National Indigenous History Month

National Indigenous History Month in June is a time to learn about, celebrate and honour the cultures and traditions of Indigenous communities across the nation. Saint Mary’s University acknowledges its location in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional land of the Mi’kmaq Nation. The Mi'kmaq Grand Council Flag flies proudly on the university’s campus.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21, the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. For generations, many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities have celebrated their cultures, languages and traditions at this time of year. The summer solstice holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for many Indigenous Peoples, marking a time of renewal, connection, and celebration. Learn more.

Visit SMU’s online Indigenous Community hub to see news, events and resources for students, faculty and staff.

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Campus news

Erin Denny BSc’25, center, drops the puck at a women’s hockey game during Indigenous Heritage Weekend

Huskies Indigenous Heritage Weekend creates space for community in sport

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.  

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.  

Chief Wilbert Marshall, Isaiah Bernard and Kylar Johnson

Woven stories - dream catchers honour Mi'kmaq culture at Saint Mary's

The Mi’kmaq tradition of storytelling has long been a way of carrying culture, history and teachings across generations. At Saint Mary’s University, that same tradition is carried forward in two large dream catchers installed by son and father duo, Isaiah Bernard and Chief Wilbert Marshall of Potlotek First Nation.

More than art, the dream catchers are symbols of presence and visibility; threads of Mi’kmaq culture woven into the heart of campus.

Working with repurposed crab trap pipes and biodegradable rope, the pair created large dream catchers with two rings. “We put a little dream catcher in the middle—you’ll see the braided string that’s on there. It’s got the four directional colours on there also. Everything was done completely by hand.”

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Saint Mary’s marks Red Dress Day with powerful display in the Patrick Power Library

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Indigenous Student Advisor 

Kylar Johnson, shown in the blue sweater, chats with students in the Indigenous Student space

Kylar Johnson BComm’23 is from the Mi’kmaw community of Potlotek First Nation in Unama’ki. As the Indigenous Student Advisor for Saint Mary’s, Kylar connects with Indigenous students to provide resources, supports, and services broadly across Mi'kma'ki, community partners, and the Elder in Residence. Learn more about Kylar and his role.

Students can meet with Kylar in the Qomuti: Indigenous Student Space located in Loyola 286. Email Indigenous.Advisor@smu.ca to connect with Kylar.

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Academic opportunity

The Sobey School of Business is currently seeking an Indigenous scholar to fill a Tenure-Track Assistant or Associate Professor position in the Department of Management.

The Sobey School invites applications from Indigenous scholars within a management discipline (such as cooperative management, sustainability, responsible leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, organizational behaviour, strategy, business ethics, industrial relations, and human resource management).

Apply now

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Explore our library collection

The Patrick Power Library strives to reflect Mi’kmaw presence, history and knowledge within our spaces and collections. We are proud to be the home of exhibits that support this vision, a dreamcatcher created by former student Isaiah Bernard and his father, Chief Wilbert Marshall of the Potlotek First Nation in 2020, and a Mi’kmaw heritage exhibit with Library resources and Mi’kmaw cultural artifacts on display from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History.

• Online book display: https://bit.ly/PPL-IndigenousHistoryMonthBooklist

• Indigenous Studies Research Guide: https://libguides.smu.ca/indigenousstudies

• SMU Theses in the Institutional Repository on Mi’kmaq and Indigenous research topics 

• A wealth of films in our streaming media databases, including NFB, Films on Demand, Audio Cine, and Criterion (Access via SMU Library)

A full circle moment: Celebrating the impact of Chancellor Michael Durland

Chancellor Mike Durland welcoming graduates during Spring Convocation

There’s a moment at every Saint Mary’s University convocation when the room settles, the energy shifts and all eyes turn forward.

A pause. A smile. “Well…”

And then: “You’ve done it!”

Mike Durland closed every convocation ceremony with great enthusiasm

For graduating students, it’s a moment that lands with meaning. One that signals both an ending and a beginning. And for Chancellor Michael Durland BComm'87 DComm'10, it became a defining part of how he connected with each graduating class.

“The closing gesture was quite involuntary at first,” he says. “I wanted to connect with them, give them a last jolt of energy, give them the sense that they have really arrived.”

