Meet your SNAP Tutors

The SNAP Centre is located in the Atrium building

The SNAP Centre (Science Numeracy & Academic Proficiency) at Saint Mary’s provides free peer tutoring for students in first-year science courses.

Designed to support students through their first-year courses, this tutoring service can help students with conceptual understanding of topics, assignments and study skills and strategies.

SNAP Centre tutors are all Dean’s List students who have taken the same courses in recent years. Dean’s List students have achieved a high degree of academic success, earning an annual average of A- or higher (GPA > 3.70). They can tutor students in biology, chemistry, computing science, earth science, engineering, math and physics courses.

Students are welcome to drop in or book an appointment for in-person or online appointments.

Meet the tutors

Izzie Couillard 

Program: Third year, Bachelor of Science with Diploma in Engineering (Discipline in Resource Engineering)

SNAP tutor specialties: Math, Chem, and open to other first-year courses

Future Plans: I hope to graduate in Spring 2027 and return to complete a Bachelor of Resource Engineering at SMU with a specialty in Renewable Energy 

Favourite engineering class: History of Science and Technology (HIST 1301)

Favourite elective class: Environmental Impact Assessment

Best spot at SMU to study: Design rooms on the first floor of the Eng Building – Bert, our chief morale officer is available during study breaks. 

Advice to new students for success in university: Put EVERYTHING in your calendar! 

Andrew Dove

Program: Second year, Bachelor of Science in Physics

SNAP tutor specialties: Math, computing science, and physics 

Future plans: TBD

Favourite class in my major: Physics 1210

Favourite elective class: Computing Science 1226 

Best spot at SMU to study: The Patrick Power Library

Advice to new students for success in university: Study!

Rohen Hayne

Program: Third year, Bachelor of Science in Biology

SNAP tutor specialties: Biology, chemistry, and math

Future plans: Graduate or professional studies

Favourite class for your major: Human Physiology

Favourite elective class: Introduction to Philosophy

Best spot at SMU to study: The library

Advice to new students for success in university: Stay consistent with your studying, ask for help when you need it, and avoid letting your coursework pile up.

Ella Jackson

Program: Third year, majoring in Astrophysics and Math

SNAP tutor specialties: Math and Physics

Future plans: Complete a master’s in astrophysics  

Favourite class in my major: Math 2310 or Phys 2303

Favourite elective class: Psychology 1310, Intro to Memory

Best spot at SMU to study: Any library quiet floor or study room!

Advice to new students for success in university: Ask for help as soon as you need it!

Skye Jiang

Program: Second year, Diploma in Engineering

SNAP tutor specialties: Math 1210, Math1211, Math2301, Phys1210

Future plans: Go to Dal to finish a civil engineering degree 

Favourite class in my major: Statics

Best spot at SMU to study: Library

Advice to new students for success in university: Schedule your workload well, and make sure you get more than half of the courses. That will make the exam weeks easier.

Zack Kennedy

Program: Third year, Bachelor of Science with Diploma in Engineering

SNAP tutor specialties: Math, physics, engineering, chemistry

Future plans: Finish my Mechanical Engineering degree at Dalhousie University

Favourite class in my major: Mechanics of Materials (EGNE 2304)

Your favourite elective class: People, Place and Environment (GEOG 1200)

Best spot at SMU to study: First floor in the library

Advice to new students for success in university: Ask questions early in the semester. A solid understanding of the fundamental concepts is really helpful as you get into the more complex topics of the course.

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Consent Awareness Week: Oct. 1-8, 2026

Consent Awareness Week is an annual initiative led by the Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative (SVPI) under Saint Mary’s Sexual Violence Support Centre. The initiative centres on building a campus culture grounded in consent, respect, safety and open communication.

Held Oct. 1–8, Consent Awareness Week provides opportunities for the Saint Mary’s community to learn more about consent, boundaries and healthy relationships, and to consider how we can all contribute to a culture where consent and respect are part of everyday interactions.

Explore the initiatives and activities taking place throughout Consent Awareness Week and learn more about consent and sexual violence prevention at Saint Mary’s.

