Faculty of Arts, Experiential Learning, Unique Education
Emily LeBlanc
Ancient Olympics shines the spotlight on Arts
Community, Faculty of Science, Partnerships, Research, Unique Education, Healthcare
Emily LeBlanc
Hope in code: How machine learning is shaping ...
Accessibility, SMU Community, Student Support
Emily LeBlanc
Accessibility Week: Celebrating 40 years of ...
Student Support, SMU Community
Emily LeBlanc
Saint Mary’s supports the 16 Days of Activism ...
Athletics and Recreation, Campus Notes, Community, Indigenous Community, Student Success, Student Support, SMU Community
Rachelle Boudreau
SMU Huskies continue campus tradition with ...

SMU Community

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Accessibility Week: Celebrating 40 years of accessibility at Saint Mary's!

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December 1–4: Hosted by the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility

Join the Fred Smithers Centre (FSC) as we celebrate 40 years of Accessibility at Saint Mary’s University! This week-long celebration highlights our ongoing commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and community through engaging workshops, interactive events, and opportunities to connect and learn.

Accessibility information: The Fred Smithers Centre strives to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please email fredsmithers.centre@smu.ca for accessibility requests or specific accommodations.

Events Highlights

Grad Connections: Exploring Your Next Academic Step

Monday, December 1
1-2 p.m. | Loyola Academic 280

Thinking about continuing your studies? This session will help you explore graduate and professional academic opportunities, application tips, and resources available to support students with disabilities as they transition into advanced studies. Learn how to plan your next steps with confidence and accessibility in mind.

Register here!

The Studio Presents: Accessible Word Documents & PowerPoints

Monday, December 1
2-4 p.m. | Atrium 306

The Studio for Teaching and Learning provides an opportunity to learn how to create more accessible Word and PowerPoint documents. During the workshop, participants will have an opportunity to work on their own document(s) and ask questions.   

BarrierU! Virtual Escape Room

December 1- 4
On Brightspace

Escape from BarrierU and create AccessibleU. Unlearn myths and learn about accessibility. It takes less than 30 minutes! As you complete challenges, you’ll get words needed to solve the final puzzle statement and win prizes!

Breakfast Club

Tuesday, December 2
9-11:30 a.m. | Student Centre Lobby

Start your day with a warm breakfast and good company! Join us for a community breakfast hosted by the Community Food Room in partnership with the Fred Smithers Centre. Enjoy great food, learn more about campus resources, and connect with peers and staff in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Genio Demonstration & Assistive Tech Q&A

Tuesday, December 2
Noon–1:30 p.m. | Secunda Marine Boardroom, 4th Floor Sobey School of Business

Discover the latest in assistive technology and digital tools that enhance learning and accessibility. This demonstration will feature Genio and a variety of other assistive technologies available through the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility, followed by an open Q&A with an Accessibility Advisor. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, explore adaptive devices, and gain practical insight into the tools and supports available on campus.

Connect & Create: An Accessibility Week Social

Tuesday, December 2
4-6 p.m | 5th Floor Student Centre Lounge

Join us for Connect & Create, a relaxed and inclusive crafting session during Accessibility Week! Meet Hailey, the Accessibility Peer Success Coach, and enjoy some creative activities while socializing with peers. Take a break, connect with others, and explore your creativity in a welcoming space designed to support connection and self-expression.

Fred Smithers Centre Birthday Pop-Up

Wednesday, December 3
10 a.m-1 p.m | Loyola Colonnade

Stop by and help us celebrate 40 years of accessibility services at Saint Mary’s! The pop-up will feature giveaways, light refreshments, and a chance to learn about the Centre’s history and impact over the past four decades. Come share in the celebration and connect with the community that makes accessibility a campus-wide value.

SEI Study Session

Wednesday, December 3
Noon-3 p.m. | 5th Floor of the Student Centre

Join the Student Employment Initiative (SEI) for a group study session in celebration of Accessibility Week! Drop in to study for finals, enjoy snacks, and connect with SEI staff, students, and Accessibility Peer Coach, Hailey. This is a great chance to prepare for exams in a supportive and inclusive space.

Therapy Dog Drop-In

Wednesday, December 3
1-2 p.m. | Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility

Take a break from your busy week and enjoy some pawsitive vibes with Meri, the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog! Drop in for cuddles, wagging tails, and a little calm in the middle of a busy time. Whether you stay for five minutes or the whole session, Meri is sure to brighten your day!

