Carly the Robot, Imagination Station at SMU

Carly the Cat Robot

You might have seen something new prowling the halls around the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Meet Carly the Cat Robot, named in honour of Carleton, the much-loved late campus cat.

Carly is a groundbreaking service robot designed to assist with tasks and engage and inspire through advanced robotics and AI technology.

Alongside Carly, the Centre is excited to introduce the Imagination Station, a platform showcasing innovative, sustainable technologies and designs to inspire future innovators.

Product offerings change frequently and visitors have a chance to win some of the exciting items on display!

Visit the Imagination Station at the Inspiration Studio (SH212) in the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre to learn how to win!

Enactus Saint Mary’s is heading to the World Cup!

Enactus Saint Mary’s at the 2024 National Exposition

The countdown is on…Enactus Saint Mary’s, who won the Enactus National Exposition in May, is headed to Kazakhstan for the World Cup competition from October 2-4!  

Enactus is the largest student leadership organization in the world and strives to solve environmental, social and economic issues through entrepreneurial action. Enactus chapters from around the world work to address global issues and showcase their successes through regional, national and worldwide competitions.   

The Saint Mary’s University team was named the 2024 Enactus National Champions in May 2024 by the country’s largest experiential learning platform, Enactus Canada, and a judging panel comprised of top Canadian CEOs. The Enactus Saint Mary’s team has been building toward this championship, having placed in the top 4 in the National Championships 11 of the last 13 years. “We are immensely proud of the Saint Mary’s Enactus team,” says Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University. “These students are passionate change-makers, driven to do business well and for the good of the world.“

The team was recognized for their ability to enable social, environmental and economic impact through entrepreneurial action. Their success stems from a passionate commitment to fostering positive change through two key projects:  

Plastarch

This pioneering business tackles the escalating problem of plastic waste by offering a sustainable alternative for restaurant food packaging and utensils. Their solution lies in an affordable, durable and food-safe bioplastic crafted from an unexpected source—potatoes slated to be discarded. Plastarch not only mitigates plastic pollution but also promotes a circular economy by finding a valuable use for food waste.  

Square Roots

This initiative addresses the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity. At the farm level, 30% of harvested produce is dumped into landfills due to cosmetic imperfections despite being perfectly healthy. Square Roots rescues this "imperfect" produce that would otherwise be discarded, offering it at affordable prices to those with limited access to healthy food. The team recently received a $100,000 investment from the Government of Nova Scotia for expansion, and their goal is to operate in more than 50 locations across Canada and the US by 2026. 

““Enactus Saint Mary’s University is a model of team success and social entrepreneurship. We are proud to have them represent Enactus Canada at the World Cup. From their leadership on Square Roots to their innovative ideas on uses for potato waste and single-use utensils, we are confident the team will be a top competitor amongst the 29 other countries represented at the World Cup.””

— Catherine Fowler, President and CEO of Enactus Canada

Enactus team members get ready to cheer on the Saint Mary's presenters at the National Exposition

The team, led by Co-Presidents Gabe Martin and Courtney Dingle, along with Susan MacInnis and Paige Bigelow BComm’24, features 27 students from the Sobey School of Business, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science. Twenty-one students will make the trip to the World Cup, along with staff from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. Saint Mary’s is the only university representing Canada in this competition with support from the Saint Mary’s community, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and Premier Tim Houston BComm’92.

“Representing Canada on the world stage is beyond exciting,” says Courtney Dingle. “We had the opportunity to go to the Enactus World Cup last year, and what an incredible opportunity it was to collaborate and come up with new ideas for the world’s biggest challenges.”

“This year, we are so excited that we can showcase our work to that global audience and find new ways to collaborate to help us scale our impact across the world,” says Gabe Martin. Hear more from Gabe’s perspective in this piece he shared with the SMU community: Enactus students count down to the World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan.

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Enactus Send-Off Celebration

Enactus Saint Mary’s students, program alumni, staff and supporters joined together for a Send-Off Celebration on September 24. Global presenters wowed the crowd with their award-winning presentations. Others, including President Robert Summerby-Murray, shared words of encouragement as the team prepares for the global competition. Below is a photo gallery of the event.

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Support Enactus Saint Mary’s 

To ensure that 21 of Enactus Saint Mary’s students can travel to Kazakhstan and continue to develop their groundbreaking projects, we are seeking your generous support. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference. Let's show the world the incredible talent and innovation that Saint Mary's University has to offer! Support the team

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Meet the team

Meet some of the Enactus Saint Mary’s team members who are headed to Kazakhstan in October.

