The day’s celebration will begin with the Founder’s Day Service at the St John’s Chapel, a time to reflect on the history of the College and remember those who legacies continue to inspire us. Afterward, alumni will gather in the Robert Schultz Galleria for a luncheon recognizing Johnians who graduated 25, 40, 50 and 60 years ago. 

The afternoon Convocation Ceremony will then highlight the heart of the day: recognizing this year’s scholarship and bursary recipients, and conferring honours on outstanding members of our community:

• Dr. Karla Jessen Williamson, B.Ed., P.B.Dip.Ed., M.Ed., Ph.D — Doctor of Canon Law (honoris causa)
• The Right Reverend Chad McCharles, O.S.B.Cn — Doctor of Divinity (jure dignatatis)
• The Right Reverend Geoffrey Woodcroft, Construction Technician, B.A., M.Div., D.D. — Honourary Fellowship
• Mrs. Jocelyn (Burgess) Barnard, B.Sc., B.S.W. — Honourary Fellowship 

The College is proud to celebrate the success and service of its members and friends, and looks forward to an inspiring day of connection in both the St John’s College Chapel and Robert Schultz Galleria.

Hong Kong is recovering from one of its most severe typhoon in years, and Glory Wang BED 1998 is spending a quiet day in the head office of Atelier Pacific in North Point district. In her role as its managing director, the architect shuttles between Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore to oversee 73 designers, architects and support staff. Unlike most firms, Atelier Pacific expanded rapidly during the pandemic, opening its Shanghai office in April 2021 followed by Singapore in 2023. Wang takes it all in stride as clients including Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Salvatore Ferragamo keep coming back for more.

Unlike a stereotypical luxury brand designer, Wang is far from dripping head to toe in European labels. Instead, she opens the door to Atelier Pacific comfortably attired in running shoes, jeans and t-shirts. She is always ready for a good laugh, often at herself or to join in the fun. It is no wonder that she has fond memories of fierce ditchball games in the mid-90s when she was working towards her Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) at UM.

“Ditchball was a big thing,” she recalls, settling into her chair in the studio’s boardroom overlooking Victoria Harbour. “Everyone had to participate. What I remember more was Sketch Camp at Gimli—a real eye opener. I had always been self-conscious about my hand drawing skills. At Sketch Camp, I learned that it was not about doing nice drawings; it was about the approach. Drawing was a means towards expression. So was photography, which I got into while at Gimli. And we stayed in a Viking settlement population 500. The mayor was also the high school principal. I had a really good time.”

Born in Hong Kong, Wang’s family emigrated to Vancouver when she was 11 years old. “I originally wanted to go to culinary school,” she confesses. “Although fairly liberal, my parents balked at what traditional Chinese families assumed would be a tough job in a greasy kitchen slinging out chow mein. They encouraged me to consider something else. I was pretty ignorant and thought that architecture would be easy: drawing and model making without any need to study. Since at the time, UBC only had a master program for architecture, the next closest university was UM. It was crazy! I applied with my portfolio, got accepted and moved to Winnipeg without knowing anything about it. After staying with family friends for a few nights when I first arrived, I moved into Mary Speechly Hall.”

Being from milder climes, Wang was unprepared for snow in October. Yet being part of the Mary Speechly community for her entire stay in Winnipeg gave her a sense of grounding and yen for pierogi. History lessons with Robert Madill gave her a fresh look at dusty days of yore. “Bob always walked in with Ray Bans,” she laughs. “He had them on the entire time we looked at slides in a dark room! I don’t know why he always wore shades—maybe he was trying too hard to look cool. Let’s face it: history is boring. But the way he shared his knowledge made it very memorable. He was a good teacher.”

Another professor she remembers fondly is Leon Feduniw, though she is much less enamoured at being pried out of bed for his 8:30 am tech class three days per week. “My friends and I were always late and we would always get stuck sitting in the front row where Leon could see we slept through most of his lectures,” she grins. Feduniw suggested that she enter an American student housing competition; Wang and her team won second prize and a trip ensued to accept the award in San Francisco. “It was my first time to San Francisco,” she recalls. “It was fun. Along with visiting one of the competition judges’ studios—my dream work place—we went sightseeing.”

