New majors at SMU blend sport, health, business and social impact

Career-ready skills, real-world interdisciplinary learning, co-op opportunities

This September, Saint Mary’s University is launching two innovative majors, Health, Wellness and Sport in Society and Sports Business, blending innovation and opportunity in a way that feels unmistakably of this moment.  

These new interdisciplinary programs are shaped by conversations across faculties and a clear-eyed view of what students—and the job market—need next. 

Built on Saint Mary’s longstanding strengths in community engagement, athletics and business, the programs offer real-world skill-building and co-op placements and will prepare students for high-impact careers in sport.

“These majors were developed with today’s world in mind—and tomorrow’s in sight,” says Dr. Augie Westhaver, associate professor of sociology and co-creator of the new majors. “We wanted to create something practical and forward-thinking, where students leave not just with a degree, but with a resumé and a sense of how to lead real change.” 

Flexible paths, focused careers 

Students can complete co-op placements relating to Sports Business and Health, Wellness and Sport in Society

The Health, Wellness and Sport in Society major, housed in the Faculty of Arts, draws on the social sciences, humanities and business to examine health, sport, equity and wellness through a broad, socially responsible lens. Students will explore everything from ethical leadership to diversity in sport, connecting their studies to global challenges like inclusion and sustainability. 

Offered through the Sobey School of Business, the Sports Business major combines marketing, data analytics, and management with big-picture thinking around ethics, leadership, and sustainability. The program prepares students to lead in a dynamic sports industry, whether in professional sport teams, corporate partnerships, or non-profit community organizations.

The programs see sport not just as a competition, but as a platform for equity, inclusion, and global citizenship. Both majors are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and emphasize socially responsible leadership.

““I wasn’t just looking for theory. I wanted something that would connect me to real careers, real communities and real change. This program brings everything together. I’ve already started exploring the business side of sport, and next year I’ll dive into the health and social issues that really matter. It’s equipping me with practical, relevant skills—and a degree that feels practical, relevant and truly interdisciplinary.”  ”

— Kyler Knocton, a current Bachelor of Commerce student who plans to declare Sport Business as his major.

The majors also build on SMU’s existing Certificates in Sports Business and Health, Wellness and Sport in Society, allowing students to stack credentials or shift into the full major as their interests evolve. 

Real-world learning starts here 

At the heart of both majors is a commitment to learning by doing, built on an interdisciplinary structure. Throughout their studies, students will engage with guest speakers, explore industry discussions, and analyze case studies, gaining insights from professionals working in the sport industry. Sample courses will include Sports Marketing, Human Resources in Sports, Sports Law, Data Analytics in Sports, and Sport, Diversity and Inclusion.

Through co-op placements, community projects and capstone courses, students will collaborate with sports teams, health organizations and non-profits on projects that reflect real industry challenges.  

Potential career paths for graduates include Health Promotion Specialist, Facility and Recreation Manager, Sports Marketing Manager, Wellness Program Director, Performance Analyst, and Diversity and Inclusion Officer in Sport.

Connecting academics and community through sport and wellness

Both majors are anchored by the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health, of which Dr. Westhaver is the director. The Centre is an interdisciplinary hub connecting academic research, community engagement, and student learning.

In March 2024, the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health hosted “Sport Studies Outside the Classroom”, an experiential learning symposium in support of the development of sport studies on campus.

Over the years, the Centre has become a touchstone for students and scholars alike, championing mental health initiatives and creating space where community work and academic inquiry intersect. It has a rich history of hosting international conferences, supporting student-led wellness projects, and building industry partnerships that now help power these new majors.

The programs also arrive at a time when mental health in sport is gaining long-overdue attention. The Centre has supported initiatives like the Student Athlete Mental Health Initiative and Here for Peers, and both majors are designed with wellness, not just performance, in mind.

“In designing these programs, we aimed to reflect the interconnectedness of sport, health, and business in today's global landscape,” says Dr. Miguel Morales, associate professor of marketing and co-creator of the new majors. “Our goal was to equip students with the skills to navigate and lead in diverse environments, understanding that success in the sports industry now requires a blend of cultural insight, ethical leadership, and a commitment to social impact.”

Within the classroom, students are encouraged to explore the ethics of wellness, and its role in shaping both individuals and systems. Conversations around resilience, burnout and the emotional weight of high-performance sport are central to the learning, viewed through a socially conscious lens.

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New talent helping to guide centre’s growth

Jacob Glover, Managing Director at the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health

Jacob Glover is thrilled to join the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health at such a pivotal time in the expansion of its programs. Well poised to support the centre’s vision as its new managing director, Glover brings experience in sport governance and policy work along with a background in law, philosophy and restorative justice.

