Education

SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2022 3 EDUCATION GUIDE THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG Education with impact: UWinnipeg prioritizes student success A t the University of Winnipeg, students receive unique op- portunities to partici- pate in world-class research and hands-on learning. These valuable experiences comple- ment the faculty-student con- nections for which UWinnipeg is known. With small class sizes, caring and accessible professors, and a community-centred downtown campus, UWinnipeg offers stu- dents a warm, welcoming atmo- sphere that helps them learn, grow and achieve academic and career success. Amy Thorkelson loves the in- terdisciplinary nature of Envi- ronmental Studies and Sciences. Taking courses ranging from envi- ronmental ethics and philosophy to ecology and soil science has equipped her with the knowledge to be able to talk to others about climate change. While she's learned a lot in the classroom, it was her time working in the field that most shaped her educational experience. Unlike other post-secondary institutions, UWinnipeg provides undergradu- ate students with the opportunity to take part in important research with faculty members. Working alongside Drs. Rich- ard Westwood and Katherine Dearborn in the summer of 2021, Thorkelson examined the prairie habitat of the endangered Dakota skipper butterfly. "This was such a great experi- ence. It was like a whole world that I didn't know existed," she says. "I learned so much about endangered species research, how field work is done, and the process of publishing academic work." Being able to work in the field with expert researchers inspired Thorkelson. She's now looking to apply for UWinnipeg's Master in Environmental and Social Change program, which can propel her to- wards a career focused on fighting climate change. Looking back on her univer- sity experience, Thorkelson says the close-knit faculty and diverse learning opportunities built her confidence and introduced her to new ideas and initiatives. Like Thorkelson, Bedel Shafe'a can attest to how UWinnipeg fac- ulty can shape students' under- standing of a field. As a recent graduate of the Fac- ulty of Business and Economics, his time at UWinnipeg helped him see how a career in accounting has evolved from the boardroom to boots-on-the-ground, becom- ing a way to reach out to the pub- lic, an instrument for long-term planning and resource for those attempting to achieve financial goals. During his four years of studies, Shafe'a says the real-life experi- ence he gained by working with Chartered Professional Accoun- tants (CPA) Manitoba and UWin- nipeg programs has prepared him to succeed in his career. "Last year, I worked with CPA Manitoba on one of their finan- cial literacy workshops, which teach people how to manage their finances and protect their long- term assets," he explains. "One of the things I want to do after I get my CPA is volunteer and continue to add value to the community because accounting is more than just a bunch of people sitting in an office. It adds genuine value to the community." Shafe'a has witnessed firsthand the value of accounting in the community while participating in UWinnipeg's Inner-City Work- Study program. He worked with a non-profit organization that supports new- comers, refugees and internation- al students in finding settlement resources in Winnipeg. He's seen the real-world impact he can have with accounting, and this includes his efforts on campus. He also believes volunteering with student groups is an integral part of student life while pursuing a post-secondary education. "That's where you get the next- level student experience," Shafe'a says. "You meet people who will potentially become your col- leagues one day, like-minded peo- ple, and connect with them, have events with them. During my time here, I tried to get involved with as many student groups as possible and leave my mark." Also making her mark is Magi Hadad, whose life experiences have shaped how she wants to make an impact on the world. A fourth-year double major in Human Rights and Conflict Reso- lution Studies, Hadad arrived in Canada five years ago as a Syrian refugee. "My layered experiences as a woman of colour and refugee have sewn my passion and made my goals of being a human rights ad- vocate and a peacemaker clear," she says. Like Thorkelson, Hadad's UWin- nipeg experience was shaped by the ability to work closely with her professors. Hadad says Drs. Shau- na Labman and Lloyd Kornelsen, both involved in the renowned Human Rights program, have been important mentors educa- tionally and personally. As part of her Human Rights practicum with Immigration Part- nership Winnipeg, Hadad had the opportunity to support advocacy work regarding anti-racism, such as co-planning anti-racism youth events. While she isn't sure what her fu- ture holds, she knows she wants to work with marginalized groups, such as women, youth, children, refugees and people affected by war. "Knowledge is the power that I can gain to raise my voice and stand up for the issues that I be- lieve in," Hadad says. "My goal is to empower communities and find ways to make our world a place where no one should face discrimination of any form." Learn more about how the University of Winnipeg delivers Education with Impact at uwin- nipeg.ca/education-with-impact SUPPLIED PHOTO Knowledge is the power that I can gain to raise my voice and stand up for the issues that I believe in." — Magi Hadad

• Cover