Emerging as ‘a more thoughtful version’ of yourself

Graduating from any program is an incredible accomplishment; meet Talia Smith (she/they), a bachelor of arts (advanced) grad who did so at the top of their class. They have earned the Governor General’s Silver Medal, awarded for outstanding achievement at the undergraduate level. As they embark on graduate studies, they carry with them everything they gained during their time at the University of Manitoba: knowledge, confidence and a commitment to fresh perspectives and bold ideas. 

 “My time at UM taught me that university is one of the best places to get a sense of who you want to be in an increasingly complex world.”

Talia Smith

An elective course “fundamentally changed the way I think,” Talia Smith says. She was pursuing psychology at UM when she took the optional philosophy class with Dr. Carl Matheson.

“He presented philosophy as a discipline where creativity and curiosity collide…where you’re encouraged to challenge the ideas that have built the very foundation of our lives,” Smith says. “I recognized that philosophy was the best avenue for me to explore and reconceptualize how we exist in the world.”

Now Smith is graduating from UM and has already begun graduate studies at the University of Oxford, something they never thought would be possible. They were encouraged to apply by Dr. Steve Lecce, a key mentor during their time at UM.

At times, Smith questioned their capacity to excel in academic spaces. They initially reached out to Dr. Lecce for help on a paper. The political theory professor became a consistent voice of support and encouragement over the course of three years. He “helped me find opportunities to challenge myself in new ways to build my confidence,” she says.

Smith received an Undergraduate Research Award to explore the politics of gifted education alongside Lecce and presented their work at a conference for political theorists from across Canada, an experience that was both enriching and illuminating, she says.

So far, their career path has been non-linear. They hope to use the diverse experience they’ve gained to build bridges between academic and professional spaces, generating new ways of thinking. Environmental governance is Smith’s current focus, specifically our relationship to wildlife in places and contexts where humans are considered primary stakeholders.

 “My time at UM taught me that university is one of the best places to get a sense of who you want to be in an increasingly complex world,” she says. “As long as you remain actively engaged, open to new opportunities, and take classes and build relationships with professors who challenge you to think deeply, you’ll emerge a more thoughtful version of yourself who can hold nuance and tackle challenges with equal parts grace and rigour.”

UM Bisons are at the center of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. 1,395 students are graduating this Fall, bringing the number of graduates in the class of 2025 to 5,586 so far. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, contributing high-demand skills to the labour market and injecting nearly $300 million into the province’s economy each year.

Teri Stevens