Since arriving at Saint Mary’s in January 2025, he has focused on working with the university community “to think about nuanced ways of proactively attending to the well-being of our student athletes,” he says. “This includes working with academic supports as well as Student Affairs and Services and Athletics and Recreation, to connect our students to the resources that help to build a culture of holistic well-being.”

Enhancing the centre’s engagement with other sport institutions and organizations is another priority. In one project funded by the Canadian Olympic Committee, Glover is working with the Restorative Lab at Dalhousie University and Sport Nova Scotia to integrate a restorative approach to Team Nova Scotia’s culture and commitment to well-being at the Canada Games.

Glover joins the centre’s Academic Director Dr. Augie Westhaver and Operations Support Specialists Quinn MacDonald BA’24 and Cedric Ralph BA’25. On deck to help launch the new academic programs is Teaching Fellow Dr. MacIntosh Ross MA’08, whose own research explores the intersections of sport and human rights. Three students are on staff for the summer as varsity student-athlete research assistants: Ashley Brady, Ashley Penney and Chad Enwright. Learn more about the centre’s team.

Alumni-led Canadian International Peace Conference held at Saint Mary's

On April 25–26, Saint Mary’s University hosted the 2025 Canadian International Peace Conference, organized by alumni Fatu Kaba MTEI’24 through her social enterprise, HEARTS Global Network. The event brought together over 30 speakers and 20 workshops, uniting activists, academics, policymakers and students to explore inclusive and community-driven approaches to sustainable peace.

Fatu Kaba MTEI’24

Kaba is an award-winning peace activist, TEDx speaker, and the first woman in her family to earn a master’s degree. She founded HEARTS Global Network to champion global peace and gender equity through education, entrepreneurship and storytelling. Her lived experience, born during the Liberian Civil War, continues to shape her powerful work today.

The conference emphasized peace-building through clean energy, food security, gender equity and community empowerment, aligning closely with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Saint Mary’s faculty, staff and students were featured speakers at the conference. Dr. Saja Al Zoubi from the Department of Political Science and Global Development Studies spoke on a panel titled ‘The Role of Women in Peacebuilding’. Dr. Margherita Cameranesi from the Department of Psychology co-led a seminar titled ‘Gender-Based Violence and Its Impact on Refugees and their Families’. Natasha Fernandes BA’23, Business Consultant at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, and SMU student Shaneika Carter, moderated panels.

With inspiring keynotes, performances, and hands-on workshops, the event was a bold step toward a more peaceful and just future.

AI-Powered Animation: Enhancing Creativity—One Frame at a Time

Juan Cruz Baldassare, CEO of Moonshot Rights, Dr. Jason Rhinelander, and Michael-Andreas Kuttner (standing)

Animation is evolving, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a pivotal role in shaping its future.

Founded in 2021, Moonshot Rights Inc. is a Canada/UK-based animation company on a mission to revolutionize content creation. By harnessing the latest technology and working with top industry talent, they’re creating content for kids and family at a higher speed demanded by today’s digital platforms.

To achieve this, Moonshot Rights partnered with Dr. Jason Rhinelander, an Associate Professor in the Division of Engineering and Head of Technology and Innovation at the David Sobey Retailing Centre at Saint Mary’s University. Dr. Rhinelander specializes in AI, focusing his research on applying machine learning and optimization to embedded, real-time system development in hardware and software.

Together, they are pioneering a new approach to animation by accelerating the generation of Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) computer-generated frames. Their process takes existing animation assets as training data and then fills in the gaps between key events, allowing for a more efficient animation workflow.

“In today’s technology environment, where breakthroughs are announced weekly, it’s incredibly valuable to have a partner like Dr. Rhinelander to help us distinguish between what’s hype and what’s genuinely transformative,” said Juan-Cruz Baldassare, CEO of Moonshot Rights. “Collaborating with Saint Mary’s University has been instrumental in advancing our work on algorithmic upscaling, ensuring that we’re not just adopting new technologies, but truly understanding and leveraging them to create outstanding content faster.”

With AI-driven innovation and Dr. Rhinelander’s expertise, Moonshot Rights is improving visual quality, speeding up production, and expanding the possibilities of digital storytelling in animation.

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The Office of Innovation and Community Engagement (OICE) at Saint Mary’s University facilitates research partnerships between the University and companies, government departments and community organizations. OICE is the initial point of contact for faculty members and external partners wishing to collaborate. The office assists with finding suitable expertise, contract development and advising on funding opportunities.

This project highlight is from the 2025 OICE Report, which features researchers from Saint Mary's University and their external partners.

