Nnebuogor Frances Ikem, Applied Business Management

Nnebuogor Frances Ikem worked as a business analyst for Krysny Nigeria Ltd, a paint company. She studied philosophy, leadership and innovation in her native Nigeria and attended short programs in India. But she wanted more.

“I wanted to improve myself and get a proper certificate,” says the Applied Business Management grad. “My elder sister studied with Extended Education. She told me it was the right place for me to go to and the program was in line with what I was trying to do. UM is one of the top universities in the world. Their education standards are next to none.”

Her sister introduced her to the city and campus during the winter.

“It was the coldest place I had ever been. But I was super excited. I wrote my name in the snow. I love Winnipeg. The people are friendly and warm.”

Now she recommends Extended Education to everyone. “If you want to update the knowledge you already have, they give you all you need to study and learn more. They polished us so we came out better than the older version of ourselves.”

Her sister and nephew will attend grad with her. “I feel so proud of myself. So happy that I studied and got results. If you sit down and put your mind to something, you can achieve it.”

She is especially proud of completing accounting. “As someone who always ran from math, not the best student, I had never done accounting in my life. Initially I was scared. I had tutors. I did well. I was not left on my own. The school made it happen.”

Her Industry Placement as an administrative assistant at the Elizabeth Fry Society made her part of the team and provided insights and inspiration. “How they rekindle hope in young women and integrate them back into society, to believe in themselves, is amazing. They don’t judge. They treat everyone with respect. I learned about Indigenous culture. I will always cherish learning from them.”

Since she completed her studies, she says she misses the UM community and hopes to come back and do her Master’s in Business Administration.

Abdulrazak Yusuf, Extended Education grad

Abdulrazak Yusuf, Applied Business Analysis

Abdulrazak Yusuf celebrates his graduation from Applied Business Analysis.

In Nigeria, Yusuf had a bachelor’s degree in geography and social sciences, and experience with business process management and consulting. “I enjoy the people part of it, engaging with people across departments, looking at how processes run and making improvements.”

He found his Extended Education program while doing online research. “I was drawn to the richness of the course. It was not just business analysis but also communication, leadership, organizational change. Presentation skills were very, very useful. When presenting to stakeholders, the right skills are important.”

UM offered a lively community, he says. “The diversity was very engaging. I made friends across different countries and environments. Multiculturalism — meeting different people with different perspectives, really enriched my experience. There were a lot of activities. I became involved in volunteer programs through UM including Canadian Blood Services.”

Yusuf did his Industry Placement with U-Turn Parkinson’s.

“I want to work in healthcare. With this not-for-profit, I looked at data analytics and processes, to see how they run and find more capabilities within their existing business solutions.”

He learned about Winnipeg from a friend who had come here to take another program and was initially apprehensive about the winter weather. “I learned it was not about the weather. It was about dressing in the right clothing, having a good coat and boots from the beginning.”

While the weather takes some getting used to, he says, plans to bring his family to Winnipeg and make himself at home here. He recommends studying with Extended Education.

“It’s a remarkable achievement for me, graduating, and with good grades. My family is in Nigeria but my inlaws will attend with me.”

Baljot Kaur, Applied Human Resource Management

Baljot Kaur celebrates her graduation from Applied Human Resource Management.

Kaur earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and worked for a year as an HR consultant in India before coming here to study. Her family ran a business but she wanted to work in human resources.

Her cousin recommended the Extended Education program and had taken it previously. Her older brother also encouraged her to come to Winnipeg and to study HR at UM. He had come to Winnipeg earlier to do another certificate program.

“I am glad I am here and graduating from the University of Manitoba,” says Kaur. “It was a great experience. I got to know my instructors who helped me in a very good way. They teach in a manner that offers not just content but everything about what’s important for HR people and what happens in the world out there.”

In her HR studies, she appreciated learning about legislation, labour relations, HR planning, and interpersonal communication. “Every course is helping me.”