Accommodate 101

Wednesday, December 3
2-2:45 p.m | Virtual

Join us for an introductory session on Accommodate, the new test-management portal used by the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility at Saint Mary’s University.

Accommodate is a platform where students can book tests, request accommodations, and manage their accessibility needs, all in one place. It’s also a streamlined system for instructors to view which students in their courses are registered with the Centre, monitor test requests, and securely upload exams through a fully protected portal. This session will provide a clear overview of how Accommodate supports both students and faculty in creating a smooth, accessible testing process across campus. Join us to get familiar with this essential new tool.

How to Create Accessible PDFs

Thursday, December 4
2-4 p.m. | Atrium 306

Join Accessibility Lead, Jennifer Webb, to explore creating more accessible PDFs using various software. Learn how PDFs are processed for various neuro-diverse experiences, explore accessibility check tools and get templates to build off accessible-ready documents. This hands-on workshop will allow participants to develop or work on their own documents, get help and ask questions.   

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Saint Mary’s supports the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

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#16Days: November 25-December 10, 2025

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is an annual international campaign to call out and speak up against gender-based violence (GBV), and to commit to ending violence against women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Learn more about the 16 Days campaign, stats on GBV in Canada and how to help.

Saint Mary’s is hosting a number of events to learn, reflect and gather together with our community. See the list of events below, including a donation drive for personal care items.

Events

Perspectives on Gender-Based Violence: A Learning Display

November 25 - December 10 | Patrick Power Library

Stop by the Patrick Power Library to explore the Perspectives on Gender-Based Violence Learning Display. This collection highlights books and resources that deepen understanding of gender-based violence, its roots, and its impact.

Explore theory, perspectives, and lived experiences as we learn and reflect on the 16 Days of Activism to help build a more informed and compassionate campus community.

Study & Snacks

Tuesday, November 25
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | 5th floor Student Centre Lounge

Join the Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative (SVPI) team and SMUSA Women's Centre for a designated study session with coffee and cookies!

Bake Sale with Shelter Movers

Wednesday, November 26
9-11 a.m. | Loyola Colonnade

Stop by the Loyola Colonnade to purchase homemade baked treats from the SVPI team in support of Shelter Movers! Shelter Movers is a national, volunteer-powered, charitable organization that provides free moving and storage services to survivors of intimate partner violence and gender based abuse.

Re-Write the Script: Rethinking Masculinity - A Community Panel

Monday, December 1
4:30-6:30 p.m. | Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

Please join the Sexual Violence Support Centre, the Counselling Centre, and the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre for a panel discussion and community conversation in commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Rewrite the Script: Rethinking Masculinity will explore the intersections of masculinity, mental health, and men’s critical role in preventing sexual and gender-based violence.

We will be joined by community advocates, academics, experts, and entrepreneurs and together we’ll unpack harmful norms, challenge online narratives, and imagine healthier, more connected versions of masculinity that foster safety, accountability, and care—on campus and beyond. All are welcome to be part of this important conversation.

PAWS for Wellness

Tuesday, December 2
1-3 p.m. | Patrick Power Library Classroom

PAWS for Wellness is part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Please join the Athletics Ambassadors and Flower the Therapy Dog for an afternoon of reflection, care and connection.

Enjoy crafts that inspire mindfulness and healing, and sip on hot drinks as you unwind! Caring for ourselves and one another is an essential part of creating safer, more compassionate communities.

Ribbons of Remembrance: Tied Together with Hope

Friday, December 5
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Outdoor Quad

Join members of the Saint Mary's community in the Quad to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in advance of the National Day of Remembrance and Action Memorial on Monday, December 8, 2025.

We will be gathering outside the library to commemorate the lives of the fourteen women who were killed in the mass shooting at École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989, and all victims and survivors of Gender-Based Violence. Warm beverages will be served.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Ceremony

Monday, December 8
10:30 a.m.-noon | CLARI (Atrium 340)

Please join us to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the lives of the 14 women who were murdered at École Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989, and others who have experienced gender-based violence.

Refreshments will be served.

Personal Care Drive

November 25 – December 10

Help women and children impacted by gender-based violence by donating much-needed personal care products. Donations will be sent to a local women’s shelter and shared with the Saint Mary’s Women Centre and the Sexual Violence Support Centre.

Drop off items in purple boxes around campus until December 10.