Extraordinary leadership takes the stage at 2025 Spring Convocation

Dr. Rhonda Y. Britton, The Honourable Deborah Gass, Joyce Carter BComm’84 and Paul Davidson will receive honorary degrees from Saint Mary’s University at Spring Convocation in May

Saint Mary’s University will award honorary doctorates at the 2025 Spring Convocation to four distinguished individuals whose leadership, service and vision have made a lasting impact in Nova Scotia, across Canada and around the world.

Spring Convocation takes place from May 27-30, 2025, on Saint Mary’s campus. Visit the convocation webpage for ceremony details and links to the live stream.

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Dr. Rhonda Y. Britton

Dr. Rhonda Y. Britton

Dr. Rhonda Y. Britton is a recently retired Baptist minister with a distinguished record of service to the community. After earning a Doctor of Ministry from Acadia Divinity College and degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Rutgers University, she transitioned from a corporate IT career to full-time ministry.

In 2007, she became the first female senior pastor of Halifax’s New Horizons Baptist Church, a historic institution rooted in the African Nova Scotian community. Her early years at the church saw the launch of parenting programs and "Save Our Sons, Save Our Sisters", a preventative initiative rooted in faith-based social action.

Her leadership in opposing the sale of public land in Halifax’s North End reflects a broader movement where faith leaders are stepping into the role of civic advocate for housing and urban equity. Through actions like renaming the church in recognition of Indigenous reconciliation and collaborating with Mi’kmaq historian Daniel Paul, Dr. Britton’s ministry weaves justice, historical awareness and a commitment to healing.

Dr. Britton will receive a Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa.

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The Honourable Deborah Gass

The Honourable Deborah Gass

Justice Deborah Gass is a retired Supreme Court judge whose career helped reframe family law and access to justice in Atlantic Canada. A Mount Allison and Dalhousie graduate, she was called to the bar in two provinces and spent her early years leading legal aid programs focused on inmate and youth rights.

She served as a judge from 1991 to 2018, then as Deputy Judge with the Nunavut Court of Justice. In this role, she brought court proceedings to remote communities, where Inuit Elders could help shape sentencing with cultural context and community understanding.

Justice Gass’s work with the RCMP settlement class action and Nova Scotia’s first restorative justice programs placed her at the intersection of legal systems and social healing. As Canadian courts face renewed calls for reform and transparency, her career is a powerful example of how individuals can lead meaningful change from within.

Justice Gass will receive a Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa.

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Joyce Carter BComm’84

Joyce Carter BComm’84

Joyce Carter is a distinguished Saint Mary’s alumna and one of the most influential figures in Canadian aviation. As President and CEO of Halifax Stanfield International Airport Authority, she has guided the airport through major disruptions while maintaining a focus on long-term growth, inclusion and regional impact.

A 1984 Bachelor of Commerce graduate, Joyce Carter has served on major aviation and aerospace boards and is a passionate advocate for gender diversity in leadership roles across the transportation and infrastructure sectors.

Her civic contributions include work with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, Community Food Centres Canada, and the North American Indigenous Games. As an industry leader, her career shows that economic development can be a foundation for inclusion, resilience and shared prosperity.

Ms. Carter will receive a Doctor of Commerce, honoris causa.

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Paul Davidson

Paul Davidson

Paul Davidson is one of Canada’s most respected post-secondary leaders. As President of Universities Canada from 2009 to 2023, he shaped national strategy on international education, research investment and equitable access to learning across 97 institutions.

With degrees from Trent and Queen’s Universities, his cross-sectoral experience spans government, health care, publishing, and global development. Under his leadership, programs like the Global Skills Opportunity reimagined international student exchanges—not only as travel abroad, but to build intercultural fluency and inclusive global engagement.

Though he has served as an advisor and advocate for nearly every university in Canada, this will be Paul Davidson’s first honorary degree. It comes at a time when universities are re-examining their roles in society, something he has long championed as essential to rebuilding public trust and strengthening democratic institutions.

Mr. Davidson will receive a Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa.

Dr. John Young elected an Honorary Member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Science

The Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s is pleased to celebrate that Dr. John Clilberd O'Connor Young, Professor Emeritus, has been elected an honorary member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Science (NSIS), for his contributions to mathematics and chemistry over 75 years.

Dr. John Young began teaching chemistry at Saint Mary’s in 1970 after working in industry for 15 years. He retired in 1995 and was named professor emeritus. He holds a PhD from Imperial College at the University of London and an MBA from New York University. Dr. Young specialized in teaching environmental, inorganic, and physical chemistry courses and laboratory computerization.

Dr. Young’s many accomplishments include pioneering a computer-linked chemistry teaching lab at Saint Mary’s, many provincial, national, and international industry roles, and academic leadership positions at Saint Mary’s. His recent publications include “An Enhanced Colorimetric Integrated Rate Procedure for Determining Kinetic Reaction Order Values” (2024) and “Chemistry and the Calculus” (2024).

