Get to know our graduates
Bailey Isenor
- Masters of of Business Administration (MBA)
- Hometown: Newmarket, Ontario
- Previous degree: Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in International Management and a minor in Law (2020, Laurentian University)
Q: What inspired you as a student? What are you most proud about, when it comes to your studies?
A: “I decided to pursue Business Administration due to the growing field of Business and the want to become a leader in a changing world. I am most proud about my completion of both my undergrad and masters when all odds seemed to defy me. I look forward to my continued learning through my professional life.”
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for future students interested in post-secondary education?
A: “What I will say to future students is that you are tomorrow’s leaders. You will lead the world into a new age. You [have the power to] set the tone that depicts how your future looks, and anything is possible.”
Bohdana Chiupka-Innes
- Masters in Architecture (M.Arch.)
- Hometown: Wawa, ON (Moose Cree First Nation Member)
- Previous degree: Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Minor in Indigenous Studies (2020, Laurentian University)
Q: What inspired you as a student? What are you most proud about, when it comes to your studies?
A: “I am most proud of finishing my thesis this past year called, “mînawâcihiwewi-ne-wîkiwnan / Healing Our Home: buildings of the Land.” I was able to do my thesis research back in my father’s community, Moose Factory, by engaging with directors of Moose Cree First Nation to design new housing that reflects our culture and values. I am most excited to continue my research post graduation as I was granted $30,000 in project funding by ImaGENation to continue my study. I am currently working with the Chief and community members to continue developing a house that reflects Moose Cree values. I am excited to join other Indigenous Architects in Canada as a registered architect in the next few years.”
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for future students interested in post-secondary education?
A: “As an Indigenous female in Architecture, I hope to see more Indigenous people pursuing a career in Architecture. We are able to bring our culture to life through design which will empower our people!”
Michael M. Langa
- PhD in Mineral Deposits and Precambrian Geology
- Hometown: Polokwane; a town in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
- Previous degrees: Honours Bachelors of Science (Applied) in Geology (2014, University of Limpopo, South Africa)
Q: What inspired you as a student? What are you most proud about, when it comes to your studies?
A: “I am very excited to graduate. It’s been a long and arduous journey to get to the end of my PhD journey, so I definitely feel a great relief. Feels a bit surreal. The pursuit of more geological knowledge inspired me to pursue my PhD. I’ve always wanted to be very good at something and the PhD afforded me the opportunity to work, learn, practice, and [contribute to] my area of study. I’m proud of myself and the person I have become. The PhD journey instilled in me resilience, tenacity and drive that I don’t think I could have found elsewhere. [The experience] definitely builds character. I feel more knowledgeable and capable, and I look forward to contributing to the geological community.”
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for future students interested in post-secondary education?
A: “In all honesty, graduate studies are not easy, [especially] the thesis part. You just have to surround yourself with good people (like-minded people) and be persistent.”
Connor Smith
- Masters of Architecture (M.Arch.)
- Hometown: Redlake Ontario
- Previous degree: Bachelor in Architectural Studies (2020, Laurentian University)
Q: What inspired you as a student? What are you most proud about, when it comes to your studies?
A: “Growing up in remote Northwestern Ontario, architecture never really held meaning because the majority of the buildings constructed were built cheaply and end with the absence of creativity. It wasn't until high school that my perspective changed… I chose Laurentian University to allow for a more hands-on creation process with design-build. I'm excited to finish my degree and complete my architectural requirements to become a licensed architect in Ontario to help the people of Northwestern Ontario in the remote areas in which I grew up."
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for future students interested in post-secondary education?
A: “For any future students, the piece of advice and wisdom I would give is you can always push past your limits. You may surprise yourself, but hard work can take you far.”
Twinkle Arora
- PhD Human Studies and Interdisciplinarity (PhD)
- Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
- Previous degrees: Honours Bachelor of Science – Specialist program in Mental Health Studies (2014, University of Toronto); Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (2017, Adler University)
Q: What inspired you as a student? What are you most proud about, when it comes to your studies?
A: “I am driven by my love of research and the wish to contribute to the broader sphere of knowledge. I started my PhD with an adamant desire to study a topic that was widely dismissed, with the goal of giving a voice to those who had not been heard. By integrating theoretical knowledge from the disciplines of Psychology and Media Studies, my research explored how creative writing impacts social functioning by way of parasocial interactions. My supervisors, Drs. Nangia, Hoi and Whissell, have been instrumental in the successful completion of my research project. I can’t thank them enough for their continued mentorship and encouragement. I am also extremely grateful for my friends, peers and professors at LU whom I shared my academic journey with.”
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for future students interested in post-secondary education?
A: “To aspiring students, if there’s something I’ve learned from my experience, it is - not necessary to be the smartest apple in the tree to succeed; but to be persistent and find a supervisor who is supportive and helps you grow. Finally, reminding yourself of how far you have come at every step of your journey is important. Celebrate every win as you get closer to the finish line!”