    • baby shampoo, baby soap, teething rings

    • deodorant/antiperspirant

    • facial wash

    • hairbrushes, hair elastics

    • hand cream, chap stick

    • journals

    • large bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash

    • manicure kits

    • menstrual products

    • puzzles, children’s books

    • toothbrushes, toothpaste

    • Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

    • Faculty of Arts - Dean’s Office (MM218)

    • Faculty of Science - Dean’s Office (S221)     

    • Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness    

    • Human Resources (MS111)

    • Patrick Power Library

    • SAAS Reception (3rd Floor Student Centre)    

    • Sobey School of Business - Dean’s Office (SB212)

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From experience to employable: new Experiential Badges recognize student achievements

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Tom Brophy, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs and Services; Lyra Telles; Emily Fisher; Christy Starkey, Co-Curricular & Career360° Lead

Saint Mary’s University’s Career & Experiential Learning (CEL) team recently launched the Experiential Badge Program, a new initiative that helps students showcase their learning and leadership experiences gained outside the classroom.

These digital badges recognize students for the meaningful skills and competencies gained through campus involvement, community engagement, co-op placements, micro-experiential learning, and more. The badges appear directly on a student’s Experience Record and can easily be shared on LinkedIn or with future employers, helping to demonstrate their professional growth and employability.

“The Experiential Badges are a bridge between what students learn through applied experiences and what employers are looking for,” says Christy Starkey, Co-Curricular & Career360° Lead. “They help make the transferable skills gained at Saint Mary’s visible and credible, giving students a competitive edge on the path towards their career goals.”

What are Experiential Badges?

The Experiential Badge Program enables students to earn recognition in five distinct experience categories, each with four different levels of achievement.

  • Community Leader: Demonstrate exceptional leadership and personal growth while contributing to the Saint Mary’s campus or broader community.

  • Career Explorer: Learn to identify, articulate and communicate the professional skills and experiences developed throughout their degree in résumés, cover letters and interviews.

  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (EDIA) Champion: Engage in practices that promote inclusion, challenge inequity and advocate for social justice.

  • Sport Leader: Build teamwork, organization and communication skills through sport and community engagement (open to all students, not just varsity athletes).

  • Entrepreneurship: Explore how to create, evaluate and pitch innovative business ideas through experiential learning opportunities.

To start earning a badge, students can log into Career360° and track their experiences through the Experience Record, which includes Co-Curricular Recognition, Community Service Learning, Co-op, Micro Experiential Learning, and the Student Employment Initiative program.

“Keeping my record updated has been incredibly helpful when requesting reference letters,” explains Melissa Maria Alvarez, Experiential Badge recipient. “It provides supervisors with a clear, detailed overview of my roles and responsibilities, making it easier for them to write a letter on my behalf.”

Meet the First Badge Recipients

The CEL team recently awarded the first Platinum Experiential Badges to Lyra Telles and Emily Fisher at a recognition lunch with Tom Brophy, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs and Services. These inaugural recipients – along with another early badge earner, Melissa Maria Alvarez Del Angel – are setting an inspiring example for how students can use the Experiential Badge Program to reflect on their learning and tell their stories in meaningful ways.

Melissa Maria Alvarez Del Angel
Badge: Bronze Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (EDIA)

A fourth-year Psychology Honours student from Mexico, Melissa is passionate about mental health, belonging, and community care. Through her research on post-traumatic growth among newcomers and her leadership as a Senior Residence Assistant, she’s committed to supporting others through advocacy and research.

Her advice for building experiences: “Start small, follow your curiosity, and say yes to opportunities that feel meaningful, even if they scare you a little. Every role teaches you something new about yourself.”

Lyra Telles
Badge: Platinum Community Leader

A fourth-year Environmental Science student, Lyra’s roles as a Residence Assistant, Pack Leader, and Peer Success Coach have helped him build essential leadership and teamwork skills. He is also involved in other societies such as Saint Mary’s University Astrophysics and Ancient Studies Society.

“The CCR is such a valuable tool,” Lyra says. “It lets you record everything you’ve done in one place – your hours, skills, and references – so you’re ready for whatever comes next!”

Emily Fisher
Badge: Platinum Community Leader

A fourth-year Honours Astrophysics student, Emily has held roles such as President of the SMU Astronomy and Physics Society, Contributor for the SMU Journal, Residence Assistant, and Executive with the Ancient Studies Society. She has found confidence and connection through involvement.