As just the fifth scientist to receive this honour, Dr. Young joins Dr. Arthur MacDonald, Dr. Mary Anne White, Dr. Jeffrey Dahn, and Dr. Zoe Lucas in NSIS’s group of Honorary Members.

Read more on the NSIS website.

Ignition Program brings students from across Nova Scotia to ignite entrepreneurial spirits

This winter, over 170 students from across Nova Scotia came together to explore entrepreneurship, gain new life skills and connect with like-minded peers through Ignition Winter 2025. Ignition is a multi-week virtual program hosted by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and help students see themselves as future changemakers, whether they plan to start a business or grow their skill set.

Each week, expert speakers shared their experience with students, offering a well-rounded toolbox for personal and professional growth. Sessions included topics such as analyzing consumer behaviour and crafting the perfect pitch, using social media effectively and exploring emotional intelligence.   

In addition, students earned $10 per session for their engagement and participation. Whether logging on from their dorms or squeezing in a session between classes, they were earning while learning and gaining skills that they can have for life.

“The Ignition sessions have been an eye-opening experience that provided me with practical tools for both personal and academic growth," said Mary Mach, a student from Saint Mary’s. "This program has and is continuing to empower me to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience”.

Applications for Ignition Fall 2025 are now open.  Be a part of the next wave of changemakers.

Halifax high schoolers gain skills in AI at Saint Mary’s

Co-op mixes campus life, real-world skills and credit toward graduation

Halifax high school students participate in the Business Analytics & AI Co-op at the Sobey School of Business

Dr. Yigit Aydede, Sobey School of Business Faculty in Residence

Chukwuemeka Nwankwo MTEI’25 and Simon Raymond

Participant Peter Lutz chats with MBAN Director Dr. Michael Zhang

Attendees of the ‘Demystifying AI’ event with Dr. Yigit Aydede

Saeed El-Darahali BSc’02 MBA’04, President and CEO of SimplyCast with Ayo Makanjuola, Vice-President, Finance and Administration, SMU

On March 21, students from several Halifax-area high schools gathered for the second session of a multi-week program at Saint Mary's University to experience university life firsthand and study one of today's most exciting and rapidly evolving fields—Artificial Intelligence.

Through SMU’s Youth Business Analytics & AI Co-op Program, students earn a high school credit while spending several Fridays on campus, learning from the university’s faculty, student mentors and industry professionals. Organized by the Sobey School of Business and hosted in the vibrant Sobeys Inspiration Hub, the program exposes students to university-level academics while building foundational skills in AI, machine learning, data analytics, and visualization.

Students will soon have an opportunity to showcase their skills in AI at the Atlantic Canada AI Summit Youth Pitch Competition on May 3.

Bridging Students, Research and Industry

The day opened with a presentation by Dr. Yigit Aydede, the current Faculty in Residence at the Sobey School of Business. The Faculty in Residence program strengthens collaboration between Saint Mary’s faculty and local business owners, connecting academic expertise with real-world entrepreneurship to drive innovation.

High school student Peter Lutz participated in the Youth Business Analytics & AI Co-op Program

The Co-op emphasizes real-world applications by bringing industry professionals to campus to engage directly with students. These experts, who could potentially become future employers, provide practical career advice and insights during engaging Q&A sessions. Students can openly ask critical questions about career paths, success strategies and the biggest lessons learned, offering a rare opportunity for authentic, practical mentoring.

"I am learning about how AI is being used by businesses to visualize and interpret data,” said Peter Lutz, a grade eleven student at Charles P. Allen High School. “I am hoping to learn more about market trends and what generative AI is. I am new to this, and we are living in a time when AI is being revolutionized. I want to be able to utilize it."

Showcasing Real-World AI Applications

As part of the session, Dr. Aydede introduced a series of AI-driven business applications developed by Novastorms.ai, a company he co-founded with former student Chukwuemeka Nwankwo MTEI’25. Built using publicly available data, these tools are powered by AI and are designed to empower communities by improving access to information and supporting more informed decision-making.

BComm student Simon Raymond (seated) presented to co-op students with Dr. Yigit Aydede

Dr. Aydede and his team demonstrated several of these applications, including the HRM Crime Dashboard (safe.novastorms.ai), Neighbourhood Explorer (hood.novastorms.ai), and the Nova Scotia Housing Wizard—all freely accessible to the public.

They also announced the upcoming release of In-House Insight, a new Agentic AI platform built on a secure, privacy-first architecture that processes sensitive data locally rather than through the cloud.