Therapy Dog Drop-In

Thursday, October 1
1:30-3:30 p.m.
5th Floor Student Centre Lounge

Drop by for fur-filled break to destress with a certified therapy dog.

Football Tabling: Spin for Consent

Friday, October 2
7-9 p.m.
Huskies Stadium

Learn, spin and win with SMU’s Athletic Ambassadors at our pop-up info table during the men’s homecoming football game!

Consent Tabling at the Women's Rugby Game

Saturday, October 3
2-4 p.m.
Huskies Stadium

Learn, spin & win with SMU’s Athletic Ambassadors at our pop-up info table during the women’s homecoming rugby game!

Crafting & Consent

Tuesday, October 6
4-6 p.m.
5th Floor Student Centre Lounge

Drop by to make a craft and join in conversations about consent at Saint Mary's. Craft materials will be provided or you can bring your own project to work on!

Sex Trivia with SMUSA

Wednesday, October 7
7-9 p.m.
The Gorsebrook Lounge

Drop by The Gorsebrook Lounge for a chance to learn, answer trivia and win some prizes!

Book Club

Thursday, October 8
4-6 p.m.
5th Floor Student Centre Lounge

Join the SVPI team for our inaugural book club meet & greet. Help choose our first book and enjoy some light refreshments on us!

Celebrating Mi'kmaq History Month

October is Mi’kmaq History Month, a time to celebrate and learn about Mi’kmaq culture and heritage.

The theme for Mi’kmaq History Month 2026 is Healing and Wellness, and is based on teachings shared by the late Elder Murdena Marshall. From the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC), “This year’s theme invites people across Mi’kma’kik to reflect on healing as a lifelong journey—one rooted in understanding ourselves, our histories, our relationships, and our responsibilities to one another.”

Learn more at mikmaqhistorymonth.ca.

October 1 is Treaty Day, which commemorates the treaties between the Mik’maq people of Nova Scotia—who have occupied the land for thousands of years—and the Crown. Learn more about Treaty Day here.

Saint Mary's University acknowledges that the university is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. Learn more.

2026 Mi’kmaw History Month poster celebrates lifelong healing journeys. Designed by the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC) in partnership with artist Gerald Gloade and in collaboration with Elders, cultural practitioners, translators, and the Mi’kmaw History Month Committee.

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Events

Indigenous Film Series

Every Thursday, October 1-29
6-8:30 p.m.
Patrick Power Library, Room 135

In recognition and celebration of Mi’kmaq History Month this October, join us every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Patrick Power Library Classroom for an evening of impactful cinema, honest conversations, and free snacks.

We'll be screening a mix of thought-provoking films that explore challenging realities, celebrate Indigenous resilience, and showcase incredible storytelling. Whether you are looking to expand your worldview, support Indigenous arts, or simply unwind with friends and free snacks after a long day of classes, there is a seat for you.

• October 1 - Finding Dawn

• October 8 - Singing Back the Buffalo

• October 15 - The Secret Path

• October 22 - 8:37 Rebirth

• October 29 - Rhymes for Young Ghouls

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The Traditional Districts of Mi’kma’ki, the Land of the Mi’kmaw

Tuesday, October 20
1:30-2:30 p.m.
CLARI- Atrium 340

Just as Canada is divided into provinces and territories, Mi’kma’ki, the Land of the Mi’kmaw, was traditionally divided into nine distinct districts. This presentation would explore these districts through the Mi’kmaw language, including how the verb-based language provides insight into the origins and meaning of each place’s name.

This three-part EDIA Speaker Series features Dr. Gerald Gloade, an artist, educator, storyteller, naturalist, Elder and visionary from Millbrook First Nation.

 To register for the session, please send an email to EDI@smu.ca

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Mi’kmaq Heritage Game Night

Friday, October 23
7 p.m.
Huskies Stadium

Cheer on the Huskies football team as they host the Mount Allison Mounties at Huskies Stadium! The game will open with Mi’kmaq drummers and an honour song, with drumming at halftime and an Indigenous vendor market.