As Mike concludes his term as Chancellor, it’s that ability to create meaningful, human moments that has come to define his time in the role.

The moments that matter

When asked what stands out most, Mike doesn’t point to a single milestone or announcement. Instead, he returns to a feeling. “It’s been an amazing experience. It’s actually hard to describe how fulfilling it’s been.” Much of that comes from convocation, the place where his role came to life most visibly and most personally. “You arrive on campus and feel the energy of the students and are reminded of the purpose of the university.”

Celebrating grads on stage at convocation

Over the course of his many ceremonies, he developed a habit of listening closely to valedictorian speeches, seeing them as reflections of something bigger. “They kind of tell the story of the time, for the university and for the students, and it’s often a story about challenges and support, and friendship, and it often reinforces the important, and often deeply personal, role a university plays in student’s life.”

But it was often the quieter, unscripted moments that stayed with him most—meeting families and supporters, hearing snippets of students’ journeys, witnessing pride in its purest form. “For many of them, they’re first-time graduates. There’s a lot of pride, a lot of emotion.” For Mike, these moments reinforced what he sees as the true privilege of the role. “You’re connected to a place that you love, and to all the members of that community in this really wonderful way.”

Coming full circle

Long before he stood on the convocation stage as Chancellor, Mike was a Saint Mary’s student himself. “Saint Mary’s was this amazing time in my life. I really found a love of learning here. I gained a lot of confidence here.” Looking back, he sees that transformation as foundational. “I could not have imagined the life I was about to lead and how much the university prepared me for that.”

It was also at Saint Mary’s where he met his wife, Catherine, something he describes as deeply intertwined with his experience of the university. “When you add it all up, meeting her was the most pivotal moment of my life and we both have very special memories of that time. Saint Mary’s is a constant in those memories.” Returning years later in the role of Chancellor brought that story full circle. “When we go back, it feels like home. It’s this really special place.” That sense of home became a thread throughout his time in the role, something he intentionally reinforces in how he speaks to students, particularly as they graduate.

Giving back with purpose

During his time as Chancellor, the Durland family made a transformative $3-million gift to support graduate research at Saint Mary’s. For Mike, the motivation was deeply personal. “When I look back at my journey, it was a special group of faculty members who really were at the heart of my experience.”

Mike and Catherine Durland met as undergraduate students at the Sobey School of Business

One of those faculty members still stands out vividly. While at Saint Mary’s, he approached professor Jan Bartholdy for a reference to law school, only to be met with a different idea. “He said, ‘I will give you a reference, but only if you apply to Queen’s for your PhD.’” What followed was more than guidance. The two worked together on a paper, and when Mike wasn’t accepted in the first round, Bartholdy took it upon himself to advocate directly, driving to Queen’s University in person to make the case. “He said, ‘You have to take this guy. He’s just a great kid.’”

It’s a moment that has stayed with him, not just because of where it led, but because of what it represented: a professor who saw potential, took the time and changed the trajectory of a student’s life. The gift, he explains, was a way to recognize that special relationship. “It was our attempt to bring back to our amazing faculty a special thanks.”

At the same time, it reflects a broader belief in the role of research and the importance of supporting both faculty and students. “I wanted to find something that would be beneficial to them, to encourage young graduate students to come and be part of their labs and to grow into our next generation of faculty.” Underlying that is a bigger question, and one he continues to think about: “How do we create an environment where all our students can flourish?”

Confidence in the next generation

After years of watching students cross the convocation stage, Mike is clear about what gives him confidence in the next generation. “They are amazing. You definitely walk away a little bit mind-blown.” In particular, he points to a sense of confidence and readiness—something he sees as especially meaningful in today’s world. “There could be a lot of reasons today to not be confident, but yet I think our students have a sense of confidence and readiness that’s truly inspiring.”

He also sees something else: energy. “They have more energy at the end than they had at the beginning of their journeys. They’ve done it.” For Mike, that combination matters. “If you have confidence and you have energy, you have a really good start to a winning formula.”