“When I first came to SMU, I had no idea what I wanted to do,” said Simon Raymond, a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student and Co-op presenter.

“My first year, I was still figuring things out. In my second year, I took a machine learning class and started working with Professor Yigit more and more. That’s when I really started to fall in love with this field of work—econometrics, data engineering and machine learning. Everything was real. Everything was practical."

Preparing for the Future

Beyond academic learning, these sessions offer a window into campus life, giving students the opportunity to interact with professors, connect with peers and imagine themselves as future university students.

The program wraps up with a Pitch Competition on May 3, where participating high school students will showcase their AI-powered ideas to peers, faculty, family, and industry judges. The Pitch Competition serves as a capstone to the SMU Co-op Program, offering students the chance to put their new skills to the test after eight weeks of immersive learning.

The competition is part of the larger Atlantic Canada AI Summit 2025, a three-day conference hosted at Saint Mary’s that brings together researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers. Key areas include healthcare, ethics, ocean tech, and climate solutions. The Summit positions Atlantic Canada as an emerging global hub for AI innovation.

With its blend of academic rigour, real-world relevance, and career-focused mentorship, SMU’s Youth Business Analytics & AI Co-op Program is empowering the next generation to step confidently into the fast-evolving world of AI and analytics.

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Related:

• Atlantic Canada AI Summit: May 1-3, 2025

• From classroom to career: empowering responsible AI leaders

• Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) at Saint Mary’s

• Master of Business Analytics (MBAN) at Saint Mary’s

Introducing the SMU Wellness Challenge!

Join us in making well-being a priority

The People and Culture team at Saint Mary’s is excited to introduce the Staff/Faculty Wellness Challenge! This initiative is designed to empower employees to prioritize their well-being in a way that is flexible, inclusive, and engaging.

Over three weeks (May 5 – May 25), the Wellness Challenge encourages faculty and staff to complete daily wellness activities across eight key areas, promoting mindfulness, physical well-being, social connection, and more.

The activities are intentionally small and simple; for example, taking five minutes to focus on your breath, sharing a healthy recipe with a friend, or increasing your daily water intake. You can see a full list of activities and helpful links at this printable activity tracker.

To participate, register anytime at this link until May 2. You will receive an email with a link to the online tracking form and additional instructions.You can participate individually or sign up as a team (must have 5 members). Note: If needed, you can submit your activities via a paper form. Please request this form directly from Wellness@SMU.ca.

Let’s build some healthy habits together!

SMU team wins 2025 International Business Ethics and Sustainability Case Competition

Student winners! Ashish Ganapathy Venkatasubramanian (Accounting), Robert Nolan Francis (Finance, Management), Lydia Lee (Economics/ Marketing) and Jonzel Robichaud-Lorde (Accounting/ Global Business Management).

L-R: Team coach Dr. Amna Chalwati, students Ashish Ganapathy Venkatasubramanian, Lydia Lee, Jonzel Robichaud-Lorde, Robert Nolan Francis, and coach and part-time SMU lecturer Jeff Muton pose for a photo in Los Angeles.

A student team from the Sobey School of Business won first place in all three categories at the highly competitive 2025 International Business Ethics and Sustainability Case Competition (IBESCC), which took place at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles from April 7 to 11.

Students Robert Nolan Francis, Lydia Hui-Qi Lee, Jonzel Isaiah Robichaud-Lorde and Ashish Ganapathy Venkatasubramanian competed against 32 other teams from around the world, and won in three segments: a 25-minute presentation, a 10-minute ethical analysis, and a 90-second sustainability pitch. The judges praised the team's comprehensive approach and innovative solutions.

The annual competition aims to help students explore the moral imperatives of sustainable development. Topics must be business-related and have an ethical component linking to at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The experience provides a platform for students to tackle real-world business issues, focusing on ethics, law, finance, and sustainability.

"This event wasn't just a competition but a valuable learning experience that allowed our students to apply their classroom knowledge on a global stage,” says Dr. Amna Chalwati, Associate Professor of Accounting at the Sobey School of Business, one of the team coaches. “We are so proud to have represented Saint Mary’s on this international platform and grateful for the support that made this achievement possible.”

A huge congratulations to these students for their remarkable accomplishments!

Leaders on campus and in the community: meet the 2025 SLRA recipients

Front row: Maria Mannette, Spencer Vallis, Khuloud Saqib, Liah Christie.
Back row: Hailey Forbes, Ella Fitzgerald, Melissa Álvarez Del Angel, Audrey Salinger

Career & Experiential Learning and the Saint Mary’s University Student Association (SMUSA) hosted the annual Student Leadership Recognition Award (SLRA) ceremony on April 3, 2025. The award recognizes students who possess, display, and apply leadership qualities and skills within the Saint Mary’s University community and beyond.

