CAREERS & EDUCATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 Lethbridge Herald – Page 9
Adding an Indigenous voice to the boardroom At the core of TylerMitchell’s (BMgt ’17) desire to
learn aboriginal governance is his aspiration to build a better future fo
communities will prospermore through economic and resource
Amember of Saskatchewan’s Cowessess First Nation, Tyler was
development, strategic partnerships, and social and environmental responsibility.
born and raised in Fort McMurray. was on day two of his co-op While he spent summers at powwows and family feasts, he grew up surrounded by the oil and gas industry, fueling a desire to work in aboriginal and government relations.
“I chose the University of Lethbridge for the First Nations’ Governance program, where traditional knowledge and cultural values are taught at the same economics,” says Mitchell.
He knew what he wanted to study in Lethbridge but didn’t know anyone here, nor what to expect.
“The community was very
welcoming,” he says. “Learning the local culture was invaluable.”
broke out onMay 3, 2016,Mitchell position in aboriginal relations
for the Regional Municipality of into emergencymanagement, assisting evacuees and organizing help where needed. His parents were unable to return to their home in Fort McMurray and lived in Edmonton for a year Although he didn’t know it at the time, the experience, along with jobs he held at Syncrude and Suncor, helped himland his current contract position with Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
Mitchell lost a loved one and was injured in a vehicle collision.
“My last semester was a tough one, but I didn’t give up. My advice to other students is, nomatter what they’re going through, to not just give up but
talk to somebody,” says Mitchell. “Everyone at this University is very understanding. Never b afraid or too proud to ask fo help.”
e r
Tyler graduated with his Bachelor of Management degree in October; he is now working toward building a better future for Indigenous people as an aboriginal analyst in emergency management in Calgary. He has plans to complete amaster’s degree in public policy.
there needs to bemore of an Indigenous voice in boardrooms of corporations,” he says.
for Indigenous people, and a belief that Indigenous
and that things are fair and nothingmore than to close socio- economic gaps, lower Aboriginal unemployment rates and increase our educational rates.”
“At the end of the day, I want tomake suremy people are
Thrill of discovery fuels desire to better community As an undergraduate
student, Jyote Boora (BSc thrill of discovery. “I became fascinated with neuroscience tomajor in it,” he says.
“That’s also when I realized the knowledge I was learning about in the classroomcame fromresearch, and the way we gain that knowledge is incredibly exciting.”
With that, a passion for research sparked in Jyote. He went on to complete an honours thesis with professor Dr. Gerlinde Metz and nuclear magnetic resonance facility manager and instructor Tony Montina (BSc ’08, MSc ’10) in a world-renowned, high-tech prenatalmaternal stress. He was also able to explore his own research interests.
“I have been able to forma research col researchers
laboration with at NASA in the
United States and Roscosmos of stress and radiation on astronauts launched into outer space.”
Looking to the future, Jyote is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine to become a physician and plans to stay involved with medical research.
“My time at uLethbridge has shownme that everything is connected, andmy professors have taughtme about science, the world and careers,” he
says. “I’mprepared and excited to become a physician-scientist and ultimately give backmy knowledge to the community to promote health, wellness and humanitarianism.”
Legacy of scholarship inspires academic
success In honour of the late Dr. Russell Leskiw (LLD ’93), the University of Lethbridge’s U of L recently established the Dr. Russell Leskiw Memorial Scholarship
scholarship was given to year education student.
“I’mvery grateful to the Leskiw family and the donors who helped create this award,” says
a combined biological sciences and education program. “I’ve read about Dr. Leskiw and what he did for the University, and I feel very honoured to receive this scholarship.”
Immersive experience creates opportunity
Thanks to a new partnership between the University of Lethbridge andMedalta
year art students now have the opportunity to apply fo the Faculty of Fine ArtsMedalta Residency, GraceWirzba, spent Historic Clay District.
for a
This was the fourth year that Medalta has hosted undergrad students as part of the International Artists in Residence Program. The programprovides opportunity for students fromvarious institutions to spend amonth in an immersive residency
Canada. Medalta provides the studio experience including 24-hour access, a 20-square metre personal studio,
facilitated access to the entire Historic Clay District site, and possible exhibition
opportunities in their on-site contemporary art galleries.
The residency is open to a third-year student returning to their studies in the fall.Wirzba
being in the right place at the right time.
“I was really lucky to just be a keener that showed interest,” admitsWirzba. “I was super lucky!”
environment to create amuch Wirzba was somewhat nervous broader dialogue amongst ceramic programs across
leading up to the residency as ceramics are not a primary area of her art practice, and others were coming from ceramics programs and experience.
“Coming in green to the technical components of
experience immensely,” shares Wirzba. “I think itmade for a very positive experience. Learning frommy fellow undergrad residents, as well
as long-termresidents at the Shaw Centre was extremely rewarding and incredibly fun. It was a constant learning curve andmy knowledge on the subject grew about 300 percent by the end of May, though I’ve only still brushed the surface of what there is to know in ceramics.”
“One of themost important aspects of the residency was forming connections with my peers in universities and colleges across the country, as well as internationally
exhibiting artists. Being able to have conversation and create discourse on contemporary ceramics and art at an
undergraduate level with these peers was valuable and so important forme.”
McCarthy, who’s fromEdam, Sask., about an hour east of Lloydminster, is currently practicumat a Lethbridge high school. She can attest to the value of those practicums.
“I’ve had really good experiences here,” says McCarthy. “The education faculty is just phenomenal and all the experience you get to have in practicums, that’s been really great forme, too. I’ve had awesome teachers to work with and they really helped pushme and become a better teachermyself.” Those words would, no doubt, be music to Dr. Leskiw’s ears.
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