Student Profiles

Image

DETERMINED. AFFABLE. CURIOUS

Program: Master of Science in Kinesiology

"Both were fantastic learning occasions due in large part to the high quality of the professors. Working with them inspired me to pursue a master's degree in kinesiology."

Why did you choose ULethbridge?
I chose ULethbridge for my bachelor’s because I wanted to learn kinesiology and heard they have a good program. I also lived in Lethbridge, so it was a no-brainer for me. For my master’s, I chose ULethbridge because it allowed me to study a highly interesting topic with a great supervisor.

How have your professors impacted your education?
I’ll answer this question by highlighting my independent studies in the last year of my undergrad. I knew nothing about independent studies until a professor invited me to do one with them, which I accepted. This steered me towards a second independent study with another professor. Both were fantastic learning occasions due in large part to the high quality of those professors. Furthermore, working with them inspired me to pursue a master's degree in kinesiology.

What advice would you like to give those about beginning their journey at ULethbridge?
Find a topic that interests you or a professor you like and do an independent study. I think they’re available at all levels and are absolutely worth it. You will learn way more than you could in a class while developing skills in writing, finding, and reading literature. They are also a good way to determine if a master's is for you, and you get valuable one-on-one time with whoever oversees it.

Image

INTUITIVE. INTENTIONAL. COMPASSIONATE

Don't be afraid to talk to people, especially your professors! They will help you so much through your degree and beyond. Becoming involved in the community through sports, clubs and activities in and around Lethbridge is a great way to make friends and get away from school!

What makes my uLethbridge experience unique?

• The biggest takeaway from my degree would be the importance of ongoing physical health and wellness for sustaining a healthy body and mind throughout life.

• My most memorable experiences include making meaningful connections with professors and students across disciplines, living on campus in my first year, playing hockey in the community, and developing a vast array of personal and academic skills.

• Many professors showed remarkable support for my academic success throughout my degree. A significant influence in my fourth year was Dr. Jon Doan, who helped guide me through career opportunities and offered continuous support through my decision-making process. Another profound influence throughout my degree was Dr. Sean Brayton, who continually provided rich scholarly feedback, furthering my academic proficiency and confidence.

• Awards and scholarships allowed me more time to focus on my studies and eased living costs.

• I am excited to enjoy a year off of school before pursuing a master's degree in occupational therapy. I'm looking forward to the new challenges and adventures that will come!

Image

OUTGOING. CHERRY. PUNCTUAL.

“Explore all the possibilities during your degree such as trying different types of classes, going to different social events, volunteering, joining clubs and stepping out of your comfort zone!"

Favourite Class: Resistance Training for Health and Performance
Favourite Social Activity: Indigenous Awareness Week
Favourite Study Spot: Library

What makes my uLethbridge experience unique?

• My most memorable experience at the University of Lethbridge was the exploration of my family history through oral tradition within my family, allowing for the reclamation of my family history and a deeper understanding of my Indigenous identity.

• My professors have included my cultural background in their teachings, allowing me to explore what being Indigenous is to me.

• Awards and bursaries have helped me create a more peaceful academic space by allowing me to focus more time and resources on school while also allowing me to focus time on my family.

• I am a volunteer coach at the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Funbox. This insight helps me synthesize schoolwork theories and practices in a real-world setting.

• A degree is an experience that one should take to shift one’s thinking and learning processes to become communicative and expressive to further one’s interests

Image

CARING. ARTISTIC. POSITIVE.

Favourite Class: Art Foundation Studio (Object & Space)
Favourite Social Activity: Yoga Club & ULethbridge gym
Favourite Study Spot: Science Commons

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.

What makes my uLethbridge experience unique?

• Summer camp counselor with Destination Exploration, which offers science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming to school-aged youth.)
• A special mention has to go to my philosophy 1000 professor, Dr. Michael Singl, for his enthusiastic approach to teaching and learning.
• 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.
• 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.

Kinesiology and psychology student Alex Engel is used to working hard. As he works to complete two degrees at ULethbridge, Alex was working hard this summer assisting Dr. Paige Pope with her current research, Move More, Sit Less. This study examines the effectiveness of messaging that encourages older adults to be more active and limit their sitting time.