After graduating in 1998, Wang worked for a couple of years in Hong Kong before returning to Canada to study in Ottawa. “UM gave me a good foundation for my master at Carleton,” she says, noting that she immediately returned to Hong Kong following graduation in 2004. “My brother was working here and we’re close,” Wang notes. “And frankly, Hong Kong salaries are better than Canadian ones.” She started at Wong Ouyang, one of the biggest architectural firms in the city at the time. Although she gained enough experience for her Hong Kong Institute of Architects license, she found herself oscillating between gratitude for being employed during the 2008 financial crisis and frustration at the government-like culture of working for a practice with hundreds of staff members.

“I messaged Nic one particularly annoying day and asked if he was hiring,” Wang remembers. She had previously interned for Nic Banks, a transplanted Brit who founded Atelier Pacific in 1996. By then, she knew she preferred working within a more intimate studio that espoused an architectural approach to interiors. “I think that’s the difference between education in Canada versus Hong Kong,” she posits. “In Canada, interior design is part of architecture and architects see interiors as part of their job—everything we do is about solving a client’s needs.”

One of her first and favourite projects was the extensive adaptive re-use of Hong Kong Fringe Club; she worked closely with clients Benny Chia and Catherine Lau to get the listed heritage building structurally sound and up to contemporary building codes. “It is an iconic building,” Wang states. “At the time, it was a hub for the local arts scene. I learned a lot about its history as Dairy Farm’s storage when it was first opened in 1845. The painful part was our very tight budget and dealing with a lot of changes as the project progressed. It was like helping a patient recover from cancer with the minimal amount of financial support. There was a lot of reinstatement to its original glory. A nice surprise was the discovery of floor tiles from the 1960s in the Fringe Dairy part of the building that were in good enough condition for us to leave in situ after some cleaning.”

Atelier Pacific is the preferred interior architect for luxury brands in greater China, and Wang particularly appreciates the firm’s longstanding relationship with Hermes. “Its attention to detail is hats off,” she shares. “It likes to explore materials and push boundaries.” Another niche area for the studio is signage and wayfinding, with Hong Kong Museum of Art a stand out project: “The museum today compared to prior its 2019 intervention is like night and day. It’s a fresh idea executed well, and our signage design complements the building.”

Wang was promoted to managing director four years ago after Banks relocated part-time to Europe. She admits that she designs much less these days, though she still gets excited about new projects. “I was the last man standing,” she smiles, referring to the constant poaching of colleagues by fashion houses for them to work in-house. “I am the designer remaining with the longest history,” she reveals. “As both a manager and the front person for our studio, I give clients faith and trust in what we do to return for their next project.”

She helped steer the firm’s expansion from a studio with 20 people in Hong Kong to almost quadruple in size with three studios across the region. “We are intentionally getting more architects on board to work on a wider range of projects. When I first joined, we did exhibitions, proposals for houses and smaller scaled projects. Now people know us for much more. For our 25th anniversary—which we couldn’t properly celebrate as it was the height of the pandemic closures—we wrapped a tram in colourful graphic renderings of our best projects. Everyone loved it.”

Looking back at her time in Winnipeg, Wang feels she owes UM a big thank you: “My architectural education helps me think outside the box. I encourage anyone and everyone who wants to make a difference to consider studying architecture at UM.”

www.atelierpacific.com.hk

This year’s recipients were chosen from an impressive selection of grads who were nominated by their peers.  

On behalf of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee chair, The Honourable Dr. Pat Bovey [LLD/21], and her fellow panelists including previous award and honorary degree recipients, Alumni Council representatives and alumni leaders, the University of Manitoba is delighted to announce the recipients for 2025 are:  
 

Lifetime Achievement: Rick Duha [BComm(Hons.)/82]  

A Bison at the centre of global enterprise 

As Chairman of the Duha Group since 1978 and Managing Partner of multiple ventures, Duha has expanded a small family business into a global enterprise with customers in over 130 countries. A passionate mentor and advocate for education, he has helped shape both local and international communities through his leadership roles, including the Business Council of Manitoba and the Young Presidents’ Organization. Read more about Rick here.
 

