Check out our February E-Blast! Find news updates, education offerings, and resources all in one place: https://conta.cc/4k5FOug

Earlier this month, the Lakehead University Psychology Community Clinic received $25,000 in funding from Bell Let’s Talk to enhance its service offerings and expand access to psychological care across Northern Ontario.

The Clinic provides lower-cost psychological assessment and evidence-based treatments delivered by MA and PhD trainees in Clinical Psychology, under the supervision of registered psychologists. Lakehead University is the only doctoral training program in clinical psychology in Northern Ontario and responsible for training 80 per cent of psychologists in the region.

Building on the success of a previous Bell Let’s Talk partnership, which provided over 200 lower cost therapy sessions to health and social service workers in Northern Ontario, the new funding will support the Clinic’s efforts to extend evidence-based outreach and consultation services into the community. By reaching people where they live and work, this initiative aims to improve access to care and empower helpers to support both their clients and themselves.

Chemistry and Materials Science PhD student Jasna Kallepuram Pareed received first prize in the student poster contest at the Northern Ontario Ag Conference in Sudbury, Ontario. The research work was performed at LUARS with the help of Dr. Sahota and Dr. Kaur.

Jasna's poster was titled "Optimization of Fertilizer Use in Agriculture Fields Using Raman and Near-Field Spectroscopy".

Congratulations to Jasna for excellent work in the field of near-field spectroscopy!

Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont. - Lakehead University is expanding its footprint in downtown Barrie with the addition of 5 Ross Street as a second location for the Barrie STEM Hub, opening later this year.

Beginning in fall 2026, students will study for in-demand careers in engineering or computer science at the STEM Hub’s two locations downtown: 24 Maple Avenue and 5 Ross Street.

“This marks another incredible milestone for Lakehead University, as we continue to establish our university presence in Barrie,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor. “With the support of Mayor Alex Nuttall and the City of Barrie, we are building a modern, purpose-built environment for our students that is perfectly designed for hands-on learning and applied research.”

The new location at 5 Ross Street will support flexible classrooms and active learning spaces, student services and social spaces, as well as graduate student offices. The first floor at 24 Maple Avenue will house specialized research and teaching laboratories, including multiple advanced labs focused on Motors and Robotics, Machines, Instrumentation, and Mechatronics.

“We are providing high-quality classrooms, high-tech labs, student services spaces, and social areas that our students deserve, right from the start,” she said, noting the finalized academic plan for the Barrie STEM Hub includes 27,200 sq. ft. of teaching, learning and research space.

As one of the fastest growing municipalities in Ontario and one of the few among the 25 urban growth centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe without a university campus, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall is happy to see this unique partnership come to fruition.

“The expansion of Lakehead University’s presence downtown is a major win for Barrie,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “This second STEM Hub location not only brings new energy to our core, but also enhances the student experience by creating vibrant, modern spaces to learn, collaborate, and connect. It’s an investment in our students, our businesses, and the future of our city.”

Together with Georgian College, Lakehead University is re-energizing the downtown core and building an interconnected ecosystem where students can study locally for in-demand careers in engineering, mechatronics, and computer science. “By creating new pathways for local learners and new talent pipelines for local employers, we are helping build a stronger, more resilient regional economy,” explained Dr. Siddall.

In December 2024, the City of Barrie Council approved a plan to partner with Lakehead to bring the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Hub to downtown Barrie. Delivering engineering and computer science programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the STEM Hub will create a pipeline of skilled workers ready to join in-demand industries, especially in STEM fields.

The Barrie STEM Hub will open in fall 2026. Applications are now open.

Find out more at www.lakeheadu.ca/about/barrie-stem-hub.

Thunder Bay, Ont. — CBC broadcaster and cultural commentator Elamin Abdelmahmoud will headline a Black History Month lecture at Lakehead University as part of the institution’s 60th Anniversary President’s Public Lecture Series.

The event will feature a fireside chat between Abdelmahmoud, host of CBC’s daily arts, entertainment and pop culture program Commotion, and Lakehead University Chancellor Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell.

The conversation is grounded in the theme "Black Identity in Canada and What It Means for Young People in an Ever-Radicalized World" and will examine how culture, media and storytelling shape identity and influence how young people see themselves and their futures.

Abdelmahmoud will reflect on his experience as a newcomer to Canada, having immigrated from Sudan at age 12, as well as his work in media and cultural commentary. The discussion will also address representation and the role of Black voices in Canadian public life.

