The Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources student studying for his master’s in microbiology felt isolated when he arrived in Canada. He did not know what to expect but was excited to get started. 

“When I first arrived in Canada, I felt alone. I didn’t have any friends or know where to go on campus; I was just trying to figure out my way.” 

Since arriving in Canada in September 2023, Rei Shibue has stayed in St John’s residence, where he’s been able to be close to his classes and build friendships that have helped him find his home away from home.

“For the first while in the residence, I kept to myself. I didn’t talk much, ate alone in the dining room, and attended classes. Over the last year, though, that’s changed significantly.”

As Rei continues his studies in microbiology, where he is investigating microbes in the Arctic Ocean, he also finds his community in St John’s residence at monthly events and has become a residence don on the student support team.

“Attending events and getting involved in the residence has helped me meet some of my closest friends.”

“It’s the community I needed outside of class to feel like I’m home.” 

Looking to make a difference in the residence, Rei knew he wanted to get involved on the dons team to help students navigate the problems he once faced when coming to Canada.

“Being a don allows me to continue building relationships in the residence while giving back to the community and the students here.” 

As the dons prepare to welcome more new students into the residence in Winter 2025, Rei has found being a resident to be rewarding and fulfilling in more ways than he could imagine.

“I’m grateful to be a part of this team and community, which has given me so much.”

To learn more about St John’s residence, visit our website. 

To submit your application for Winter 2025 accommodations, contact our Dean of Residence.

From needing a place to study, meet new people, or have somewhere to go on campus, SJC is a small community that helps students succeed at UM.

The benefits students receive for the $10 membership include the following:

Eligibility for scholarships and bursaries

As part of being a member of St John’s College, students will become eligible to apply for SJC scholarships and bursaries, which offer approximately $200,000 worth of awards. Our scholarships are available each year and are open to all UM students of all faculties, including opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

Learn more about our scholarship opportunities on our website.

Study carrels and library

Our study carrels on the first floor and library on the third floor of SJC provide students with a space to focus, house their school items, and have a dedicated place to study for the academic year.

Applications for study carrels can be found on our website.

Food discounts at the Daily Bread Cafe

From a quick snack, grab-and-go sandwich, or study session with friends, the Daily Bread Cafe and Soup4U are places where students can catch up over a delicious meal. Students will receive 10% off all purchases as part of the college membership.

View the Daily Bread Cafe and Soup4U menus for the fall semester.

Monthly student-led events by SJCSA

Every month, our student association organizes events for students to gather, get to know each other and enjoy games and activities together. Take it from our students when they say they found their place on campus. St John’s College is here to support students throughout their academic journey in every way we can.

“St John’s has provided me with a community to meet new friends and a place to belong. I can come here, visit the student lounge, study, and know I have a place to go outside class.”

Sign up for your college student membership on our website. Visit the General Office at 214 SJC to pick up your sticker for your ID card.

We recently spoke with Tawana, who has lived at St John’s since 2019, serving as a Senior Don (RA) since Fall 2022. She moved from Zimbabwe to study psychology and learned about the residence through people from her program. In our conversation, Tawana recounted how from the moment she walked into the residence for the first time, she knew it felt like home. Tawana is one of several students who lived at St John’s during the ups and downs of the pandemic: navigating virtual classes, quarantines, and lockdown restrictions, and helping keep fellow residents safe as part of her role as Senior Don, all the while building close friendships that will last a lifetime.  

Brothers Bryan and Neil have likewise lived at St John’s through the pandemic, with Bryan having called St John’s College home for the past three years and Neil joining him in Winnipeg in January 2022. Coming from a small Ghanaian community, these two weren’t sure what to expect when they moved to Canada; however, it didn’t take long for both to jump headfirst into College culture by attending sporting events, getting involved in Residence and Student Councils, applying for scholarships and bursaries, volunteering to enhance their professional development, and enjoying delicious food.  

Speaking of delicious food and events, here are a variety of benefits residence students get as part of life at St John’s:  

• Single occupancy rooms where students can have their privacy and room wifi. 
• Our comprehensive all-you-care-to-eat meal plan offering 19 meals per week including halal meal plan. 
• Access to residence common rooms including our TV lounge and games room. 
• Access to scholarships and bursaries available only to College members. 
• Academic support, including advisory help and access to a dedicated residence study lounge.    
• 24-hour access to the College campus, including after-hours access to classrooms and meeting rooms for studying or working on group projects.   
• 24/7/365 interpersonal support and referral from a committed team of Dons.   

If you are looking for a place to call home as you study at the University of Manitoba this fall, apply now to St John’s residence. 

Libraries data visualization drop-in (New!)

Students of all levels are welcome to ask Meg Miller, Librarian for GIS & Research Visualization, anything about mapping, GIS, data cleaning, infographics, dashboards, Story Maps, or visualizing research data.

Join the data visualization drop-ins on Thursdays, 1-2 pm, in February and March 2024:

• Elizabeth Dafoe Library (Gold Lab),
  Feb 8, Feb 22, March 7, March 21, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
• Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library (Public Computers – Main Floor),

          Feb 15, Feb 29, March 14, March 28, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

Learn more about data visualization drop-in. No registration is required.

Libraries drop-in study sessions at Dafoe and Science Library

Drop in and chat with a librarian to get help searching UM Libraries collections & databases, planning your research, using citation and reference tools. All students are welcome, and no registration is required.

• Elizabeth Dafoe Library (Brown Lab),
  Every Thursday in February & March 2024, 1:00 – 2:00 pm*
• Jim Peebles Science & Technology Library (Computer Lab),
  Every Wednesday in February & March 2024, 12:30 – 1:30 pm*

*No drop-ins scheduled during the Winter Term Break.