Get tickets

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Resources

Indigenous Student Advising and Student Space

The Indigenous Student Advisor at SMU acts as a bridge between Indigenous students, Saint Mary’s University and community organizations, supporting students through academic, personal and cultural guidance. Students can make an appointment with Kylar Johnson, the Indigenous Student Advisor at Indigenous.Advisor@SMU.ca. 

Qomuti is an on-campus space designed by and for Indigenous students. Located in Loyola Academic Room 286, Qomuti (pronounced ho-mo-dee) is a Mi’kmaw word meaning “a place of safe haven.” This space was created through community consultation and is intended to be a welcoming home on campus for Indigenous students to gather, study, share, smudge, and feel rooted in culture and connection.

Find out more about the space and how to connect with Kylar at smu.ca/indigenous-community.

Kylar Johnson, Indigenous Student Advisor, holds a smudging ceremony on campus ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Kylar Johnson and members of the SMU community offered drumming and song at Spring Convocation 2026

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The Patrick Power Library is featuring a display of the Mi’kmaq History Month posters from the past five years

Patrick Power Library

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, including a locally crafted dreamcatcher and Ta’n Etl-klo'tasik koqoey (a phrase meaning “where the items are kept or taken care of”), an exhibit celebrating the enduring legacy and culture of the Mi’kmaq people. This exhibit features a collection of Mi’kmaw cultural objects selected by community members and is on loan from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History.

The Patrick Power Library has developed a resource collection that includes books and videos related to Mi’kmaq History. Be sure to also look at the Library’s Indigenous Studies Subject & Research Guide. All books can be borrowed with your SMU ID card or accessed online using your SMU email and password.

Red Dress Installation

The Red Dress installation will be on display in the Library from October 2-9 in honour of Sisters in Spirit Day, which is observed annually on October 4 to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse (MMIWG2S+) people. This video on LinkedIn shows last year’s installation of red dresses accompanied by powerful messages.

Fred Smithers Centre launches live chat for digital support

The live digital chat offers a new way for students to connect with the FSC team.

Members of the Saint Mary’s community can now connect with the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC) through a new live chat service, providing a convenient way to ask questions and connect with the team online.

The live chat works like a digital drop-in. During staffed hours, students and other members of the Saint Mary’s community can use the chat to ask questions related to FSC services and support, with a member of the FSC team available to respond in real time.

Live chat hours:

• Mondays: 10 a.m.–noon

• Wednesdays: 9–11 a.m.

• Thursdays: 2–4 p.m.

“Reducing barriers is at the heart of what we do at the Fred Smithers Centre,” says Becca Chaytor, Interim Manager, Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility. “Adding a live digital chat tool gives students another way to connect with us in a format that may feel more comfortable and accessible than a phone call or an in-person visit. It means students can ask a question when they have one, without having to worry about knowing exactly where to start or which person to contact. It’s another small but meaningful way we can make support easier to access.”

How to use the live chat

A grey and white chat icon is located at the bottom right section of the browser window on the FSC site. When the live chat is active and an FSC team member is online, the chat icon will turn red.

To start a conversation:

1.       Click the chat icon to open the chat window.

2.       Enter your name and email address.

3.       Select your visitor type.

4.       Type your question into the Message box.

5.       Select submit.

A member of the FSC team will join the conversation shortly!

Visit the Fred Smithers Centre’s Guided Video Tutorials for a step-by-step demonstration of the chat function.

What if live chat isn't available?

If you visit the chat outside of staffed hours, the chat icon will appear light grey to indicate the chat is not active, and an away message will let you know the team is not currently online.

You can leave a message through the chat, and the FSC team will follow up by email as soon as possible.

Privacy disclaimer

Please do not share sensitive or personal information, such as medical diagnoses or documentation, through the live chat. If you need to provide the Fred Smithers Centre with sensitive or personal information, please send it by email so it can be shared and stored securely.

Please note that FSC chat conversation transcripts are saved and can be accessed by both the user and members of the Fred Smithers Centre team.

