MacEwan University
10700 104 ave T5J4S2 Edmonton, AB, Canada

I realized that I had stopped checking my homework app. I wasn’t making cute little colourful flags and flowers in my notes. I wasn’t going for bubble tea anymore. I didn’t care that I wasn’t following my skincare routine. I wasn’t dancing to K-pop in the mirror while getting ready in the morning. I was getting up late. Nothing felt good. I was taking five courses, doing all kinds of extra-curricular work and applying to law schools. There were a lot of deadlines and a lot o...f pressure. Money was worrying me. I was feeling a lot of anxiety about what my future would look like. So I took a bit of a self-inventory. I think that was the hardest part for me taking the time to be alone, press pause on everything else and think about what I needed. I realized that I had to take a few steps back to feel better. That meant being frank and straightforward with some of the people in my life and explaining exactly what I needed. Putting it all out there came with a huge sense of relief. I could breathe again. The COVID situation can make accessing that support system tougher, but there are people who can help. SAMU’s Peer Support, MacEwan’s Wellness and Psychological Services, the Writing Centre and so much more. No matter what you’re dealing with, you’re not alone. Raymarck Unera, Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy student and Peer Health Educator #MentalHealthWeek runs January 24-28. See the full list of events and supports: https://macewan.ca/campus-life/news/2022/01/feature-mhw-22/

Our alumni are our greatest legacy. Celebrate their outstanding achievements by nominating an alum for the #DistinguishedAlumni or Emerging Leader award. Find out more: http://macewan.ca/about-macewan/alumni/awards/ #MacEwanU #Alumni

We often talk about #MacEwanU’s campus community, but knowing exactly where to make connections isn’t always easy especially during the rolling waves of a pandemic. This Mental Health Week will focus on #BuildingConnections and communities despite the pandemic. Mental Health Week runs from Jan. 24-28. See some key ways to make connections on and off-campus and the full list of #MentalHealthWeek Events: bit.ly/3KpCHei

"I've always had this worry that I won't actually be able to apply what I've learned in university once I get out into the real world. Since competing in the National Cyber League, those doubts just aren't there anymore, says Meaghan Neill. At the end of her first-ever National Cyber League competition, Neill ranked as the top MacEwan participant and came in 143rd place out of over 3,600 competitors. She adds that the National Cyber League helped her better understand the concepts she was learning in class, and when she could actively apply them. #ComputerScience #ComputerScienceStudent

Over the past year, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of clients’ needs and the importance of using a client-centred approach that takes into account their voices. This experience also showed me the value of research and how social work, as a profession, can use research to assess needs and gaps in services, says Megan Heximer, a third-year student in the Bachelor of Social Work program. The opportunity to work with scholars, students and professionals from different universities, organizations and backgrounds was so valuable. Leading a team of student researchers from MacEwan and the University of Calgary, Megan helped Dr. Rita Dhungel with a project that looked at the experiences of immigrants and refugees living with HIV in Alberta. #HIV #ABHealth #StudentResearch

"I’m generally a really open person that's how my friends know me. So it felt really fun to be able to share my experiences on a broad platform, like the Pass the Mic podcast. During the last year or so of my program, we started having conversations about different parts of our identities and expanding on things we had disclosed in class and in our assignments. We wrote a lot about our experiences and then got involved in different "chapters." Initially, I was involved in ...the mental illness chapter, but now I'm in several more: LGBTQ2S+, grief and loss, and a chapter about body image and fat phobia. I don’t think I could have anticipated we would get to where we are now, but I always knew something really neat would come of our discussions. I want other child and youth care workers to know that the way they are in the world is perfect, and that the things about my identity that I thought would make me a bad or "incompetent" worker are actually many of the things that have made me the really good worker I am today. One of the most rewarding parts about being part of the podcast was when a group of us went to Vancouver to speak at the National Child and Youth Care Conference. I got to speak about things that were important to me and my identity in front of professionals in my field. Seeing those parts of myself being so deeply valued made me feel like my story was important to this field." Parker Pothier, Bachelor of Child and Youth Care ('16) Read more of Parker's story here: https://bit.ly/38doijo

"I don't really know why I joined the two MacEwan groups on Facebook. I was pretty sure they were mostly for students coming out of high school and I don’t fit that profile but for some reason, I just thought, Why not? I’m glad I did because those two groups have turned out to be the most supportive online spaces I’ve ever seen. If someone asks how to access a service, other students offer suggestions and a kind word. If a student says they are struggling with their men...tal health, people reply with resources and let them know they’re not alone. If someone is feeling isolated, they offer to message that person and connect. When a student talks about feeling ashamed about their COVID-19 diagnosis, people express their concern and share their own experiences. I haven’t seen a single snarky response. That shouldn’t be remarkable, but it is. Seeing people being so kind to each other amid all the other nastiness I see in other places online makes me emotional. It has made my post-secondary experience feel positive. And seeing young people across all programs and of all ages being so amazing to each other gives me hope that we’re all going to be okay." Lisa, first-year student, Acupuncture Read the rest of Lisa's story here: https://bit.ly/2V6QTkg