Gabe Martin

Hometown: Ottawa, ON

Program: Entrepreneurship and a minor in Political Science

Team role: Co-President

Read more

Susan MacInnis

Hometown: Sydney, NS

Program: Double degree in Finance and Computing Science

Team role: Outgoing Co-President

Read more

Jonzel Robichaud-Lorde

Hometown: Moncton, NB

Program: Accounting and Global Business Management

Team role: Global presenter

Read more

Olivian Sanderson

Hometown: Pugwash, NS

Program: Accounting and Management

Team role: Presenter and Project Manager

Read more

Rashid Khan

Hometown: Ballia, India

Program: MBA

Team role: Co-Vice-President of Tech

Read more

David Campbell

Hometown: Tantallon, NS

Program: Entrepreneurship and Computing Information Systems

Team role: Co-Vice-President of Tech

Read more

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Follow for updates

Watch rounds of competition in Kazakhstan this October on the live stream of the Enactus World Cup!

Follow the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and Enactus Saint Mary’s on social media for more updates:  

• Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

• Enactus Saint Mary’s on Facebook and Instagram.

Saint Mary’s University to welcome young scholars as new Shad Canada partner

High school students from across Canada can now apply for a distinct summer academic experience at Saint Mary’s University thanks to a new partnership with Shad Canada. As a Shad campus, Saint Mary’s will host Shad’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and entrepreneurship program for students in grades 10 and 11.

“Every summer, more than 1,500 students come to Shad to discover new areas of study, access post-secondary academics, business and community leaders, and reach new heights of personal development,” said Tim Jackson, Shad Chief Executive Officer. “We are thrilled to have Saint Mary’s join the team to deliver an incredible program steeped in entrepreneurship, research and international collaborations.”

Shad students collaborate for 27 days to design solutions to real-world problems such as food security, water management, or waste. Saint Mary’s hands-on approach to these challenges, combined with its robust business, science, mathematics, and arts programs, will provide a solid foundation for supporting students in their Shad design challenge.

“Shad Canada’s focus on entrepreneurship and community-building aligns with Saint Mary’s strategic priorities,” said Saint Mary’s President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “We are thrilled to partner with Shad and welcome young scholars from across Canada to Saint Mary’s and Halifax.”

Students from across Canada apply to participate in Shad programs. Once selected, students are paired with a university away from their home community and live on campus for the duration of the program. To learn more about Shad or to apply for the 2025 program, please click here.

For more information about the Shad Saint Mary’s program, contact Laura.Stiles-Clarke@smu.shad.ca.

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About Shad Canada

Shad Canada is a STEAM and entrepreneurship program for students in grades 10 and 11. During the month-long program, students live on campus and participate in a real-world design challenge that prepares them to take on social and economic challenges. Shad’s program is transformational and life-changing, and many Shad alumni go on to innovate and start their own businesses. Shad has 26 campus partners, a network of more than 23,000 program graduates and has been running STEAM programs since 1980. Learn more at shad.ca.

Saint Mary’s introduces Star Finder - The David Lane Astronomy Outreach Program

Saint Mary’s is proud to announce the creation of a new initiative called Star Finder - The David Lane Astronomy Outreach Program.  

Star Finder is a new educational program that will enable teachers from across Nova Scotia to deliver an astronomy-focused curriculum to grade six and nine students. The program will focus on space exploration and astronomy, with a special emphasis on creating opportunities for those teaching in rural and underserved communities. The goal is to foster enthusiasm and understanding of astronomy among schoolchildren. 

David Lane at the Burke-Gaffney Observatory’s 50th anniversary event in September 2022  

The new program is funded by a $250,000 philanthropic gift from the late David and Michelle Lane. It will build on decades of successful outreach at the Burke-Gaffney Observatory, which was driven primarily by David Lane, the former Astronomy Technician in the Department of Astronomy and Physics at Saint Mary’s and the Director of the Burke-Gaffney Observatory. During his 29-year career at Saint Mary’s, Dave single-handedly automated the observatory, making it available to users worldwide through X (Twitter) and Facebook. Dave also created the Earth Centred Universe, an easy-to-use planetarium and telescope-control program which allowed institutes to operate their own educational astronomy platforms.  

