International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8. This year’s theme, #InspireInclusion, is an opportunity to celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity.
Here are some of the many women in the MacEwan community who are making strides toward inclusivity across campus and the world.
Inspiring inclusion
Communications student Emilie Rubayita showcased the voices of Black Edmontonians in her CBC Creator Network video, Scents of Black Excellence, and in the Stories of Belonging videos featured on campus for Black History Month 2024.
Students with disabilities have to work harder than their peers in order to succeed in their learning, so Dr. Natalia Rohatyn-Martin is collaborating with other researchers to test a tool that will help assess fatigue among deaf learners.
Psychology Honours student Kiersten Taylor is researching the history of gendered toys and marketing, and how the things we play with as children influence our future careers.
A 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is ensuring that proper health care is available to everyone. Jacqueline Koughan, Bachelor of Science in Nursing ’12 established the Rainbow Clinic for 2SLGBTQIA+ military members, and also worked extensively in remote Indigenous communities.
After volunteering with the Young Indigenous Women’s Circle of Leadership, Anthropology Honours student Allyson Brinston created a workshop on campus for Edmonton families to engage in Cree language and games.
Ania Bylinski started her career as a paramedic, but came to MacEwan to help for vulnerable populations in other ways. She plans to major in psychology, and currently volunteers with the Coalition for Harm Reduction at MacEwan.
Groundbreaking research
Social media is rampant with “mommy wine culture” memes, which were especially popular during the pandemic. Dr. Emilene Reisdorfer researches the jokes and their effects on the consumption of alcohol among mothers.
Bachelor of Science student Vy Tran is investigating how new stars are formed in the night sky.
When the war began in Ukraine, Kateryna Kuzmuk had the opportunity to come to MacEwan. During her time on campus, she worked with Dr. Jeffrey Rice to research crowdfunding efforts for the war, which was published in The Conversation Canada.
Bachelor of Early Childhood Curriculum Studies student Courtney Smith researches the benefits of loose-parts play, which encourages children to play with household items rather than manufactured toys, with Dr. Ozlem Cankaya.
Dr. Jillian Turanovic, Bachelor of Arts ’09 and 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, analyzed nearly 900 studies in her research into school shootings in the United States.
In an effort to give children more control over their own learning, Bachelor of Early Childhood Curriculum Studies student Olivia Hardy designed an open-ended scavenger hunt at the Royal Alberta Museum as her capstone project.
Awards and accomplishments
Dr. Sarah Carter, who received an honorary doctorate from MacEwan in 2022, was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2023.
Spring convocation showcased the excellence of many of MacEwan’s graduating students. Shannon Majeau and Lisa Kotelniski received the president’s medals for their degree and diploma, respectfully. Denae Weiss received the Governor General’s Bronze Medal, and Hayleigh Dansereau received the Governor General’s Silver Medal.
Kerri-Lynn Reeves showcased her exhibition Holding/Tenderness as Harcourt House’s artist in residence.
Several MacEwan faculty were celebrated for their accomplishments in the classroom with our 2023 teaching awards. Dr. Lee Makovichuk and Dr. Sarah Copland each earned Distinguished Teaching Awards. Neetu Sharma received the Early Career Excellence Teaching Award, and Dr. Diane Symbaluk received MacEwan’s first Teaching Leadership Award.
Massage therapy student Paitynn Hippisley earned the American Massage Therapy Foundation’s Gold Award, and was able to present her award-winning research or case study at a conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
An infestation of mice led communications student Andi Sweet to pen and present an autobiographical story, which took home the win at The Moth’s GrandSLAM.
After listening to the sounds of nature while camping, Mallory Chipman, Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Pop Music ’15, took an interest in researching endangered birds in the province. She released an EP this summer called As Though I Had Wings, which utilized the melodies of those birds’ calls.
As Junos week swept through the city last spring, design installations popped up in multiple malls to mark the occasion. Bachelor of Design students Aldricia Chong and Bridgette Crabbe were the creative minds behind the noteworthy artworks.
The 2024 Ending Sexual Violence Research Forum Award was awarded to Bachelor of Social Work student Annaleise Walker for her research into sexual violence during war.