Completing her Industry Placement with Travel Manitoba, she learned about collective agreements, resumes, and how job descriptions are created. She also participated in the process of interviewing some candidates.

“Now I am actively looking for a full-time job, in an introductory HR position in a company in Winnipeg. I want to get started and get into a generalist position in the future.”

She highly recommends studying with Extended Education at the University of Manitoba. “The university environment is so different from my former college. There are so many activities and courses. And in Manitoba, there are definitely opportunities for new grads here.”

Learn more about Extended Education programs and courses

Luc Philippot, Bachelor of Environmental Studies

Luc Philippot grew up fishing and wanted to learn more about the environment and protecting the resources he enjoyed. Now he’s graduating with his Bachelor of Environmental Studies and celebrating it at the Access Program Graduation Celebration on May 16 with his parents and sister, also an Access student, who will co-emcee the event.

“I co-emceed the Access Grad two years ago and I have been looking forward to this one ever since. It will be special,” says Philippot, who is Métis, from Selkirk, and attended Francophone schools in Winnipeg before coming to UM.

Philippot’s parents, both teachers, discovered the Access Program at the UM open house just before the pandemic.  

“Without Access, I might have really struggled. From high school to university is a big jump and Access helped me with the transition. It would have been a lot rougher without them. Tying up this degree was tougher than anticipated. I learned a lot about myself. It was really rewarding.”

Working harder than ever in his first year, with Access, he learned how to write academic papers and plan his studies. He benefitted from tutoring in statistics, common first year courses, and counselling and support. As a result, Luc raised his grades and completed his degree while some of his peers dropped out.

Now he’ll be starting a job as a climate specialist delivering environmental programming with the Manitoba Métis Federation, where he has also volunteered and learned about his culture.

“I would like to continue environmental work and make it the focus of my career. I am considering going back to university for my Masters in Environmental Studies.”

Should he go back to UM, he would certainly be back to his favourite study spot in the sunshine by the window in Migizii Agamik, home of the Access Program.

He advises other students. “Be open to help and assistance. I thought I knew more than I did. Be open to learn new things and the wonderful people at Access can help you.”

Miranda Miller

Miranda Miller, Bachelor of Science

At the Access Grad, Miranda Miller is celebrating earning her Bachelor of Science in nutrition with many family members as well as her younger brother and fellow Access Program student, William who has also earned a degree- his Bachelor of Arts.

“I feel very honoured to be able to graduate,” says the grad from Lockport with First Nations and Portuguese ancestry. “A lot of people haven’t had these opportunities in my home reserve of Garden Hill First Nation.”

Miller hopes to start working with her community for her practicum as she continues her studies to earn her Masters in Nutritional Sciences to become a Registered Dietician.

“At first, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study and then I found I liked nutrition. I saw the transformative effect it can have- to cause illness or heal you,” she says. “I want to work with children, to help them gain food and nutrition knowledge, to bridge the cultural gap with food and improve nutritional literacy for Indigenous people.”

While she found high school easy, university was more challenging. “With the support of the Access Program, I went from grades of B and C to grades of A and A+. They taught me the skills to thrive including study skills and time management.”

Before Access, she knew little of First Nations culture as her grandmother had attended residential school. “They reintroduced me to the basics. I also loved to learn beading. My grandmother did it, but she never taught me. Making pins and moccasins made me feel connected to her.”

Access offered her a sense of belonging. “It’s like having a family there to cheer you on. You are not alone. University students should not be afraid to reach out and get the support and resources you need. There is no shame in that. It gives you a leg up. We are meant to work in communities.”

Sheri Shorting

Sheri Shorting, Bachelor of Health Studies

Sheri Shorting celebrates her upcoming graduation, and future milestones on her career path, with her grandmother who raised her in the North End of Winnipeg. “I came here, and I finished this for her. Everything I do is for her. She is a Residential and Day School Attendee,” says the member of Little Saskatchewan First Nation, and the first one in her family to earn a university degree.

“I have had nothing but love and support from her over the years. She’s a supportive hand to  hold, with words of encouragement and wisdom. My celebrations are her celebrations. She is very proud.”