More specifically, we are interested how these messages influence the amount of time spent sitting, as well as motives, quality of life, vitality and fear of falling.

Alex keeps everything on track by handling the day-to-day operations of the project, which involves meeting with participants and being their point of contact at every stage of the study. His duties, much like his degrees, are duel-natured, as he is both a research assistant and a project coordinator to keep things running smoothly.

What attracted you to this research?

At first, I was just attracted to research in general. I came to the university with no clue of what I wanted to get out of it. All I knew was I was attracted to the field of kinesiology as I come from a heavy background in sport and exercise. As I worked through my first two years at ULethbridge, I became more and more interested in sports and exercise psychology. I took a class with Dr. Pope in the first semester of my third year, which opened my eyes to the field of research. I then applied for the Chinook Summer Research Award and was humbled when I received notice of my successful application. This is my first job in the field I am interested in and I have loved every moment of it.

Has this experience been valuable to your education and/or degree?

This experience has been more valuable to my education than any class I could possibly take. Yes, it was a number of classes that narrowed down my interest, but I have already learned more through this experience than I ever expected. Something that is not always taught in classes is what a job entails and what doing the work would look like. The experience that this award has allowed me to absorb has given me a taste of research and academia and leaves me excited for the future.

What do you enjoy most about conducting research at ULethbridge?

What I enjoy most about research at ULethbridge is the community atmosphere in which research is conducted. Research supervisors like Dr. Pope provide a genuine interest in helping students interested in research to learn more and succeed while moving forward.

What skills and/or experiences will you be taking from your research project into the future?

Obviously, I will take the knowledge I have gained about research and academia with me in the future, but this experience has led me to the decision to pursue a master’s degree following my undergrad. I am also thinking about the possibility of a PhD later on, but I don't want to get too ahead of myself.

Alex’s passion and drive shine within his research, which will no doubt go on to help adapt messaging for seniors to help increase mobility and aid in a better quality of life. Reflecting on what he has learned, Alex shares valuable advice to others just starting in the research field of their study.

Three things. First–ask questions. There is no such thing as a dumb question, you don't know what you don't know, and clarifying never hurts. Second–find a field you care about and look for any opportunity in it. You will learn more about yourself and your interests this way. Third–think ahead. The main thing about the research I have learned is you always have to be thinking five steps ahead and plan for it. Sure, things don't always go according to plan, but without one you will get lost easily.

Alex will continue his work in this field, making great strides in the research surrounding sports and exercise. Please join us in celebrating Alex’s achievements and wishing him the best in his future endeavours. We all cannot wait to see what amazing things he will accomplish!

Jackson proud to follow in mother's footsteps

Byron Jackson (BA ’10) doesn’t have to be told to smile for a photograph.

The beaming U of L graduate (Kinesiology and Native American Studies) celebrated his achievement at the recent Spring Convocation ceremonies with a big group of family and friends, and looks forward to starting his career with the benefit of preparation through the U of L’s First Nations Transition Program (FNTP).

Jackson returned to school as an adult and after spending time in the workforce, where he realized that progress in a job meant educational progress as well.

Byron Jackson is eager to put his U of L degree to work.

“I was a former teacher assistant at the Piikani Nation Secondary School, and all of my co-workers and friends were teachers and had an education. I thought I would go back to school, not only to help myself but my people and society in general,” says Jackson. “The FNTP program helped me get back into the rhythm of school again.”

As a support to First Nations, Metis and Inuit students during their transitional year at University, the FNTP gave Jackson some additional resources. He was introduced to better study skills, a library science course and referrals to internal or external learning resources.

Among other jobs, Jackson worked for his father’s bus transportation business, and is now self-employed with a vehicle of his own. He never lost sight of his desire to finish University, especially since he had others in his family who had completed their studies at the U of L.

“One of the other major reasons for going back to school was my mother Sheena, who is also a U of L grad (BA/BEd ’95). I thought it would be fitting that I go to the U of L to follow in her footsteps.”

As to what’s next, Jackson says he now feels he has many options.

