Saint Mary’s partners with Nova Scotia Health on new testing centre
From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of the Saint Mary’s community have been the primary focus of the university.
The Santamarian community has come together to provide PPE to health care workers, look at new ways to create PPE and related products such as sanitizers locally, and research the pandemic's economic, psychological, and societal impacts.
On Monday, August 17th, another step in ensuring the Saint Mary’s community is supported move forwards when Nova Scotia Health begins operating a testing centre for COVID-19 located at the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness. The university has worked closely with Nova Scotia Health to ensure that the testing centre is secure and appropriately spaced from campus activities.
“Our university prides itself on putting community at the heart of all that we do,” says Dr. Malcolm Butler, Vice-President, Academic and Research. “In challenging times, our values are tested. We know that testing is a vital part of the fight against COVID-19. We are proud to partner with Nova Scotia Health and to do our part in helping to keep our community safe.”
By partnering with Nova Scotia Health, the university ensures that members of both the local community and campus community have a safe and secure centre in their community to be tested for COVID-19 when directed by 811. With the counselling centre and student health centre available to students and residence students, this represents another investment in ensuring that students can receive the healthcare they need when they need it.
Library expands access to books and other physical materials
The Library’s been busy working to safely expand our services!
If you need books and other physical material, you can now place a hold on SMU or other Novanet materials through our Novanet Catalogue. You can choose to pick up the material at SMU, or select a participating Novanet Library.
Need assistance finding books or other material, or placing holds? Contact us at research@smu.ca
Pick-up times at SMU are:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am- 2 pm
Fridays 10 am- 5 pm
Need materials from libraries beyond Novanet? Contact ill@smu.ca for more information.
Laptop Lending
The Library has a limited number of laptops for lending to local students in need. Students can place a hold here. Pick up is onsite.
SMU Chemistry students, faculty help create rapid test kit for COVID-19
(L-R): Jacob Hoare, Thomas Steele, Olivia Singer, Kalei Crowell, and Jacob Campbell.
When students and faculty at Saint Mary’s were starting the winter 2020 term in January, the plan was for a normal busy university term of classes and labs. Two months later students, faculty and staff were adjusting to the new normal of working and studying from home during a quickly-evolving global pandemic, and the world looked very different by April.
That same month, a small team of Chemistry researchers, including undergraduate students, was quickly formed at Saint Mary’s to start working on a vital contribution to a rapid, point-of-care, Covid-19 test kit created by a startup company in Dartmouth, NS.
Sona Nanotech was creating a new test kit for the direct detection of the virus responsible for Covid-19 and required ready access to a critical precursor. Thanks to a chance conversation about chemistry at a student conference last summer, Sona Nanotech found their expert at Saint Mary’s, namely researcher and professor Dr. Rob Singer.
Dr. Singer has known Dr. Gerry Marangoni, a Scientific Advisory Board member at Sona Nanotech and Professor of Chemistry at St. Francis Xavier University, from previous collaborations. Dr. Marangoni knew that his colleague had the capability to create the critical precursor that Sona Nanotech needed to produce their inexpensive, point-of-care, rapid-response test kit in a matter of minutes.
A partnership was quickly formed between the company and the university, and within days testing and production of this critical material began in a Saint Mary’s lab. The work was also made possible by Springboard Atlantic, which contributed funding towards the research.
Crediting the collaborations that come from working within a small university for the success of this venture, Dr. Singer explained how beneficial it was to work with a local startup and collaborators. “It was so efficient, and most importantly, we were able to get undergraduate students involved right from the start.” he explained. “These students are involved in relevant, potentially world-changing research here at a small university.”
The team at Saint Mary’s, including undergraduate students Jacob Hoare and Olivia Singer, recent alumni Kalei Crowell and Jacob Campbell, and PhD candidate Thomas Steele, have so far created just over 6 kilograms of the critical precursor, and they have the ability to keep producing at this industrial level as needed. “Of course, we were going to help when they asked. Our mentality was that we were going to assist this company as much as, and in any way, we possibly could.” said Dr. Singer.
Sona Nanotech’s test uses its proprietary nanotechnology in a disposable lateral flow test platform to create a new rapid, point-of-care test kit for the direct detection of the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid-19. It works in a similar way to home pregnancy tests, by identifying the presence of a biological marker, but the technology can also be used to detect a range of viruses and infectious diseases including hepatitis, HIV and Ebola. This method is faster and cheaper than other testing technology, and could be used for in-home testing and by medical staff, and to screen people in large gatherings. Click here to read more.
