Students Who Inspire - ULethbridge Stories

For Nicholas Mills, great teaching starts with relationships

For Faculty of Education student Nicholas Mills, the opportunity to have an impact is one of the reasons he's excited to start his teaching career.

Witnessing compassion first-hand inspired Brianna Bagalay to study nursing

Recent Bachelor of Nursing graduate Brianna Bagalay enjoyed her community health practicum so much that she continued to visit the seniors she cared for weekly, even after her rotation ended. Passionate about patient

Véronique Fortier finds her sound through hands-on learning

A saxophonist, composer and conductor in the making, Véronique Fortier came to the University of Lethbridge for its combined music and education degree, but discovered she wanted more.

Afifa Islam's journey helped her find a passion for public health

Afifa Islam is a Public Health Student who found her passion while pursuing her education. She has thrown herself into the community volunteering, enjoyed her classes more than she ever thought she would, and immersed herself in the ULethbridge experience.

Rooted in care: Andreas Gateman on the power of relational teaching

Inspired by the connections and possibilities that can emerge from the classroom, Andreas Gateman's journey to becoming a teacher has been fuelled by a desire to create welcoming spaces for students.

Carly Grandberg working to be like the teachers that inspired her teaching dreams

Carly Grandberg has always dreamed of being a teacher. Now having completed two student-teaching practicums with the Faculty of Education, she attributes many of her positive experiences in the classroom to the educators that inspired her as a kid.

Shining Student Erik Wright

An experienced culinary professional, Erik Wright wants to share his lived experiences and natural sense of curiosity with students in hopes of inspiring the next generation of culinary lovers.

Shining Student Jessica Mustard

From childhood swimming lessons and science camps to tagging along with her dad in university lectures, this Jessica Mustard has been connected to the University of Lethbridge for as long as she can remember.

Shining Student Troy Josey

Troy Josey, a second-year physics student at the University of Lethbridge, is making waves in research while embracing every opportunity to learn, grow, and explore the natural world.

Shining Student Lena Dornan

Lena's time at ULethbridge has been shaped by her love of languages and lifelong learning. Having grown up in French Immersion and learned Spanish through travel and her studies, she's now ready to share her passion for literacy as she fulfills her dream of teaching internationally in Mexico.

Shining Student Michael D'Souza

Michael, a PhD candidate in Biomolecular Science, chose ULethbridge for its unique focus on viral research and the collaborative, supportive environment of the Laboratory of Medicinal Biophysics under Dr. Trushar Patel.

Shining Student Tait Hoyem

Tait Hoyem’s journey to the University of Lethbridge began as a practical decision to transfer credits from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). However, what started as a convenient pathway has transformed into a deeply meaningful academic and personal experience.

Shining student Kaitlyn Dilling

Kaitlyn Dilling chose ULethbridge to study nursing because of its focus on hands-on experience and early entry into a clinical setting.

Shining student Morgan Porter

Morgan Porter knew early on that she wanted to be a nurse. She is genuinely fascinated with how the body works and loves connecting with people. Her instructors at ULethbridge pushed her in ways she never expected, and shaped her as a student and as a future nurse.

Shining Student Carl Day

Carl Day began his studies at the University of Lethbridge in 2021, initially planning to pursue a career in accounting. However, after some guidance from his father, Carl made the switch to science, choosing chemistry as his field of study — he’s not a fan of microscopes!

Shining student Sarah Thompson

After an independent research study involving people with Parkinson's disease, Sarah Johnson changed her focus to health care and she's never looked back!

Shining student Mich Arevalo

Mich Arevalo has always wanted to help and care for others, especially vulnerable populations. As a nurse, he is fulfilling his dream.

Shining Student Elizabeth Orel (BSc '22)

After completing a bachelor's in kinesiology at ULethbridge, Elizabeth Orel was drawn to nursing to filfil her dream of pursuing a career in health care.

Shining Student SarahAnn Walker

SarahAnn Walker’s ULethbridge journey began in 2020 after her inspiring experience in the HYRS program. She discovered her passion for biochemistry while working in the University’s labs as a high school student.

Shining Student Cameron Bluekens

Meet Cameron Bluekens, a dedicated Bachelor of Arts student majoring in philosophy at the University of Lethbridge. Through curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to explore new ideas, Cameron has navigated an evolving academic journey that reflects her passion for learning and self-discovery.

Shining Graduate Student Chelsea White (BFA - New Media '24)

Shining Graduate Student Chelsea White (BFA - New Media '24) is deeply interested in the intersections of artificial intelligence, art, agency and identity.

Shining Student Emily Carver

From unravelling the mysteries of black hole binaries through hands-on research to mastering the art of learning in a wind orchestra, Emily Carver has embraced every opportunity to grow academically, personally, and creatively.

Shining Student Emily Brouwer

Nearing the end of her educational journey at the University of Lethbridge, Emily attributes much of her success to her student-teacher internships and the peers, faculty and friends who have played a significant role in her growth as a teacher.

Shining Student David Forestell

Balancing his roles as a husband and father, and driven by a passion for learning and a commitment to making the world a better place, David Forestell has found inspiration in the classroom and beyond.

Shining Student Jelayna Hyggen

A true advocate for putting your passions first, Jelayna is making the most out of her time at the University of Lethbridge by being open-minded to new experiences and embracing the challenges that come her way.