“David and Michelle Lane's gift exemplifies the community outreach that Saint Mary's University is famous for," said Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet, Director of the Burke-Gaffney Observatory. “The Star Finder program will give young people in rural and underserved areas access to the type of scientific discovery associated with big cities and major universities. The program enables students and teachers to have hands-on participation in cosmic discovery.” 

Thanks to Dave’s efforts, tens of thousands of children and university students were introduced to astronomy at the Observatory, located at the top of the Loyola building on the Saint Mary’s campus.  

Dave Lane passed away in March 2024 at the age of 60. He is survived by his wife Michelle, who shares Dave’s dream of launching this educational project as a way to keep giving back and share David’s passion for astronomy with a wider community.  

“Dave brought the wonders of the night sky to people of all ages and walks of life; he especially loved sharing his passion with students, fellow astronomers and members of the general public,” said Michelle Lane. “Star Finder will now build on Dave's life's work and greatly expand the circle of people who will benefit from mentorship and outreach in exploring the night sky.”  

The Star Finder project is being developed with Saint Mary’s University alumna Andrea Misner BSc’06. Uniquely suited to this task, she studied astrophysics at Saint Mary’s and later earned a master’s in education degree from the University of Manitoba. Misner teaches high school general sciences, physics and astronomy in Winnipeg, and is a recipient of a 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.  

Star Finder will build teachers’ astronomy knowledge and skills by remotely using the BGO and mini-robotic observatory (MRO). Teachers and their students will also be provided access to the extensive archive of data and images at the Burke-Gaffney Observatory, strengthening their engagement with and excitement for astronomical understanding and discovery.  

“This is a deeply personal project, one that Dave and I planned together before his death as a way of leaving a legacy that reflects Dave’s lifelong passion for education and astronomical discovery,” said Michelle Lane. 

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To honour Dave’s legacy, members of the Saint Mary’s community and public can make a gift to Star Finder - The Dave Lane Astronomy Outreach Program.

SMU Astronomy researchers release cosmic ‘question mark’ images—revealing clues about how our galaxies evolve

Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, V. Estrada-Carpenter (Saint Mary's University).

Dr. Marcin Sawicki, along with a team of astronomers from Saint Mary’s and NASA, have released new research and images with NASA that reveal what our Milky Way galaxy might have looked like… 7 billion years ago.

The images captured are like a time machine, says Dr. Sawicki, explaining that using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), researchers were able to compare other galaxies with our own Milky Way galaxy see what it could have looked like billions of years ago.

“These galaxies, seen billions of years ago when star formation was at its peak, are similar to the mass that the Milky Way galaxy would have been at that time. Webb is allowing us to study what the teenage years of our own galaxy could have been like,” said Sawicki.

Using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope as well as JWST, Dr. Sawicki and postdoc researchers Dr. Vicente Estrada-Carpenter and Dr. Guillaume Desprez have released images that show a wavelength of light trapped in cosmic dust—with a uniquely intriguing shape. Read more.

Building women’s hockey at Saint Mary’s…and beyond

Lisa Haley with Athletic Director Scott Gray and President Rob Summerby-Murray at the SMU Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2019 (credit: Mona Ghiz)

Lisa (Jordan) Haley didn’t have an ounce of coaching experience in 1997 when Athletic Director Larry Uteck asked her to start up a women’s hockey program at Saint Mary’s. But that didn’t stop her from saying yes. And she’s never looked back. For the last 27 years, Lisa has been a Head Coach at the university level, making her the longest-standing varsity coach in the history of  U Sports women’s hockey.

Born and raised in Westville, Nova Scotia, Lisa and her twin sister Lesley followed in the footsteps of two older brothers, starting their hockey journey when they were just four. At 16, and in the first year that Women’s Hockey was offered at the Canada Games, both sisters tried out and made the team, representing  Nova Scotia at the 1991 Canada Winter Games.

Not long after, both Lisa and Lesley were recruited to play varsity-level hockey at Concordia. Lisa was named Rookie of the Year in 1991 and finished as an Assistant Captain in her final year. Their team was legendary, and the whole 1995-1996 team has since been inducted into the Concordia University Sports Hall of Fame.

In Montreal, Lisa studied to be an Athletic Therapist and was drawn to the “on the field” aspects of the profession rather than the clinical rehab. In fact, she chose athletic therapy as her educational path because she felt that it was the only way to stay in sports. “As a female, there were no opportunities to play professionally, and I didn’t see any women as professional hockey coaches - all of my hockey coaches were men.”