Saint Mary’s research in psychology, management, and history receives federal funding
Saint Mary’s University researchers have received federal funding for projects totaling $300,000 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Insight Grants competition.
“Research in the social sciences and humanities is a fundamental element of how society understands and interprets itself, providing the insight needed to critically explore the true impact of our established institutions, both positive and negative,” says Dr. Adam Sarty, dean of Graduate Studies and associate vice-president of Research at Saint Mary’s University. “These grant recipients are all challenging key aspects within our culture – from the criminal justice system, to sexual abuse cover-up within the Catholic Church, to workplace incivility, to examinations of medical malpractice. I am very proud of our recipients for their willingness to challenge conventions and engage in this research that enriches both our local and global communities.”
The following is a list of Saint Mary’s Insight Grant recipients:
Recipient: Dr. Meg Ternes (Psychology)
Title: Lie Detection in the Criminal Justice System: Exploring Deception Cues in Field and Laboratory Studies
Dr. Meg Ternes
Description: Most of us are not good lie detectors; lie detection accuracy is usually at chance level. Yet, lies accompanied by powerful emotions and false emotional displays can have major consequences, especially in the criminal justice system where the perceived credibility of an alleged victim’s distress or an offender’s remorse can inform decisions concerning verdicts, sentencing, or parole. For this project, Dr. Ternes and her team will examine the efficacy of nonverbal, verbal, and facial cues to deception (together and separately) using laboratory and field research approaches. The laboratory study will consider emotionally-laden lies and truths told by undergraduate students under controlled conditions, while the field study will consider lies and truths told by criminal suspects in police interviews. The results of these studies will improve our understanding of which combinations of cues contribute the most to deception detection. These results will be shared with professionals in the criminal justice system who have to make these important credibility judgements on a regular basis.
Dr. Cathy Driscoll
Recipient: Dr. Cathy Driscoll (Management)
Title: Exploring Collective Moral Disengagement in Cover-up of Sexual Abuse in the Roman Catholic Church
Description: The broad aim of my research project is to better understand, and effect change in, organizations that are engaged in potentially contradictory practices to their principles, mission, and values. Specifically, this project will focus on institutional and leader moral disengagement in the context of the cover-up of clergy sexual abuse (CSA) of minors in the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). Using content and discourse analysis, I will study current and historic RCC leader discourse from 1990 to 2020 across four countries. Better understanding insights into the organizational dynamics and discourse strategies in this context can provide valuable applications to the RCC with an estimated 1 billion members, as well as to other organizations’ crises, control dynamics, corruption, and misconduct issues (e.g., banks and public sector).
Recipient: Dr. Camilla M. Holmvall (Psychology and Management)
Title: Examining how workplace incivility impacts leader well-being: The moderating role of leader gender
Description: Workplace incivility has been highlighted as highly prevalent in organizations and also highly damaging to employee attitudes, behaviours, and well-being. Research has focused predominantly on mistreatment directed from supervisors toward subordinates, and between coworkers. However, supervisors, managers, and leaders can also be targets of disrespect. Understanding how, and when, leaders’ well-being is impacted by workplace incivility has significant implications, in part due to leaders’ influence on the achievement of the objectives of the organization as well as on their followers’ performance and well-being. In this 5-year mixed-methods grant, we draw on relevant theory (e.g., selective incivility, stereotype activation and threat) to examine the possible different experiences of male and female leaders in terms of both their likelihood of experiencing incivility as well as on its impacts on their well-being.
Recipient: Dr. Blake Brown (History)
Title: A History of Canadian Medical Malpractice Law, 1935-1980
Description: This research will break new and exciting ground in historical research in Canada. It will produce the first history of medical malpractice law in English Canada from 1935 to 1980. One of the most contentious areas of law in the mid twentieth century, malpractice law developed in significantly different ways in Canada than in the United States. The project will explain key changes and trends, and also consider the impacts of technology and the roles of gender, ethnicity and race in shaping the results of malpractice lawsuits. The study ends in 1980, by which time Medicare and the emergence of professional self-regulation complaint systems altered how governments, the medical profession, and individuals approached negligence issues. Focusing primarily on actions against physicians and surgeons, the research will also explore how hospitals and other medical professionals became entangled with litigation. This research will interest historians and also legal scholars, medical professionals, lawyers, policy makers and the general public, since medical malpractice is an important and pressing policy issue.