“I plan to gain experience outside my community and perhaps work on a master’s degree. Overall, I want to help my people.”

DEDICATED. PASSIONATE. OPEN-MINDED.

“Explore all the possibilities during your degree such as trying different types of classes, going to different social events, volunteering, joining clubs and stepping out of your comfort zone!"

Favourite Class: Movement Disorders
Favourite Social Activity: Pronghorn Sports Games
Favourite Study Spot: Library

What makes my uLethbridge experience unique?

• Small classes allow you to know your peers within your degree

• Class sizes also make it easy to form great relationships with professors

• Participating in the track and field team for two years allowed me to meet people, engage in a sport I enjoyed and helped me learn time management

• Living in on-campus residence for the first-year allowed me to meet many of my close friends

• Lots of opportunities to get involved with student-run activities and volunteering

CREATIVE. IMAGINATIVE. ACTIVIST.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Fear hinders growth."

Favourite Class: Social Context with Dr. Greg Ogilvie
Favourite Social Activity: Pronghorn games
Favourite Study Spot: uHall patio

What makes my uLethbridge experience unique?

• Multidisciplinary opportunities allowed me to become a well-rounded learner and thinker

• I am constantly in the position of the “other” because of my faith and culture which allows for personal growth

• Applied study with Ilsa Wong motivated me to further my education

• Social Context with Greg Ogilvie reminded me why I want to become an educator

• I was able to shed a positive light on my culture through dance at events held by the university

ADAPTABLE. PASSIONATE. CARING.

“Be patient with yourself and find the study method that works for you and stick to it. A bad grade is an opportunity for growth! Talk to your professors and ask them questions. Make time for yourself and for your friends/family/partner(s).”

Favourite Class: Medical Sociology or Sociology of Sport
Favourite Social Activity: Events put on by the Campus Women’s Centre
Favourite Study Spot: Markin study rooms or home!

What makes my uLethbridge experience unique?

• Independent study about gender binaries in sport
• Volunteering with the Campus Women’s Centre
• Attending performances partially funded by LPIRG (Ivan Coyote and Vivek Shraya to name two)
• Presenting at North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (October 2018)
• Getting the opportunity to interact with my professors

ORGANIZED. DEDICATED. PASSIONATE.

“Don’t overwhelm yourself, take summer classes if necessary, they aren’t so bad and sometimes courses are offered in the summer that aren’t offered during the fall and spring semesters!”

Favourite Class: Animal Communication with David Logue
Favourite Social Activity: Psych club events and surf trip
Favourite Study Spot: Library group workrooms

What makes my uLethbridge experience unique?

• Executive member of the psychology club for a couple of years
• Really interested in animal communication and their relationships with each other and humans
• Took part in Stepping Up workshop - related to relationship violence
• Went on the annual Surf Trip, met a lot of cool people
• Met people from all over the world who have come to U of L

FEARLESS. KIND-HEARTED. CURIOUS.

“Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone, join a club, take a random class, say hi to strangers! This place and these people become your home and family! Take it all in.”

Favourite Class: Sport psychology
Favourite Social Activity: Therapy Dogs
Favourite Study Spot: The pool viewing area or the bean bags in the curr lab.

What makes my uLethbridge experience unique?

• Dr. Scott Rathwell and my independent research study
• Living in residence
• Volunteering/coaching for sports teams for kids with disabilities
• Any sport psychology classes
• Small classes that create an individualized learning environment

CARING. ARTISTIC. POSITIVE.

"Don't dream little, dream big! I was always told by my family members to take on one day at a time so that when that big dream becomes reality, it will all be worthwhile!"

Favourite Class: Sports Management
Favourite Social Activity: Native Awareness Week
Favourite Study Spot: Library

My uLethbridge experience:

• FNTP was a welcoming intro to the university community
• Through the FNTP I was able to gain the confidence that even though it's a university I know I can do it
• Recipient of an NSERC award (worked with Jon Doan in kinesiology); opened my eyes to research
• Taking ED 2500 was a wonderful experience; makes me that much more excited to strive to become a teacher
• Collaborative project with uLethbridge and the Piikani Nation; rewarding personally and academically