Fourth-year biology student Annika Goodbrandson likes to keep busy, and a national scholarship she has received is enabling her to continue reaching new heights, whether on the basketball court or in the classroom.
Goodbrandson is one of 30 Deaf or hard of hearing post-secondary students across Canada to receive a scholarship from Canadian Hearing Services (CHS) worth $3,000 to full-time students and $1,000 to part-time students. Goodbrandson said the scholarship will allow her to focus on her studies and her athletic pursuits without financial stress.
“I want to be an example to other individuals that with dedication and effort, goals can be reached despite facing any challenges in life,” she said.
Goodbrandson grew up in Selkirk playing just about every sport she encountered.
“I really enjoyed being a multi-sport athlete, learning new skills transferable to each new and attempted sport, as well as making new connections with new people,” she said.
As Goodbrandson finished high school, her focus narrowed to basketball and volleyball. She arrived at UWinnipeg after a year at Canadian Mennonite University. After redshirting with the Wesmen Women’s Basketball team for the 2022-23 season, she became a full member of the roster the following season. Now in her third year with the Wesmen, she is also a member of the Canadian Deaf Sports Association’s Team Canada Women’s Volleyball team.
I want to be an example to other individuals that with dedication and effort, goals can be reached despite facing any challenges in life.
Annika Goodbrandson
“Basketball is something that adds to my drive as not only an athlete, but also in life,” Goodbrandson said. “I think it teaches skills beyond the playing field, and the values in team effort, as working together towards a common goal over a period of offseason and in season endeavours.”
Goodbrandson is Deaf in both ears, and has a cochlear implant on her left side. UWinnipeg’s Accessibility Services and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services provides her with notetaking services and priority seating in lecture halls.
“This allows for me to focus and listen to the professor lecturing,” Goodbrandson explained, “and fill in any gaps that I may have missed. Having a resource to refer back to is really helpful. I find it really reassuring having Accessibility Services in my corner.”
Goodbrandson’s academic interests include microbiology, human reproduction, and forest management.
“The forestry courses have really opened my eyes to the importance of our forest systems, and how pivotal of a role they play across numerous areas,” she said.
Her grandmother, Kay, inspired her to take an interest in elder and disability care. Goodbrandson is considering a career in health-care, such as a nurse or occupational therapist, or a role in education, working with students with individualized needs.
“My dream would be to find something that combines the two fields,” she said.
Goodbrandson said she’s thankful for the support of her parents. Her mom stays up late studying with her, and her dad, a Wesmen Basketball alum, helps her navigate the challenges of being a student-athlete.
In the off-season, Goodbrandson gives back by participating in community basketball camps and working with adults with disabilities.
About CHS
Canadian Hearing Services is a national provider of professional programs, clinical and social services, and products that enable Deaf and hard of hearing Canadians to overcome barriers to participation. It is the largest organization of its kind in North America.
Launched in 2017, the CHS National Scholarship Program is the largest scholarship program in Canada that exclusively supports Deaf and hard of hearing students. It has awarded 163 scholarships to date. Students who receive funding remain eligible for the same level of funding for up to four consecutive years.
