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Ella Gibson was adamant — she did not want to go to ��Ʒ������.

Gibson, from New Germany, NS, did not want to be seen as following her older brother, who was already a student at the University. However, Gibson’s plans changed after her dad told her about a unique program he’d read about — ��Ʒ������’s Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE).

“I absolutely fell in love with the program,” says Gibson. “I read some articles about it and thought it sounded amazing. Now, I couldn’t be happier that I chose ��Ʒ������.”

Gibson’s past volunteer, community, and youth leadership work, including serving as president of her high school student council, encouraged her to study politics and explore ways she could help people and make a difference in the world. She believes the McKenna School will help her achieve her goals and, in the meantime, the first-year student is loving her PPE classes and life in Edwards House residence.

Gibson is also an active member of a national youth Skeleton team — a sport she is very passionate about. She is grateful to ��Ʒ������ for its support as she trains and competes while pursuing her degree.

“I have had an abundance of support from my professors and everyone here at ��Ʒ������,” says Gibson. “Obviously, it’s my responsibility to keep up with my schoolwork, but the professors here are amazing — they are all super supportive and accommodating of me travelling for Skeleton. My ��Ʒ������ experience has been phenomenal.”

Gibson is the recipient of a McKenna School Scholarship. The scholarship awards $10,000 to entering students and is renewable for three additional years ($5,000/year).

“The day I got the email about the scholarship, I was at home with my parents and my two best friends, and I was so excited,” says Gibson. “I had read online about other PPE students who had received the scholarship in the past. I thought they were such interesting people, and that was part of the reason I wanted to come to ��Ʒ������. To then to know I was being recognized as a similar calibre of person was just amazing.”

Internships, community engagement, and academic and research experiences help students expand their networks and explore and launch careers. In the past year, funding from the McKenna School Endowment, Fran and Edmund Clark Mobility Fund, and L.R. Wilson Internships supported the following students:

Isabella Andrea, third-year, International Relations
Travelled to South Africa where she spent three months as an intern with SOSNPO, a non-profit focused on water accessibility and sanitation. Andrea worked with communities and on research and development projects. “I want to express my deepest gratitude and thanks to everyone who made this opportunity possible. Being back on Sackville soil and on campus reminded me of how remarkable this university is and how many opportunities it grants students.”

Chloe Duguay (’25), International Relations
Attended a United Nations event in New York City. Duguay is currently at the London School of Economics, pursuing her master’s degree in environmental development, and upon completion plans to move into a role as an international staffer at NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy. Duguay serves on the Environment and Climate Change Canada Youth Council, in 2025 served on the executive committee of the G7 Youth Summit, and she is the recipient of a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Hinke Younger, third-year, PPE (Economics stream)
Spent the summer as an intern in the Center for Energy, Climate, and Resources at the ifo Institute for Economic Research (a prominent economic think-tank in Munich, Germany). “This position aligned closely with my desire to pursue a career in environmental policy, driving change at all levels of government. This dream would not be possible without the support of donors, ��Ʒ������, and the incredible community of scholars within the McKenna School.”

Oliver Batchilder (’25), PPE
Attended a conference in Ottawa on democratic decay. “Beyond the panels and workshops, what stood out most was hearing firsthand about the proactive steps being taken at all levels of government to strengthen institutions and respond to early signs of democratic erosion.” Batchilder is currently participating in Canada’s Parliamentary Internship Programme, where he works with members of parliament and supports research, policy, and legislative work.

Nathan Lane, fourth-year, Economics
Interned in the office of New Brunswick MLA David Hickey, meeting with and assisting constituents and supporting the MLA at key meetings. “I really appreciate the funding that made my summer internship possible. Because of it, I was able to have an experience that I enjoyed while learning about possible career paths that complemented my ��Ʒ������ degree. I also felt that I was able to contribute to the community, which was very rewarding and gave me a great sense of purpose.”

Liam Clark-Black, fourth-year, PPE (Economics stream)
Business development intern with the Halifax Tides FC. “I’ve loved competitive sports since I was four years old, and I realized a couple years ago I wanted to turn that passion into my career. As a PPE student, I think I’m very well prepared to thrive in a variety of different work environments, and I was eager for the opportunity to help rally the community around the first ever professional women’s soccer team in Atlantic Canada.”

Lucas Orfanides, second-year, PPE
Interned with the Canadian Bankers Association. “A huge thank you to the donors. This internship gave me invaluable exposure to public policy, helped refine my career goals, and provided real-world experience in an organization that plays a central role in Canada’s financial system. Most importantly, it gave me the chance to contribute directly to meaningful work, from research that can guide policymakers on issues of financial stability to public initiatives that protect seniors and strengthen financial literacy.”

Rebecca Wolf Gage, second-year, PPE
Interned in the office of MP Elizabeth May. “My internship with MP May was foundational to my development as a PPE student. Throughout the summer, I contributed to a wide range of responsibilities, from engaging with constituents and drafting correspondence to assisting with research on policy issues. Every week brought new opportunities to learn and contribute, and I took pride in helping the office stay responsive and connected to the community. This experience not only deepened my appreciation for public service but also reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing a career where I can bridge policy, law, and community engagement.”