Upon graduating from Concordia in 1996, she needed to complete a certain number of practical hours in order to be able to write her licensing exam. She decided to return to her home province and did her entire practicum at Saint Mary’s, acting as a Student Athletic Therapist for all of the varsity sports teams. This is where Larry Uteck comes in.

A year after Lisa came to Saint Mary’s, CIAU (now U Sports) began offering a national championship for women’s hockey. Larry asked Lisa if she’d be interested in starting up the women’s hockey program and being the coach.

“Larry had a lot of foresight and decided that he wanted Saint Mary’s to be a leader in Women’s Hockey,” says Lisa. “He recognized the importance of putting females into leadership roles, and he must have seen some leadership potential in me.”

The only catch was that the position was a volunteer gig. Back then, there were very few women working as paid varsity coaches. Despite not being paid, Lisa fell in love with coaching from the first practice she ran. All that hard work paid off when the inaugural team won the first-ever AUAA Championship and went to the first-ever Nationals.

1997 Women's Hockey Team poses for a team photo with their AUAA (now AUS) trophy in the Alumni Arena. Women's university hockey became a U Sports (then CIS) sanctioned sport in 1997, and was Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame - 2019 Inductee - Lisa Haley's first year as Head Coach of the program.

Lisa would eventually go on to be hired in a double-duty position as the Assistant Athletic Therapist/Head Coach of Women’s Hockey. But it wasn’t until 2005 that she was able to drop her athletic therapist duties and was named a full-time Varsity Coach.

In her 14 seasons with the Huskies, Lisa amassed one of the best winning records in CIS (now U Sports) women’s hockey history. The team made it to the Atlantic University Sports (AUS) finals eight times, capturing the league title in 1998, 2003, 2004 and 2010. Lisa herself earned the title of AUS coach of the year twice and was also named CIS coach of the year.

“Lisa did an incredible job of getting the women’s hockey program up and running and making it a real success,” says Kathy Mullane, the first female coach ever hired by Saint Mary’s in the 1970s. Kathy added that Lisa had proved herself by working hard to achieve her hockey coaching credentials over the years. “She is widely recognized as a tremendous coach who has a talent for recruiting very skilled players and who continues to be a strong voice for promoting women in hockey.”

In 2011, Lisa left Saint Mary’s for a new challenge. Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), formerly Ryerson, was starting a women’s hockey program from scratch and knew they needed a strong leader with a proven track record. Lisa has spent the last 12 years building TMU’s hockey program. She has brought them from last place in the Ontario University Association Conference in 2011 to a national ranking of 8th in recent years.

She’s also excelled internationally with Hockey Canada’s High Performance program, helping them win six World Championship medals, including two golds. As the assistant coach for the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team at the 2014 Sochi Games, she earned an Olympic Gold.

While the moment of achievement—the championship title or the gold medal—feels amazing, Lisa is also fulfilled by the role she plays as a mentor, helping her players reach their full potential, both on and off the ice. “I love supporting the leadership potential in the young women I coach, helping set them up to be good role models for other young women down the road.”

Mission accomplished when she sees what the remarkable women who were a part of the first-ever Huskies Women’s Hockey program have gone on to do with their lives. “They have created amazing careers for themselves and are serving as incredible leaders in their fields.”

Lisa herself was inducted into the Saint Mary’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 for her great contribution to SMU sports and Huskies Women’s Hockey. Although she loves her job at TMU and has grown to enjoy Ontario, she misses Nova Scotia and still cheers for the Huskies. “Except when they’re playing TMU,” she laughs.

By Renée Hartleib

Stephanie Kelley named Scotiabank Professor in Innovations in Business Technology

Dr. Stephanie Kelley

Stephanie Kelley, Assistant Professor of Management Science in the Sobey School of Business has recently been named the Scotiabank Professor in Innovations in Business Technology. Dr. Kelley shared her thoughts on this exciting new role:

“I am honoured to be named the Scotiabank Professor in Innovations in Business Technology, particularly given Scotiabank's deep roots in the Maritimes and its forward-thinking approach to innovation in financial services over the years. This role provides a unique opportunity to work together on important topics such as Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Analytics Innovation.

It is especially meaningful to continue this partnership, as my very first research project during my studies was working on AI ethics risks, funded by Scotiabank. I am excited to build on our shared commitment to fostering innovation that benefits Canadians.