Professional Achievement: Brian Dobie [BPE/74, Cert. Ed./75] 

A Bison at the centre of coaching excellence 

Head coach of the Bisons football program for 29 years and the winningest coach in Bisons football history, Dobie’s dedication, passion and leadership have inspired generations of athletes. His commitment to recruiting, fundraising and cultivating a family-like team culture have solidified his legacy in Canadian university sport. Read more about Brian here.
 

Academic Innovation: Dr. James (Jamie) Blanchard [BSc(Med.)/86, MD/86] 

A Bison at the centre of global public health 

A visionary public health leader, Dr. Blanchard has secured nearly a billion dollars in funding to combat infectious diseases globally. At UM’s Institute for Global Public Health, his groundbreaking research and collaborative efforts with organizations like the World Health Organization and the Gates Foundation continue to bridge the gap between science and practice, improving health outcomes worldwide. Read more about Dr. Blanchard here.

Community Service: Kristie Pearson [BPE/96]  

A Bison at the centre of philanthropic innovation 

A tireless advocate for social change, Pearson has led philanthropic campaigns for the United Way of Winnipeg and the Downtown YMCA-YWCA, among others, and founded her own nonprofit, Linking Hope, to simplify charitable giving. Her unwavering commitment to inclusivity, environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation makes her a beacon of hope for communities near and far. Read more about Kristie here.
 

Outstanding Young Alumni: Tréchelle Bunn [BA/23]  

A Bison at the centre of Reconciliation 

A proud member of Chan Kagha Otina Dakhóta Oyáte (Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation), Bunn co-launched a mentorship program for Indigenous youth while excelling as a USPORTS athlete, and she’s championed Reconciliation through initiatives like the Reconciliation Run Scholarship for Indigenous Student Athletes. Currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at Robson Hall, Bunn addresses critical issues on the global stage, including the United Nations Human Rights Council. Read more about Tréchelle here.

 “For 66 years, these awards have put a spotlight on UM alumni who lead with vision, empathy and tenacity,” says Tracy Bowman, Executive Director of Alumni Relations. “This year’s honourees are Bisons at the centre of progress—pushing boundaries, inspiring others and making waves in every field imaginable. We’re incredibly proud to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments.” 

The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration of Excellence presented by TD Insurance, will take place on the evening of Thursday, September 18 as part of Homecoming 2025. Individual tickets and tables are officially sold out! Thank you to the following sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: TD Insurance  

Entertainment sponsor: Trane 

Making Memories Sponsor: iA Financial Group 

Event Champions Sponsors: Duha Group and Improving  

Specialty Cocktail Sponsor: Sobr Market and Patent 5 Distillery

VIP Reception Sponsor: Aramark and AVentPro

Media Sponsor: Free Press  

Sholeth Art and Seduta Art

Photo by @wdyd.series

When building on art collection, you can start small—or as our first gift guide star might say, tiny. An artist, entrepreneur, and Asper alum, Sholeth Choquette [BComm(Hons)/22] creates tiny art, capturing miny moments of calm and ambiance using a mix of oil, alcohol marker, and linocut prints, and presenting them in ornate vintage frames. These pieces and other stationary are available from Sholeth Art.

You can also find her work at Seduta Art, co-owned with fellow Asper alum and business partner Paul Sogeke [BComm(Hons)/19]. While Seduta is stocked online, Sholeth recommends a visit to the Exchange District location itself, where shoppers can peruse arts, crafts, and stationary supplies—testing the feel of sketchbooks and finding their next favourite fountain pen.

“My vision is to bring joy and creativity into people’s lives through unique and thoughtfully designed stationery, artwork, and art supplies,” she says.

Give the gift of making and art this year and follow along for market appearances and new products on Instagram (@sholeth.art) and (@seduta.art), the online storefronts Sholeth Art and Sholeth Art, or by visiting in-person at 91 Arthur Street.

