Meet Shining Student Pii-taa Kyaa-tsis, Walker English

My liberal education and the support of my professors have helped me understand the diversity of the world around me and gain the confidence I need to succeed at whatever I happen to do when I complete my post-secondary education.

Meet Walker | Creative. Empathetic. Easy-going.
Program: Bachelor of Arts | Major: Kinesiology

Fourth-year kinesiology student Walker English, Pii-taa Kyaa-tsis didn't have far to go when he chose ULethbridge as he grew up thirty minutes down highway three in Fort Macleod. Despite the initial struggle of moving away from home for the first time, he soon settled into ULife, appreciating the strong sense of community found on campus.

In his first year, Walker won one of five $10,000 UL50 Golden Jubilee awards. This funding helped him reduce financial pressures like tuition and textbooks, which helped him focus more on his university experience. Walker's been exploring a variety of options, making a lot of new friends and working on campus for the past two summers for the "coolest job" he's ever had. (He's a summer camp counselor with Destination Exploration, which offers science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming to school-aged youth.)

I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the donors of this award and thank them for helping me make the best of my experience here at ULethbridge. I would also like to thank Duane Piper, my high school drama teacher, for helping me obtain this award. He was a significant role model for me and some of my closest friends in high school, where he encouraged us to go beyond what was asked of us. He taught us always to enjoy what we were doing and not forget to have fun while doing it.

As a mentor to young Indigenous students in high school, it makes sense that Walker would continue to work with youth, and Destination Exploration is a fantastic place for him to do just that. Valerie Archibald, the director of youth outreach for Destination Exploration, is thrilled to have Walker back for another summer and recently nominated him as a Shining Student.

Walker is fantastic! He is a strong leader and role model for the young students exploring STEM with Destination Exploration. He is always eager to be a mentor for young Indigenous students and to encourage them with their studies and build their sense of excitement for learning.

Empowered by a liberal education and the wisdom and support of his professors, Walker is pursuing his passions and interests within and beyond his degree. By participating in classes across disciplines, he has gained a greater understanding of the world and how he can contribute his skills to the world around him.

My liberal education and the support of my professors have helped me understand the diversity of the world around me and gain the confidence I need to succeed at whatever I happen to do when I complete my post-secondary education. A special mention has to go to my philosophy 1000 professor, Dr. Michael Singl, for his enthusiastic approach to teaching and learning.

Walker is not quite done with ULethbridge yet, but he is looking to the future where he intends to impact as many people's lives as possible. He hopes to make a positive lasting effect on the world, and travel to as many places as he can.

Walker would like to encourage students to have a well-thought-out plan and a goal in mind before beginning studies. He also emphasized the importance of gaining as much knowledge as possible about programs of interest. The best way to do this is by connecting with people who teach the courses and students who are in the same program. Walker acknowledges that he did not come to ULethbridge with this plan and had to figure things out along the way, but figure it out he did. And as he nears the completion of his degree, he is confident that his education will open doors to the future.

What are the top three things you like to do in Lethbridge or around Lethbridge?

1. Explore the coulees

2. Get tacos from Tacos Made in Mexico

3. Explore Downtown Lethbridge

Favourite class: Art Foundation Studio (Object & Space)

Favourite social activities at ULethbridge: Yoga Club & ULethbridge gym

Favourite place to study: Science Commons