort, noted how valuable it was to reconnect in person. Speaker Pranay Malusare thanked organizers and emphasized that the entrepreneurs themselves are the driving force behind the Centre. 

More than a celebration, the event marked a return to in-person community and reinforced the Centre’s commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, not just in theory, but in practice. 

Learn more about Access Ability Entrepreneurship.

Students help shape the future of a growing food initiative

Seventeen students from Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University and Mount Saint Vincent University worked with The Wave Placemaking for a hands-on Innovation Sprint at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre rooted in food, culture and community impact. Known as a living lab for creative placemaking, The Wave Placemaking supports newcomer-owned and underrepresented businesses by transforming everyday community gaps like an empty restaurant, an underused courtyard, a chef without visibility, into opportunities for experimentation and growth.

During the session, Richard Yang and founder Joyce Liu shared the story behind The Wave Placemaking and how signature initiatives like Taste Asia, mobile food carts and school-based food education programs came to life. Students were invited to dig into three real challenges: offering solutions such as scaling Taste Asia across multiple cities, strengthening a community-focused recipe book, and refining the structure and user experience of a catering platform.

“The Innovation Sprint has been incredibly valuable for us as both a business and a nonprofit,” says Richard Yang, Manager of The Wave Placemaking. “The students brought fresh perspectives and strong ideas focused on helping us grow. It pushed us to think beyond our usual way of running events.”

Students gained an understanding of what goes into event planning, partnerships, operations and financial realities from a small but ambitious organization. They were also offered early-call opportunities for paid and volunteer roles with Taste Asia and promised credit if their ideas were implemented, making the work feel tangible and meaningful.

Saint Mary’s students earned first place

The first-place team, Saint Mary’s students Ifeanyichukwu Justin, Siyuan Xu and Modou Ceesay, focused on the community-centred recipe book. Their concept emphasized storytelling, highlighting each chef’s roots and cultural background. They developed a demo website and digital archive, proposing both online access and physical copies sold at The Wave Placemaking events to support fundraising.

Second place went to Mo Li from Dalhousie and Daniella Akpoguma from Saint Mary’s, who presented a highly practical production strategy. They suggested leveraging existing Wave initiatives to bridge cultural knowledge gaps, using the founder’s photo studio for professional visuals and distributing the book through the Kitchen on Wheels program.

The third-place team, Saint Mary’s students Mannat Gogia, Dwiesha Swann and Martino Elias, introduced “One Ingredient, Many Homes,” a concept celebrating a shared ingredient across Pan-Asian cuisines to build connection and belonging.

Second-place team

Third-place team

With $1,000 in prize funding awarded across the top three teams, the event highlighted how collaboration between students and community organizations can spark creative ideas with real-world impact.