Now, Shorting plans to continue her career plan to become either a psychiatrist or a mental health therapist. As another option, she is also considering to pursue her Masters of Social Work – Indigenous Knowledges at the University of Manitoba.

“I am passionate about mental health promotion, holistic wellness. I am going to work towards this,” she says.

At UM, she found her community on campus with the Access Program and became involved with the Indigenous Students Association (UMISA). “Having a sense of community, there are no words to describe how uplifting it can be. It made my degree happen for me.”

As a student with an accessibility, she also appreciated the tutoring, smaller Access classes, and having opportunities to meet with Grandfather Wanbdi. “He is the Elder-in-Residence and an excellent source of connection towards cultural knowledges.”

The Access Grad is exciting, she says. “It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate and uplift each other on our journey and pathway to what’s next.”

The Access Program has been supporting UM students for 50 years, a milestone the program will celebrate in September. Its extensive learner supports facilitate the transition from secondary to post-secondary studies and respond to students’ academic and personal needs as they complete their degrees.

Learn more about the Access Program in Extended Education

In November 2024, registration was moved to New Aurora. This means that students will now have to register for courses using the New Aurora system, since registration is no longer available in Aurora Classic.

This is a big transition that will take getting used to. That’s why the University has produced an array of helpful resources to help with Registration in New Aurora.

For detailed, written instructions about how to register using New Aurora, visit the Registration Steps webpage.

For video demonstrations showing how to register in New Aurora, go to the Aurora How-To webpage.

If you have specific questions about registration, try using asking it in AskUManitoba.

If you are having trouble with the process of registering, you can contact the Registrar’s Office.

If you are having trouble deciding which courses to take, you can speak to an advisor in your faculty.

You can find a short, instructional reel on how to Register using New Aurora on the First Year Centre, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science’s Instagram pages. Follow the First Year Centre on Instagram for helpful instructional reels related to University timelines and procedures.

Music Courses available to all U of M students

At the Desautels Faculty of Music, we have a selection of courses that are available to all students at the U of M, regardless of your major. From history, production, and business, you do not need to be musically inclined to be captivated by the many areas that make up the study of music.

Some courses require an override to enter the course. Where it says “Instructor Approval Required” please email the instructor of record. Otherwise, please email DFoM.Advising@umanitoba.ca with your request to enter the course.

Winter 2025

MUSC 3830 (T32) – Popular Songwriting and Production

3 credits

Winter 2025 (CRN 62804)

Tuesday/Thursday 10:00-11:15am

Students will study form and compositional approaches to a variety of musical styles, which may include pop, rock, hip-hop, and EDM. The course will provide an introduction to the creative use of music technology, including DAW usage and home recording. Assignments will include the development of a musical portfolio, and written reflections and analysis. Students of diverse musical experiences are encouraged to enroll. Open to non-majors with permission of instructor.  

College override required

MUSC 1010 –  Music Matters: Excursions in Western Musical Culture

3 credits

Winter 2025 (CRN 61208) 

Tuesday/Thursday 2:30-3:45pm

This course introduces and explores selected western musical phenomena from aesthetic, social, and historical perspectives. Topics will include art and vernacular musics; style and genre; social function and context; the nature and varieties of musical experience. May not be held with MUSC 1050. This course may not be used for credit towards the Bachelor of Music or the Bachelor of Jazz Studies degree.

 No overrides needed

MUSC 1020 – Introduction to Popular Music

3 credits

Winter 2025 (CRN 61961) 

Tuesday/Thursday 11:30am-12:45pm

This course begins with a brief examination of the origins of the popular music industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through the development of rock’ n ‘roll in the 1950s and then surveys the subsequent proliferation of different types of popular music into the 21st century. The course will address representative genres, artists, and record labels in their cultural, political, historical, and technological contexts.