“Log into Career360 and take a look at the CCR,” she says. “It only takes a few minutes, and you can create a permanent record of everything you’ve done at SMU. You might even discover new opportunities along the way.

Congratulations to all the inaugural badge recipients for leading the way and inspiring others to take their university journey beyond the classroom!

To learn more or begin earning your own Experiential Badge, visit the Experiential Badges page on Career & Experiential Learning online.

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Building Her Future: Women Shaping the Landscape of Tomorrow

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When alumni return to Saint Mary’s University, they bring more than experience—they bring stories of growth, leadership and impact. That spirit was at the heart of the 7th Annual Women in Business Conference, held on October 2, 2025. More than 230 attendees, an all-time record, gathered to celebrate women shaping the future of construction and real estate. 

This year’s event, titled "Building Her Future: Shaping the Landscape of Tomorrow," highlighted women who are driving change in fields that have traditionally been led by men. Alumni, faculty, students, and professionals gathered for a day of conversation, inspiration and connection, all centered on opportunity, equity and what it really means to build your own future. 

Leading with empathy and conviction 

Victoria Stanhope BA’07 MBA’13 presented the keynote speech

One of the returning alumni was Victoria Stanhope BA’07 MBA’13, CEO of Stanhope Simpson Insurance Ltd. She gave a powerful keynote speech that set the tone for the day. As a nationally recognized leader in construction and insurance, Stanhope discussed leveraging the strengths of being a woman in a male-dominated, competitive business environment. 

“The table is set for you to succeed,” she said. “The inherent traits that make us women are the same traits that make us exceptionally powerful, successful business leaders.” 

Stanhope emphasized that empathy and conviction are essential leadership qualities that help women build trust, attract strong teams and create lasting client relationships. 

“Genuine empathy helps attract new team members and clients, while conviction keeps you true to your values and your goals.” 

Her message encouraged attendees to “leave your mark… and inspire other women to do so, too.” 

Constructing change: women leading in construction and real estate 

The event continued with a lively panel discussion titled "Constructing Change: Women Leading in Construction and Real Estate." Dr. Arla Day, Professor of Occupational Health Psychology at Saint Mary’s, served as the moderator. 

The panel included four accomplished women leaders: alumni Jacqueline Hamilton BSc’89, Executive Director of Planning and Development at HRM; Nabila Sufyani BComm’10 PMP, Project Manager at Shoreham Development Ltd.; Siba Saoud, a top agent with RE/MAX Nova; and Eva Parade, MSc Eng, P.Eng., National Senior Director for Preconstruction at Crombie REIT. 

Constructing Change: Women Leading in Construction and Real Estate panel

They shared personal stories about perseverance, mentorship and leadership. From breaking barriers in male-dominated workplaces to supporting other women, their insights showed how far the industry has come and how much opportunity remains. 

Hamilton and Sufyani discussed the importance of mentorship. They noted that when mentors are hard to find, women can step up and become mentors themselves. “Sometimes you need to be your own cheerleader,” one panellist shared, “but when you rise, bring others with you.” 

The panel also discussed the unique strengths women bring to real estate and construction, such as empathy, patience and a strong understanding of people. “Buying a home isn’t just purchasing an asset—it’s building a life,” said one speaker. “That perspective builds trust and lasting relationships.” 

Research, insight and inspiration 

The day started with a presentation by Dr. Bahareh Mansouri, Associate Professor of Management Science at the Sobey School of Business. Using her research on supply chain ethics, analytics, and sustainability, Dr. Mansouri provided a data-driven look at gender equity in construction and real estate, laying the academic foundation for the rest of the day’s discussions. 

Throughout the conference, one message stood out: women are not just taking part in these industries—they are leading them. From insurance to infrastructure, entrepreneurship to urban planning, they are changing what leadership looks like. 

Sobey School of Business News
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SMU Huskies continue campus tradition with upcoming Red Tape hockey games

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SMU Huskies players put red tape on their hockey sticks as a visual statement against racism in sport.

Saint Mary’s University has a deep connection with the Red Tape movement.  

The movement began in 2019, when former SMU student Logan Prosper—of We'koqma'q First Nation—was on the receiving end of racial abuse during a minor hockey game in Cape Breton (Unama’ki). Logan, and his father Phillip Prosper, started what is now an internationally recognized statement against racism, wherein hockey players wrap their sticks with red tape as a sign of solidarity with athletes in all levels of hockey.  

