Invitation to Participate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Focus Groups related to Employment Equity and SMU’s Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program.
Saint Mary's University is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable campus community where diversity is celebrated and where all members feel valued, welcomed, respected, and supported. An employment systems review (ESR) will be conducted as part of the University’s ongoing efforts to identify and remove barriers that impede members of Equity Deserving Groups to fully participate in the workplace and within the research environment.
Two focus groups are scheduled for:
April 25, 1:30–3 p.m. (Staff)
April 30, 10:30 a.m.–noon (Faculty)
Location: Atrium 340 (CLARI Room)
Your feedback and participation are greatly valued. If you are interested, please send your contact information to EDI@SMU.ca and indicate if you are faculty or staff.
If you are unable to participate in these in-person focus groups and would still like to participate in an individual interview or survey, please let us know at EDI@SMU.ca and we will follow up.
Should you have any questions, please contact Deborah Brothers-Scott, Director, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellness at Deborah.Brothers-Scott@SMU.ca.
Student leaders recognized at 2023-2024 SLRA ceremony
Student Leadership Recognition Award recipients
Congratulations to all 10 recipients of the 2024 Student Leadership Recognition Award (SLRA). The SLRA awards were presented in a ceremony on March 20, 2024, hosted by Career & Experiential Learning and Saint Mary’s University Student Association (SMUSA).
The annual award recognizes students who possess, display and apply leadership qualities and skills within the Saint Mary’s University community and beyond. The awards were initiated in 2012 and are given annually to a maximum of three students from each faculty.
Student Leadership Recognition Award 2024 recipients:
Faculty of Arts:
Madison Vanderlinden, fourth year, Intercultural Studies & French
Olivia Brennan, third year, Anthropology
Rory McGarvey, fourth year, Environmental Studies
Faculty of Science:
Amaan Ahmed, fourth year, Computing Science
Katherine Myers, fourth year, Honours Astrophysics
Paige Deering, fourth year, Biology
Sobey School of Business:
Anubhav Gupta, fourth year, Finance & Computing and Information Systems
Ashish Ganapathy, third year, Accounting & Finance
Lydia Lee, third year, Marketing & Economics
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research:
Liam Mason, first year, MA Atlantic Canada Studies
McCain McLean Centre hosts Experiential Learning Symposium
On March 27, 2024, the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health hosted the university’s first-ever experiential learning symposium in support of the development of sport studies on campus. The event, titled “Sport Studies Outside the Classroom,” drew approximately 25 participants from on and off campus and included students, staff, faculty and industry professionals.
Experiential learning typically refers to hands-on opportunities to gain practical knowledge in a field. It includes an introspective component that calls upon students to reflect on their personal and professional development throughout the process. The event opened with presentations on the subject from the university’s Career and Experiential Learning office as well as the Director of Outreach and Experiential Learning for the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Kirrily Freeman.
Dr. Cheryl MacDonald, Director of the McCain McLean Centre and former instructor for Experiential Learning in Health, Wellness and Sport in Society (HWSS), provided an overview of current approaches to sport studies on campus. At the height of the pandemic, students completed online career modules and organized a virtual speaker series featuring women working in the sport and health industries.
Since 2023, the course has involved case study analysis in sport management and brief placements with organizations such as SMU Athletics & Recreation, the Counselling Centre, Rising Tide Irish Dance Academy, Volleyball Canada, Canoe Kayak Ontario Sprint and the Maritime Hockey League. The Centre also takes Experiential Learning students, the most recent of whom served as production assistants for a documentary on the history of women’s varsity sport on campus.
In preparation for the launch of the new certificate in Sports Business at Saint Mary’s in September 2024, the Centre invited the participation of Sport Nova Scotia, Halifax Wanderers FC and the University of Guelph. Scott McRoberts teaches Experiential Learning in Sport & Event Management at Guelph and is also the university’s Director of Athletics & Recreation.
“Experiential learning is a critical aspect in understanding the sport business landscape,” said McRoberts. “University athletics and recreation departments are well-positioned to provide students with those opportunities and to benefit from their contributions.”