Miranda Dawn Bakes

Precision and indulgence come to mind looking at a box of Miranda Dawn Bakes treats or one of her sculptural cakes. Offering cookies, macarons, cake pops and more, Miranda Harder whips up perfect personalized gifts for the sweet tooth on your shopping list this holiday season (and all year!).

An Asper marketing student, Harder didn’t initially plan to start a business, but since she began selling eight years ago, she slowly branched out to take on more custom orders and sell at local markets.

Shoppers who suddenly feel hungry after reading the phrase “double chocolate mocha drip cake,” can find Harder’s baking on Instagram (@mirandadawnbakeswpg) and Miranda Dawn Bakes.

Ethereal Stones

If you’re looking for something with a little more sparkle, look no further than Ethereal Stones. From polished rose quartz bracelets and romantic goldstone heart-shaped earrings to dramatic onix necklaces, creator and founder Paula Robles offers bold, expressive, and of course, ethereal handmade jewelry.

When Robles isn’t crafting unique and colourful pieces, she is keeping up with her studies in pursuit of a BComm at Asper. “My dream has always been to make my business grow and make is a recognized brand one day,” she says.

Get a little ethereal this holiday season and find Robles’ handcrafted work on Instagram (@ethereal_stones_) and at UM through the Students Organized Market Initiative (@uofm.somi).

Kingdom Cards

Why not give 52 pieces of art (and a couple of jokers) this holiday season? With Kingdom Cards, you can choose from over 350 different decks of unique and original playing cards—from your favourite franchises and cinematic universes to meticulously crafted illustrated sets.

Run by Asper BComm student Anthony Theriault, Kingdom Cards offers products that are beautiful to look at and perfect for your next game of cribbage, rummy, or even Go Fish. They’re also a favourite among magicians (Theriault would know as a practitioner himself), and sure to be a memorable gift for everyone on your shopping list.

Deck the halls with a deck of cards (and grab one for yourself) by shopping at Kingdom Cards and follow along on Instagram (@kingdomplayingcards) to keep up with new releases and upcoming pop-ups.

oxokat

Wear your personality on your wall, backpack, laptop, water bottle, favourite notebook, and more with oxokat’s adorable illustrated stickers, keychains, embroidery, and prints. A project from Asper BComm student Katherine Bardelas, oxokat specializes in the cute and cartoony.

Bardelas primarily sells at markets at the university, working with UM SOMI, and popping up with a pastel booth of tiny treasures. Living out her dream of selling her creations, Bardelas hopes to open an online storefront next year, all while she pursues her ambitions of becoming an actuary.

In the meantime, shoppers can find oxokat on Instagram (@oxokat) to see her latest illustrations, products, and market dates!

Boligrafo Bonito

For the writers and diligent notetakers in your life, check out Boligrafo Bonito’s handcrafted wood pens. You can find BComm student Jamie O’Neill [BA/24] dusting off oak, elm, and cherry wood chips as she works in the fabrication lab, turning wood and crafting unique ballpoint pens perfect for everything from your most pressing correspondence to your everyday writing needs.

Boligrafo Bonito uses sustainably sourced wood to create shapes that are comfortable in the hand and beautiful to look at, offering a spectrum of warm tones that show the organic wood grain.

Whether you need a gift for the difficult-to-buy-for friend or you need a pen to write down your shopping list, check out Boligrafo Bonito on Instagram (@boligrafobonito) and at the North Forge Makers Market (@northforgemb).

Asper School of Business students and alumni bring bold ideas to life every day, whether in the classroom or the marketplace. Be part of a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders. Learn more about Asper programs of study today!

Browse the Asper Gift Guide archive for even more gift ideas!

Justice Scott was the province’s longest-serving Chief Justice, known for his deep intellect and sound judgment, his kindness, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice. A distinguished graduate of the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, Justice Scott began his career as a civil litigator before ascending through the judiciary to lead Manitoba’s highest court.

“Justice Scott’s impact on the law in Manitoba and Canada is immeasurable,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. “Beyond the courtroom, his legacy of leadership, mentorship, and integrity set a standard to which we all aspire.”