Dr. Shelton Deverell is an award-winning scholar, broadcaster, television producer, journalist and theatre artist. She is among the first Black women in Canada to be a television host and network executive, the first woman to lead a journalism program at a Canadian university, and a co-founder of Vision TV.

The event is co-presented with and sponsored by the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU).

The President’s Public Lecture Series was launched in honour of Lakehead University’s 60th anniversary and features a series of free public talks held on the university’s Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses. Events alternate between campuses and are also available by live stream and on-demand.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 3 - 5 p.m.
Location: The Outpost, Lakehead Thunder Bay, 955 Oliver Rd + Livestream
Registration: lakeheadu.ca/presidentslectureseries

For more information, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/presidentslectureseries.

Where would we be without teachers?

Most of us have been taught by at least one educator who inspired us with their knowledge, changed the way we saw the world, and helped us believe in ourselves—even when we didn't.

That's why, every year, Lakehead honours outstanding faculty and staff members whose commitment to teaching helps their students excel.

Read on to meet Lakehead's most recent award recipients and discover why these educators deserve a round of applause.

Distinguished Instructor Award Recipient

Dr. Sam Salem
Civil Engineering

"Teaching with purpose—inspiring minds and shaping futures—is my foundational principle. Even if my day has been tough and I'm feeling exhausted, once I'm in the classroom and see the excitement in students' eyes, my tiredness disappears."

Favourite Class to Teach:
Any class that is practical and interactive, emphasizing real-life applications over theory alone. I often use visuals, real engineering examples, and open discussion to simplify complex concepts and engage students. By encouraging questions, ethical awareness of public safety, and hands-on learning, I help students connect classroom knowledge to real-world structural engineering with a strong sense of responsibility.

Proudest Teaching Accomplishment:
"Even though it's wonderful when my students get good grades, what makes me most proud of them is when they try hard and ask questions. It shows me that they want to learn. For me, teaching is a work of the heart. You have to love what you teach in order to inspire students."

Contribution to Teaching Award Recipients

Dr. Davut Akca
Interdisciplinary Studies (Criminology)

"I love teaching because it allows me to share my knowledge, research, and professional experience with new generations while learning alongside them. It is deeply rewarding to witness students grow, gain confidence, and find their career paths. Teaching also keeps me intellectually engaged and up to date in my research field.

Favourite Class to Teach:
One of my favourite classes is the highly hands-on Investigative Interviewing course. Students apply evidence-based interviewing techniques, conducting mock interviews in a separate classroom while their peers observe and later provide structured feedback. It allows students to experience professional-level skill development.

Proudest Teaching Accomplishment:
Consistent student feedback highlighting the practical and engaging nature of my courses. One student wrote: "Dr. Akca is a great prof and clearly explains the course materials." Comments like this affirm my belief that—in an era of easy access to information—creating meaningful opportunities to apply knowledge is what truly supports student learning and professional growth.

Dr. Ahmed Elshaer
Civil Engineering

"I enjoy helping students see the real world through engineering. The classroom becomes a place where curiosity grows, ideas turn into projects, and students start thinking like problem solvers. Teaching allows me to guide them through challenges and share the excitement of learning."

Favourite Class to Teach:
Either Wind Engineering, Engineering Optimization, or Artificial Intelligence. Wind Engineering is inspiring because students learn how wind interacts with real structures and how engineering decisions shape resilience and safety. Engineering Optimization and Artificial Intelligence empower students to solve complex problems using modern tools and data-driven thinking.

Proudest Teaching Accomplishment:
Students often mention that the clarity and energy in the classroom helped them succeed in courses they once worried about. I've had students explain that my teaching helped them choose engineering as a career path with confidence. It means a lot to know that one of my courses changed how they see themselves and what they believe they can achieve.

Dr. Kathryn Walton
English

"I love being able to create courses that not only teach students fundamental skills and ideas, but also inspire them to think deeply and intricately about English literature, its history, and its continued relevance today. Most of all, I love being able to interact with students on a day-to-day basis in the classroom."

Favourite Class to Teach:
I love teaching children's literature because students come into class with very set ideas about what it is (purely simplistic and fun). I tear down that assumption with an intense critical, historical overview of children's literature from the Middle Ages to today. It's very rewarding to get students to think more deeply about these seemingly simplistic works and how much attitudes towards children have shifted.

Proudest Teaching Accomplishment:
I am proud of any and all student engagement, but I am most proud when students are inspired to pursue graduate studies because of my teaching and materials.