Saint Mary’s Director of Athletics & Recreation Scott Gray wrapped up the event with a presentation on existing and potential pathways for Experiential Learning students in his department. Students on campus have done gameday operations and worked in the fitness facility, and this year, a student with an interest in being an Athletic Director job-shadowed Gray. “We have an opportunity here to strengthen the relationship between athletics and academics on campus,” Gray said to the audience. “Experiential learning offers real-world insight in our dynamic and fast-paced environment.”
PWHL's Victoria Bach inspires young hockey players during campus visit
Victoria Bach (center) with SMU women’s Huskies hockey players
The Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health had the pleasure of hosting Victoria Bach from the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) at the Dauphinee Centre on campus on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Bach, originally from Milton, Ontario, and a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation, visited Halifax as part of a series of events organized by the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, initiated by SMU’s former Indigenous Visiting Fellow Ryan Francis.
The event was aimed at young girls who play hockey in Nova Scotia and drew approximately 50 spectators. Centre Director Dr. Cheryl MacDonald facilitated a question and answer session, followed by Bach raffling off a game-used stick and signing autographs. Later, she spent time with current members of the Huskies women’s hockey team.
As the session concluded, Bach shared her wisdom with the young attendees, saying, “Remember, every time you get the chance to step on the ice is an opportunity to get better.” She emphasized, “If you work really hard and have confidence in yourself, you’ll never have any regrets—whether it’s hockey or anything in life—and at the end of the day, have so much fun. That’s what it’s all about.”
Dr. Cheryl MacDonald and Victoria Bach speak with young hockey players
“What an incredible opportunity for the Centre to host not only a world champion and professional ice hockey player but also a member of a First Nation who serves as a role model for young Indigenous girls,” remarked Centre Director Dr. Cheryl MacDonald. “I extend my gratitude to Ryan Francis and the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund for their partnership, and I appreciate Victoria for being so generous with her time today.”
Hours later, Bach’s PWHL Toronto head coach and Saint Mary’s alumni, Troy Ryan, led the Canadian national women’s team to secure a gold medal with an overtime victory over the USA at the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) Women’s World Championship in Utica, New York. Bach had previously won gold with Team Canada in 2021 and 2022 and remains an integral part of the national program. She has also competed in the former Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) before joining the PWHL.
Bach holds a Bachelor of Communication from Boston University, where she made history as the first player to score over 100 goals in the women’s hockey team's program. She missed the first eight games of the inaugural PWHL season as she was completing teacher’s college through Brock University.
The McCain McLean Centre continues its monthly online speaker series on ice hockey culture on Wednesday, April 24, with Dr. Janice Forsyth (UBC) and Dr. Taylor McKee (Brock University), who will discuss Indigenous participation in ice hockey. Interested individuals can register to receive the Zoom link on the Centre website.
From court to corporate: Keisha Turner’s ace transition to entrepreneurship
Keisha Turner BA’12
This year, Saint Mary’s celebrates the 50th anniversary of women in varsity sport. Throughout the year, we will highlight women in sport like Keisha Turner BA'12—an inspiring athlete, innovative entrepreneur, dedicated philanthropist and valued Saint Mary's community member.
Whether speaking at an event, helping with volleyball camp, through her ongoing work with the Arthur L. Entrepreneurship Centre, or sharing her experience with students and other professionals, Keisha always takes advantage of an opportunity to get involved.
Keisha has been a devoted Huskies Varsity Volleyball team member since 2007. In 2010, she played a crucial role in the team's AUS Championship victory, setting the team on the path to success that continues today.
Even after graduating, Keisha continued to support the team as an Assistant Volleyball Coach until 2020. While coaching, Keisha shared her unique approach to success on the court. Her coaching philosophy, which blends physical preparedness with mental resilience, demonstrates her multifaceted approach to leadership—a quality that extends beyond sports into her entrepreneurial endeavours.
Now, Keisha remains an active member of the team's community by raising funds and cheering them on courtside and online.
