School of Graduate Studies - uLethbridge Stories

Congratulations to the Class of 2021 from the School of Graduate Studies

Congratulations everyone! Here are some inspiring stories and words of encouragement to take with you as you continue to the next chapter in your life.

Derrik Motz (BSc '19, MSc '21) in uncharted water researching coaching methods for adult athletes

Derrik shares his graduate journey and research on coaching methods for Masters athletes. As adults, we always worry about our youth with quality sport experiences, but we seem to forget to take care of ourselves later in life.

Shahina Parvin (PhD '21) looks at experiences of using mental health services in Lethbridge, AB

Speaking with her subjects empowered Shahina, strengthening her commitment to work against the discriminatory structures that affect people.

From dorm to sci-fi lab: Anna Nikolova (MFA '21) explores our relationship with technology through virtual worldbuilding

Fascinated by the convergence of art and technology, Anna started working on digital art in high school and ended up at uLethbridge to expand her research skills through virtual worldbuilding.

Mary Siever (BA '19, MA '21) explores how uLethbridge policy shapes how students see themselves

Mary explored how students navigate, and at times subvert, the normative construct. She sees future research avenues contributing to the literature about invisible or marginalized demographics.

Exploring economic hardship and food waste with master's student Neda Ghafoorifard (MSc Mgt '21)

Master of Science (Management) and international student Neda Ghafoorifard (MSc Mgt '21) shares the compelling results of her thesis: Economic hardship, Ontological insecurity, and household food waste, along with her suggestions to overcoming consumption brought on by insecurity.

Teacher Journey: “It is through reflection that we are able to see things anew and make changes that can profoundly impact the next steps...” Lisa Patten (BSc/BEd ’04, MEd ’21)

“I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. Looking through the memory book that still sits on the shelf in my parents' home, 'teacher' had been selected as my profession of choice every year since I was in Kindergarten,” Lisa Patten (BSc/BEd ’04, MEd ’21)

A Year of Grace and Patience: Taking on Covid-19 as a First-time Principal: Matthew Bekkering (BSc '06, BEd '08, MEd '17)

Lethbridge Pronghorns Basketball captain returned to the UofL to pursue a master’s in educational leadership after serving in roles as an informal school leader for seven years. “I wanted a more clear-eyed understanding of what leadership could be."

Exploring Decolonization in Education with Master's Student Ashley Ens (BMgt '16)

Master of Science in Management student Ashley Ens (BMgt '16) talks about the grief that drove her to pursue post-secondary, the ways in which we can disrupt and decolonize the academy and what steps all Canadians can take towards reconciliation.

Work-Integrated Learning comes Full Circle

“Co-op offers that real-world experience you might not get from a university class. It gives students insight into how what they’re learning might apply to the real world,” he says. After graduation, Dr. Harland Brandon (BSc Co-op ‘13, PhD ‘21) helped build not one but two companies.

Faculty Friday | Dr. Carlos Romero, postdoctoral fellow

This week we're chatting with Dr. Carlos Romero, a postdoctoral fellow doing excellent work in unraveling the complex systems of soil, crops, and land resilience to help people like farmers and policy makers make sense of it all.

Shining graduate & medal recipient Kacie Neamtu (BA/BEd '11, MA '21)

"Take risks, make connections, and believe in yourself. If you’re working on something you really care about, you never know what you can achieve!"

Shining graduate & medal recipient Doug Turnbull (BSc '15, PhD '21)

"It is an honour to be recognised for my studies at the U of L and inspiring to know those I worked with thought well of me during that time. I hope I can do them, and the University, proud as I transition into the next phase of my research career."

Scientist & entrepreneur Harland Brandon (BSc '13, PhD '21) proud of his uLethbridge background

After 13 years at the University of Lethbridge, Brandon has learned a thing or two. Knowing what he knows now, he would do a couple of things differently such as taking more classes to expand his skillset beyond the sciences.

Shining graduate and silver medal recipient Matthew Sentes (BMgt '18, MSc Mgt '21)

Master of Science in Management graduate and Silver Medal of Merit recipient Matthew Sentes talks about his thesis and the grad student experience.

Canadian Association for Study of Educational Administration: Best Master’s Thesis 2020 goes to Kathryn Desrochers (BSc/BEd ’13, MEd ’21)

Kathryn Desrochers (MEd '21) invited teachers to rate their efficacy using a scale she developed based on existing literature and Alberta’s Teaching Quality Standard. “Teachers had the highest feelings of efficaciousness when they felt protected and part of a team.”

Day Rider pursues passion for music with help of Indigenous Graduate Admission Award

Following his passion to uLethbridge, Day Rider is pursuing a Master of Music in composition with supervisor, Dr. Arlan Schultz. After completing his undergraduate degree, he knew uLethbridge was the right environment to continue his education.

Putting planning, implementing and evaluating to good use inside the classroom and out

Dr. Silvia Koso has spent more than 15 years planning, implementing and evaluating health and social services programs, a skill she puts to good use both in the classroom as part of the MSc Health Sciences – Public Health program (and in craft breweries).

The Creativity of Curriculum and 36 Years with the Faculty of Education: Dr. Richard Butt

At the end of the day Dr. Richard Butt has much to be proud of. As a musician, story-teller, nature-lover and academic, his ability to be expressive was integral to his teaching, learning and living and that he has had “absolute fun” doing so is a rare gift for all involved.

Think creating public health policy is boring? Think again.

Dr. Julia Brassolotto teaches Advanced Public Health Policy and Ethics, a heady topic for challenging times. Much to the relief of her students, she doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff, unravelling sticky situations and thought-provoking conundrums.

PhD student Ben Dosu investigates drinking water security in rural Ghana

PhD student Ben Dosu's current research investigates drinking water security in rural Ghana. #worldwaterday

MSc student Carolyn Simonis questions if platinum and palladium inhibit the chemosensory response in rainbow trout

MSc student Carolyn Simonis questions if platinum and palladium inhibit the chemosensory response in rainbow trout.

MEd Student Research: Our Future Really Needs Us To Be Critical Thinkers

Kindergarten students list and weigh pros and cons before making decisions. Whether acquiring a class pet, helping design their school’s new playground, or establishing classroom health protocols.

Navigate the pathways to a public health career

Whatever your career goals or academic ambitions, if you have an interest in public health, uLethbridge has a program for you.

Shining Graduate Student Claire Niehaus is Asking Many Questions and Learning from Leaders in Neuroscience

In celebration of Brain Awareness Week, we caught up with second-year neuroscience grad student Claire Niehaus (BSc '19) to learn more about her uLethbridge experience and her plans for the future.