Shaping adaptable leaders
At Mount Allison, every experience builds the foundation for a future full of possibilities, empowering students to embrace change and seize new opportunities.
What defines the success of Allisonians? It is a question that leads to many different responses. One of the most remarkable things I have observed about Mount Allison University is how it encourages and prepares students for diverse futures — whatever those may be.
What makes Mount Allison so special to me is its tight-knit community and the intimate nature of its academic environment. Students have the chance to deeply engage with their studies, connect closely with faculty, and participate in meaningful experiences that go beyond the classroom. Whether through research, athletics, leadership roles, or creative and artistic pursuits, every student can find something that resonates with their interests and aspirations.
During my own time at Mount Allison, I experienced this first-hand. My major was in biochemistry, but my career path led me to government and policy work. My experiences as a student-athlete, lab teaching assistant, and assistant don in residence had a tremendous impact on my personal development. My career journey has been non-linear; one that I could never have predicted and did not fully appreciate upon my graduation from Mount Allison. That’s the power of a liberal arts and sciences education.
Mount Allison gave me the tools to adapt to different organizational cultures, to think critically, and to embrace opportunities I had never imagined. The analytical skills, creativity, and resilience students develop at Mount Allison are essential in today’s world where careers evolve and societal challenges require broad, long-term thinking.
As provost and vice-president, academic and research, my priority is to ensure we do everything possible to maintain the breadth and quality of our academic offerings, while supporting the diversity of our student experiences.
Research and creative opportunities remain critical to giving students the chance to engage deeply with their disciplines and contribute meaningfully to their fields. It’s through these experiences that students gain the skills and confidence to navigate their own unique paths.
In addition to supporting students directly, we also need to champion the broader value of a liberal arts and sciences education. This is a crucial time to reinforce that message, especially as its importance is questioned in some quarters. It is important for Mount Allison to continue to work collaboratively with our government partners, community stakeholders, and alumni to demonstrate the enduring value of this kind of education — not just for individual careers, but for the long-term benefit of our society.
Mount Allison has a proud legacy of preparing students to be adaptable, engaged citizens, and that’s a legacy worth celebrating and building upon. The experiences we provide here matter deeply and they set the foundation for lives of purpose and impact. I look forward to contributing to Mount Allison’s history of helping students discover their unique paths, while passionately championing the enduring value of a Mount Allison education.