Women's Atlantic University Sport Volleyball Championship, 2010
Keisha and Michael
Since graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Keisha combined her passion for sport, health and mindfulness to establish a career as an entrepreneur. With her husband, Michael Polak BComm'14, she has formed Akwekon—a consulting firm that guides Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations in the reconciliation of colonial and Indigenous practices.
More recently, Keisha co-founded Starberry Drink Co., a testament to innovation in the beverage industry, offering a refreshing, all-natural drink made from whole strawberries, maple syrup and water.
With her experience as an entrepreneur and athlete, Keisha has been named an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary's. In this role, Keisha is nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and enriching the Saint Mary's University's community by bridging academic theory with real-world business practices.
Keisha, a Black female entrepreneur and community leader, has established the Turner Bursary for African Canadian and Indigenous Women. She takes pride in the pivotal role bursaries played in her success and is committed to promoting positive change and student success at Saint Mary's University.
To honour her dedication to Saint Mary's University and exceptional volunteer service, the Saint Mary's University Alumni Association presented her with the Paul Lynch Alumni Volunteer Award in 2023.
Thousands gather on SMU Huskies field for solar eclipse event
The Department of Astronomy and Physics hosted one of Halifax’s most popular solar eclipse viewing events on Monday, April 8, bringing an estimated 2,500-3,000 people to campus to experience the highly-anticipated event.
Science enthusiasts of all ages filled the SMU Huskies football field for a chance to view the partial eclipse through one of the university’s solar telescopes or with a free pair of SMU Science eclipse glasses. Others brought homemade pinhole projectors and observed the changes in shadows as a way to view the eclipse safely.
It was a great way to celebrate the final day of winter term classes, with event-goers cheering together for the maximum eclipse mark at 4:38 p.m.Check out more photos of the event on the SMU Science Facebook page.
Do you have a pair of eclipse glasses? Keep them! Partial solar eclipses are visible roughly every year or two from here in Halifax. There will be another partial solar eclipse in March 2025 and more partial eclipses coming up. You can always use eclipse glasses to safely look at the sun whenever it’s in the sky. If you’re finished with your glasses, feel free to return them to the Dean of Science Office, S221 in the Science building.
For more information about the eclipse and other events, visit the Burke-Gaffney Observatory website.
2024 Canadian Venture Capital Competition hosted at Saint Mary's
Over 80 business students from leading universities across Canada, including the University of Alberta, University of Toronto, Queen's University and Wilfrid Laurier University, came together in Halifax recently for the Canadian Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC). The day-long competition held on March 1, 2024, allowed students to immerse themselves in the role of venture capitalists and demonstrate their abilities in planning and execution while gaining valuable real-world insights.
“Hosting this divisional VCIC provides Canadian university students with the opportunities to participate in the world of venture capital, connecting with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists within the ecosystem. We are thrilled to nurture a supportive environment for entrepreneurial talents poised to make contributions to the evolving landscape of venture capital and innovation,” says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.
This year marked the fourth iteration of the Canadian competition, a staple event held annually at the Sobey School of Business. The competition evaluates participants based on their thorough preparation and strategic implementation and offers a dynamic platform for students to delve into the nuances of venture capital investment. By engaging in simulated investment scenarios, students are challenged to make crucial decisions under pressure, replicating the scenarios faced by actual venture capitalists.
The 2024 winners in the graduate category are the team from the University of Waterloo MBA program, who secured the top spot and $1,000. A group of undergraduate students from the University of Waterloo secured first place in the undergraduate category with a prize of $500.
The two winning teams will compete at the 2024 VCIC Global Finals on April 12-13 at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Saint Mary’s University continues to solidify itself as a dominant force in the realm of university venture capital. While SMU students are excluded from competition in the Canadian division, they compete in the Northeastern Division of the Venture Capital Investment Competition against U.S. universities, frequently placing in the top ranks in both graduate and undergraduate categories.
Read more about SMU’s recent success in Boston: Students excel in Venture Capital Investment Competition.
BComm student with focus on sustainability wins prestigious Frank H. Sobey Award
Madeline (Maddie) Bristol
Sobey School of Business student Madeline (Maddie) Bristol has been named one of only eight undergraduate students from across Atlantic Canada to win this year's Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies.