Advice for what comes next

Mike speaking at an alumni event

For graduates stepping into life beyond Saint Mary’s, Mike offers a perspective shaped by experience. “Many of our graduates feel a lot of pressure—they feel they should know exactly where that next leg of the journey is going to take them. When I left Saint Mary’s, I had no idea where my career would take me, and that was okay. That’s what makes the journey special—you work hard, absorb everything around you and the path eventually reveals itself.”

He often returns to an analogy his mother used. “Just because you have your driver’s license doesn’t mean you know how to drive a car.” The message is clear: learning doesn’t stop at graduation. “Keep educating, keep developing, keep having dreams. The day you graduate from university, you’re nowhere near through your journey. It’s really just begun.”

It’s advice rooted in patience, resilience and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. “Don’t fear failure. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying. That’s how you learn.”

A lasting connection

Ahead of his final convocation as Chancellor, Mike shared that the moment will be a meaningful one. “There’ll be a lot of mixed emotions.”

After years of standing at the front of the stage—welcoming, encouraging and celebrating each graduating class—it’s not just the ceremony he’ll reflect on, but the people behind it. The conversations, the stories, the moments of pride that unfolded between each name called. “You get to see the student’s moment of connection with their family and friends. Sometimes there’s a huge celebration, sometimes it’s more subtle. But there’s a lot of pride, a lot of emotion and you really get a sense of what it means to them.”

That connection, felt in those moments, has come to define his time as Chancellor. It’s something that reaches far beyond the stage, shaped by relationships, shared experiences and grounded in a deep appreciation for what Saint Mary’s represents in people’s lives.

A shared chapter

Throughout his term, Mike has worked closely with Saint Mary’s leadership, including former president Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray and Susan Summerby-Murray, whose presence helped shape the tone of campus life during his time as Chancellor. He has also supported the university through a period of transition, welcoming new president Dr. Michael Khan and the continued evolution of Saint Mary’s.

Being sworn in as Chancellor in 2019

Behind the scenes, he is quick to acknowledge the many people who make the university what it is, from its Board of Governors to faculty, staff and the broader campus community.

That spirit of shared leadership and collective care is something he has both experienced and contributed to, and something that will continue long after his term concludes.

And while he has spent years offering words of encouragement to graduating students, Saint Mary’s now has an opportunity to return the sentiment. For the time, energy and heart he has given to this role, for the moments he helped shape, the connections he strengthened and the community he championed…

Thank you, Mike. You’ve done it.

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Mike and his wife, Catherine BComm'87, established the Durland Family Doctoral Convocation Award to support PhD students as they reach this important milestone in their academic journey—reflecting their shared belief in the power of education and student achievement.

As we mark the conclusion of his tenure (2019 – 2026), we invite members of the Saint Mary’s community to honour his contributions and leadership by making a gift to support the Durland Family Doctoral Convocation Award.

Your generosity is a meaningful way to recognize Mike’s lasting impact and to help ensure that future students continue to benefit from the opportunities he has championed. Thank you.

Make a Gift in Honour of Michael Durland BComm'87

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This story was featured in the Spring edition of the Maroon + White alumni magazine. Visit the online magazine to read more alumni stories!

Celebrating Pride Season 2026

Saint Mary’s University is proud to celebrate Pride season throughout June and July, recognizing Pride Month in June and the Halifax Pride festival in July. The Pride flag will be flown on campus throughout June.

Pride is an acknowledgement and celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender identities). Learn more about identities and evolving terminology. This month, we spotlight the resilience and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities at SMU, in Halifax and around the world.

Visit our online 2SLGBTQIA+ hub for resources at Saint Mary’s and join in supporting and uplifting members of our #SMUcommunity!

Events

Paint Your Pride!

Wednesday, June 10
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Quad outside the O’Donnell-Hennessey Student Centre

Join the Student Success Centre in the Quad to celebrate Pride Month and Paint Your Pride!

Use chalk to create a colourful message of pride on the Quad walkways, play fun lawn games and enjoy snacks while celebrating alongside your peers, staff and faculty!