No overrides needed

MUSC 3830 (T41) –  Composition for Film and Media

3 credits

Winter 2025 (CRN 64885)

Tuesday/Thursday 1:00-2:15pm

Students will learn the use of Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) and sample libraries suitable for composition for digital media. Software includes Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and Spitfire LABS. Compositional tools will include MIDI orchestration, sound design, and audio recording. Students will study film history and the use of music as a compliment to storytelling within film, television, and video games. Other topics will include delivery standards and professional practices. Prerequisites: third-year standing as a Music major or permission of the instructor.

Instructor approval required.

MUSC 3830 (T42) – Business of Music

3 credits

Winter 2025 (CRN 64888) 

Monday 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Discover the business side of music. This course will provide a survey of music business topics including artist management, music marketing, rights and royalties, concert promotion, contracts, grants and funding, and financial planning. Students in all genres, including classical, jazz, pop, folk, and more, will learn from experienced industry professionals, gain insight into industry roles, and acquire skills required to succeed in the music business. Prepare for a professional future in music with tools to navigate the sector as a songwriter/composer, performer, arts worker, or industry professional.

No overrides required

MUSC 3830 (T43) – Monday Night Song Circle

3 credits

Winter 2025 (CRN 64889)

Monday 5:30-8:30pm

Join us for the Monday Night Song Circle. We’ll explore vocal technique along with a variety of vocal styles including Classical, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and Singer-Songwriter. You’ll learn about singing, while participating in a group setting that offers lots of solo and ensemble opportunities, taught by Winnipeg’s leading voice teachers.

Students should have some background in singing, including the ability to read music. 

Instructor approval required:

To provide the best experience possible in the Monday Night Song Circle, we are asking that students send a brief statement of intent (150 words or less) to course co-ordinator Mel Braun (mel.braun@umanitoba.ca) before registering.

Students should have some background in singing, including the ability to read music. Briefly describe what genre of music you perform, and a bit of information about your background learning and/or performing music. Please include your full name, student number, and home faculty with your statement of intent.

MUSC 3830 (T44) – Monday Night Brass Band

3 credits

Winter 2025 (CRN 64890)

Monday 5:30-8:30pm

This ensemble will explore the music and culture of brass bands from around the world covering styles such as jazz, pop, funk, samba, klezmer and more. Brass, wind, and percussion players are all welcome. Ability to read music is not necessary, but at least two years of experience on your instrument is recommended.

Instructor approval required:

To provide the best experience possible in the Monday Night Brass Band, we are asking that students send a brief statement of intent (150 words or less) to course instructor Jon Challoner (Jonathan.Challoner@umanitoba.ca) before registering.

Ability to read music is not necessary, but at least two years of experience on your instrument is recommended. Please provide a bit of information about what instrument you play and your background learning/performing music. Do you have experience improvising and/or learning music by ear? Please include your full name, student number, and home faculty with your statement of intent.

MUSC 3620 – Métis Fiddling lessons (Independent Study)

Winter 2025 (CRN 65049)

The Desautels Faculty of Music is thrilled to announce that we are offering Métis Fiddling lessons with North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame member Patti Kusturok.  Patti is an inspiring and gifted teacher who works with students at all levels and is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. 

These lessons are available to all U of M students.  No previous experience reading music or playing fiddle is required. 

There are 10 spots available for private lessons – students will register for a 3-credit Independent Study for the opportunity to study with Patti during the 2024-25 academic year. Instruments will be provided on loan, free of charge. 

Contact DFoM.Advising@umanitoba.ca for access to this course.

Advisor Approval required

Métis Fiddling Ensembles 

2 credits

(Chamber Music Ensemble MUSC X190 T04) Fall and Winter spanned

North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame member Patti Kusturok will be leading Métis Fiddling ensembles.  You can register for these 2-credit, spanned ensembles or participate as a community member. 

These ensembles are designed for students who play stringed instruments or who are taking Métis Fiddling lessons with Patti during the 2024-25 year.

For more information about Metis Fiddling lessons or ensembles, please contact DFOM.advising@umanitoba.ca

College override required