Among his many notable contributions was presiding over the landmark case of R. v. Lavallee, which recognized “battered woman syndrome” in Canadian law—a decision that demonstrated his courage and compassion in the pursuit of justice. Beyond his judicial duties, Justice Scott played key roles in shaping the ethical framework for Canada’s judiciary through his work with the Canadian Judicial Council.

Justice Scott graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts in 1959 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1963. Upon his law school graduation and call to the bar, he became an associate at Thompson, Dilts, Jones, Hall, Dewar & Ritchie (now TDS) where he had worked throughout his law school studies. He later became a partner and in 1976, was made a member of the Queen’s Counsel (now K.C.). He and was appointed to the bench in 1985, and promoted to Associate Chief Justice three months later. In 1990 he was appointed to the Manitoba Court of Appeal as the 10^th Chief Justice of Manitoba. After retiring in 2013 Joined Hill Sokalski Walsh Olson in 2015 as a lawyer conducting arbitration and mediation practice.

Justice Scott continued to serve the profession even after retirement, demonstrating his lifelong dedication to the law and the principles it upholds. The Law Society of Manitoba’s Richard J. Scott Award, established in 2013 in his honour, is presented annually to an individual who advances the rule of law and contributes to a strong and independent legal profession through advocacy, litigation, teaching, research, writing or mentoring.

Faculty of Law professor, Darcy L. MacPherson, interviewed Justice Scott in 2011 (see: “An Interview with Chief Justice Richard J. Scott,”pages 1 to 30) for The Manitoba Law Journal’s Volume 36 Issue 1 titled Five Decades of Chief Justices of Manitoba, published in 2012. The article that follows the interview titled “A Lawyer with a Whistle: The Jurisprudence of Chief Justice Richard J. Scott” (pages 31 to 66) by Michael E. Rice, Melanie R. Bueckert and Ainslie Schroeder, provides an in-depth examination of a number of his most important decisions.

The Faculty of Law extends heartfelt condolences to Justice Scott’s family, friends, and colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the legal community, and he will be deeply missed.

In teams of two, the students met with another team representing the other side, each team possessing confidential details about their client’s circumstances and settlement preferences.  This year’s negotiation involved an innovation think-tank commissioning a renowned artist to create a large multimedia art installation to be the centrepiece at its planned new facilities. The students negotiated an agreement on important points such as the design approval process; artistic freedom; copyright and the artist’s moral rights; the purchase price; and payment schedule.

All this took place under the close scrutiny of the judges, who scored each team’s negotiation skills.  At the end of each session, the judges provided detailed feedback to each team about what they did well, and potential areas for improvement.

The event was generously sponsored by Fillmore Riley LLP, which has a very long history of supporting the competition.  In addition to covering all competition costs and supplying cash prizes, lawyers from the firm volunteered to judge the students.  These lawyers were: Aaron Challis [JD/12], Amber Harms [BComm(Hons)/18, JD/21], Sven Hombach [MSc/02], Nick Noonan [BComm(HonsD)/18, JD/21], Meghan Payment [BA(Adv)/17, JD/20], Emily Rempel [JD/21], Andrea Signorelli [JD/19, LLM/10], Alexa Smith [BA/18, JD/21], David Thiessen [JD/20], Kirk Vilks, Kelsey Yakimoski [JD/17], and Michael Zacharias [JD/18].

These judges were tremendously impressed with the caliber of the students’ negotiations, and were faced with the unenviable task of selecting a winner.  Due to their stellar performance, the negotiating team of Larissa Einarson and Kirsten Nynych were awarded first place. The runners up, who also did a tremendous job, were Erin Kyriakopoulos and Heather Peterson.

Both teams will now represent the University of Manitoba and compete in the Canadian National Negotiation Competition, which will be held at the University of Windsor in March of 2025.  For the past two years, both French and English language streams have been held at the national competition, with Manitoba’s students placing strongly in both. In 2023, the English language team placed third, and the French language team placed second in their respective streams. In 2024, Robson Hall’s French team brought home the French Spirit of Negotiation Award (le prix d’excellence dans l’esprit de la négociation pour la section française). 

