BRANDON – A Brandon University (BU) student has been honoured by the Manitoba Council for International Education (MCIE) with an award recognizing her hard work in and out of the classroom.
Natashalee Thompson, a student in the Master of Education program at BU, is the recipient of a MCIE International Student Award in the post-secondary category. Thompson, who is Jamaican, was lauded for her academic performance, as well as her participation in school-based and extra-curricular activities. In addition to her studies, Thompson is the Graduate Studies Director for the Brandon University Students’ Union, and a member of the Graduate Senate Committee as well as the Faculty of Education Graduate Student Advisory Group.
“I am extremely happy that I was able to represent the university and the Brandon community well,” Thompson says. “This award means a lot to me because it demonstrates that resilience, hard work and a passion for serving within school and the community can amount to success.”
Before coming to BU, Thompson completed her undergraduate studies at the University of West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica. She was nominated by Dr. Cathryn Smith of BU’s Faculty of Education. The first BU student to receive an MCIE International Student Award, Thompson received a certificate of recognition as well as a $400 prize.
“It is wonderful to see Natashalee’s hard work rewarded with this prestigious honour,” says Dr. Heather Duncan, Dean of Education and Associate Vice-President of Research at BU. “Her commitment to excelling academically and creating opportunities for others make her a tremendous leader and role model in the Faculty of Education and at BU.
Thompson says that receiving the reward has provided her with further inspiration to assist and encourage other students.
“I now see myself as an ambassador for international students in this lush prairie, Manitoba,” Thompson says.
“This experience has taught me that anything is achievable if we open ourselves to possibilities.”
All major public and private educational institutions with international student enrolment in Manitoba are members of the MCIE, which promotes the province as a destination of choice for international students. The MCIE says that international students contribute more than $230 million dollars to the economy and support more than 1,640 jobs in Manitoba, while creating unique academic opportunities.
Contact
- Brandon University
- communications@brandonu.ca
To receive any BU publication in an alternate format please contact Communications@BrandonU.ca
About BU
Success is built at Brandon University. Our growing, progressive campus welcomes a diverse and inclusive community that combines proud tradition with shared ambition. Through our excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, we educate students to make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. Join us at BrandonU.ca.