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Alumni in their own words - Jacqueline Sookermany (CMU '15)

Thursday, September 10, 2026 @ 9:00 AM

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.

Alumni in their own words - Chloe Friesen (CMU ‘22)

Monday, June 29, 2026 @ 10:10 AM

Where has your life taken you since you left CMU?

Since graduating with my Bachelor of Arts in 2022, I have been working full-time as an associate producer with CBC Manitoba in the Current Affairs department. During my final year of studies, I worked casually as a radio show technician, so it was exciting to continue doing what I loved at CBC in a larger capacity. Since then, I've taken on a variety of roles within the public broadcaster, including producing stories and interviews for radio programs, directing live radio shows, writing and presenting for television, editing social media content, and—my favourite—filling in as host for Information Radio, Radio Noon, and Up To Speed. I've also had the opportunity to write, host, and produce my own hour-long radio documentary, The Case for Cursive. For someone who has always been fascinated by radio, it has been a stellar opportunity.

CMU alumna earns national recognition as a rising writer

Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 12:16 PM

A national writing award is helping CMU alumna Emma Siemens take the next step toward a career in journalism.

The 2023 social sciences graduate is the recent recipient of the Wendy Elaine Nelles Award from the Word Guild, an organization of Canadian Christian writers and editors. The award recognizes emerging writers studying journalism, literature, media, and communications in Canada and includes an $850 prize to support their professional development.

Alumni in their own words - Marnie Klassen (CMU '21)

Monday, April 6, 2026 @ 10:42 AM

Where has your life taken you since you left CMU?

After graduating I very quickly got a job doing communications and admin support with A Rocha Manitoba, a Christian nature conservation organization. I was eager to explore volunteer and service opportunities elsewhere, and through some encouragement I applied and was accepted to the worker program at Romero House in Toronto. Taking this step felt so big for me, in a wonderful way. In the one-year term, I lived and worked with refugee claimants in Toronto's west end. I was the volunteer coordinator for the organization, which had me managing a team of over 140 volunteers, and was a settlement case worker for several claimant families. I learned a lot about the refugee claimant system in Canada, and a lot about interfaith and intercultural relationships. During my time in Toronto, I made connections at Eglinton Saint George United Church and ended up getting a job with that congregation as the Growth Initiatives Project Coordinator, which meant I was coordinating and running food justice-based events and programs through the church. All during this time I began freelance writing and preaching for organizations and churches, mostly exploring the themes of faith and climate. When the contract at the church came to an end, I decided to move back to Winnipeg and focus on developing a podcast called 'The Schism Between Us', which explores religious polarization in Canada, particularly within the Mennonite community. I've also recently taken on work as communications assistant for a worship resource hub called "Together in Worship."

Winter 2025/26 alumni updates

Thursday, February 19, 2026 @ 9:46 AM

Readers of CMU's The Blazer magazine often say they flip right to the Alumni News section before reading anything else.

In the most recent, 25th anniversary issue of The Blazer, we were unable to squeeze in alumni news. Below is a compilation of updates provided to CMU by alumni.

Alumni in their own words - Alex Tiessen (CMU '16)

Thursday, February 5, 2026 @ 2:07 PM

This installment of Alumni in their own words features Alex Tiessen who graduated from CMU in 2016 with majors in English and Counselling Studies. In March 2026, Alex will return to CMU as its new Director of Advancement.

Where has your life taken you since you left CMU?

Right after I graduated from CMU, my life brought me straight back to campus. I took a role at CMU as an Admissions Counsellor, an opportunity that opened up in part because I had been a student ambassador. That work really set me up well. It allowed me to lean into my natural ability to connect with people—working with churches, meeting families, and inviting students into CMU. I quickly fell in love with that work and discovered that admissions and advancement were places where my skills and interests aligned.

Alumni in their own words - Tania Mulki (CMU ’23)

Monday, November 10, 2025 @ 8:00 AM

Where has your life taken you since you left CMU?

I completed my coursework at CMU in 2022, and after finishing the 1,000-hour internship required for my Bachelor of Music Therapy degree, I officially graduated in 2023. I did my internship in Calgary with JB Music Therapy, a well-established organization that offered a strong and varied clinical experience. It was a great place to learn and gain confidence as a new therapist, and I felt well prepared thanks to the training and support I received at CMU.

From student to teacher: A journey of faith, learning, and community

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 @ 12:00 AM

Kenny Wollmann is a high school educator, teaching primarily Bible, theology, and world religions—but not in a typical classroom. Wollmann teaches students online in Hutterite communities across Manitoba and even into the northern United States.

Hutterites are communal Anabaptist Christian groups who live in rural colonies, share belongings and resources, and often sustain themselves through agriculture. With only small groups of students in each community, sharing resources, like teachers who are each experts in their subjects, helps ensure a robust learning program.

Rigour, curiosity, and the arts: A CMU story of leadership

Monday, October 6, 2025 @ 3:53 PM

CMU was a place of transition, community, and discovery for Evan Klassen, Executive Director of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (MTC).

"My first gig was on this stage here in the ... [Laudamus Auditorium]," he says, explaining that he helped organize a theatre production of A Man for All Seasons with a small group of fellow students. He stage-managed, ran sound cues, and discovered the kind of collaborative, behind-the-scenes work that would eventually define his career.

From classroom to complex systems: learning to make good decisions

Sunday, September 28, 2025 @ 12:00 AM

Dean Dueck began his studies at CMU in 2009, transferring from Steinbach Bible College (SBC). "CMU had a really good relationship and good credit transfers between the two universities," he says. This allowed him to dive into a business program that was launching, gaining experiences that would shape his career and approach to problem-solving.

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