Feedback is welcome!

The FSC welcomes feedback from students using the new service. After a chat session, users may be invited to provide a brief rating or feedback about their experience.

Chat users can also share feedback with the FSC at fsc@smu.ca.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Saint Mary's

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to recognize and reflect on the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities, to honour those who have been affected by this injustice, and to ensure public commemoration of this history as a vital part of the reconciliation process.

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, administrative offices will be closed and there will be no classes or labs on Wednesday, September 30. The Patrick Power Library will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check smu.ca/dining for food service hours.

Orange Shirt Day

September 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day , which began in 2013 to honour Indigenous children forced to leave their families to attend residential schools. Members of the SMU community are encouraged to wear their orange shirts to campus on Tuesday, September 29, ahead of the September 30 closure. Orange t-shirts are available to purchase at the SMU Bookstore, with proceeds going to the Mi’kmawey Debert Indian Residential School Legacy Project.

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Events on campus

Smudging Ceremony and Webinar

Thursday, September 24, 2026

• 2:15 p.m. Smudging ceremony in the Quad area

• 2:50 p.m. Welcome and opening remarks | CLARI (Atrium Room 340)

• 3:00 p.m. Webinar screening: Honouring Indigenous Leadership: Perspectives for a Shared Future

• 4:00 p.m. Debrief and discussion

Smudging is a cultural ceremony practised by a wide variety of Indigenous peoples in Canada and other parts of the world. Although practices differ, smudging is used for medicinal and practical purposes as well as for spiritual ceremonies. The practice generally involves prayer and the burning of sacred medicines, such as sweetgrass, cedar, sage and tobacco. All are welcome to attend.

Image: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Honouring Indigenous Leadership: Perspectives for a Shared Future (Webinar)

English with French and ASL interpretation

This session invites participants into a thoughtful conversation on the leadership, truths and lived experiences shaping Indigenous futures across Canada and Turtle Island. Grounded in community knowledge and guided by those closest to the work, the session will explore the realities of Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, the ongoing fight for First Nations child rights, and the calls for justice from the MMIWG2S movement.

RSVP here to attend the screening in CLARI

Watch the other daily lunch and learn webinars offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, happening September 21-25.

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Residence Life Booth

Monday, September 28, 2026

Join the Res Life team in the Loyola Colonnade outside of Tim Hortons to write “What Truth & Reconciliation means to me” on a paper orange t-shirt. The notes will be posted on the Res Life bulletin board in Loyola Residence.

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Qomuti - SMU’s space for Indigenous students

Located in Loyola Academic Room 286, Qomuti (pronounced ho-mo-dee) is a Mi’kmaw word meaning “a place of safe haven.”

Qomuti was designed and named in consultation with students and built with intention: a space where Indigenous learners can study, share, smudge without barriers and feel seen.

To access the space, students can contact Kylar Johnson, the Indigenous Student Advisor. Students can also meet with Kylar in his office located in the Burke Building. Learn more about this space.

Kylar Johnson and students gather in Qomuti

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Patrick Power Library

Permanent Mi'kmaw Heritage Exhibit – Visit the Library to see Ta’n Etl-klo'tasik koqoey (a phrase meaning “where the items are kept or taken care of”), an exhibit celebrating the enduring legacy and culture of the Mi’kmaq people. This exhibit features a collection of Mi’kmaw cultural objects selected by community members, and is on loan from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History.

The Patrick Power Library has developed a resource collection that includes books and videos related to Truth and Reconciliation. All books can be borrowed with your SMU ID card or accessed online using your SMU email and password.  

Other resources to support learning and reflection about Indigenous culture and experience include: 

Indigenous Studies Research Guide – Your starting point for academic and community-based resources on Indigenous research topics, featuring suggested journals, search strategies, databases, government information and other resources. 

SMU Theses on Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Research – Discover original research by Saint Mary’s University community members in the Institutional Repository. 

Streaming Media Collections – Watch Indigenous films and documentaries through the NFB, CBC Curio, Films on Demand, Audio Cine and Criterion databases. Access is available through the Library. 