The SLRA was initiated in 2012 and is awarded to a maximum of three students from each Faculty (Arts, Science, Sobey School of Business, and Graduate Studies). Learn more about the Student Leadership Recognition Award.

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Meet the award recipients

Melissa Álvarez Del Angel

Melissa Álvarez is a third-year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Psychology. As an international student from Mexico, Melissa understands what it means to start over. Facing cultural shock and the silent battles of proving herself in unfamiliar spaces shaped her passion for advocacy and community care. Melissa is a Senior Residence Assistant and Chair of the Residence Wellness Team, where she leads initiatives focused on harm reduction and mental health awareness, creating spaces for students to feel seen and heard. Beyond campus, Melissa volunteers at Peter’s Place, assisting individuals recovering from brain injuries. She is also involved in the French Woodland Conservation Project, where she helps educate children about the preservation of yellow birch trees.

Liah Christie

Liah is a fourth-year Bachelor of Science Chemistry Honours student minoring in Philosophy. A dedicated leader at Saint Mary’s University, she has excelled in academics, mentorship, and research. As a Peer Success Coach, she supports student transitions through personalized coaching and learning strategy workshops. Within the Chemistry Department, Liah has worked as a Research Assistant, TA, SNAP Centre Peer Tutor, and SMU Chemistry Society Co-President, fostering academic growth and engagement for science students. Beyond the lab, Liah is deeply committed to community health and advocacy. She has volunteered over 225 hours with Ronald McDonald House Charities, co-chairs the Halifax Community Health Board, and delivers educational mental health presentations as a certified JackTalks Speaker.

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a Minor in French. Ella has volunteered for three years with Students Acting for Global Awareness and served as a Teaching Assistant in the Mathematics Department. Additionally, she has volunteered as a Pack Leader with SMUSA for two years, creating a safe and welcoming community at Saint Mary’s. Ella participated in a year-long Study Abroad program at the University of Seoul in South Korea, where she joined Korean tutoring groups, volunteered as an English discussion leader, and contributed to the International Student Fellowship program, which strives to build a diverse global community. Ella also completed two spring semester exchanges in Québec. Ella will begin her Bachelor of Education program following graduation to further her goal of making education more accessible to all.

Hailey Forbes

Hailey is a third-year Bachelor of Arts Psychology student, completing the Forensic Psychology Certificate. Hailey has a strong passion for leadership, accessibility, and student success, holding various leadership positions in the Saint Mary’s community. As a Peer Success Coach for Accessibility, Hailey supports Arts students and individuals registered with the Fred Smithers Centre by facilitating learning strategy workshops and one-on-one coaching. She also serves as the Vice President of the Psychology Society, fostering connections and growth among students. Additionally, Hailey is involved with the Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative, working to raise awareness of sexual and gender-based violence to promote a safer campus environment. Outside of the SMU community, Hailey volunteers every summer at Camp Triumph, a camp for children who have a sibling/parent with a chronic illness or disability.

Maria Mannette

Maria Mannette is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student, double majoring in Computing & Information Systems and Management. Graduating as Valedictorian in Spring 2025, she has been an active leader on campus, serving as a Teaching Assistant, a Peer Academic Leader, a BComm Ambassador, and the Administrative Assistant for the Sobey School of Business Commerce Society. She also played a key role in student governance as the Deputy Returning Officer for the SMUSA elections in 2023. In September 2024, Maria founded the university’s first Women In Business Society, serving as its inaugural President and igniting a legacy of female leadership, inclusion, and professional development with a growing community of over 100 members. Alongside her studies, Maria works full-time and volunteers with the Greek community.

Lydia Ramsay

Lydia Ramsay is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce Finance and Accounting student and Sobey National Innovator Scholar. For the past two years, she has served as a Residence Assistant on campus, fostering an inclusive environment and community. Lydia leads as Events and Engagement Lead for the Women in Business Society, organizing impactful events such as the Women in Finance Panel Gala. Beyond SMU, Lydia has coordinated French leadership training for the Canadian Student Leadership Association and launched an online Student Leadership Certification Program. With involvement in SMU’s Venture Grade Program and Research Associate for the IMPACT Investment Fund, she excels in financial leadership. Lydia aims to further her leadership in finance and community impact with the Women in Business Society.

Audrey Salinger

Audrey is a fourth-year PhD candidate investigating genetic impacts on the recovery of two endangered cetacean populations. She holds a Master of Science from the University of Tromsø and a Bachelor of Science from UCLA. Audrey’s contributions to the SMU community include co-organizing the seminar and journal club series for the biology and environmental science departments and helping to facilitate the biweekly EDIA book club. Audrey works as both a teaching assistant for biology and ENVS courses and an exam invigilator for the Fred Smithers Centre. Off campus, Audrey volunteers as a student representative for the Nova Scotia Institute of Science, where she serves student interests among the broader scientific community by supporting initiatives for students to share their scientific research and learn about potential career paths.