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SMU in the Halifax Pride Parade

Saturday, July 18
12 p.m.
Downtown Halifax

Join Saint Mary’s University at the 2026 Halifax Pride Parade on Saturday, July 18th and show your Husky Pride! All SMU alumni, students, staff, faculty and their families are welcome to join. The 2026 Halifax Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, July 18, at 12 p.m. 

Details on the parade route, exact location of the Saint Mary's float, and meeting time will be communicated by email prior to the parade to all registered participants.   

Register here

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Saint Mary’s Pride Collection

The Saint Mary’s Campus Store has Pride merchandise to help you celebrate Pride Season in style!

Available for purchase:

• SMU Shop (first floor Loyola Academic Building - open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

• SMU Campus Store (second floor Student Centre - open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)

• Order online

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Campus Resources and Support

The SMUSA Pride Centre offers a safe space on campus for all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. SMUSA strives to create a welcoming and accepting environment for all. If you are looking for a hang-out spot or a place to study, check out our Pride Centre! Open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in Student Centre room 106.

The SMU Student Health Clinic offers letters of readiness for gender-affirming surgery, hormone therapy and more. Dr. Mark Williams is certified by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Visit the Student Health Clinic on the 4th floor of the Student Centre or email student.health@smu.ca for more information.

The SMUSA Extended Health plan includes Gender-Affirming Care (GAC), such as coverage for HRT drug plans, Mental Health Practitioners, and select procedures. To learn more, email healthplan.smusa@smu.ca or visit the Health Plan Office at the Student Centre, room 522.

Derek Voegeli with The Counselling Centre is an active member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and brings extensive knowledge of trans and queer mental health to Saint Mary’s. The Counselling Centre offers free, confidential services to all registered SMU students. Email counselling@smu.ca or visit their webpage for more information.

The SMU Pride Society is dedicated to providing a safe space and advocating on behalf of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community at Saint Mary's University to ensure an equitable and just campus. The society embodies an intersectional framework whilst encouraging meaningful conversations and providing peer support regarding queer-centric issues (eg. sexual health, transitioning, religion, race, gender-expression, etc.).

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Patrick Power Library

The Patrick Power Library is proud to offer a wealth of resources that support learning, reflection, and celebration during Pride:

• Pride Booklist – Explore a curated collection of books for Pride via our online collection. All books can be borrowed with your SMU ID card, or accessed online using your SMU email and password.  

• 2SLGBTQ+ Community Library Guide — Your starting point for academic and community-based resources on 2SLGBTQ+ research topics, featuring suggested journals, search strategies, databases, government information, information about SMU services, and other resources. 

The Library needs your help to decorate for Pride! Visit the activity table in the Patrick Power Library and create an origami butterfly. We want to create a rainbow of butterflies behind the Read with Pride Book Display!  

Related Content

• Pride at SMU online hub: Resources, Events, News and more

• Changing your name and pronouns in email, Banner and Brightspace

• Faculty and staff: use the Email Signature Template to add pronouns to your email signature

• Halifax Pride

• Check the Student Life events calendar for all upcoming events!

From card catalogues to AI: Peter Webster named Saint Mary’s University’s first Librarian Emeritus

Peter Webster

Saint Mary’s is pleased to honour a distinguished career in library and information science with the naming of Peter Webster as its first-ever Librarian Emeritus. The title will be officially conferred at the Spring Convocation Ceremonies in May 2026. 

Webster is being recognized for a 32-year career defined by leadership and a lasting impact on the scholarly and research landscape at Saint Mary’s and beyond.   

“I can think of no one more deserving,” said Suzanne van den Hoogen, Dean, University Library and Archives, in a formal recommendation brought forward by the librarians and managers of the Patrick Power Library, citing Webster’s decades of service and national leadership in the field.  

With a special interest in technology, Webster played a central role in building powerful digital systems and collaborative networks for sharing and accessing academic research, while helping generations of scholars navigate an increasingly complex information environment. 

A transformational career 

Webster “fell into” library work when he took a job as a clerk at a city public library. “I loved the public service work and turned out to be good at working with technology,” he says, a combination that led him to pursue his MLS and would define the course of his career. 

Webster joined Saint Mary’s in 1993 as Information Technology Services Librarian and later served as Associate University Librarian from 2010 to 2023, as well as Acting University Librarian during key periods of transition. 