A sincere thanks to Fillmore Riley LLP for its generous sponsorship of the competition.

Congratulations Larissa & Kirsten and Erin & Heather!

Toasti Bean has become a staple on the market circuit, selling bags of infused coffee: carefully sourced beans that are locally roasted, then ground and infused with spices and extracts that capture the flavours and feelings of everything from the aforementioned desserts to lavender dreams and pumpkin spice.

Lam shares that one of the best parts of running Toasti Bean with business partner (and best friend) Johnston are these moments of love at first taste. “It’s cool seeing how pleasantly surprised people are when they try it,” she says. “We hear, ‘I don’t usually like coffee, but I really like this,’ or people immediately think of a loved one who might like it too.

“That’s what’s so special about our coffee: it allows people to share an experience.”

Lam and Johnston know a thing or two about shared experiences, meeting while they pursued their Bachelor of Commerce degrees at the Asper School of Business, sharing the same first job at Paquin Entertainment after graduation (two years apart), and starting an entrepreneurial journey together as business partners and co-founders at Toasti Bean.

In 2020, Johnston, who always had a love of baking, started to experiment with different recipes of coffee, extracts, and spices. These bags of small-batch flavoured coffee were, at first, a fun and unique gift for friends and family. Drawing on their backgrounds in leadership, marketing, and accounting, Johnston and Lam set up a website to meet the demand that was quickly growing beyond their own circles.

“It was a hit,” says Johnston.

Four years later, Lam and Johnston have upgraded to their own food handling facility, scaling up those original flavour experiments and producing larger batches to sell at markets and retailers in Manitoba.

In an interview with The Winnipeg Free Press, Johnston explains how Toasti Bean does flavoured coffee differently. Flavoured coffee, she says, gets a bad rap when the flavour is covering up bad coffee. With Toasti Bean, Lam and Johnston believe that the foundation of their product—coffee beans—should be superior in quality and more.

“We source our coffee beans from women producers, mostly in South and Central America,” Lam explains. “It’s about women empowerment,” adds Johnston,

“It’s gratifying to sell our product knowing that we are running a women-led initiative and supporting women coffee producers.”

The flavours at Toasti Bean complement, rather than cover, an exceptional foundation of carefully sourced coffee. As best-friends-turned-business-partners, Lam and Johnston are each willing to acknowledge that life does imitate coffee.

“Thao definitely grounds me because I am very type A and tend to run about a hundred miles an hour,” says Johnston. “She is more patient and helps balance that energy out.”

Lam, in response, commends Johnston’s drive. “Hayley’s type-A-ness is great because as a creative, I can be more head in the clouds. She is super organized and methodical and has an amazing attention to detail. She makes sure that we are always forging ahead,” she says.

Speaking of strong foundations, Lam and Johnston emphasize how their studies at Asper have informed their success today.

“I feel like I owe everything in my career to my BComm education because it provides that foundation for success,” says Lam while Johnston recalls the power of connecting to other aspiring entrepreneurs and the joy of seeing fellow Asper ventures at markets.

They each note that entrepreneurship and running a business introduce surprises that even the best business textbook couldn’t write, but that their business education gave them the tools they needed to respond, to adapt, to succeed in full-time roles, all while recognizing and taking seriously their shared entrepreneurial spark.

In speaking with The Winnipeg Free Press, Lam and Johnston explain that finding the right flavour formula isn’t a matter of devising a one-to-one match. Instead, they work to create recipes that go beyond the thing itself—a bag of Toasti Bean caramel stickybun coffee will have notes brown sugar and icing, but it will also evoke memories of fresh baking in the morning, trying a new local bakery, or returning to an old favourite.

A successful recipe, perhaps like a certain business partnership, is transformative; it’s all in how it comes together.

—

Coffee connoisseurs can find Toasti Bean online or sample coffee at The Scattered Seeds Market (October 25-27), Inspirations Market (November 9-10), Third + Bird (November 22-24), and Third + Bird Winter Pop Up (December 13-14) in the coming months.

A Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the Asper School of Business is your ticket to a successful, meaningful future. Whether you want to work with people or numbers, turn ideas into thrilling business ventures, or make a difference in the world around you, an Asper BComm gives you the business knowledge, leadership skills, and networking opportunities you need to achieve your dreams. Learn more. 

At the University of Manitoba, Bisons are at the centre of health care, finance, Reconciliation and so much more. Wherever there’s a challenge, you’ll find UM alumni leading the charge. Explore the Bisons at the Centre campaign and meet the alumni shaping Manitoba and beyond.

Mc Master is one of 146 grads completing intensive program packages including Applied Business Analysis, Applied Human Resource Management, and Applied Business Management. At our Fall 2024 Graduation on Nov. 7, Extended Education also congratulates an additional 237 grads from 15 part-time programs including Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning Solutions, Business Analysis, Management and Administration, Human Resource Management, and Program Development for Adult Learners.

“Tricia came here to do it first and then she encouraged me to do it,” says Mc Master, who earned her ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) professional accounting designation and her MBA before coming to the University of Manitoba.

“In school, I didn’t like math and then, one explanation turned on a switch for me. That was it. I picked it up. I have an appreciation for it now,” says Mc Master.

In her job as a Manitoba budget analyst, attained after her program’s industry placement in a CPA firm, she says uses much of what she learned in her Business Analysis studies. “I am excited I can push forward as a consultant, bringing much more value, information and knowledge.”

Taking career to the next level

In some way, we are all business analysts, Mc Master says. “When I learned about the tasks of Business Analysis, I realized I had done this before, but the program brought some structure to it. I definitely recommend it because it awakened me to the skills required, that I had to develop them further and take my career to the next level.”

She says the lectures were great, and she appreciated the extra knowledge and real-world experience shared by the instructors who were also business analysts.

For those considering going back to school, Mc Master says, “My advice is just to be open to the experience itself, meeting new people and learning about new cultures, embracing the differences you encounter.”

And for those still looking for their next job, she says, “Don’t give up. Just keep on going. Keep pushing. It will happen soon.”

Siddh Sheth earned his Micro-certificate in Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning Solutions.

Siddh Sheth

Siddh Sheth googled AI and Machine Learning programs near him, and the first thing he found was Extended Education’s Micro-certificate in Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning Solutions.

“So I said, why not? I wanted a program from a good school and UM has a good brand. I wanted my employer to sponsor my learning. And they paid for it,” says the UM alum who also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Now he’s celebrating his graduation from the program.

A great experience, a unique program

“What a great experience. I wasn’t expecting such a unique program,” Sheth says. “I was quite impressed. As a business systems analyst at New Flyer, I can apply what I have learned. And my director and manager are quite impressed too.”

As AI is becoming more prominent, Sheth says, “I recommend this program for anyone. Because everyone should have a bit of knowledge on AI and Machine Learning. AI is growing a lot. In the coming years, a suitable knowledge of AI and Machine Learning may be one of the basic things if you want to advance your career.”

Advanced technical knowledge and programming is not required for the program, he says. “You can do this with just a little knowledge of computers.”

Optimizing, making better

At work, Sheth says he will now work on various AI projects, automating the routine and tedious tasks so staff can focus more on speaking with customers. The process will become optimized, better.

“I was amazed by the knowledge I gained. Now I can link AI to a business application to get rid of a business problem. It is a very good way to impress the boss.”

After a few years since his degree, Sheth says, “My brain needed to warm up to learning.” But he recommends the experience and notes how it will contribute to his career goals as an entrepreneur, or as he says, “ a businessman.” Currently Sheth consults to help people get jobs in IT and he also has his own podcast helping others in their job journey.

For those going back to school after time away from their studies, he advises, “Just enjoy your course. Make connections. Be flexible. Talk less, and listen more to people.”

Learn more about Extended Education programs and courses

“No one will ever be too old to learn,” says the panelist at Extended Education’s recent Homecoming 2024 webinar.  