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Insight Grants support research excellence in the social sciences and humanities. Funding is available to both emerging and established scholars for research initiatives of two to five years. Stable support for long-term research initiatives is central to advancing knowledge. It enables scholars to address complex issues about individuals and societies, and to further our collective understanding.
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based research and research training in the humanities and social sciences. By focusing on developing talent, generating insights and forging connections across campuses and communities, SSHRC strategically supports world-leading initiatives that reflect a commitment to ensuring a better future for Canada and the world.
The work SSHRC supports encourages the deepest levels of inquiry. It spurs innovative researchers to learn from one another’s disciplines, delve into multiparty collaborations and achieve common goals for the betterment of Canadian society. Research outcomes are shared with communities, businesses and governments, who use this new knowledge to innovate and improve people’s lives.
Enactus Saint Mary’s moves program to help youth develop employment skills online
The OptionsOnline.ca homepage.
The Saint Mary's University program that helps Nova Scotian youth overcome barriers to employment and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make a successful transition to work or return to school is moving online.
"The Options Youth Program has been running since 2002, funded by the Government of Canada," says Brennan Daley, a project manager with the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre, who oversees the program. "Traditionally, it's been a face-to-face training program, but in 2019 we applied for funding to move the program online. With the current situation with COVID-19, the online version is even more timely."
The Options Youth Program is a Nova Scotia wide employment wage subsidy program, facilitated by the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre and Enactus Saint Mary's and funded by the Government of Canada through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. The objectives of Options Youth are to help employers cover the cost of training while helping priority youth (age 15-30) overcome multiple barriers to employment, and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make a successful transition to the labour market or return to school. For participants who need assistance to access online learning resources are available.
"This program is an invaluable resource for Nova Scotian youth to develop the life skills and the practical skills necessary to find meaningful employment after the program is finished," says Ossama Nasrallah Bcomm'18, co-owner of The Harbour Watercraft. "As a new business owner, it is very rewarding for myself and my team to help these youth and watch them progress with their time here."
“Our government recognizes the importance of investing in Canada’s youth and helping break down barriers to employment. Programs like the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy gives young Canadians the support they need to launch a meaningful career, and are especially important during these trying times. Our government’s investment in the Options Youth Program will go a long way in helping Nova Scotia’s youth.”
The program consists of a 6 to 10-week skills session followed by a 20-week work experience. During the skills session, participants will take part in employability skills training online. They will have access to a milestone-based curriculum that is tailored to their individual needs and focusing on essentials skills. Participants are paired with a case manager from their area and an Enactus student that will act as a mentor and support throughout the program. Once this is completed, they will move to the 20-week work experience.
"This is a great program for both youth participants and employers," says Michael Sanderson, director of the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre. "It helps connect priority youth with businesses looking for workers. We have seen great success over the years, and we are very appreciative of the continued support of the Government of Canada."
“Our government recognizes the importance of investing in Canada’s youth and helping break down barriers to employment. Programs like the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy gives young Canadians the support they need to launch a meaningful career, and are especially important during these trying times. Our government’s investment in the Options Youth Program will go a long way in helping Nova Scotia’s youth.” – The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
The Government of Canada has invested $786,705 in the Options Youth Program over the next three years through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. The new online version of the program launches later this summer.
For more information, visit optionsonline.ca.
Unveiling the Sobey School of Business Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network
Saint Mary’s University has unveiled the Sobey School of Business Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network.
Established as a recovery network for communities and businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, the Sobey School Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network puts the university’s academic and industry experts’ perspectives into service, supporting the recovery of the regional economy.
Experts are drawn from faculty, research centres, alumni and partners in industry. They will tackle subjects including how data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence can serve in business recovery; how retirement savings will be affected; and how the retail industry can recover.
“People describe our current situation as unprecedented, but universities have come through these sorts of times before,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “The successful universities have done so by embracing transformation and harnessing the dynamics of extraordinary circumstances to help their communities. This prosperity network brings our experts into the community at a time when they are needed most.”
Through this network, the University will foster a resilient community of innovation and support for Nova Scotia’s businesses and communities and provide resources for entrepreneurs and business leaders, including:
experts businesses and governments can consult to help navigate the economic recovery;
evidence-informed free webinars to help communities and businesses recover from the pandemic;
an opportunity to receive discussion papers and advance invitations to online events; and
blog posts and opinion editorials with which to engage, and share thoughts and knowledge.