Maddie is in her final year of studying for a Bachelor of Commerce at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's. In addition to her studies, Maddie actively seeks opportunities to gain practical, real-world experience.
Maddie served two consecutive year-long terms as president of Enactus Saint Mary's. During her presidency, she managed projects aimed at reducing food waste at the farm level, eliminating food insecurity, teaching at-risk youth financial literacy, and clearing oceans of plastic waste. Under her leadership, the team was named national champions in both the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge and the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge.
Plastarch Packaging team at the 2023 Innovation Cup
As her passion for entrepreneurship and sustainability grew, Maddie launched Plastarch Packaging. The business provides a bioplastic solution to single-use cutlery and packaging for environmentally conscious business owners without compromising durability and affordability. Plastarch Packaging was the recipient of a $10,000 award at December’s Innovation Cup, hosted by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.
Maddie's commitment to entrepreneurship and sustainability, as demonstrated through her leadership of Enactus Saint Mary's and the founding of Plastarch Packaging, played a significant role in her selection for the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies. Her innovative approach to addressing environmental challenges and her dedication to making a positive impact on the community exemplify the qualities that the award aims to recognize and celebrate.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to Maddie Bristol,” says Mark Raymond, Interim Dean, Sobey School of Business. “Maddie embodies the SMU experience. Our students develop an entrepreneurial mindset and are equipped with the knowledge, insights, real work experiences and network to lead and make a positive impact on business and on the community.”
About the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies
All full-time business students attending Atlantic Canadian universities are eligible for consideration for the award. Deans at each university nominate candidates who have demonstrated a high level of entrepreneurship, a commitment to supporting the communities in which they live and work and relevant employment experience. Each award winner receives $45,000 in recognition of their achievements and gains access to mentorship support from members of the business community across the Atlantic region.
New home for Saint Mary’s Engineering to open in September 2024
Saint Mary’s University is excited to announce a significant expansion to its engineering facilities that will have an immediate positive impact on enrolment and allow the university to grow the engineering program from 240 to 320 students over the next two academic years.
President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray notes, “Saint Mary’s University has seen an increased demand for our STEM programming in recent years, particularly in our engineering diploma. Our excellent faculty, facilities and ability to provide focused, hands-on learning are very attractive to incoming students looking to build the foundation for their careers. We are delighted to be offering this experience to more students and researchers.”
960 Tower Road
Following a re-design over the spring and summer, SMU Engineering will move into its new home in the existing building on campus at 960 Tower Road. The new facilities will take up all three floors of the 28,000-square-foot building. This significant expansion of engineering space on campus will enhance teaching and learning capacity by providing state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and project rooms.
The first floor will house workspaces where student teams will design engineering projects. The second floor will include three large classrooms and the mechanics of materials lab, an electric circuits lab and thermofluids lab. The third floor will be home to an engineering design classroom and faculty research labs.
““This contemporary building will provide a dynamic environment for the training of future engineers and allow more students to experience the distinct advantages of SMU Engineering: small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities and more hands-on learning””
Built to LEED Silver standards and opened in 2013, 960 Tower Road has housed various academic programs over the past decade. The university's administration took an innovative approach to re-purpose an existing building for a popular program that is experiencing growing demand. The new home of SMU Engineering will be ready to welcome students in September 2024.
Saint Mary’s Engineering offers a two-year Diploma of Engineering that provides students with an introduction to scientific principles and a strong foundation in engineering mathematics, design and technical communication before choosing an engineering path to complete their degree. Saint Mary’s has offered engineering for more than 100 years, with classes located in the McNally building since 1951.
Saint Mary’s University a top destination for International Baccalaureate students
Photo: Smith and Whitton
Saint Mary’s University Senate approved an enhanced International Baccalaureate (IB) admissions policy that will allow Saint Mary’s to have one of the leading IB admissions and recognition policies not only in Canada but in the world.