The library will be featuring an Indigenous puzzle and Mi'kmaq colouring sheets at the activity table and there will be Orange Shirt Day buttons available while supplies last.    

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Related links

• Indigenous Community online hub

• News for and about the Indigenous community at Saint Mary’s

• More information on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Saint Mary’s athletes make a splash at Halifax U23 World Paddle Championships

Students highlight support from professors during their demanding training schedule

If you noticed a busier-than-usual Canada Day celebration week this year, you weren’t imagining it.

642 athletes from 54 nations flocked to Lake Banook in Dartmouth for the 2026 ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships, which took place July 1-5 in the HRM, bringing their A-game to a series of canoe and kayak events that brought the best of the best against each other to fight for gold on Canadian waters.

With singles, doubles and relays across multiple distances for both canoe and kayak athletes, there was no shortage of action at the championships – and Saint Mary’s athletes demanded attention throughout.

Alex Erith Ellwood, Brianna Smith, Duncan Giles and Ian Gaudet represented the university on the world stage—each one a talented athlete chasing their goals on the water while pursuing their education right here on the East Coast.

Alex Erith Ellwood
Photo: ICF - Canada

Alex Erith Ellwood

Diploma in Engineering

The championship event marked the fourth international competition for SMU Engineering’s Alex Erith Ellwood, where he competed in the K2 500 meter, the K4 500 meter, and the mixed relay with fellow SMU engineering student Brianna Smith.

Alex qualified for worlds by placing Top 5 in Canada for the men’s 500 meter at national tryouts earlier this year. No stranger to competition travel, it was a real treat to compete here at home.

“It’s always cool to be able to go away and see other countries, but there’s always a time difference and new surroundings to get used to. It was great to be at home and comfortable on our own lake.”

Balancing his education with his travel schedule is no easy feat, but SMU profs have gone above and beyond every step of the way to make sure his goals are met on the water and in the classroom.

“I remember discussing my schedule with a prof in first year, and there was one calculus course that he recommended taking in the spring to accommodate my winter training camp. Little things like that make it easier to help balance everything.”

Alex isn’t slowing down anytime soon, as he immediately went on to the Canoe Sprint World Cup in Montreal on July 9-12, where he was able to get on the water with the Canadian senior men’s team to launch the next chapter of his athletic career.

Brianna Smith
Photo: ICF - Canada

Brianna Smith

Diploma in Engineering

Brianna Smith has been competing on the world stage since her late teens, competing at the ICF Olympic Hopes when she was 17 years old. In addition to pursuing her Diploma in Engineering at Saint Mary’s and travelling internationally to compete, she spends her summers coaching younger athletes to get them ready for the U16 category, when athletes start competing nationally to make international teams.

With two previous world championships under her belt, competing in a third here at home was a chance to show her community exactly what she’s made of:

“A bunch of the kids I coach were volunteering at the event or came to watch the races. That was a great experience for them, because they don’t usually get to see their coaches race. It’s cool for them to see what I do.”

During the school year, Brianna pursues her engineering diploma and is a member of the Engineering Society, while coaching the masters group at her club—all while prioritizing her own competition training.

“I went to SMU because of the smaller class sizes, so I could make deeper connections with my professors. When I had to miss classes to accommodate my training and competition schedule, it was easier to communicate with them.”

Duncan Giles and team
Photo: ICF - Canada

Ian Gaudet
Photo: ICF - Canada

Duncan Giles

BComm in Finance

Entering his third year at Saint Mary’s, Duncan is a recipient of the Sobey National Innovator Scholarship. When choosing a university, Duncan’s goal was to pursue his business education while continuing to train at the national and international level, and SMU offered the flexibility he needed to thrive as a student-athlete.

That academic flexibility has been a game-changer for him, as during the winter months, he completes online courses while travelling for three-month training blocks away from home, supported by professors who understand the demands of high-performance sport.

“I really like the community here at Saint Mary's,” says Giles. “Everybody feels important, and the professors are really flexible and understanding with my training schedule, which helps me balance all my responsibilities.”