Khuloud Saqib

Khuloud Saqib is a third-year international student majoring in Criminology with a minor in Psychology. Widely recognized on campus as the ‘purple-haired’ girl, Khuloud has made an impact through her leadership and involvement in student life. She started as a dedicated member of SMUSA’s Street Team in her first year, a role that required energy, extroversion, and direct engagement with students. She was also an active member of the SMU Cheerleading team for two years and served as the Captain of her team in her second year. Alongside this, Khuloud upheld various off-campus volunteer roles. Currently, Khuloud serves as the Vice President - Societies for SMUSA, where she plays a key role in supporting the 60 active societies, managing event risks, and ensuring policies are upheld.

Ramon Stultz

Born and raised in Jamaica, Ramon Stultz is a third-year international student pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce with concentrations in Finance and Management. Ramon co-founded the Premiere Emcee Team, where he draws upon his background in hosting high-profile Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion events. He held the positions of Resident Assistant for two consecutive years and Research Assistant at the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, where he applied his finance expertise and passion for youth mentoring to support groundbreaking research initiatives for Black communities. Ramon also contributes to Tribe Network as an Administrative Lead. Ramon’s goal remains steadfast: to drive positive change, inspire those around him, and foster a thriving environment for learning, growth and innovation.

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Spencer Vallis

Spencer is a dedicated advocate, community organizer and leader, passionate about creating change. He is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Social Justice and Community Studies and minoring in Sociology. Spencer has led the SMU Pride Society for the past two years, advocating for institutional change, organizing queer-centric events, and supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ SMUdents. He is a Teaching Assistant in the Faculty of Arts and represents 2SLGBTQIA+ students on the Sexual Violence Prevention Executive Advisory Committee. In addition to his leadership on campus, he works full-time in retail management and excels academically as a two-time Dean’s List recipient. Recently, he was appointed to the Point Pleasant Park Advisory Committee with the City of Halifax.

Three-Minute Thesis winner to represent SMU at Eastern Regional Competition

Samuel Sequeira

Congratulations to Samuel Sequeira, a first-year Master of Science student in Environmental Science, who won first place and the People’s Choice award in the annual Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) contest at Saint Mary’s last week. His presentation was titled “Jumping into danger: Mercury, fungus, and the frog crisis.”

Abigail Battson won second place for her thesis titled “Finding a needle in a haystack: Looking for indirect evidence of black holes in star clusters.”

Hosted by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the 2025 3MT event saw 11 Saint Mary’s Master’s students and PhD candidates explain their thesis research projects in three minutes using just one static PowerPoint slide, no other props and no visual aids. A panel of judges chose the first and second place winners, while audience members voted for the People’s Choice Award.

Condensing a thesis—the result of months or even years of work—into three minutes is a unique challenge, and doing it effectively is an impressive feat. Competitors are challenged to condense and communicate their work while still making it accessible to a non-expert audience, with the clock ticking.

In his master’s thesis research, Samuel is studying wetlands contaminated with mercury and arsenic, specifically the effect this contamination has on amphibians. Nova Scotia has a rich history of gold mining dating back to the mid-1800s. The processes used to extract gold from its ore produced waste materials that contained mercury and arsenic. Due to the lack of regulations at the time, these waste materials, or tailings, were discarded in low-lying areas, including wetlands. These historic gold mine tailings are a risk to several organisms, including amphibians. Since they spend their lives on land and in water, amphibians are constantly being exposed to these contaminants, which they can absorb directly through their skin and their diet.

Along with supervisor Dr. Linda Campbell, Samuel and a team of student researchers are working to determine how much mercury and arsenic are accumulating in amphibians’ tissue, and its implications for their predators, including endangered species of birds, fish and turtles. 

This project will also focus on whether a highly infectious fungal pathogen, which has caused the extinction of several species of frogs worldwide, has made its way to Nova Scotia.

Samuel completed his undergraduate degree at Saint Mary’s and is now enrolled in the Master of Applied Science program. He will compete in the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition hosted by Memorial University in June.