The funding provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the critical topics of Responsible AI and Analytics Innovation across our business programs through research events, research assistantships and graduate student funding. The support also fuels new research that will be brought into the course I teach, Ethics and Governance for Analytics, in the Master of Business Analytics (MBAN) program and provide the opportunity for additional courses on Responsible Technology Innovation. Beyond the university, the Professorship provides a great opportunity to share the research more widely with industry and academic audiences.  

The focus of my research is Responsible AI and Analytics Innovation. The goal is to enable organizations to make better, data-driven decisions using AI and analytics guiding them to do so in ways that are inclusive and beneficial to society. I’m actively looking for senior undergraduate and master's students who are data-driven and passionate about Responsible AI and analytics to join my research team!

The work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to decent work and economic growth (#8), gender equality (#5), reduced inequalities (#10), and partnerships for the goals (#17). Working on Responsible AI and Analytics Innovation also reinforces our university’s commitment as a Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) signatory further to advance responsible management education and sustainable business practices.”

Saint Mary’s University announces Dr. Margaret MacDonald as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

Dr. Margaret MacDonald

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that Dr. Margaret MacDonald, a distinguished scholar in the Department for the Study of Religion, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. This prestigious recognition highlights Dr. MacDonald’s significant contributions to the field of early Christian studies and her pioneering work in the social-scientific interpretation of the letters of Paul.

Dr. MacDonald’s research has garnered international acclaim, with her monographs translated into Italian and Spanish, and she has held leadership roles in various academic circles. She currently holds the esteemed Santamarian Chair for the Faculty of Arts at Saint Mary’s University. Her innovative approach has opened new pathways of research, engaging with contemporary issues of power, family dynamics, and gender constructions.

“We are pleased to see Dr. MacDonald’s exceptional work recognized at the highest level,” said Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. “Her dedication and groundbreaking research have enriched the academic community at large and spotlights the high calibre of scholarly work being undertaken by so many of our professors in the Faculty of Arts.”

The Royal Society of Canada Fellowship is among the highest honours a Canadian scholar can receive, celebrating outstanding achievement in the arts, humanities, and sciences. 

 One hundred and four new Fellows have been elected by their peers for their outstanding scholarly achievements. 

On Friday, November 8, 2024, the RSC will induct the 2024 Fellows and Members of the RSC College at a ceremony as part of the Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Saint Mary’s University announces Dr. Tony Charles as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

Dr. Tony Charles

Saint Mary’s University is delighted to announce that Dr. Tony Charles, a distinguished scholar from the School of the Environment and the Sobey School of Business, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. This celebrated honour recognizes Dr. Charles’s exceptional contributions to environmental research and his pioneering work in sustainability and participatory governance.

Dr. Charles is internationally renowned for his leadership in transdisciplinary partnerships that foster people-centred conservation and sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity. His influential fishery systems approach has revolutionized our understanding and management of fisheries, coasts, and oceans by integrating social, cultural, economic, community, and institutional aspects into a holistic framework.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Charles’s achievements and his election to the Royal Society of Canada,” said Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. “His interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and helping community responses to the impacts of climate change, and his dedication to sustainability, have made profound impacts on the academic community, on government policies, on coastal communities, and on the broader field of environmental science.”

The Royal Society of Canada Fellowship is one of the highest honours a Canadian scholar can receive, celebrating outstanding achievement in the arts, humanities, and sciences. One hundred and four new Fellows have been elected by their peers for their outstanding scholarly achievements. 

On Friday, November 8, 2024, the RSC will induct the 2024 Fellows and Members of the RSC College at a ceremony as part of the Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Vancouver, British Columbia.

SMU ID cards now validated automatically

Good news! Starting September 1, faculty, staff and students no longer need to validate their university ID cards.

Previously, returning students, faculty and staff needed to visit the Patrick Power Library at the beginning of Fall term to obtain a validation sticker.  

This process will now happen automatically through Self-Service Banner and be linked to existing ID cards. If you have an ID card, please make sure to check Banner before September, to ensure that your information is up-to-date.

No additional action is required to renew your ID. Students take note: this year’s bus pass can be obtained from the SMUSA information desk.

 Why do I need an ID card?

 ID cards are used to access many campus services, including:

·       Patrick Power Library
·       Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness
·       Metro Transit UPass/bus pass
·       Dining services

University ID cards may also be requested when you write exams or attend university functions. 

Don’t have an ID card?