Libraries Workshop Series – Winter 2024

In-person and online libraries workshops are offered to students at all levels, from undergraduates to advanced graduate researchers.  Join us to learn more about:

• Searching for articles, books, and data
• Using citation and reference tools
• Research and publishing

Libraries Workshop Series – Fall 2023

In-person and online libraries workshops are offered to students at all levels, from undergraduates to advanced graduate researchers.  Join us to learn more about:

• Searching for articles, books, and data
• Using citations and reference tools
• Research and publishing

Library Essentials

Library Essentials workshops introduce students to research skills and technologies. These workshops are primarily for undergraduates that are new to academic research, but all students are welcome to attend.

• Introduction to EndNote, Thursday, September 21, 2023, 2:30pm – 3:30pm
• Introduction to Searching, Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
• Managing your references with Zotero, Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

GradSteps at the Libraries

UM Libraries offer additional workshops each semester covering a wide variety of topics (e.g., searching & databases, citation management, publishing & peer-review, research process, open scholarship). These workshops are cross-listed with the GradSteps workshop series offered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and count for co-curricular credit under the new Experience Record program. See the full list of the Libraries’ GradSteps workshops available this Fall on the upcoming workshops calendar.

The Graduate Student Research Series

This series comprises a set of six workshops to help graduate students develop knowledge and skills to help them as they move through the different stages of their degree. It is a part of the Libraries’ GradSteps workshops and count towards credit with the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Experience Record program. Students can register for all six workshops or choose the workshops that interest them. See below for more information.

• Developing your Research Question and Literature Review, Monday, November 6, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
• Selecting and Publishing your Scholarly Work, Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
• Introduction to Open Access, Friday, November 10, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
• Overview of Research Metrics, Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
• Introduction to Research Data Management, Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
• Establishing your Research Identity, Friday, November 17, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Libraries drop-in study sessions (New!)

Drop in and chat with a librarian to get help on searching UM Libraries collections & databases, planning your research, using citation styles & reference tools. All students are welcome, and no registration is required.

• Elizabeth Dafoe Library (Brown Lab),
  Every Thursday in October & November 2023, 1:00 – 2:00pm*
• Jim Peebles Science & Technology Library (Computer Lab),
  Every Wednesday in October & November 2023, 12:30 – 1:30pm*

*No drop-ins scheduled during the Fall Break, November 13-17.

“We are at the beginning of an era of discovery in the field of data science. While the field has already seen explosive growth, there is much to be done to bring this field to fruition and reap its full benefits. With this new degree program, we will be training the next generation of movers and shakers in the field. This program is interdisciplinary, combining a foundation in mathematics, statistics, and computer science with newly developed courses in data science, projects from across the disciplinary fields, applications to broad swatches of industry, and a strong coop component. We see this program not only training the next generation, but fostering the development of collaborations and fueling the growth of the field of data science, so that its benefits are realized in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and beyond,” explains Stefi Baum, dean, Faculty of Science.

Data science has emerged as a significant influencer in nearly every sector of our economy and data scientists are in high demand, but a major challenge for recruiters is being able to find skilled employees. The new degree program offered at the University of Manitoba aims to bridge the data science skill gap and develop highly capable graduates able to address this growing demand, regardless of their profession.

The new Bachelor of Science (Major) in Data Science (120) credit hours degree program will be offered through the UM Faculty of Science, beginning Fall 2021.

“The data science undergraduate degree aligns perfectly with the current needs of major employers; and with the integration of cooperative education as a degree option; students will graduate with a competitive advantage. They’ll have actual work experience, and be able to jump in and solve complex real-world issues from the get-go. It will also serve as a solid foundation for further studies at the Master’s and PhD level,” said Ben Li, associate dean, undergraduate programs, Faculty of Science.

The Faculty of Science will provide a training ground in data science at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels. A robust understanding of data acquisition, data management, and modeling is required in order to change data into actionable information for effective decision making. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus the critical role data science has to play for society.

The Faculty of Science aims to serve as a hub for innovators, academics, industry, and government to provide solutions to advance knowledge in the field of data science.

Already this past year, the UM Faculty of Science established Data Science NEXUS an interdisciplinary collaboration and hub of data science expertise. Data Science Nexus has hosted a variety of training and events, including an international conference, NEXUS Art of the Possible, held back in November 2019 at the UM’s Fort Garry Campus.

To help make the transition from high school to university life easier, the First Year Centre offers a First 6 Weeks program that aims to help students adjust to life at the U of M.

The First 6 Weeks is an online guide that U of M students can use to help navigate the hectic first couple of months of university, whether they start in September or in January. This six-week time period is crucial as developing good habits early is known to positively influence student success.

The guide will be delivered weekly to each first year student’s myumanitoba inbox, starting September 11. The First 6 Weeks program directs students to the key supports, resources and opportunities available to them. Each week will highlight a unique theme that will help students create improved forward thinking and planning skills, thus establishing good habits to carry with them throughout their university careers.

Liz Edmonds, academic advisor in the First Year Centre, believes this is a valuable resource for incoming students. “I have conversations on a daily basis with students regarding the transition from high school to university,” said Edmonds. “This online guide is a great way to reach all students, particularly those who don’t make it to our First Year Centre in the beginning of the term.”

Edmonds encourages all first year students to review the First 6 Weeks program online and to visit an Academic Advisor in their first term. The First Year Centre is located in room 205 Tier Building and open from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Monday to Friday.

Students can access the First 6 Weeks program anytime at umanitoba.ca/u1/first-six-weeks 

New this year, the First Year Centre will be launching the Next 6 Weeks program. This program will continue providing students with helpful tips and resources as they get closer to final exams and are faced with more choices about their university careers. More information on the Next 6 Weeks program will be available soon.