Alumni in their own words - Jacqueline Sookermany (CMU ‘15)
Where has life taken you since you left CMU?
During my studies at CMU, I developed a deep passion for prisoner justice and prisoner abolition while working for Correctional Service Canada at Stony Mountain Institution in their Programs department for my practicum. After I graduated with my four-year Arts and Sciences degree, I took a job at EPIC Opportunities, working at one of their day service locations. I hadn't previously considered working in the disability sector, but I found that I loved the work. I was able to support people in finding connections in their communities that were meaningful to them, expanding their hopes beyond employment. In this role, I was able to learn more about the world of disability justice and advocacy, which solidified my passion for the disability sector. After a few years, I took a position at Initiatives for Just Communities (IJC) in their disability outreach program, Touchstone, and it was at IJC that I began to think about pursuing a Master of Social Work. I moved to Victoria, BC, to complete my master's degree. My work in disability and corrections had left me skeptical of the social work profession. Over the course of my studies, I had the opportunity to see that social work is making bold strides toward becoming a field where people with lived experience are directly influencing the policies that shape their services, and that many social workers are actively working to decolonize the profession. My journey has led me back to the place where I decided social work was the correct path for me—IJC—as Director of Services for their Winnipeg programs. I am currently overseeing four programs that span work in disability support and advocacy, community education, and restorative justice. It is a bit dreamy to have a role that allows me to engage in many of the sectors I am passionate about.
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CMU welcomes its largest incoming class
Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is celebrating its largest incoming class since the university's formation. This week, CMU welcomed 221 new undergraduate students to campus, contributing to a total student body of 775 on its main campus for the 2026/27 academic year.
The historic incoming class includes a full cohort of the new Bachelor of Education after-degree students as allocated by the Province of Manitoba, alongside 187 new students entering CMU's three- and four-year undergraduate degree programs.
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Sunday at CMU: September 2026
With Gratitude 2026
This month on Sunday at CMU, we're broadcasting student reflections from With Gratitude, an annual CMU event where graduating students share about their journeys through CMU and express what their studies have meant to them. The following speakers graduated in April 2026.
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Talking money, building confidence
As rising costs and economic uncertainty continue to affect households across Canada, CMU invites the public to join a candid discussion about building financial literacy and well-being, and the role that community plays in this process.
The university's upcoming Face2Face conversation, "Money and the Cost of Living: Building Financial Confidence Together," will take place on Friday, September 18 at 7:00 PM in Marpeck Commons (2299 Grant Ave.) on the CMU campus and via livestream. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.
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New podcast offers real talk for Canadian music therapists
CMU professors Lee-Anne Dowsett and Michelle Yaciuk know the music therapy world inside and out. On their new podcast, they're pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to work in the field.
The duo launched the first episode of Music Therapy Unplugged: Real Talk for New Professionals on August 4. The subsequent six episodes that make up the first season will be released biweekly on Tuesdays on the podcast's website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
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