The Three-Minute Thesis presentations covered a wide range of topics from the Faculties of Arts, Science, and the Sobey School of Business:  

• Abigail Battson: Finding a needle in a haystack: Looking for indirect evidence of black holes in star clusters

• Lily Binney: The structural complexity of old-growth Eastern Hemlock and Red Spruce forests in Nova Scotia

• Gary Ernest: The interaction between leadership style and calling orientation in predicting burnout in academic vs. clinical physician leaders

• Angelo George: Cosmic neighbourhoods: How environment shapes galaxies

• Gabe Kipnis: Mapping and analyzing the local food network in the HRM

• David Lewis: TRaP-ping Historic Mine Tailing Arsenic & Mercury

• Sasha MacArthur: Beyond MRI: How SHG reveals the hidden story of collagen

• Nichole Michaud-Kuszelewski": Price wars: An empirical investigation of competitive pricing

• Megan O’Brien: Finding old-growth forest in Nova Scotia

• Samuel Sequeira: Jumping into danger: Mercury, fungus, and the frog crisis

• Alex Stokes: Exploring perceptions of citizenship and place in Prince Edward Island curriculum

Saint Mary's students are reimagining global action from the ground up

Students prepare the SMU Community Garden for Spring

Little actions are growing big change with the SMU Gardening Society. Newly established this academic year, the Gardening Society is an example of how grassroots (literally!) action can have meaningful impacts on things like food security, sustainability and climate action.

April 22 is Earth Day; a day that reminds the world to stop and think about how each little action, like turning the lights off and avoiding water wastage, can add up to big impacts when applied on a large scale. For many, change can feel out of reach as we get caught up in big-gesture, large-scale actions. But for Elizabeth (Lizz) Dixon, President and Founder of SMU’s Gardening Society, it’s the smallest actions that can make the biggest impact in our everyday lives.

An international student completing her first year in the Bachelor of Arts program at Saint Mary’s, Lizz grew up with a love for gardening, both for the joy and family connection, and for the outcomes that helped lessen the impact of food insecurity in her home. Now living in an apartment building in Halifax with no real green space to work with, and continuing to feel the impacts of food insecurity, Lizz came up with the idea to start a gardening society at Saint Mary’s.

“I have lived in Halifax since 2023 and have seen grocery prices go up many times, especially for things like fresh produce,” Lizz explains. “As someone living with diabetes, I can’t just turn to canned or frozen vegetables, which means spending a lot more of my budget on fresh items. But as an international student, I am restricted to working a maximum number of hours per week, limiting my income abilities. Between rising costs, access, and things like dietary needs or medical circumstances, many people are being forced to choose between housing, bills and food; it just didn’t sit right with me.”

In the fall of 2024, the SMU Gardening Society took root with the goal of expanding SMU’s Community Garden to attract more pollinators to campus and establish vegetable and herb plots that could provide fresh produce to students.

Rachel Clarke, Bradley Knockwood, Kagan Akiyama, Leo, Noah Martin, Elizabeth Dixon, Meagan and Chloe from the Gardening, Environmental and Outdoors societies worked together to prepare the Community Garden.

The society has hosted a number of events throughout the academic year including an overhaul of the SMU Community Garden, a collaborative event with the Environmental Society and the Outdoor Society. On March 29, members of the community came together to repair old garden beds, prepare the soil and plant this year’s pollinator plants.

Pollinator plants attract crucial pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. These are integral contributors to a healthy ecosystem by increasing the production of plants that store carbon. Pollinators are also necessary for many plants' food production, which increases local food access and, as a result, decreases greenhouse gas emissions caused by food production and transportation.

An estimated one-third of the world’s produced food ends up wasted, which means wasted energy from its production, packaging and transportation, and increased methane emissions from food rotting in landfills. This Earth Day, Lizz is sharing the message of reducing waste as a small, easy step that can have a significant impact on our climate.

“Food waste is something we can all strive to reduce with minimal effort. Plants have a lot more edible parts than many people realize. Broccoli stalks are edible and nutrient-dense, but so many people toss that part because they don’t realize it’s edible or don’t know how to use it. Prioritizing local produce, having a plan for your food and using all edible components of it all add up to long-term impacts.”

On her hopes for the future of the community garden, Lizz says the Gardening Society has lots of long-term dreams. “Right now, our hope is to bring fresh food to students this year and eventually expand to selling our fresh produce at local markets. We’re playing around with ideas like bee hives and mushroom sheds, and we really hope to establish a greenhouse for year-round growing. But ultimately, we want people to learn about growing and cultivating food that can reduce the impacts of food insecurity and the harmful environmental impacts of externally sourced foods, all while feeling the positive community and mental health benefits of getting your hands dirty!”

To learn more about the SMU Gardening Society and their initiatives, visit SMU Gardening Halifax on Instagram or reach out by email to smugardening@gmail.com.

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Did you know? Saint Mary’s offers a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Certificate in Sustainability Business and Minor in Climate Change Studies. Learn more about Sustainability at Saint Mary’s.