The movement picked up quickly, as athletes across Canada spoke out about their experiences with racism in the sport, noting the generational impact of the issue and the effect it continues to have—especially on Indigenous youth.  

SMU Huskies were early adopters of the movement, launching their first Red Tape game in January 2020 in support of the Prospers’ vision. Five years later, Saint Mary’s continues to host Red Tape games in solidarity with athletes across Canada and the world, and this year is no different.  

Former SMU Husky Erin Denny BSc’25 hits the ice at one of last year’s Red Tape games.

This year, Ryan Francis (Saint Mary’s first Indigenous Visiting Fellow) is once again working together with Athletics & Recreation and the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health to organize the Red Tape events on Saturday, November 22.  

Francis grew up in Cole Harbour—an area known for its hockey history—and is from Wasoqopa'q First Nation. He’s had his own experiences with racism during his time in hockey, and he has done exemplary work to address systemic barriers in the sport, including launching the Indigenous Girls Hockey Program, a program that sees him working closely with former SMU Husky Erin Denny BSc’25. 

Francis also founded the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, an organization that “[provides financial support] to communities, and charities in Atlantic Canada who lead initiatives that create opportunities for Indigenous women and girls to experience sport, recreation, and physical activity in a meaningful way.” 

This Saturday, November 22, Saint Mary’s will host two games – one with the women’s hockey team and one with the men’s hockey team – to raise awareness of the movement. The Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health will also be hosting a draw for six copies of Beyond the Rink to encourage attendees to examine the “complicated role of sports in residential school histories.”  

“What makes this matter is the ongoing commitment and recognition of this cause,” says Francis. “Showing up every year and saying that this matters and that this is a priority for the athletic community is a key part of how the university creates [more inclusive space for Indigenous athletes.]”  

To support the movement by attending our Red Tape Games, see the Huskies website here: Saint Mary's Huskies - Universe  

For more about the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, see the website at Home | GFMF.  

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Fall Convocation celebrates inspiring grads, new President

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Graduates from the Fall Class of 2025 crossed the stage on November 13 and 14 to the tremendous applause from family and supporters, celebrating the dedication and effort put in during their studies at Saint Mary’s.

Among the hundreds of undergraduate and master’s students were five PhD graduates who joined the university’s highest rank of academic achievement, along with the first two graduates from the Sobey School of Business Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (EDBA) program.

See a full list of graduates and award winners in the convocation program.

Alan Abraham Jr., Chair of the Board of Governors and Chancellor Dr. Michael Durland assist Dr. Michael Khan in donning his ceremonial robes during the Presidential installation ceremony

Welcoming our new President

Dr. Michael Khan was installed as Saint Mary’s University’s 35th President and Vice-Chancellor in a special ceremony during convocation. Having joined Saint Mary’s in July, this was his first convocation ceremony as President.

Dr. Khan was joined on stage by colleagues from universities across Canada and received messages of support from around the world on an online message board.

In his speech, he said, “At Saint Mary’s, we are about providing opportunity. Opportunity to those who have ambitions and want to pursue their dreams, but also opportunity to those who may not realize what they’re capable of, or those who may have barriers to overcome, those whom others may have doubted. Our purpose is to enable you to pursue your passion, your talent, your purpose - not that of which someone else wishes for you.”

Watch the video here: Presidential Installation.

Inspiring valedictorians

KJ Conyers-Steede addresses convocation

Lipika Kharbanda joined by Alumni Association President Bafana Mashingaidze, Dr. Khan and Dr. Durland

Two valedictorians shared insightful remarks and reflections on their time at Saint Mary’s.

Kjeld Conyers-Steede addressed his fellow graduates from the Sobey School of Business by saying, “We are not a collection of individual achievements here today. We are a network of relationships that has pushed each other further than if we did it alone.”

Lipika Kharbanda represented undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science. Reflecting on an experience with a supportive professor, she said, “I carried with me her lesson that resilience is not built in isolation, but by the people who care enough to stand by us. And that’s exactly what Saint Mary’s does for each and every one of us.”

Watch their speeches and the full convocation ceremony recordings here: Video & Graduation Program Archive

Faculty excellence

Dr. Michael Khan and Dr. Diane Crocker

Dr. Diane Crocker was recognized with the President’s Award for Excellence in Research. The Criminology Professor is a national leader in criminology and restorative justice research.