At the world championships on Lake Banook, Giles competed in the four-person 500-meter event, helping guide his boat to a strong fifth-place finish. He’s looking forward to focusing on finance when he returns in the fall.

Duncan isn’t the only international competitor in his family. His dad, Stephen Giles, has multiple world championships under his belt in the same sport and received a Bronze Medal in the C-1 1000m event at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.  

Ian Gaudet

BSc in Earth Science

“This was the first international competition I’ve gotten to do in Canada,” says Earth Science student Ian Gaudet. “Usually we have to deal with rental boats that aren’t our own. We have to deal with checking into hotels and long flights and dealing with the strain of jet lag and all that comes with international travel. So, to actually have the advantage of being at home and competing on our home lake was a big advantage for us.”

Gaudet delivered impressive performances on the water, placing sixth in the world in K4 500-meter kayak event. Following the world championships here in Dartmouth, he competed at the historic Olympic Basin in Montreal—the venue’s first international event since the 1976 Summer Olympics.

“I've been training and racing at the Olympic Basin since I was quite young, so it was really cool to be able to race with the Maple Leaf on my chest on home waters.”

Training for national kayak teams is a year-round commitment; when local lakes freeze over in the winter, he travels south to San Diego with the Canadian National Team to keep paddling, and the supports available in the Faculty of Science allow Ian to continue pursuing his academic goals while maintaining his competitive edge on the water.

Read more about Ian on the ICF website.

A World without limits, for athletes and beyond

Halifax is home to nationally acclaimed aquatics clubs, providing a rich environment for former and future Olympians to get the experience they need to make waves in the world. Saint Mary’s provides a space for these athletes to do what they do best—on the water and in the classroom.

Designed for dignity: Saint Mary's expands accessibility in Patrick Power Library

At first glance, a washroom may seem like an unexpected place to start a conversation about belonging. For some, access to the right washroom is the difference between participating fully in university life and planning around what a space can or cannot provide.

Saint Mary's University's new universal washroom in the Patrick Power Library was built with that reality front and centre. Designed to support a wide range of mobility and personal care needs, the space includes a ceiling lift, an adult-sized change table, accessible fixtures, room for power wheelchairs and mobility devices, and choices in lighting, materials, signage and acoustics intended to make the room genuinely welcoming.

In the new universal washroom, a ceiling lift is installed for wheelchair users

A bench and wash station is available

The washroom features an adult-sized change table

Signage indicates accessibility features of the washroom

Accessible door and emergency call buttons are provided for privacy and security

Project leaders and SMU staff unveil new universal washroom

Navjot Singh, Manager, Projects and Facilities Planning; Barry McNeil, Project Facilitator; Jennifer Webb, Accessibility Lead; Glen Nicholson, Project Architect

It started with a single question asked in 2018, when a parent reached out to ask whether the campus had a washroom equipped with both a ceiling lift and an adult-sized change table. Saint Mary's was able to add a lift to the accessible washroom on the third floor of the Student Centre, but the room could not accommodate a change table. That gap became a turning point. It showed that accessibility is not only about meeting a minimum standard. It is about understanding what people need to move through campus with independence and confidence.

Project architect Glen Nicholson

"Universal design asks us to think beyond code compliance and consider the lived experience of the person using the space," says Glen Nicholson, project architect. "The best accessibility design should not feel exceptional to the user. It should simply feel like the building anticipated them."

The next step was finding the right location. Saint Mary's conducted a campus-wide review that examined at least 10 possible sites. The criteria were uncompromising: a large enough footprint, an accessible corridor, room for a lift and change table, space for mobility devices, and a location that would not reduce the number of available washroom stalls elsewhere on campus.

“We had to think carefully about how the space would function for the people using it, not just whether we could fit the required equipment into a room,” says Dennis Gillis, Senior Director of Facilities Management. “The Patrick Power Library emerged as the best option because it met the accessibility requirements while placing the washroom in one of the most central and frequently used spaces on campus.”

That last detail matters. A universal washroom tucked into a remote wing can technically satisfy a requirement. It does not offer the same welcome, visibility or message.

