Shining Student Taylor Manns

Taylor Manns chose ULethbridge for its small class sizes and opportunities for undergraduate research. Returning in 2021 after a break to reassess her academic path, she discovered their passion for urban and regional studies and embraced it wholeheartedly. Taylor's learning journey has been deeply enriched by experiential opportunities that allowed Taylor to grow as a student and professional, fostering lasting connections and sharpening their interests. She aims to pursue a master's degree in planning (MPlan) and earn the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation — but not before a bit of time working and travelling.

The opportunity to connect with professors has been fundamental in my education journey. I am a firm believer, as cheesy as it may sound, that it takes a village. I am beyond thankful for the mentorship from professors. ULethbridge has some of the most dedicated and caring faculty, which I am incredibly grateful for and who have enriched my experience.

Meet Taylor | Curious. Thoughtful. Creative.
Program: Bachelor of Arts | Major: Urban and Regional Studies

Did you know what you wanted to study before you came to ULethbridge?

I enrolled in a BA in psychology when I started at ULethbridge in 2017. Realizing that was not my passion, I left school to work, travel, and figure out what I wanted to do. When I came back to school in 2021, I enrolled in a BA in sociology. However, in my first term back on campus, I learned about the urban and regional studies program and knew that it was exactly what I wanted to do. I changed my major, and I am forever thankful that I did.

Please tell us about your experiential or work-integrated learning at ULethbridge.

I did my first work-integrated learning (WIL) placement in the Winter semester of 2023 with the City of Lethbridge, supervised by Perry Stein. Since then, I have participated in internships and a co-op with the City of Lethbridge and the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy. I have learned so much in my WIL placements, especially in terms of maturing as both a student and a professional. I am beyond thankful for these experiences, including the friendships and connections I have made throughout them. Finally, I am grateful for my WIL experiences because they have helped me learn about myself and my interests more deeply.

What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience so far?

So many things! I think some of my most memorable experiences have been making friends that will last for a lifetime. Both through academic endeavours and my employment at the Prentice Institute, I have made some of the strongest friendships with people that I see lasting for many years once we graduate.

How have your professors impacted your education?

The opportunity to connect with professors has been fundamental in my education journey. I am a firm believer, as cheesy as it may sound, that it takes a village. I am beyond thankful for the mentorship from professors. ULethbridge has some of the most dedicated and caring faculty, which I am incredibly grateful for and who have enriched my experience.

I am particularly thankful to Dr. Julie Young from the Department of Geography & Environment. Dr. Young has always been willing to listen to ideas and take the time to work through them with students. Her support, not only for me but for so many other students, has been a key piece in why I enjoy school. Her approach to geography has opened up an understanding of complexities in the relationship between place and policy and how these affect people in their everyday lives. She is an exceptional professor, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with her.

I am also grateful for the mentorship and time given by Dr. Ivan Townshend and Spencer Croil - also in the geography department - who have taught me so much about the intricacies of social structures and human agency and how they shape the places in which we inhabit. Being in their classes has grown my love for and security in choosing Urban and Regional Studies.

I am also thankful to professors and mentors outside of the geography department, including Dr. Migueltzinta Solis from fine arts, who has taught me that grappling with difficult questions can and should be approached with humility and creativity, and Dr. Lars Hallstrom from political science (and the director of the Prentice Institute) who has helped me to understand with depth the policy structures and systems in which we exist.

Taylor is soaking up every opportunity that the urban and regional studies program and the University of Lethbridge have to offer and finding ways to apply in-class learning to pressing local issues – from community development and planning projects to the roles that cities play in perpetuating and potentially resisting settler colonial structures. – Dr. Julie Young, Department of Geography & Environment

Is there anyone else who had an important influence on your ULethbridge experience?

Perry Stein, who has helped me to learn — through my many WIL opportunities and collaborations with him — about the real-world application of academic ideas and how we can begin to action these ideas toward change.

Erin Kennett from the Career Bridge office is a fierce and caring WIL advisor. She goes above and beyond to ensure students get the best experiences from work placements.

I am thankful to the Community Bridge Lab (CBL) team, including Drs. Mbuli Shei, Kaylan Schwarz, Jodie Asselin, Julie Young, and Jan Newberry (emeritus). My time with the CBL was a great opportunity to learn about and better understand qualitative and community-engaged research in the social sciences.

Finally, I am forever grateful to the friends I have made at the University of Lethbridge. I see these people as lifelong friends no matter what our lives look like after school, and I feel so lucky that I met them while in my studies: Taylor Blais, Griffin Contini, Amy Cran, Lawrenz Decano, and Sydney Whiting.

Have you received any scholarships and awards?

I received the Chinook Summer Research Award twice. I am thankful to this award's donors and the selection committee. Both awards have helped me to pursue research endeavours that are of personal interest to me. This research has helped me see a future research path and has ignited my excitement to pursue graduate studies.

I also received the Community Bridge Lab Summer Research Award and would like to thank the donors for their support in pursuing research over the summer months.

Over the past year, I completed a Mitacs Accelerate project. I am thankful for having the opportunity to complete this project and to receive funding from Mitacs. With this experience, I learned so much about applied research and just how meaningful research can be to inform policy and decision-making.

Are you participating in any extracurricular activities?

I have been doing performance art for the past three years. These performances have been a pathway to connecting with the community and understanding the importance of community and kinship. Often performing in queer spaces, it also outlines the strength of togetherness and understanding of how politics affects those within my community.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy rock climbing, camping, seeing live music, and spending time with my friends and family.

What are your hopes/plans for the future?

After I graduate, I would like to take some time off to work and travel. In the near future, I would also like to pursue a master's degree in planning (MPlan), working towards one day receiving a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation.

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

The University has been such an amazing place to grow and learn. Any advice that I would give would be to follow your passions. A high school teacher once told me that if you choose something you like and something you're good at, you can't go wrong. That has been the case in my time at the University, and I'm so grateful for sticking with it. So, follow what you like, go for opportunities (such as co-ops and applied studies), meet your professors and fellow students, and find joy in what you're doing!

Quick Answers

Favourite class: Top four: Urban Social Geography (GEOG 3230), Borders and Displacement (GEOG 3333), Advanced Issues in Planning (GEOG 4500), and Indigenous Peoples and Local Government (POLI 3215)
Favourite social activity at ULethbridge: Rock-climbing
Favourite place to study: Level 9 in the library

About Shining Students

Shining Students engage inside and outside of the classroom. What makes a student shine may differ from person to person, but they all share a passion for learning. They may be top students, involved in an innovative project, participating in ground-breaking research, playing Pronghorn athletics, fighting for social issues or all of the above! When students find something they enjoy and combine it with what they are good at, they shine.

Each year, the Faculty of Arts & Science's faculty and staff nominate students who exemplify the ULethbridge student spirit. Congratulations Danika!