Since joining Saint Mary’s in 2000, she has held increasingly senior academic roles, including Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (2013-2018), Chair of the Department of Criminology (2019-2024), and currently Associate Dean of Arts, Curriculum and Student Affairs.

Read more about Dr. Crocker’s important community work and research.

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IKEA Canada CEO to headline Responsible Leadership in Retail event

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Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Canada

Sobey School of Business to host 7th Annual Responsible Leadership Day featuring keynote by Selwyn Crittendon

The Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University will welcome Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Canada, as the keynote speaker at its 7th Annual Responsible Leadership Day on Friday, November 21, 2025. Learn more and register here.

Crittendon will share insights into IKEA’s ongoing sustainability and inclusivity commitments, discussing how the company integrates responsible practices into every part of its business. During the event, he will also be presented with the David Sobey Retailing Centre Distinguished Retailer Award, which honours retail leaders whose contributions have a lasting impact on their organizations, customers, and communities.

“IKEA’s vision of creating a better everyday life for people aligns perfectly with the values of responsible leadership,” says Dr. Ramesh Venkat, Director of the David Sobey Retailing Centre. “Selwyn’s participation offers an unparalleled opportunity for our students and community to learn from a leader redefining retail’s role in sustainability.”

This year’s event theme, “Responsible Leadership in Retail,” will explore how retail leaders can drive meaningful change through sustainability, equity and innovation. Presented by the David Sobey Retailing Centre, the annual event brings together students, faculty, industry experts and policymakers to discuss how the retail sector can advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through responsible operations, tackling issues such as waste reduction, responsible consumption, packaging and inclusive workplaces.

“Responsible Leadership Day showcases how business can be a force for good,” says Dr. Michel Delorme, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “This year’s focus on retail recognizes the sector’s powerful role in shaping consumer habits and setting global sustainability standards.”

As a PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) signatory since 2016 and PRME Champion since 2020, the Sobey School of Business continues to lead in aligning education, research and dialogue with the SDGs. Responsible Leadership Day embodies this commitment by creating space for collaboration, reflection, and action.

Register for Responsible Leadership Day
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President’s Award for Excellence in Research: Dr. Diane Crocker

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Diane is a white woman with shoulder-length brown hair. She wears round glasses.

Dr. Diane Crocker is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Acting Associate Dean of Arts, Curriculum and Student Affairs

As a national leader in criminology and restorative justice research, Dr. Diane Crocker is transforming how our communities address gender-based violence. She is widely recognized for her innovation in bringing together diverse partners to design practical solutions for complex social issues. Her collaborative approach connects academia, government and community groups, centering the voices of survivors in policy and program improvements.

Research with meaningful community impact is at the heart of Dr. Crocker’s work. She is a current member of the Research Nova Scotia-funded project CIRCLES-NS (Creating Integrated Restorative Communities for Locally Engaged Solutions). She was a co-investigator with the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative and a member of the Policy and Research Advisory Board for the Mass Casualty Commission, the independent public inquiry created to provide recommendations to help keep communities safer in the aftermath of Nova Scotia’s mass casualty in April 2020.

With support from a team of student and community-based researchers, Dr. Crocker led an evaluation of Nova Scotia’s provincial action plan, Standing Together to Prevent Domestic Violence. She participates in the national effort iMPACTS: Collaborations to Address Sexual Violence on Campus, and works closely with Nova Scotia’s universities to develop effective sexual violence prevention and response policies. Her co-edited book, Violence Interrupted: Confronting Sexual Violence on University Campuses (MQUP, 2020), provides a collection of essays on research related to campus sexual violence in Canada. She has authored the book Crime in Canada (OUP, 2012) and many book chapters, journal articles and over 80 research and policy reports commissioned by government and community organizations.

She has received significant research funding, securing nearly 50 grants and research contracts, many in partnership with federal and provincial government departments. Dr. Crocker is a research partner with PREVNET: Canada's Healthy Relationship Hub and she holds a research fellowship at the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research in New Brunswick. She is a research associate with the Restorative Research, Innovation and Education Lab at the Schulich School of Law and a member of Justice Canada’s Advisory Committee for the National Restorative Justice Research Network. She has also advised the Department of National Defence and organizations as far away as Australia’s National Office for Child Safety.