“Lifelong learning has become a way of life for me. There is a need for us to constantly improve ourselves. We need the education system to keep up. Extended Education has provided a flexible education system that was suitable for my stage and is suitable for all stages in life.”

The title of the webinar, Futures of education: equity, inclusion and lifelong learning, refers to the concept of the evolution of education created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), says moderator, Ute Kothe, Dean, Extended Education. “Yes. There are many futures. Education is key to addressing the needs of our changing society. Our education systems must be ready to tackle the challenges of the future. And, at Extended Education, we want to empower all learners, to break down barriers. We start with equity and create inclusive spaces.”

A warm smile

Onyike is an accomplished professional with credentials from Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She remembers attending the orientation for her UM studies and shares her experience.

The challenge for an international student is to adapt to the diversity of people from all around the world, she says. “It can be overwhelming, but when staff greet you with the greatest smile you have ever seen, you know it is going to be okay. Continue the warm smile. That first impression matters. I felt assurance we were in good hands. Later, I wanted to be the one offering that warm smile.”

A holistic approach

Education is about personal and professional growth, says panelist Carlos Miranda García- Personal Counsellor, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs. “A holistic approach explores different parts of who we are- in heart, mind, body, and spirit.” The Access Program includes Indigenous and newcomer students. “They have different identities and stories, yet parallels can be drawn from those stories. Holistic principles encourage us to see interconnectedness in all things. “When students connect to themselves and their communities, they can also see this interconnectedness.”

Creating wrap-around supports and understanding there are different pathways to healing are essential, he says. “Supports like counselling provide a scaffolding for students as they come into their journey.”

For example, he remembers a student who was struggling with the possibility of becoming homeless, and wrap-around supports were able to quickly help them through. Also, many students have their doubts, struggling with imposter syndrome, but holistic support can help them to realize this is where they belong, he says.

EDIA

Panelist Robin Attas, Project Lead, UM Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility (EDIA) micro-certificate and Foundations course says, “Learners are human beings. Learning happens not just in the classroom. And you can’t learn if you are hungry, experiencing homelessness, or facing racism. EDIA reminds everyone we all have a role to play and more to learn.”

It’s important for educators to continually learn and adapt to the needs of their students, Attas says. “Each learner is unique. As educators, we should always strive to be better, more equitable, more fair, more inclusive in our teaching.”

She adds, “The UM EDIA program emphasizes competency development including not just content but skills and habits of mind. This empowers and motivate learners, whether UM staff, students, or faculty, to take action towards educational futures that better serve society, building capacity at the University of Manitoba for doing this important work.”

Community

Panelist Vicki Hatt, Instructor, Academic Language Support, shares highlights of some of the work she does. “We invite the elder to orientation and encourage students to bring their culture with them to their studies. We look at academic integrity and building a sense of community. Our setting up for success workshop includes experiential learning with meditation and a desk stretch to help relax students.”

Diversity

And we are learning in a diverse world, says Onyike.

“In Canada, all sorts of people are in our classrooms. I love how diverse we all are- in appearance, perspective, culture. We need to offer a variety of learning approaches to meet diverse needs, to prepare us for a complex multicultural workplace. When we learn that mindset, we ease effortlessly into the workplace.”

Watch the webinar.

This year, St John’s college invites alumni to a special edition of the lunch and lively series, where food, conversation, and history will be the focus of our celebration.

SJC is proud to welcome back alumni for one of the year’s top releases from the University of Manitoba Press, “The Honourable John Norquay”, authored by retired SJC fellow Gerald Friesen.

In a book with forty years in the making, this small thesis project has become a lifetime of Gerald’s work featuring Manitoba’s own, John Norquay.

The book showcases a biography of John Norquay, the Premier from Red River, offering insights into his legacy and views on the political landscape. 

The lunch and lively event will take place in the Cross Common Room (Room 108) at St John’s College on September 17 from 12 to 2 p.m.

To save your spot, RSVP by emailing to Development Coordinator, Edmund Opoku Agyeman. 

Click to learn more about Gerald Friesen’s book.