Saint Mary’s University has been actively engaged in responding to the pandemic—providing personal protective equipment, COVID-19 related research and free business coaching and expert advice for entrepreneurs, businesses and government. The Sobey School of Business and the Entrepreneurship Centre have been at the forefront of these efforts, in keeping with their roles and long tradition as a driver of business excellence, entrepreneurship and economic strength in the region.
“We must come out of this crisis stronger, and we know that will take a coordinated effort across all sectors of our economy,” says Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “We anticipate this project will enable meaningful collaborations between our Sobey School researchers, industry experts and those on the frontlines, sparking the innovation that will revitalize our economy. We want our joint efforts to produce a more prosperous province for all Nova Scotians.”
Saint Mary’s University and the Sobey School of Business have long been committed to making a positive impact on local and global business practice and the region’s economy. In the Sobey School’s strategic plan, Elevating Impact, the school committed to “Engage with the broader community to enrich learning and discovery, and address issues of local and global significance.” The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic effect on the economy around the globe. Governments protected their citizens by curtailing public life, including commerce. Lives have been saved, and peoples’ health protected by these means. As the region begins the hard work of restarting the economy, the Sobey School of Business is prepared to play an essential role in helping Nova Scotia businesses and communities cope.
The first free webinar is scheduled for July 16: Business in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: Using Data Analytics to Achieve Sustainable Recovery and Growth.
In addition to the no-cost resources offered by the Sobey School of Business Prosperity Network, there are paid courses offered through the Sobey School of Business Executive and Professional Development program that address some of the specifics around coping with COVID-19, including financial planning during the pandemic’s uncertainty; mindfulness and stress; new manager skills; and leading virtually.
Saint Mary’s University invests in online learning
Saint Mary's University is investing strategically to create an exceptional online learning environment for Fall 2020.
Saint Mary's is providing $300,000 in additional funds for its Studio for Teaching and Learning to create more supports for faculty, students, and staff. These include a new program for students, Jump Start, the addition of staff to the Digital Learning Team to support faculty in their online instruction, and new Digital Teaching Assistants to support the university's existing teaching assistants transition to a virtual environment.
The university has also introduced a Peer Coaching program. Now every new student is paired with a student-coach who they can connect with throughout their first year of studies.
"We are very fortunate that the Studio for Teaching and Learning has proven expertise in curricular innovation, accessibility and digital tools for learning," said Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "Over two decades, The Studio has developed an ecosystem for teaching and learning. Now we will adapt the technology and expertise to excel in this new virtual world."
Professors have been working with specialists in digital learning and digital teaching assistants since March to adapt courses and teaching strategies. This work is continuing through the summer to ensure that the more than 1000 courses in Arts, Science and Business and graduate and professional degrees are designed to offer exceptional online academic experiences for Fall 2020.
"I want to reassure students and parents that Saint Mary's is committed to providing an engaging, high-quality, and meaningful academic experience, whether students are studying in Bangladesh or Bras d'Or," said President Summerby-Murray.
"We are actively working now and throughout the summer to make sure that faculty are ready for remote teaching, and that all the necessary academic support services, co-curricular activities and community-building opportunities are available to students who will be studying online," said Dr. Esther E. Enns, Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning.
"We have seen a strong interest in our online summer workshops in Jump Start," said Enns. "This as an encouraging sign that the activities and supports are resonating with students, and we will continue to provide and expand these offerings into the fall."
The Jump Start program is available to all incoming and returning Saint Mary's students free of charge. It is a five-day program delivered in a virtual, online environment, matching university academic life and learning. The five days are split between two modules: How to be an Online Student and Summer Writing Workshop. Students learn by doing, participating, and meeting and making new friends. They will develop new academic skills while building on those they already have.
Among the activities covered are:
practising the steps required to plan and write a variety of undergraduate assignments;
experiencing an online classroom lecture with a professor;
opportunities to meet other students;
learning about SMU’s academic and technology supports;
meeting and working with professional academic writing tutors; and
a roundtable discussion with SMU professors.
More information about support for students and their online learning
Learn more about Jump Start
Saint Mary’s students among the finalists of the Atlantic AquaHacking Challenge
Six Saint Mary's students are among the finalists in a competition taking place across the Atlantic region, committed to solving freshwater issues through technology and entrepreneurship. Congratulations to SMU students Alexandra Embree, Robel Berhane, Kati van Zutphen, Guillermo Villareal de Lara, Matthew Mizzi and Robert Afari for making it to the finals of the Atlantic AquaHacking Challenge!
