Master of Arts English, Specialization in Women's Studies 2009

Bigger is not always better! After attending large schools for my undergrad and now for my Ph.D., my best experience as a student has been at Lakehead when I completed my Masters. The department of Women's Studies is home to small class sizes, knowledgeable, dedicated, and kind professors, challenging curriculum, and a wonderful feeling of community.  

I attended Lakehead from September 2007 to May 2009, and completed a Masters of English with a specialization in Women's Studies. I am currently attending the University of Ottawa, and will defend my Ph.D. in Women's Studies in the spring of 2013. My dissertation explores the function of anger in contemporary Canadian and American women's literature. Thanks in part to my professors at Lakehead, I have also developed an interest in, and currently research, animal studies, feminist methodologies, women's legal issues, and gender in sport. I use my background in Women's Studies every day. Not only are feminist theories and methodologies central to my dissertation, the skill set I have developed in Women's Studies has allowed me to read and think critically, to get involved in political or activist projects, and to see many different sides of a debate.

HBASc/BEd - Orillia Campus
Aurora,Ontario

"My favourite things about Lakehead - Orillia Campus are my friends! It was not difficult to socialize with other students, especially in Orientation where everyone was having a good time meeting new people and enjoying the activities. I believe having a group of friends to socialize with is very important in University life, and everyone's friendly faces at Orillia Campus made Orientation a perfect opportunity to meet people that may be my friends for many years to come.

I chose Lakehead University Orillia Campus because as soon as I set foot inside of it for the first time, I knew for sure that it is the right Campus for me. I chose this program because I really want to be a teacher, and this is the perfect program to study in.

If a student is sure that he or she would like to be a teacher after they graduate, then Lakehead offers the perfect program(s). The classes are small, which is an advantage for you to have a better learning experience and get the help you need easily. Lakehead's professors are really nice and helpful as well!!

A memorable experience from my time at Lakehead is the Dragon Boat Festival that I participated in. It was an amazing experience and everyone had fun whether if they were taking part in it or just cheering us on. I definitely do recommend this activity to new students.

Lakehead Orillia Campus is an excellent environment for a student to experience because it is different from all other universities across Ontario. Everyone is friendly with each other and the professors are very helpful. You get comfortable in the town of Orillia and you will not feel homesick for a long time, just at the beginning. At the Lakehead Orillia Campus nobody is a stranger, we are like a big happy family!"

Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism
Port Perry, Ontario

"I am currently going into my second year of University at Lakehead. I am doing the concurrent education program with Honours in Outdoor Education. I chose Lakehead because it is one of the only schools that offer the double degree in Education and Outdoor Recreation.

The campus is great up here in Thunder Bay! It is not too big and I feel a great connection with the faculty and student life. I have had great support from the faculty and Administration. I have been developing a Leadership Camp for Impoverished Youth for the last year and have had tremendous support from the administration and one professor in particular. We flew to Jamaica in July to initiate the first Leadership Camp with the full support of the Riverton, Jamaica community. Our hope is to develop a not-for-profit in the future, which will reach all parts of the world."

Program: Kinesiology
Hometown: Beachville, ON

Being from Beachville, ON, I was far from my hometown while I was at university. Despite this, Lakehead became my second home as I met so many great friends and made amazing memories. Not only have I had countless opportunities to get involved on campus and in residence, but the Kinesiology program also has some really exciting events. I have been involved in many clubs and events on campus and was very engaged with residence life through house events.

Furthermore, Lakehead has prepared me for the future in terms of developing my communication and leadership. One of the most invaluable experiences I had at Lakehead was being in the Kinesiology Co-op program. Through a 16-month paid co-op term, I had diverse work experiences in the Occupational Health and Safety department at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, in the rehab and cardiopulmonary departments in Sioux Lookout’s Meno Ya Win Health Centre, in a private pedorthic clinic, in the Sioux Lookout Pediatric Diabetes Program, and lastly in the London YMCA as a site director. Without the facilitation and support from many staff and professors at Lakehead, I would not have had this opportunity.

Honours Bachelor of Music
Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University was an Ideal choice for me. It offered me an environment that I was comfortable with, a strong academic community, and allowed me to be close to nature and an integral part of the broader community. The Faculty of Music offered me the opportunity to work closely with instructors and faculty of the highest calibre, who were able and willing to take the time to explore my academic needs with a detail that could get lost in a larger environment. Due to the relatively small size of the program, the opportunity to explore outside of my discipline was available. Interacting, and cultivating life-long relationships, with people from other disciplines broadened my horizons, and augmented my education. Lakehead left me well prepared to further my education – first with a master’s degree in music, then a master’s degree in Library Sciences. Now, as a music librarian at the University of Toronto, I work with one of the largest collections of music in any library in Canada, and North America. Every day I spend with music and musicians.  Lakehead provided me with a launching board to a life in music.”

Honours Bachelor of Commerce
Keswick, ON

Sometimes beautiful experiences come through a series of coincidentally. I didn't choose Lakehead. Lakehead chose me. I value being able to talk to my professor face to face, shake their hands and ask them questions. No middleman to my education at Lakehead. The environment is an extension of the small classroom sizes of a high school with cutting edge & thought provoking learning material. It's really the best environment for me personally. I get the attention I need to excel and grow. The Student Life at Lakehead is in constant motion, its really exciting to be apart of a school that's still in its early years because I feel that I can make an impact. I constantly catch myself brainstorming ideas for creation that will out live my time at LU. And that's simply the beauty of it. The Student Life is 100% what you make of it, it's your blank canvas to colour.