During his time at Saint Mary’s, he was instrumental in guiding the Patrick Power Library through one of the most significant periods of change in academic publishing and information access. From early work in electronic resource management to more recent leadership on artificial intelligence and scholarly search, Webster has been widely recognized as an expert in library systems, digital infrastructure, and information access. 

“It is an understatement to say that Peter’s career has spanned a period of massive change,” says Hansel Cook, Associate Dean, Library Strategy, Planning and Assessment. “Throughout it all, he has been at the forefront. With 35 published journal articles, book chapters, and other works, Peter’s impact has been spread to professionals, students, and academics around the world.”  

Expanding access to knowledge 

During his career, Webster witnessed firsthand the huge shift from primarily print collections to digital environments and was deeply involved in helping academic libraries make this transition. 

“There has been a remarkable transformation in scholarly information in my time,” says Webster. “The move from paper journals to almost exclusively online publishing, from on-site to almost constant 24/7 online access, and the sheer increase in information access have had enormous impacts.” 

Webster’s work has been central to expanding access to scholarly resources at Saint Mary’s. Through regional and national licensing agreements and collaborations, the number of journals, ebooks, and research materials available to Saint Mary’s scholars has grown exponentially. 

Webster also contributed to major national initiatives, including the Canadian Research Knowledge Network and the Canadian Digital Alliance, strengthening shared research infrastructure across Canada. Regionally, he served as President of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association and received its Merit Award for outstanding contributions to library services. 

Librarians in the age of AI

Webster’s career progressed alongside the rapid evolution of the information landscape, from the early days of the web to today’s AI-driven tools. 

While search technologies have made finding information easier, he notes that evaluating its quality has become more complicated. 

“The information environment is more complex than ever before,” he says. “Both students and faculty are confronting new challenges understanding the quality and credibility of all the information available to them.” 

This is where librarians have a key role to play.  

“The ‘one-stop shopping’ online searching that folks have come to rely on is dependent on a huge amount of librarian work under the hood,” he says. “This is doubly true for AI searching; the quality and accuracy are dependent on having consistent, standardized quality information to work with.  The future success of AI search will depend on a great deal of ongoing librarian work behind the scenes.” 

A lasting impact  

In addition to his leadership in systems and strategy, Webster has made a lasting impact through teaching and mentorship. Over his career, he has taught research skills of all levels to thousands of students and worked closely with faculty on complex research and data needs. 

“Peter has been the person faculty turn to for specialized research advice,” says Cook. “His expertise, generosity and collaborative spirit have made a lasting impact on both teaching and research at Saint Mary’s.” 

Colleagues describe him as a trusted mentor and an invaluable resource. One noted that he remains “the person his library co-workers, university faculty, and others in the field go to for advice and consultation.” 

For Webster, these relationships are the highlight of his career. 

“My fondest memory will be working with students and faculty on so many fascinating research projects,” he says. “Helping people solve challenging problems and find the information they need has always been the most rewarding part of the job.” 

Looking ahead 

Webster says he is “proud, honoured and more than a little humbled” to receive the Librarian Emeritus designation and is especially pleased to be the first at Saint Mary’s to be recognized in this way. 

In retirement, he plans to stay active through travel, cycling and volunteer work, while continuing his research and writing in library and information science. 

With his emeritus appointment, Webster will remain connected to the university community, continuing a career dedicated to advancing access to knowledge and supporting research excellence. 

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Peter will receive his Librarian Emeritus designation during the FGSR ceremony on Tuesday, May 26. Spring Convocation ceremonies can be viewed via livestream. Visit our website for ceremony times, livestream link and more.

Saint Mary's welcomes new Sexual Violence Advisor, Rachel Field

Rachel Field

Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that Rachel Field has stepped into the role of Sexual Violence Advisor within the Sexual Violence Support Centre (SVSC) in Student Affairs and Services (SAAS).

In this role, Rachel will support students, faculty and staff in navigating and responding to experiences related to sexual violence and harassment, while also contributing to prevention, education and awareness initiatives across campus.