Source: AquaHacking Challenge Atlantic
The AquaHacking Challenge brings students, developers, designers, scientists, programmers, engineers, technology enthusiasts and entrepreneurs together to form interdisciplinary teams to tackle five different water challenges. The competition began in February with 117 participants, and now only 22 remain across the five finalist teams.
Here is a list of the teams in the final and their solution:
Clean Catch Baits
Water Issue: Microplastics from Fishing Gear
Team members: Robel Berhane, Kati van Zutphen and Guillermo Villareal De Lara
How they describe their solution: We are the first to manufacture a 100% biodegradable, PVC Free, soft-bait fishing lure used for recreational fishing, developed through a unique organic biopolymer solution. Our baits biodegradation process starts just after 48 hours of submersion in the water, and best of all - they're edible! This technology allows anglers to fish worry free and contributes to the safety of fish, and all aquatic life.ExTech MIP
Water Issue: Private Well Safety
Team members: Aliasghar Golbabanezhadazizi and Fereshteh Shahhoseini
How they describe their solution: We’re introducing a novel technology and devices for testing organic contaminants in water resources. This technology offers a reliable, fast, portable, and convenient measurement of organic contaminants in water resources. Our solution provides an easy method for onsite sampling of well water or any other freshwater resources using a field deployable and inexpensive device. Well-owners can easily perform the sampling and send this device by regular mail to the lab where instrumental analysis provides appropriate data for safety of the water resources.Water Innovators
Water Issue: Treatment of Drinking Water in Rural and Indigenous Communities
Team members: Rachel Hudson, Nathan McNally, Grace McNally, Waseem Jawad, Sochima Nnama, Patrick Palmer, Lauren Martin, Ben Veysey and Mudiwa MharaparaHow they describe their solution: Our solution is a containerized distillation water treatment system that integrates off-the-shelf, existing technologies, to provide high quality trusted water to small rural and Indigenous communities in an accessible, sustainable, and culturally appropriate way.
Well Warriors
Water Issue: Private Well Safety
Team members: Alexandra Embree, Jonathan Kan, Adam Fleiger and Liam HarteryHow the describe their solution: Clarify is a user-friendly, web-based platform that educates, guides, and facilitates the process of treating well water. This will allow well water users to simply test and interpret their water quality. With Clarify, we strive to improve well water quality for all Atlantic Canadians.
What the Well
Water Issue: Private Well Safety
Team members: Leili Abkar, Matthew Mizzi, Robert Afari and Anita TaylorHow they describe their solution: We are proposing a service to help bring convenient testing to private well owners. Our solution will streamline the water analysis process using test kits and cloud analysis to reduce known barriers and increase well testing. SIP will provide instant water analysis and treatment consultation.
As the challenge has moved to phase 2, the teams will receive a $2,000 bursary courtesy of Canada's Ocean Supercluster. These funds will be used to invest in their solution, participate in a virtual retreat on water leadership and innovation, and continue to work with mentors as they refine their solutions in preparation for the Final on September 18, 2020.
The AquaHacking Challenge is an initiative of Aqua Forum founded by the de Gaspe Beaubien Foundation in 2015 to support technology and business development addressing environmental problems related to freshwater. After five successful years in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin, AquaHacking went national for 2020 with regional competitions across Canada.
Tyler Naugler named interim head coach of the men's hockey program
Tyler Naugler, interim head coach of the SMU Huskies men's hockey program.
Saint Mary's University is pleased to announce that Tyler Naugler will assume the role of interim head coach of the Huskies men's hockey program.
Entering into his 19th season with the Huskies, Naugler has been an assistant coach with the team and an important part of the hockey program. For seven years (1997 – 2004), he worked alongside former head coach Trevor Stienburg, to help shape a new era in Huskies' hockey tradition. With Naugler's help, the team won an AUS championship in 2002 for the first time in 25 years. He returned to the Huskies in 2010 to help bring home the National Championship Gold medal and win a Silver medal in 2013 and a Bronze medal in 2015.
"I am very pleased to announce Tyler as our new interim head coach," says Scott Gray, Saint Mary's University's Director of Athletics and Recreation. "He has proven his dedication to the Huskies both on and off the ice, creating a nurturing environment for our student-athletes."
His success with the Huskies and key role in youth hockey development supports Gray's confidence in Naugler to develop creative ways for the team to grow and train. Given the suspended competition for the Fall 2020 varsity season, he has already begun to create new ways to keep athletes engaged and safe.