At LU Orillia we haven't yet broke two thousand, and this is apparent and imperative in your decision for post secondary education. Take it from a person who has always valued the concept of "Big Fish Small Pond". People know you for who you are and what you are becoming here at Lakehead. A professor at Lakehead Orillia couldn't be less concerned with your student number. Invaluable opportunities at every corner, breeding grounds for the new generation of powerful leaders. You are the student life and have every opportunity to contribute to the growth of what it means to go LU Orillia. I challenge you to come to Lakehead because no matter who you are, or where you come from Lakehead you will present you with inspiration and push you to grow to your full potential. You will meet meaningful individuals who will impact your life and the way you think and learn in a way in which words can't justify. Exceptionally. Unconventional.

Honours Bachelor of Commerce
Orillia, ON

Being born and raised in Orillia, Ontario, when I graduated high school, I knew I was not ready to move out my parent’s home and live on my own. Lakehead University Orillia provided me with the perfect opportunity to receive a top-notch University education, while still living at home. There are many awesome aspects about Lakehead Orillia. For me, the best part was the small class sizes. With my classes averaging less than 20 students each (some with less than 10 students) it was very easy to interact with my classmates. The small class sizes also allow students to really get to know their professors. The professors really care about each of their students and want to see them all succeed, making it easy to ask questions during or outside of class hours.

In my final year, I was the recipient of the President’s Golf Tournament Business Award. This is the top business award that business students at Lakehead Orillia can receive. It has been a great honour to be named the 2015 recipient. When I first learned of this award, I knew I wanted to apply for it. Having the desire to receive the award drove me to continue to increase my academic performance and my leadership within and outside the school community. I hope future business students motivate themselves and work hard so they too can be recipients of the award.

During my time as a student at Lakehead, I was involved in many activities outside of my academic life. The two main activities I was involved in included being an active member of the BOSS (Business Orillia Student Society) club, and being the chair of the Finance committee for the Lakehead Orillia Student Centre project. Getting involved around the campus is a great way to not only relieve stresses from studying, but it is also a great way to meet new people and make new friends!

The Commerce program at Lakehead Orillia has provided me with a solid understanding of the various components within business. My goal has been to continue my education and so beginning September 2015; I will be pursuing a Master of Science degree in Rural Planning and Development at the University of Guelph

Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology
Thunder Bay, ON

For me, Lakehead was an easy choice when it came to deciding where to complete my undergraduate degree. It had everything I was looking for in a university, from the wide variety of professional options to the ample opportunities for recreational activities that Thunder Bay has to offer. Through social events like “Wing Crawls” in the Kinesiology program I made life-long friends –we really were like one big family.  One of my most memorable experiences was our class canoe trip at the end of the program through Quetico Provincial Park.  It was amazing that we were able to spend four days venturing through the wilderness and beauty of Northern Ontario while receiving credit towards our degree! 

At Lakehead University, the small class sizes allowed me to get to know my professors and feel comfortable asking questions.  It was great when they were able to provide me with personalized reference letters when I applied to graduate school. The in-depth coursework and continued guidance from professors set me up for success as I went on to pursue my Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto.  Kinesiology courses at Lakehead taught me the value of the role I can play in advocating for health care services, and I plan to carry that knowledge forward as I now enter into my career.

Bachelor of Education (Consecutive), OE3
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

Moving to Thunder Bay to study in Lakehead's OE3 program marked an important step in my journey to becoming an outdoor experiential educator. Growing up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, place-based learning was important to me long before I discovered it was a recognized teaching method. After witnessing my parents' demanding careers as classroom teachers and administrators, studying to become a regular classroom teacher didn't exactly sparkle with inspiration. I yearned to be outside allowing students to build relationships with their surroundings and their playfulness to breathe. After researching the different bachelor of education programs offered in Western Canada, Lakehead's OE3 program was the only program I felt would nurture the kind of education I hoped to practice. I remember phoning to inquire and talking directly to my future professor, Tom Puk, about what the OE3 program entailed. I was shocked, "wow, they are actually taking me seriously!" The following year, I was in awe to find myself in a cohort with 20 other students who held similar ecological values and educational beliefs. In addition to Tom Puk's mentorship, I was especially privileged to take the School Based Outdoor Education course with Connie Russell and the Interpersonal Communication Skills course with Daniel Klassen. Neither of these courses was required, but the meaningful learning they afforded continues to affect the way I teach today. In addition to challenging me, my professors mentored me and spent time helping me to understand the different possibilities present in the field of education. Connie Russell, in particular, nudged me in a direction I never previously considered - graduate studies. It was true; I felt like my studies in the OE3 program helped me recognize areas of interest I didn't even know existed in the field of education. After teaching three years in northern Saskatchewan, I moved back to Ontario, eager to continue exploring the idea-seeds, which took root while at Lakehead. Looking back, the learning opportunities I had at Lakehead a decade ago opened the door to teaching experientially in Northern Saskatchewan, completing my Master in Environmental Studies at York University, and team teaching in the grade eight integrated and experiential program in Saskatoon called Eco quest. I am in my fifth year with the Eco quest program, and it is a wonderful gift to be able to teach in the experiential and place-based way I envisioned over a decade ago. Thank-you to the faculty of Education and the OE3 program for providing me with the knowledge and credentials to get started and the mentorship to help me clarify and navigate my route within the field of education.