The University of Winnipeg community congratulates valedictorian Dominique Chudd, who will address their fellow graduates during the 127th Convocation ceremony on Friday, October 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the Duckworth Centre gymnasium.
Dominique is graduating with a Master of Arts in Cultural Studies. They selected the program’s Texts and Cultures stream.
Born and raised in Gimli and currently residing in Winnipeg, the 29-year-old chose UWinnipeg for undergraduate studies too, completing a BSc in Biochemistry in 2018 and a BA in English in 2024 before entering the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
I am proud of the person I have grown into during my post-secondary journey and feel incredibly lucky for these opportunities and experiences.
Dominique Chudd
“UWinnipeg is a smaller university, and since I come from a small town, I wanted to be at an institution that felt similar to a small community,” Dominique said.
They enjoyed serving as a Research Assistant for the Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak (Rocky Cree) Project, where they helped archive data for the federally-funded project. Dominique enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside UWinnipeg faculty and Elders from Rocky Cree communities in northern Manitoba. The work also dovetailed with their own research interests, which focus on how meaning and power are contested in medicine and healthcare.
During their master’s program, Dominique also participated in beading circles hosted by Métis faculty and in a reading group offered by CRiCS, the Centre for Research in Cultural Studies.
“Overall, the many small communities and groups that I was lucky to be a part of over the years had the greatest impact on me,” Dominique said.
The university’s small class sizes and attentive professors made a big impact on Dominique. They recalled one class, taught by Dr. Peter Melville, in which the students, despite having to meet over Zoom during the pandemic, became so close they began referring to the course as the “Caring Class.”
“Looking back now, I feel a lot of gratitude,” Dominique said. “I have gratitude for all that I have learned, all the relationships I have gained, and all I have accomplished with the support of my family, friends and communities by my side. I am proud of the person I have grown into during my post-secondary journey and feel incredibly lucky for these opportunities and experiences.”
Dominique received numerous awards and scholarships at UWinnipeg, including making the Dean’s Honour List seven times. They also twice received the Westshore Community Foundation Scholarship, a community award for students from the Interlake area of Manitoba.
Dominique kept busy with extra-curricular pursuits too, including Ukrainian dance and recreational soccer, ultimate Frisbee, and volleyball.
Their work experience included a medical assistantship at the Women’s Health Clinic, and an administrative support role with the Sport Manitoba Clinic.
Dominique’s goal is to become a medical professional with a health-care practice that challenges medical discrimination and promotes holistic, community-based care. They have already begun a two-year master’s program at the University of Manitoba to become a Physician Assistant.
Dominique said their time at UWinnipeg has taught them that growth often happens during times of adversity.
“It’s like when a hermit crab is uncomfortable when it outgrows its shell and has to go get a new one,” they said. “Discomfort it a natural part of growth.”
As Dominique prepares for the next chapter of their academic journey, they offered some advice to those just beginning theirs.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and make sure you help others as well.”
