Academic Medal of the Governor General of Canada - Silver Medal (Undergraduate) Hailey Slobodian (BSc '25), a record-setting player on the Pronghorns women’s soccer team, found her stride both on the field and in the neuroscience lab, where she spent two years gaining hands-on research experience. Her time at ULethbridge taught her to embrace new experiences — even those outside her comfort zone — and to find value in every choice, no matter the outcome. This fall, she’ll head to Western University to pursue a master’s in health information science and continue competing at the varsity level, keeping her future open to possibilities in research, medicine or health policy.
Meet Hailey | Medal won: Academic Medal of the Governor General of Canada - Silver Medal (Undergraduate)
Program: Bachelor of Science | Major: Neuroscience
What does this academic recognition mean to you?
All of the sacrifices and hard work were worth it. Being both a student and an athlete doesn't leave you much time for anything else, so to excel in both areas, I had to give up a lot of the "fun stuff." Receiving the Governor General's Silver Medal assures me that not skipping the 9 a.m. class after a 6 a.m. soccer practice was a good choice.
Leaving ULethbridge, I feel really good about what I've achieved during my time here — but this truly is the cherry on top.
What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience?
Being a Pronghorn athlete on the women's soccer team, I don’t think many things can give you the same sense of pride and connection to your university as representing it on the field. Most of my time that wasn’t spent on schoolwork was spent on soccer. I got to travel across Western Canada, meet some of my closest friends, and break school and conference records. It’s an experience I would never trade.
What is the most important lesson you learned during your time at ULethbridge?
Every choice you make is a good one, even the ones that don't have the best outcomes. Nothing is ever going to go the way you planned it, but the way you respond and learn from your choices is sometimes more important than the outcome itself.
Is there someone specific who had an important influence on your ULethbridge experience?
Dr. Robert McDonald was definitely the most influential person for me at the University of Lethbridge. I worked in his lab for two years, and it was the best part of my academic journey. Being part of his lab helped me solidify concepts I learned in class, understand how neuroscience research is conducted, and gain practical skills that will support me in my future career.
I was drawn to work with Dr. McDonald because he isn’t afraid to push boundaries and challenge popular theories in neuroscience. After taking my first class with him, I knew he was someone I wanted to learn from and work with.
What advice would you give those about to begin their journey at ULethbridge?
Try things! I started university in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, so I didn't get to do much. Once I put myself out there and started to do more, I enjoyed my university experience a lot more.
If you stick to doing the same things, you’ll miss out on a lot — so try everything, even the things that don’t interest you. You might be surprised. Your time at ULethbridge will be over before you know it, so make the most of it!
Photos submitted by Hailey
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