Her work includes providing confidential, trauma-informed support and response; supporting awareness and education initiatives through collaboration and oversight of the Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative and the Athletic Ambassadors Program; collaborating with campus and community partners to strengthen coordinated care and response pathways; and contributing to ongoing efforts to foster a safe, supportive and informed campus community.

Rachel brings a varied and interdisciplinary background in community-based support, education and care work. Most recently, she worked as a Community Outreach Worker with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education within the SchoolPlus program. Prior to this, Rachel worked across a range of settings, including addictions support services, youth care environments, and therapeutic practice contexts, including work as a music therapist. During her undergraduate studies at Acadia University, she also served as a resident assistant, contributing to student support and community-building in residence life.

Rachel is currently completing a Master’s of Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University and brings a broad foundation of training, practice and lived professional experience across multiple helping professions.

“I try to approach people with empathy, consistency and clear boundaries,” says Rachel. “My work is grounded in a humanistic approach that recognizes people already carry a great deal of strength and resilience within themselves. Support, to me, is about helping create space for people to reconnect with that in a way that feels safe, respectful and collaborative.”

“Trauma-informed practice is often talked about as creating a ‘safe space,’ but safety is deeply personal,” Rachel explains. “What’s most important to me is being transparent, clear and responsible, while recognizing that every person’s experience and needs will look different.”

Rachel is thrilled to join the Saint Mary’s community and looks forward to experiencing the energy of the start of the academic year in September, from checking out the Welcome Weeks activities to Huskies games.

Please join us in welcoming Rachel Field to Saint Mary’s University!

Worlds colliding: Accounting, Science & Arts Interdisciplinary Colloquium

The interdisciplinary forum was held at the Sobey School of Business on April 10

Faculty and researchers gathered to hear from each other and share ideas

If you are an applied science researcher looking for solutions to combat environmental problems like, say, innovative ways to remediate legacy gold mining waste materials, the accounting standard for contaminated sites might not be on your go-to list of tools and methods.

But it could be.

This was the bold premise behind an innovative interdisciplinary event held at Saint Mary’s on April 10, 2026.  Researchers from Saint Mary’s Arts and Science Faculties were invited to share a piece of research they are working on. Professors of Geography, Environmental Science, Engineering and Astronomy and Physics took part: Linda Campbell, Valeria Montes Urrego, Karen Harper, and Athanasios Psaltis.

A team from the Accounting department of the Sobey School of Business then reflected on what methods, approaches and tools academic accounting might offer on the same project. These professors included organizers Vasiliki Athanasakou, Matthew Boland, Amna Chalwati Mohamed Drira, and Ming Liu, as well as Khin Phyo Hlaing.

Innovative insights presented

In the popular imagination, “accountant” is often positioned as an opposite to “creative”, but the presentations required enormous creativity. The event gleaned rich insights, as organizer Dr. Vasiliki Athanasakou pointed out:

“In particular, the vital role of accounting and disclosure in supporting remediation and more complete recognition of environmental liabilities; the importance of accounting and taxation in enabling the economic viability of innovative environmental solutions; the remarkable wealth of natural capital data that remains underexplored in reassessing ecosystem value; and the need to embrace a mix of methods to strengthen the external validity of complex, interdisciplinary phenomena.”

There is a certain kind of power in hearing an accountant speak about the real market values of biodiversity and its effects on GDP worldwide in conjunction with the scientist pointing out the value to the ecosystem.

Panelists call for stable funding and dialogue

The lunchtime fireside discussion engaged practitioners and academics who drilled into the real barriers of tackling long-term problems with evidence-based and practitioner-informed solutions. Panelists expressed frustrations with isolated policy development and implementation while ignoring the experience of practitioners. The gap can lead to unintended consequences or simply policy failure. For their part, researchers recognized the value of the findings brought by application. All agreed that unstable funding did not support long term outcomes.

Dr. Athanasakou noted, “The fireside discussion further emphasized the importance of clarity and certainty in investment projections as a key condition for translating evidence into action; the growing need to bring together scientists, companies, investor representatives and policymakers into shared dialogues; the central role of trust and governance in making those dialogues meaningful; and the importance of policy and governance consistency in supporting sustainable, long-term decision-making.”