Brian Weishar
Education

"My courses involve a lot of social interaction. I think it's important to build a community within the classroom. So one of the things I love about teaching is seeing the connections and discoveries that come out of that social interaction. It's a real gift to be a part of that."

Favourite Class to Teach:
"Each course offers something special. In the Classroom Management, Evaluation and Planning course, we spend a good portion of the time thinking about and practicing how to design learning. This feeds into the teacher-candidate placement. I get to 'follow' some of the students out into their placements, as a faculty advisor, and see them transfer what they've learned into action."

Proudest Teaching Accomplishment:
When teacher candidates come back from placement, after they've been in my course, and share the things they applied when they were out in the field. I love seeing the impact that they're making on their own as learners.

Other Contribution to Teaching Award Recipients:

Kaitlin Adduono, Nursing
Professor Tenille Brown, Law

Teaching Innovation Award Recipients

Mohit Dudeja
Education

"I love teaching because it enables me to transform learning into a creative, political, and collective experience. It allows me to design learning environments that question dominant narratives, centre underrepresented voices, and invite students to interrogate how power operates in our own lives and communities."

Favourite Class to Teach:
My favourites are activism courses, such as Gender & Climate Activism and Sexual Activism & Politics, that take unconventional and justice-oriented pedagogical approaches that position students as political actors rather than observers. Activism is a survival practice for me. I have been a fighter from an early age, and the battles I have lived through shape how I teach."

Proudest Teaching Accomplishment:
At the end of our 2025 Activism in Education play, the room echoed with claps and many were in tears. It wasn't the kind of emotion that comes from performance alone, but from recognition. Students had seen their lives, struggles, and unspoken truths reflected back to them.

Dr. Taryn Klarner
Kinesiology

"What I love most about teaching is the relationships. I care deeply about my students as people first, and I always try to position myself on their side. Together we face the course material and assignments. When students feel seen, safe, and supported, they're more willing to get involved and engage with everything."

Favourite Class to Teach:
Any class where I can use hands-on, experiential learning. I've found that learning really comes alive when students can touch, experiment, move, and engage. Hands-on activities—like our KNIT innovation—help break down barriers, build confidence, and make the content feel meaningful.

Proudest Teaching Accomplishment:
When students tell me that they feel genuinely supported and cared for in my classroom. Hearing that reminds me why this work matters so deeply because when students feel supported, they're not just getting through school, they're learning to believe in themselves and their potential. This is our highest calling as teachers.

Professor Larissa Speak
Law

"I hope that my teaching practices help build the capacity for settler students to better understand Indigenous perspectives and laws. I also really value the relationships I've built with Indigenous students—their contributions shape my teaching practices."

Favourite Class to Teach:
Indigenous Perspectives because it has a land-based learning component—the Gaa-maada'ooniding Law Camp. This class gets all of us out on the land and engaging with local knowledge holders about treaty history, respect, medicine teachings, and language. I'm very grateful for our partnership with the School of Indigenous Learning (SOIL), which makes this class possible.

Proudest Teaching Accomplishment:
After my first year teaching, an Indigenous law student gifted me an eagle feather to recognize my contributions to teaching at the law school. As a new instructor, this was a very encouraging and generous gift, grounded in Anishinaabe practices. I continue to care for this feather and to bring Anishinaabe practices and knowledges into my teaching.

Other Teaching Innovation Award Recipients:

Kristen McConnell, School of Nursing

Teaching Support Award Recipient:

Adam Humeniuk, Teaching Commons

Congratulations to all the 2025 recipients of Lakehead's highest teaching honours!

This Exceptional Alumni Award Winner Helps Children Blossom

"Students have taught me more lessons about myself than I ever could have expected," says educator and Lakehead alum Heidi Warren, above.

One moment in particular stands out for her. She was trying to lead an elementary school class outside, but as she was hurrying the children along, a young student tried to get Heidi to stop.

"I was feeling overwhelmed and rushed, and I said, 'Come on, let's go,' and he started to cry. He wanted to show me this incredible picture of a rainbow and hearts that he'd drawn for me on the chalkboard.

I realized that I needed to take a breath, connect with that student, and look at his picture. It only took a moment, but it made a huge difference."

"To keep planting seeds for meaningful change in education," is Heidi's mission. "I want to continue creating spaces where hearts and minds can grow (including my own)." Above is the chalk drawing created for her by her young student.

Taking the time to build connections shapes Heidi's approach to learning.

She's currently on a secondment as a whole child coach with the First Nation School Board in Yukon. Her regular job is as the principal of the White River First Nation's Nelnah Bessie John School in Beaver Creek, Yukon.

