Shining graduate Jordan Calladine's journey from business degree to law career

From braving a blizzard during a Pronghorn women's rugby championship to completing her Bachelor of Management while also attending law school, Dhillon School of Business graduate Jordan Calladine's (BMgt '24) University of Lethbridge experience has been marked by resilience and personal growth. The marketing major, who also added a concentration in communications to her degree, is a member of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and has since become the first person in her family to receive a juris doctor degree, exemplifying continuous growth and determination. Now clerking at the Federal Court of Canada and preparing for the Ontario Bar Exams, Jordan says it's ok to have an educational path that is far from traditional and reflects on the key moments and mentors that shaped her journey.

Meet Jordan: Hard-working. Principled. Resilient.
Hometown: Lethbridge, Alberta
Program: Bachelor of Management | Major: Marketing

What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience?

I played on the Pronghorns Women’s Rugby team from 2017-2020. One of my most unforgettable experiences was when we hosted the U SPORTS Women’s Rugby National Championship in 2017. It was an intense blizzard, and we had to make decisions on an hour-by-hour basis. Other sports teams rallied to help shovel the fields, showcasing incredible Pronghorn unity. Even though I couldn't play that season due to an injury, the ULethbridge community made sure that all injured or non-participating players felt included in the celebrations.

Can you tell us about some of your experiential or work-integrated learning?

I had the privilege of completing two applied study placements at ULethbridge. The first involved a historical-biographical study of athlete development in multi-sport games, focusing on those who competed in the 2012 Alberta Summer Games in Lethbridge. This culminated in my first publication, “For The Love of Sport,” through the University of Lethbridge Printing Services.

My second placement revolved around community engagement and national events, particularly the 2019 U SPORTS Cavendish Farm Men's Hockey National Championships. This experience was eye-opening and allowed me to understand the scale of organizing such significant events.

From these learning opportunities, my three main takeaways were:

• The importance of working collaboratively within communities.
• Embracing opportunities as they arise, since you never know what doors they might open.
• Your reputation matters—people remember their experiences with you, so strive to make those positive.

What is the most important lesson you learned during your time at ULethbridge?

I learned the value of surrounding myself with supportive individuals who genuinely want the best for each other. University can be a challenging and vulnerable time, and while peers may not share the same struggles, they are still there to support you. Recognizing the importance of the relationships we build during our journeys is crucial.

I also discovered that it’s perfectly okay if your educational path isn’t traditional. I had six courses left at ULethbridge when I was accepted into the juris doctor program at the University of Saskatchewan. Initially, I didn’t plan to finish my degree, but after experiencing significant family loss, I realized the importance of completing my education. So, I took one to two courses each summer, finishing my last two alongside my final year of law school. It was a lot of hard work and late nights, but it feels amazing to finally say I am a proud graduate of the University of Lethbridge.

Is there someone specific who had an important influence on your ULethbridge experience?

Two professors, Roberto Bello and Sonya Von Heyking, had a profound impact on my time at ULethbridge.

• Professor Bello taught most of my marketing courses, and I appreciated his engaging teaching style and approachability. He also supervised my applied study in community engagement.
• Professor Von Heyking played a critical role in my success in Accounting 2100, providing invaluable support outside of class. After this course, we continued to connect in various sporting and board leadership roles and I’ve always enjoyed our conversations. She has been a mentor, showing me how to navigate male-dominated spaces and I am deeply grateful for her guidance.

Did you receive scholarships and awards? If so, please tell us a bit about how they helped you throughout your studies.

I was fortunate to receive several scholarships and awards at ULethbridge, including the Imperial Oil Limited Award, Shell Award in Native Management, Indigenous Careers Awards, Burns Food Athletic Awards, Jimmie Condon Athletic Award, Pronghorns Women’s Rugby Alumni Award and two admissions awards.

These financial aids allowed me to complete my undergraduate studies without accumulating debt. Now, having debt from law school, I’m especially thankful that I don’t have to worry about loans from two degrees.

What are your hopes/plans for the future? What's next?

Currently, I am clerking at the Federal Court of Canada in Ottawa for the Honourable Madam Justice Blackhawk. My immediate goal is to pass the Ontario Bar Exams, which I’ll be writing next month. Once I’m called to the bar in Ontario next spring and finish my clerkship next summer, I plan to return to Saskatchewan to practice in Aboriginal and Indigenous, constitutional, public, and administrative law. Beyond that, I’m open to wherever my career may lead me.

What advice would you like to give those who are about to begin their journey at ULethbridge?

• Make the most of the smaller, more intimate class sizes. ULethbridge stands out with its low student-to-faculty ratio, especially compared to larger universities that often have 200+ students in a lecture. This unique environment enhances your educational experience by giving you easy access to exceptional faculty and professionals.
• Embrace the unknown; that's where some of the most unforgettable memories are created.
• Be sure to attend at least one karaoke night at the Zoo—you won’t regret it!