The University of Winnipeg is proud to celebrate Sidney Leggett (BSc Hons, 2022) and Josh Swain (BSc, 2021) during a special virtual McCall MacBain Scholars Reception on Monday, August 29 at 10:00 am CT.
The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University, which were created in 2019 thanks to the generosity of John and Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, are Canada’s first comprehensive, leadership-driven scholarships for master’s and professional degree studies.
Dr. Todd Mondor, President and Vice-Chancellor, and Dr. Jan Stewart, Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic, cordially invite you to attend the virtual celebration. Please RSVP here and you will receive a Zoom link prior to the event.
Sidney Leggett
Sidney Leggett will be pursuing a Master of Science in Epidemiology through the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
“I hope to further pursue how to find impactful and innovative ways to empower Indigenous youth to follow their dreams,” she said.
When she wasn’t in class, working four part-time jobs, or spending her summers as a junior epidemiologist and research intern, Leggett volunteered with campus organizations. She served as Treasurer and built the website for the UWinnipeg Chapter of the Canadian Indigenous Science and Engineering Society (.cAISES); a campus group for Indigenous students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Leggett was also student in the Pathways to Graduate Studies (P2GS) program, which offers research opportunities for Indigenous students in STEM, and was a mentor in the program too. She’s also designed, developed, and maintained websites for Turtle Lodge, Storycatching, and Waterways Canada.
Josh Swain
Josh Swain is currently studying in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, pursuing a Master of Science in Public Health.
He worked for seven years before beginning his undergraduate studies at UWinnipeg in 2016, and continued to work part-time at a restaurant during his studies. While studying at UWinnipeg, he engaged with his Métis heritage by serving as the Vice-President for .cAISES in 2020.
Swain was also a two-time instructor in the annual P2GS program, co-facilitating the biology module. During his final year, he helped teach biology and financial literacy to Indigenous students.
“One of the most important things I encountered at UWinnipeg was a strong group of Indigenous science students pursuing their dreams and taking on graduate programs,” Swain said in 2021. “It was so inspiring, and I consider each of those students friends for a lifetime. I also had some incredible mentors within the faculty who encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone even further, apply for research grants, and take on some of the more difficult higher-level courses that opened my eyes to public health.”
To learn more about the McCall MacBain Scholarships, visit their official website.
