Keyword: vocation

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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Finding her voice in the field

Melanie Giesbrecht is, luckily, a people person.

Through her Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placement at Golden West Broadcasting as the summer events host, her job is to interview, question, and talk with attendees and report live from events—whether they be town fairs, rodeos, or music festivals—all around Steinbach and the surrounding southern Manitoba area.

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CMU alumna earns national recognition as a rising writer

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.

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CMU celebrates Class of 2026

Ninety-one undergraduate and graduate students celebrated the completion of their degrees at Canadian Mennonite University's 25th annual convocation ceremony on Saturday, April 25.

Knox United Church was full of faculty, staff, students, family, and friends , celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 as another academic year came to a close.

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Class of 2026 Convocation Service (livestream)

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CMU celebrates the Class of 2025: a landmark year in the CMU story

Under the vaulted arched ceilings of the historic Knox United Church in downtown Winnipeg, Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) celebrated its 25th graduating class on April 26, 2025. This landmark year for the university saw 97 graduates receive their diplomas in front of a large gathering of family, friends, CMU faculty, and staff.

CMU President Cheryl Pauls opened the ceremony by saying, "As a university moved and transformed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, CMU is gifted by the diverse range of people and communities who entrust themselves to learn together."

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Class of 2025 Convocation Service (video)

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CMU shaping what quality work-integrated learning looks like in Canada

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) has been selected as one of the top institutions in Canada to develop a national quality work-integrated learning (QWIL) certification.

In collaboration with 12 other institutions, this venture operates through Canada's leading organization in the field, Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL).

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Sunday@CMU: November 2023

Vocation and God's Calling

Featuring stories from Still Speaking, an audio project of the Mennonite Heritage Archives

This month on Sunday@CMU, we're hearing from Renee Willms, Dean of Student Life at CMU. Prior to this role, Renee worked at CMU as the Director of the Centre for Career and Vocation and the Director of Practicum. Throughout this rebroadcast of her meditation series, she reflects on vocation and God's calling in our lives.

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2023 Graduation

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