Bridget Powning, fourth-year, PPE (Philosophy stream)
Collaborated with Community Forests International, an environmental forestry group, on a project that combined Powning’s research abilities as a PPE student and artistic talents as a sculptor. “I am so grateful that I have been able to access funding to do things that are closely tied to my interests and aspirations. There are not very many summer job opportunities that allow me to combine all three of my academic areas in PPE with environmentalism and art.” Powning is interested in pursuing a career in environmental law.

Lucas Reynolds, third-year, PPE (Philosophy stream)
Interned with NB Media Co-op, an independent media organization in New Brunswick, where Reynolds worked as a journalist. “The appreciation I now have for New Brunswick and journalism in general is something I will bring with me throughout my life. If my reporting played any part in helping New Brunswickers, it is only because of the opportunity this internship gave me.”

Lauren Gallant, a first-year PPE student from La Crete, AB, was one of 36 young leaders in Canada selected to receive a Loran Award. Valued at more than $100,000, the Loran Award is not a traditional scholarship, but a four-year leadership-enrichment program that combines financial support, mentorship, summer internships, and a lifelong community of peers. Its mission is to empower students who demonstrate integrity, resilience, and a drive to serve others — qualities Gallant has already exemplified in her young life.

Gallant was a two-term member of Alberta’s Minister’s Youth Council, where she championed rural education needs, from mental health support to extracurricular opportunities. As President of her high school’s student council, she guided a team of more than 20 members, encouraging collaboration and innovation. She also chaired her school’s first student-organized leadership conference, bringing together 200 students from across Northern Alberta.

“I am motivated by a genuine curiosity about the world we live in and a desire to make it a better place,” Gallant says. “I want the contributions I make in my life to have a positive impact on others.”

Beyond leadership, Gallant has pursued opportunities outside of her comfort zone, including completing an out-of-province French immersion program to strengthen her language skills and cultural understanding. 

Her vision for the future is equally ambitious.

“I hope to influence public policy through a lens of empathy and genuine curiosity about the way that people live and the challenges they face,” she says. “I hope that throughout my life, I can create and be a part of communities that value diversity and are committed to serving others.”

For Gallant, the Loran Award represents more than financial support. It is a solid starting block for growth and leadership development.

“The opportunities that the Loran Award provides are truly invaluable and I can’t wait to see where they lead,” she says.

Gallant now joins an accomplished community of alumni who continue to contribute to Canada and beyond long after their undergraduate years. ��Ʒ������ has welcomed 15 Loran Scholars since the program began in 1988.

“The world needs more genuine compassion, curiosity, and empathy,” Gallant reflects. “That’s what drives me every day — and I’m grateful that the Loran Award will help me grow into the kind of leader who can make that difference.”

First-year political science student Anastasiia Stelmakh’s past experiences with European Union youth councils and with activism and community projects at home in Ukraine encouraged her to organize a Model UN club (MUN) on campus.
 
It had been several years since ��Ʒ������ had MUN, which sees post-secondary students from around the world come together for diplomacy and international relations simulations. Stelmakh moved quickly, forming an executive team of six students — five first-year students and one second-year student, representing a diversity of academic disciplines — and held a very well-attended welcome and information session in November.
 
“When you consider everything happening in the world, I am not surprised that there would be this burst of interest within our ��Ʒ������ community,” says first-year physics student and MUN executive team member Raphael Gatti. “MUN really attracts people looking to be global citizens.”
 
Recently, 20 ��Ʒ������ students were delegates to McMUN — organized each year by McGill University it is Canada’s largest Model UN conference and attracts more than 1,000 delegates from universities around the world.

Delegates represent countries at UN General Assembly sessions and committees. They also assume roles as countries and individuals in specialized agencies and crisis committees, including simulations that tackle both historic and modern cases. Two ��Ʒ������ students, including Gatti, were delegates to an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) committee. The ICAO is a specialized UN agency with its headquarters in Montreal and students were able to debate in its assembly hall.
 
“The ��Ʒ������ McMUN delegation consisted of students from all four years, various nationalities, and fields of study,” says Stelmakh. “Even though each delegate attended a different committee, our team was very collaborative. We worked together in the weeks leading up to the conference, helping each other research our countries, learn things like UN procedures and how to write position papers, practice our public speaking, and discuss how to collaborate on resolutions. At the event itself, we held evening debrief meetings every night. Most of us had never participated in MUN before and here we were alongside students from places like Harvard that had attended a dozen conferences so far this year. I’m proud of all the work our team did in a short period of time since forming the club.”

Funding from the Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics supported the participation of delegates and the group is incredibly thankful for this financial support.
 
The revived MUN at Mount Allison is only getting started. In March, delegates will attend a Model UN conference at Dalhousie University, the club has been invited to attend international conferences, and the group has ambitions to host a future conference on campus.