Apply for a university ID or request a replacement online. You will be emailed when your ID is ready for pickup at the front desk of the Patrick Power Library. Remember to bring a piece of government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) to pick up your ID. Replacements can be made if your ID has been lost, stolen, or damaged, or if you have changed your name or significantly changed your physical appearance.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the ID card office at access@smu.ca

Student Employment Initiative program expands to Canadian domestic students

Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that the Student Employment Initiative Program (SEI) will expand to include Canadian domestic student candidates in consideration for employment opportunities through Saint Mary’s.

The Student Employment Initiative Program is designed to assist students with disabilities in securing employment contracts, gaining volunteer experience, and developing their professional skills and competencies. The Program is a shared initiative between Career and Experiential Learning (CEL) and the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC), which aims to increase equitable access to employment, help bridge gaps in opportunities, and reduce barriers that students with disabilities may experience.

Previously, the Program was restricted to students and recent alumni (up to six months after graduation) who are permanent Nova Scotia residents and are registered through Nova Scotia Student Loans with a declared government-verified disability. However, the newly established CIBC Accessible Student Employment Program has enabled the SEI Program to expand to include Canadian student participants from other provinces and territories within the Program. Canadian students and recent alumni must be active, registered students with the FSC or have their disability documentation verified by the FSC.

In addition to support in securing employment and volunteerism opportunities, the Program provides accommodation assistance to create supportive and equitable work environments. Once enrolled in the Program, students are also provided with professional career guidance, working one-on-one with a CEL Career Coach and Career Counsellor to plan and prepare for career readiness during and after their studies.

Students gain work experience in the field

Opportunities include working on accessibility and inclusion projects

Visit the Student Employment Initiative Program to learn more or register with SEI. For information and resources on experiencing disability at Saint Mary’s, visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.

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For Employers

Offered year-round for part-time or full-time work placements, the Student Employment Initiative Program team collaborates with employers to create job postings that are inclusive and welcoming. Offering employers subsidized employment opportunities when hiring through the Program, registered businesses receive a 50% wage subsidy, while not-for-profit organizations may be eligible for up to a 75% wage subsidy. Funding also supports employers in any additional workplace accommodations required for the student to fulfill the role, such as adaptive technology, furniture, and more.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Program generated an outstanding 75 work terms – the largest in the Program’s history – and invested $3,600 in work term accommodations, assisting in making work environments more accessible for all. The Program nearly matched its record in the 2023-2024 academic year, generating 71 work-term placements.

To learn more or create an SEI-registered career posting, visit the Student Employment Initiative Program. For more information on creating inclusive, accessible work and study environments, read A guide for faculty and staff: five ways to support institutional accessibility or visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.

Breaking records: Omena Babalola MBA'92 sprints towards success

Omena Babalola, center, runs at a university track event

Omena Babalola's story is all about pushing limits and reaching for the stars. The MBA'92 alum started on the tracks of Saint Mary's University and later made a big splash as a leader and role model in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her time at SMU wasn't just about snagging a degree—it was about smashing records, setting the bar high and building a legacy that keeps on inspiring.

When she arrived in Canada in the fall of 1989, Omena was all about soaking up the culture, and she figured getting an MBA at Saint Mary's was the perfect shot at doing just that. Choosing Saint Mary's for its friendly vibe, top-notch outdoor track, and being close enough to family in Prince Edward Island, she kicked off an adventure that would forever stamp her mark on the university's history books.

Omena earned Athlete of the Week, shown here in a 1991 edition of the SMU Journal

Omena handled her sports career with great grit and grace. The fact there weren't any other women sprinters didn't get her down. If anything, it made her push even harder, often training with the guys who backed her up and pushed her forward. Her outstanding performances in the 60m and 300m sprints broke records that are still standing, showing just how unstoppable she is.

Her time at SMU was enriched by the wonderful African student community, who she could always count on to cheer her on at each race. Despite being the only woman sprinter on the team, her determination brought more women into sprint events and strengthened the women's sprint team at Saint Mary's.

Omena Babalola MBA’92

After leaving Saint Mary's, Omena brought the lessons of hard work, teamwork and resilience with her as she transitioned to professional and community life in Winnipeg. She has had a remarkable career as a Professional Auditor, earning numerous designations, all while dedicating herself to mentoring young people and supporting her community. Her success off the track is a testament to the excellence she strived for in her athletic career.

Omena is currently an Alumni-in-Residence with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and recently hosted a series of events: From New Horizons to Thriving Ventures: The Immigrant Entrepreneurial Odyssey. The final event of the summer series takes place on August 19.

Learn more about her Alumni-in-Residence position with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.