The university worked closely with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) North America University Relations Team on crafting a policy that offers admission to IBDP and IBCP graduates from the over 180 IB curriculum schools across Canada and more than 5,600 schools in 159 countries worldwide. The new policy further enhances Saint Mary’s strong recognition and support of IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and individual diploma course-taking students.
IBO Senior Recognition Manager US and Canada, Marie Vivas, calls Saint Mary’s enhanced policy “pioneering” and is confident that this will enhance post-secondary options for IBDP and IBCP students while paving a path for other post-secondary institutions to emulate.
“Our new IB policy allows the IBO and school counsellors to talk to their students and point them to us as a definite place where their programme is accepted, recognized and valued,” says Saint Mary’s Associate Vice-President Enrolment and University Registrar, Dan Seneker.
“Research shows that IB students tend to transition to university smoother and outperform their colleagues in their first year,” says Seneker. “Recognizing these students and the intellectual and personal growth that they experience both inside and outside the classroom is long overdue. We are proud to be a leader in this regard and partner with the IBO and Nova Scotia’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in developing this new policy.”
“Having one of our post-secondary partners lead the way in recognizing and celebrating Nova Scotia’s IB students is a great milestone, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Saint Mary’s in further developing IB recognition within our province,” says Mary MacDonald, IB/AP Program Lead, Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. MacDonald continues, “This is a development that is good for our province and, more importantly, our students.”
The IBCP programme was officially introduced by the IBO in 2017 and was specifically developed for students who wish to engage in more targeted career-related and experiential learning. The IBCP maintains the core elements of the IBDP program (diploma program courses, international-mindedness, approaches to teaching, language development, reflective project, service learning, and personal and professional skills) and adds career-related studies elements that include technical and employability skills.
For more information on Saint Mary’s various IB admissions policies, please visit www.smu.ca/IB
For more information on the International Baccalaureate Organization and the IBDP and IBCP programmes, please visit www.ibo.org
Huskies Athletic Awards Night 2024
David Sobey Retailing Centre awards three research grants to Sobey School of Business researchers
The David Sobey Retailing Centre is very pleased to award funding of $10,000 each to Sobey School of Business researchers Hadi Eslami, Bahareh Mansouri and Ethan Pancer.
Founded in 2014, thanks to a visionary and generous gift by the late Dr. David F. Sobey, CM, DComm’91, Chair Emeritus of Sobeys Inc., the David Sobey Retailing Centre is a leading expert and partner in the retail sector, shaping the future of retail through research, innovation and education.
“Funding research in areas that are vital to the future of retail is a key priority for the David Sobey Retailing Centre” says Dr. Ramesh Venkat, Director of the David Sobey Retailing Centre, “Canada’s retail sector accounts for 15.6 per cent of Canada’s GDP and employs the most people of all sectors in our economy. An innovative, thriving and competitive retail sector is a vital contributor to Canada’s economy”.
Highlights of this new research are:
Hadi Eslami
Title: Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Adoption and Shareholder Value of Retailers
Description: While retailers have been at the forefront of adopting the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) payment method/system, we have limited knowledge regarding the performance effects of this adoption. In this research, we will examine how the adoption of BNPL influences retailers’ shareholder value performance across multiple consumer segments.
Bahareh Mansouri
Title: Towards sustainable urban freight planning: the integration of micro-distribution centers into the urban transportation network
Description: This research project addresses the pressing challenges faced by the retail and service sectors in the context of urban freight transportation. It focuses on strategically integrating the Urban Micro-distribution Centers (UMCs), fed by the Urban Distribution Centers (UDCs), into the urban logistics network planning. This study employs optimization models, drawing from the Hub Location Problem (HLP) and the Location-Routing Problem (LRP) to minimize operational costs, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Ethan Pancer
Title: Consumer Responses to Product Innovation from Generative AI
Description: This project investigates how people perceive products created by generative AI compared to those made by humans, exploring the impact of a product's origin on its perceived value, trustworthiness, and acceptability. The findings aim to guide retailers in industries at the crossroads of technology and creativity in developing strategies that align with consumer attitudes in an increasingly AI-integrated market.