Panelists were:

• Adel Merabet, Professor of Engineering, SMU

• Danika van Proosdij, Geomorphologist and Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, SMU

• Timothy Bachiu, Director of Research at Net Zero Atlantic

• Donald G. LeBlanc, President of RDA Atlantic

• Rob Rashotte, President, Global Training and Education, Cato Networks and student in the Sobey Executive Doctorate of Business Administration program.

• Duncan P. Williams, President & CEO at Construction Association of Nova Scotia

Sparking new creative collisions

Interdisciplinary approaches really shine in an intimate community like Saint Mary's University. The day concluded with a cross-project discussion on opportunities for future research with doctoral students, which was also attended by a dual-credit co-op class of high school students. Interdisciplinary, intergenerational and reflecting a commitment to innovative ways to solve real-world problems.

The Accounting, Science and Arts Interdisciplinary Colloquium was, in many ways, a perfect distillation of the Saint Mary’s University promise of a world without limits.

New major in Sustainability Management launches at Saint Mary's

“Sustainability is a competitive advantage.” – Mary Barra, CEO General Motors

Environmental responsibility and equity are key career themes for today’s students. A new Sustainability Management major in the Sobey School of Business Bachelor of Commerce program will help students address real challenges, such as climate change, responsible resource use and social impact, through a business career. Students will learn how organizations balance environmental responsibility, community and societal well-being, and economic success.

The program includes courses like Sustainable Finance, Sustainability Accounting, Reporting and Assurance, Business Ethics and Responsibility, and Economics of Sustainability, as well as elective courses in Arts and Science. While the major is a standalone program, it has been specially designed to work well as a second major alongside other disciplines such as Finance, Management or Marketing.

The program will include important experiential learning elements that deepen a student’s understanding outside of the classroom, including opportunities to work hands-on with organizations on real sustainability challenges. Graduates may pursue careers in fields like responsible investing, corporate sustainability management, ESG analysis and sustainability consulting.

The new Sustainability Management major is a natural next step for the Sobey School, as our students and alumni have long demonstrated commitment to environmental and social sustainability, through building social enterprises like Square Roots; societies like Enactus, Women in Business and the new Sustainability Society; and through participating in national and international case competitions themed for ethics, responsible leadership and sustainability.

Commitment to sustainability

The Sobey School of Business is a signatory to PRME, a United Nations initiative. Its focus is ensuring that business schools equip future leaders with the skills needed to balance economic, social and environmental goals, with particular emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sobey is a PRME Champion school, signalling a greater commitment and intention to be a thought leader in responsible leadership.

Our research centres focus on topics related to sustainability, including social entrepreneurship and impact, immigration economics, and co-operative businesses.

Saint Mary’s University has a reputation for environmental and social responsibility that is evident in everything from our research endeavours to our academic programs to many on-campus activities and initiatives. The new major joins a number of sustainability-focused undergraduate programs at the university.

Related:

• Certificate in Sustainability Business

• Bachelor of Commerce programs

• Sustainability at Saint Mary’s

Highlighting the SMU Community during National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate people who give their time, skills and energy to strengthen communities across Canada. At Saint Mary’s, many faculty, staff, students and alumni across the university quietly give back and make a meaningful difference through volunteering.

Through initiatives such as the Co-Curricular Recognition program and Community Service Learning, volunteering has also become an important way for students to put their learning into practise while making a positive impact.

“Volunteering enriches the student experience by connecting academic content to real-world situations,” says Christy Starkey, Co-Curricular & Career360° Lead at Saint Mary’s. “It helps build professional connections and offers a meaningful way to give back to the community.”

The impact is impressive: in 2025, over 450 students volunteered a total of 22,000 hours with 111 local organizations, including the IWK Foundation, Chisholm Services for Children (Links Literacy program), Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank and more.

This week, we are highlighting just a few of our student and alumni volunteers who are committed to making things better for all. Read on to be inspired and join us in thanking volunteers across SMU for all that they do!

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Yusupha Njie

Yusupha is a third‑year Bachelor of Science student double-majoring in computer science and business administration. As Coordinator of the SMU Community Food Room, he proudly oversees a team of more than 50 volunteers, providing essential support to fellow students.