"I want to support kids so that they thrive because when I was a student, sometimes I got support and sometimes I didn't," she says.

Embracing Community in the Arctic

Heidi spent much of her childhood in the Northwest Territories, including Fort McPherson and Inuvik.

"There's no separation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the north; we all lived in community together," she says.

"My parents taught me that we were visitors and that we should take our lead from Elders and Indigenous people. This gave me a much stronger relationship to the land and to the community."

Heidi received her Bachelor of Arts and Science and Bachelor of Education in 2010. She's happy to be teaching in Yukon, where she spent part of her childhood. Above, she stands beside her mother who's holding her little sister.

Both of Heidi's parents were educators. "As a young child, I loved being in the classroom with them, surrounded by books and chalkboards."

These early experiences made her want to be a teacher, but Heidi first tried out several different careers before embarking on an education degree as a mature student.

"I started at a large university close to Toronto—by that time, my family had moved to southern Ontario—but I found it hard to be in such an impersonal environment."

Stepping into a New World

Things changed when her mother told her that a university would be opening in Orillia.

This news prompted Heidi to enrol in Lakehead Orillia's Bachelor of Arts and Science program (specializing in biology and anthropology) and concurrent Bachelor of Education program.

She began her studies in 2006, becoming a member of Lakehead Orillia's charter class.

"It was perfect. The professors had high expectations, but they offered great support, and the classes were small.

Heidi (4th from the left) received an Exceptional Alumni Award at an October 25, 2025, ceremony at Lakehead Orillia. "It was lovely to be back again. The ceremony was heartfelt and true to the Orillia way."

I remember every single one of my instructors. Anthropology Professor Dr. Tim Kaiser's belief in me and his passion for his subject were inspirational. Biology professor Dr. Nanda Kanavilil was incredible, too. He always wanted us to strive for the deepest understanding of genetics and biology."

Nurturing Children's Self-Worth and Curiosity

In her role as a whole child coach, Heidi works with First Nation School Board education assistants and teachers committed to using a holistic lens with their learners.

Through her coaching, she enables educators to support students academically, culturally, and cognitively to create the sense of safety that's necessary for a supportive learning environment. "Historically, school hasn't been a safe space for Indigenous children," she explains.

First Nation School Board students at a fall camp that helps them stay connected to their culture and language through activities including setting fish nets, moose hunting, duck hunting, camp meal prep, and storytelling.

This fall, Heidi returned to the Orillia campus to receive an Exceptional Alumni Award for her transformative work as an educator. "I was very honoured and surprised," she says.

"I want to fan the flame of kids' passions and interests," she adds. "Helping children discover who they are gives me my sense of purpose."

Professors and current and former Lakehead students attend the launch of a new graduate degree program in Social Justice Studies now offered at the Orillia Campus. 

Orillia, Ont. - Lakehead University is expanding graduate degree program offerings in central Ontario with the launch of the Master of Social Justice Studies program, now offered at the Orillia Campus.

Designed for established career professionals wanting to expand their competencies or a student who’s just graduating from university, the Master of Social Justice Studies degree prepares students to work, research, and advocate for a more just and inclusive world.

“In this program we explore and tackle inequalities and oppressive structures of power to understand why they persist and what is required to bring about social change,” explained Dr. Glenda Bonafacio, dean of Lakehead’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. “We look at our relationships with each other, with the institutions and resources that structure our lives, as well as our relationship with the environment.”

Learning from faculty and researchers in fields like Indigenous learning, media, film and communications, political science, and criminology, students will engage with issues such as race, gender, poverty, and the environment.

Through coursework, practicum, and research or creative project-based learning, students have the opportunity to tailor their education to fit their interests and apply their knowledge to build better social, economic, and democratic policy and practice.

“Since we launched the degree program in 2016 in northwestern Ontario, our graduates have gone on to medical school and law school, others hold influential leadership, policy and advocacy roles with local non-profits, government, and community development organizations,” said program advisor Dr. Kevin Brooks.

The two-year program is designed to be flexible and accessible–courses are delivered in-person and online, allowing students to balance academic study with professional and personal responsibilities.

Applications are now open for September 2026.

For more information, visit https://www.lakeheadu.ca/programs/departments/social-justice.

Check out our first newsletter of 2026! It is full of exciting learning opportunities, events and more! Check it out here: https://conta.cc/3KFae9z

Check out our first newsletter of 2026! It is full of exciting learning opportunities, events and more! Check it out here: https://conta.cc/3KFae9z