Dr. Crocker is considered an essential ally in the work to eradicate gender-based violence. With Bridgewater’s Be the Peace Institute, she has helped amplify survivors’ voices through projects like Pathways to Justice and Voices of (In)Justice, promoting trauma-informed and restorative responses. Her collaboration with Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) has enhanced public safety by improving reintegration supports for individuals transitioning from incarceration.

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Crocker has supervised more than 25 honours and graduate students and trains early-stage researchers and community volunteers, fostering future leaders in community-engaged scholarship. In 2018, she received the President’s Award for Exemplary Service, having served on numerous committees and initiatives at Saint Mary’s, such as the Research Ethics Board and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Advisory Committee.

Dr. Crocker holds both a PhD and MA in Sociology from York University and a BA in Anthropology from Memorial University. Since joining Saint Mary’s in 2000, she has held increasingly senior academic roles, including Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (2013-2018), Chair of the Department of Criminology (2019-2024), and currently Associate Dean of Arts, Curriculum and Student Affairs.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Research honours continued exceptional contributions to research and scholarship conducted by a full-time Saint Mary’s University faculty member. More information can be found at smu.ca/fgsr/presidents-award.

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Saint Mary’s Art Gallery spotlights two Halifax artists in dreamlike exhibition: Two Pansies

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Two Pansies is a vibrant, queer-themed art exhibition by emerging Halifax artists Autumn Star and Shay Donovan at the Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery (until December 7, 2025).

The show transforms the gallery into an immersive, dreamlike domestic space that explores what “home” means for queer people, featuring sculptures, paintings, and a film narrated by two pansy-headed alter egos. Built largely on-site, the installation invites visitors to sit, reflect, and inhabit a world of comfort, whimsy, and chosen family—blending playfulness, ecofeminism, and vulnerability in a celebration of identity and belonging.

Read/listen: What does a home for two pansies look like? (CBC Arts)

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Huskies Indigenous Heritage Weekend creates space for community in sport

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The SMU Huskies held a successful Indigenous Heritage Weekend in October during Mi’kmaq History Month, celebrating Indigenous contributions to athletics with a full lineup of home games. Teams showed support by playing the national anthem in Mi’kmaq and wearing “Every Child Matters” t-shirts to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The weekend also featured a puck drop by SMU Huskies hockey alum Erin Denny BSc’25.  

Ceremonial puck drop with Erin Denny during the women’s hockey game

Denny’s work as a champion of representation and belonging in hockey has been recognized by Hockey Nova Scotia with the Erin Denny Award and the Erin Denny Scholarship, which were launched earlier this year.  

Denny’s hockey journey began as a child, watching her older sister learn to skate in their community rink. Although the girls’ skate time wasn’t hockey-related, they did wear hockey gear, and Denny’s curiosity was piqued.  

“The first time I tried skating as a kid, I hated it,” Denny says. “It was full ‘get me off the ice’, tears, everything.” It wasn’t until the next year that Denny took to the ice again, and the rest is history. Denny became increasingly involved in hockey, both in her community of Eskasoni and beyond. As her passion for the sport grew, so did her vision.  

“When I was younger, my goal was to play in the NHL, and young me didn’t realize that that wasn’t a possibility because they didn’t have women’s hockey.  My next goal, after that, was to play on the women’s Olympic team, because that was the next biggest opportunity. This really motivated me to become the athlete I wanted to see—I wanted to be an Indigenous athlete playing at that level—to be a role model for girls in my community.”   

“I wanted to be an Indigenous athlete playing at that level—to be a role model for girls in my community.  ”
— Erin Denny BSc'25

Denny played for the SMU Huskies from 2021-2025

Reflecting on her time with the Huskies, Erin says, “Being part of the SMU Women’s Hockey team was an incredible way to make space for women and girls in hockey, as girls from my community could come out to games and watch me play on a university team with other women, who all looked different from me. An opportunity to ‘see her, be her.’” 

Initiatives like Indigenous Heritage Weekend and the Red Tape Movement are a vital elements when advocating for change, says Denny. Creating spaces dedicated to Indigenous athletes and their accomplishments creates pathways for the next generation to make sport more inclusive.  

“It makes a huge difference when you see someone that shares the same features as you,” says Denny. “To know they’re Indigenous, to know you share a community, and to see them succeeding has a real impact.”  

Want to get involved in supporting Denny’s vision? Stay tuned for more information on the SMU Huskies Red Tape Double Header at the end of November.