In 2025, Yusupha logged the highest number of CCR volunteer hours, contributing an exceptional 840 hours.

“To me, being part of a community means showing up for one another and ensuring everyone has the support they need to succeed.”

Deana Symes

Deana, a fifth-year Master of Science in Applied Science student, was recently named the 2025-26 Huskies Female President's Award winner for Outstanding Academic and Athletic Performance for her commitment to her rugby team and community, as well as being a five-time Academic All-Canadian and Dean's List recipient.

A leader with women’s rugby, she pairs excellence on the field with service off campus, volunteering as an assistant coach with Sackville High Rugby, supporting the SMU Community Food Room, serving as a medical responder at campus sporting events and being an active member of the Chemistry Society.

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Melissa Alvarez Del Angel

Melissa, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science Honours student majoring in psychology, is highly involved on and off campus. She has provided extensive support to students as a Senior RA and she volunteers at Peter’s Place, assisting individuals recovering from brain injuries. Melissa is also involved in the French Woodland Conservation Project and has supported initiatives at the IWK Foundation.

“Volunteering has allowed me to give back to a community that has given me so much, and to create a positive difference, even if only in a small corner of the world.”

Noah Martin

Noah has made a lasting impact through sustained volunteer leadership and community engagement. He completed a work‑integrated learning placement with Shelter Movers, which provides moving and storage services to individuals and families fleeing abuse. He continued as Lead Volunteer with Shelter Movers, mentoring students, coordinating volunteers and modelling trauma‑informed practice.

His long‑term commitment to both Shelter Movers and the Nova Scotia Environmental Network has strengthened community partnerships, built trust and ensured meaningful, ongoing learning opportunities for future SMU students.

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Naomi Onyechi

Naomi is a third-year Arts student majoring in psychology and criminology who participates in the Co-Curricular Recognition and Community Service Learning programs.

Following her CSL placement, she continued volunteering with the Halifax Association for Community Living. She is one of the first recipients to receive the Community Engaged Learning Certificate, which celebrates students who have gone beyond the classroom to meaningfully connect their academic learning with community-based work. 

“Volunteering is an invaluable experience that changed how I connected with my schoolwork, as it took theories I saw in my textbooks and showed me what it looked like in a real-life context. I got to grow with a team and learned new ways of connecting with people, which helped expand my mind on what inclusion could look like.”

Maddie Vanderlinden BA’24

While completing her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Intercultural Studies and French, Maddie built a strong sense of community through her involvement with SAGA (Students Acting for Global Awareness), the French Society, WUSC (World University Service of Canada), and as a Welcome Weeks Leader—connections that made her experience unforgettable. 

Today, she continues that connection as a member of both the Alumni Council and the Young Alumni Committee, roles she stepped into immediately after graduating. 

“I chose to continue volunteering with SMU as a way to stay connected after graduating,” she shares. “I had such a positive experience during my time there.” 

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.

From campus to community: Maddie Vanderlinden’s alumni journey

Maddie (on the right) volunteers with SMU Alumni during Homecoming

For Maddie Vanderlinden BA’24, staying involved with Saint Mary’s University was a natural next step after graduation—and a meaningful way to stay connected. 

While completing her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Intercultural Studies and French, along with a minor in Asian Studies, Maddie built a strong sense of community through her involvement with SAGA (Students Acting for Global Awareness), the French Society, WUSC (World University Service of Canada), and as a Welcome Weeks Leader—connections that made her experience unforgettable. 

Today, she continues that connection as a member of both the Alumni Council and the Young Alumni Committee, roles she stepped into immediately after graduating. 

“I chose to continue volunteering with SMU as a way to stay connected after graduating,” she shares. “I had such a positive experience during my time there.” 

For Maddie, volunteering is about supporting students and helping foster the same welcoming environment she experienced. She’s especially enjoyed attending cultural events like Caribanza and believes it’s important for alumni to show support for student societies and the work they do. 

We are very grateful to Maddie for her continued involvement and the energy she brings to the SMU community. 

Her advice for students and new graduates: 

“Getting involved before you graduate makes the transition to alumni engagement much easier—but it’s never too late to start.”