"Coaching has always been a passion of mine," says Naugler. "Growing up, I would often call coaches or just show up at the rink to see if I could step in and help with younger teams."
In addition to his excellent work with the Huskies, Naugler has also worked to help young players at the grassroots level. Through his work with the Saint Mary's Jr. Huskies Camp over the years, he was appointed the Director. Naugler is also the Lead Instructor and Director of Player development with N.S. Prospects.
A Bridgewater native, Naugler came up through their local minor hockey system alongside NHL star Glenn Murray. He is a former MJAHL player who skated alongside NHL's Aaron Downey of the Detroit Red Wings and Eric Boulton of the Atlanta Thrashers for three seasons with the Cole Harbour Scotia Colts. He would go on to play three years of university varsity hockey before moving into the coaching ranks.
Third cohort graduates from the BNUZ-SMU Joint Bachelor of Commerce Program
This year’s BNUZ-SMU Joint Bachelor of Commerce Program graduating class when they started in 2016.
On June 19, a group of 72 students from the BNUZ-SMU Joint Bachelor of Commerce Program graduated in absentia from Saint Mary’s University.
Each of the 72 graduates was awarded a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Sobey School of Business, with 60 earning a major in Finance. Later this month, they will also be granted a Bachelor of Economics degree from Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai.
This is the third cohort to graduate from the Joint BComm Program, which began in 2014 and is based entirely in Zhuhai, China. Students in this program receive a truly international education, with half of their courses delivered by visiting SMU faculty and the other half taught by faculty members of BNUZ.
Many of this year’s graduates plan to continue their postgraduate studies abroad in September, and 44 have already received offers from universities in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Some well-known institutions include Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Sydney.
The BNUZ-SMU Joint Bachelor of Commerce Program was born out of a longstanding partnership between Saint Mary’s University and Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai. This partnership dates back to 2002 and has included a range of 2+2 programs in Arts, Business and Science, as well as a number of other exchange programs and summer institutes for students, faculty and members of the community.
Over 40 SMU faculty members from the Sobey School of Business and the Faculty of Arts and have travelled to Zhuhai to teach in the Joint BComm Program since 2016. The relationships developed in this process have led to further research initiatives with colleagues in the International Business Faculty at BNUZ. The annual joint convocation in Zhuhai is normally an opportunity for friends, colleagues and alumni of both institutions to reconnect while celebrating the outstanding success of our students. Although this year’s celebrations have been curtailed due to the ongoing global pandemic, we honour the achievements of our graduates and extend our warmest welcome to the newest members of our alumni community.
Saint Mary’s University introduces new Vice-President, Finance and Administration
Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Benoit to the position of Vice-President, Finance and Administration, at Saint Mary’s University effective July 1, 2020.
Michelle Benoit Bcomm’91, the new Vice-President, Finance and Administration.
“After a national search, I am pleased to announce Michelle Benoit as our new Vice-President, Finance & Administration,” says Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University. “Saint Mary’s takes pride in the strength of its financial and administrative practices, particularly our strong focus on exceptional financial management. We are very pleased to have someone joining us who will continue that tradition and uphold our shared Santamarian values with pride.”
A senior finance leader, Benoit has a proven track record of developing and executing strategy, leading growth, and empowering cross-functional teams through collaboration to optimize business results. She has successfully led large interdisciplinary teams on international projects and directed organizations through strategic transformation and improved organizational structures. Benoit has experience developing strategy and implementing tactics for complex national and international organizations and has effectively led in both union and non-unionized environments. She has also served as a mentor for executives from post-secondary institutions.
“As a proud Saint Mary’s alumna, I look forward with anticipation to beginning my new role as the Vice-President of Finance and Administration,” says Benoit. “I am honoured to take on this important role, and I look forward to working alongside the tremendous team at Saint Mary’s.”
A finance leader in the retail and consumer goods industry for over 20 years, Benoit started with Loblaws in Atlantic Canada in 1998, followed by Nestle Canada, where she held progressive roles during her twelve years with the company. In 2013, she joined Sobeys as the Vice President, Finance (Sobeys Ontario). Upon leaving Sobeys, she joined Wal-Mart Canada as the Vice President, Commercial Finance in 2018 before leaving to return to Nova Scotia.
Benoit earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University in 1991 and obtained her CPA, CMA professional accountancy designation in 1998. She was the proud recipient of the Canadian Grocers 2019 Executive Star Women’s Award, recognizing Benoit’s leadership and material contribution to the retail food industry.