The new universal washroom is located on the first floor of the Patrick Power Library

“Libraries are spaces intended to serve everyone,” says Suzanne van den Hoogen, Dean, University Library and Archives. “Supporting this project was a natural extension of that commitment. By locating the universal washroom in the Library, we're helping to ensure that one of the most frequently used spaces on campus is also one of the most welcoming and inclusive.”

The project is supported by funding from the Nova Scotia Access-Ability Grant and the Government of Canada, supporting features that remain uncommon across regional post-secondary institutions.

Inside the room, the details tell their own story. High-impact illuminated signage helps people identify the space. Contrasting finishes support visual navigation. Balanced task and ambient LED lighting reduces eye strain. Acoustic treatments provide privacy and discretion. A clear occupancy indicator removes the uncertainty of a locked door, while an emergency pull station connects to Campus Security and the Library service desk.

None of these features are flashy. Together, they communicate something important: that the people who will use this room were thought about, specifically and seriously, before the first wall went up.

For Kate McHugh, Manager of Student Accessibility and the Fred Smithers Centre, that kind of intentionality is invaluable. "Accessibility cannot live in one office or one service. The Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility supports students directly, but the larger goal is a campus where accessibility is considered everywhere—in classrooms, common spaces, technology, events and washrooms. When the built environment removes barriers, people do not have to spend their energy negotiating access. They can spend it learning, working, connecting and belonging."

Saint Mary's is building this work within the broader context of the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act, which sets a goal of an accessible province by 2030. The university's Accessibility Framework will help guide continued efforts to identify, remove and prevent barriers across campus.

A single well-designed washroom is not the finish line. It is evidence that the work is moving in the right direction. The universal washroom supports students, employees, visitors and community members who come to campus for classes, events, research, meetings or simply to spend time in a public university space. It is one more example of architecture with intention at Saint Mary’s University.  

Sobey School of Business earns Level 4 “Transforming” designation in Positive Impact Rating

The Sobey School of Business

The Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University has been recognized again in 2026 as a Level 4 "Transforming School" in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR).

The PIR is a global tool that evaluates how effectively schools prepare graduates to contribute positively to society and address complex global challenges. The evaluation is conducted by students, for students.

Achieving Level 4 places the Sobey School among a select group of business schools worldwide recognized for embedding positive impact throughout their institutional culture, governance systems and educational activities.

Students cited the school’s energizing culture as a strength, one that the Sobey School is particularly proud of. In their evaluation, students encouraged Sobey to find new and additional opportunities to further embed sustainability across all learning methods.

Rory MacDonald, Sobey Sustainability Society President

Sobey Sustainability Society President Rory MacDonald said, “Our Society respects that the Sobey School measures its sustainability impact based on student feedback and takes action on that feedback. Students are the heart of SMU, and I am proud to attend a school that values each and every person, bringing us together through our differences.” 

The Sobey School is proud to be ranked alongside peer institutions like Esade, Bologna Business School, Maastricht University School of Business and Economics, Bern University of Applied Sciences Business School, IÉSEG School of Management, Monash Business School, Australia, and Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, demonstrating the global reach of PIR recognition.

The Sobey School of Business has been an early North American leader in following the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a signatory since 2014 and a PRME Champion since 2021, and accredited by both AACSB and EQUIS. This places Sobey in the 1% of business schools in the world with both accreditations. These, along with the PRME commitment and the PIR, provide regular opportunities to assess and measure the impact and quality of the education and experiences offered to students and alumni.

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

Sobey School of Business hosts ICD event focused on Indigenous Governance

On May 8, 2026, the Sobey School of Business hosted the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Maritime Chapter for a special day-long event on Indigenous governance and the Clearwater purchase, and the dimensions of reconciliation that board directors can influence. The day included a blanket exercise led by Cheryl Copage Gehue and Ian Smith, a keynote with Membertou Chief Terry Paul, and remarks by Fiona Kirkpatrick. Read more.

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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)

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!

See photos from the event!

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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.