"In the next lecture, our prof made a point of telling the class to remember that their door was always open. So I worked up the courage to approach them at the end of class and set up a time to meet later that afternoon. I was nervous, but once I was in their office, I realized they really did care about their students’ success and wanted us to learn. I vented a little bit about my problems and how they were getting in the way, and then we went through the research I had don...e to look for a way to pull it all together. When they gave me a few extra days to finish the paper, I felt so relieved. The stress I was feeling melted away, things fell into place and I began to write again. I realized just how much even a small amount of unmanaged stress could get in the way of my performance and learning. After that, I didn’t think twice about approaching any of my professors and not just when I was stuck. I’ve learned so much by having direct, open dialogues with my profs; more than any textbook or syllabus could ever convey." Sara, Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy ’20 and philosophy graduate student at Concordia University in Montreal. Read more from Sara's story on our website: https://bit.ly/3mUuLpV

"I attended a different university for one year after high school and flunked out. I knew I was struggling and I could feel myself falling behind, but didn’t want to admit that to anyone. Not even to myself. I didn’t want to ask for help because it felt like that would be admitting I didn’t know what was going on. Seventeen years later, I know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness it is a sign of courage. That’s why my best advice for new students is to be brave. D...on't think that a problem you’re having is your problem alone. Be brave and turn to your professors, your classmates and MacEwan’s support services for help when you need them. Most of all, know that asking for help is a sign of courage. Be brave. You can do this. You're already doing great and you’re going to be finished before you know it." Christina Hardie, Bachelor of Arts, History, Class of 2020 Read more about Christina's story on our website: https://bit.ly/2FTvPJG

"To all the disabled students out there embarking upon their post-secondary journeys, I want to let you know that there will be frustrations, obstacles and embarrassments. I, too, have cried alone in the hallway, experienced defeat, and felt like there is no one to turn to. You are not alone though. There are people out there who will listen to you, believe you, and support you. Access barriers are not your fault. You are not a bad person for doing what is right for you, whether that is standing up or backing down. Only you know what it is like to inhabit your body and your life. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You’ve got this!" Melissa Banks, Bachelor of Arts, English ’20 and Dean’s Medal recipient Read more about Melissa's story on our website: https://bit.ly/2RqzFML

"MacEwan students, let’s try to keep each other safe this semester when returning to school! You’re going to notice a lot of new rules and protocols when you come back to MacEwan for the fall semester, and while this might seem a little burdensome at first, it’s for a good purpose. The new standards for how we interact, attend class, and move around campus are in place purely for the health and safety of our MacEwan community, so each of us doing our part to abide by them onl...y helps ourselves. So, make sure to look out for each other, help one another out by being careful when coming to campus, and remind your friends to follow the rules that way, we can make sure the campus is safe to visit all semester long!" Sean Waddingham, SAMU President, asks students of MacEwan to be mindful of the safety precautions as they all return for the new semester. See more

"The most important thing about being a university president is being willing to engage, to be curious and to listen. Universities work with collegial governance and a great sense of purpose, so the way to get anything done is to work with people, to clarify their vision and to help define some strategies to get to that vision. You really can't do anything alone." Dr. Annette Trimbee shares her experience and perspective as she prepares to take on her new role as President of MacEwan University.

Say hello to tomorrow's problem solvers, leaders and entrepreneurs! Congratulations to the graduating class of the School of Business: https://bit.ly/2Zy9Aju And congratulations to Gil Mendoza and Rebecca Trip, recipients of the School of Business Dean's Medals! #MacEwanCurbsideConvocation #MacEwanGrad

Our nursing grads have mastered the art and science of caring for others, and we know their patients and clients will be in good hands. Congratulations to the graduating class of the Faculty of Nursing: https://bit.ly/2WnDoNP And congratulations to Shyann Kelndorfer and Shannon Hubley, recipients of the Faculty of Nursing Dean's Medals! #MacEwanCurbsideConvocation #MacEwanGrad

They're working to make our communities healthier, safer and stronger. Congratulations to the graduating class of the Faculty of Health and Community Studies: https://bit.ly/3fynibW And congratulations to Amanda Strachan and Madison Woloszyn, recipients of the Faculty of Health and Community Studies Dean's Medals! #MacEwanCurbsideConvocation #MacEwanGrad

You'll never meet a more creative or inspiring group than our grads from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications! Here is this year's graduating class: https://bit.ly/3fzXE6x And congratulations to Laura Wunderli and Josephine Junas-Grant, recipients of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications Dean's Medals! #MacEwanCurbsideConvocation #MacEwanGrad

Congratulations to the graduating class of the Faculty of Arts and Science, who impressed us with their research, their curiosity and their willingness to ask tough questions: https://bit.ly/30ehpKn And congratulations to Melissa Banks, Faculty of Arts and Science Dean's Medal recipient! #MacEwanCurbsideConvocation #MacEwanGrad

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 from the Department of Sociology!

Welcome to the club! Being a MacEwan alum means you are in good company. Congratulations Class of 2020. We can't wait to see what's next.

Meet the MacEwan Class of 2020. Our graduates have brought creative visions and entrepreneurial ideas to life. They have taken on leadership roles, asked big questions, and have become excellent athletes, volunteers and academics. We can't celebrate in the usual way, but we are proud to call all of them members of our community.

Congratulations Class of 2020! From all of us at MacEwan, your hard work has paid off and you deserve to be celebrated. Welcome to Curbside Convocation! We will post videos of congratulations throughout the day to celebrate all of your achievements.

Meet the 2020 President's Medal recipients. This year's recipients have shown leadership in the campus community, and contributed to the worlds of health and athletics, all while maintaining high academic standing. Thanks to the exemplary work of all of the medal winners and congratulations. We can't wait to see what you do next.