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May 15, 2025

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Recipients of the 2025 Faculty Excellence Awards

Faculty Excellence Awards

On May 12, a dozen Mount Royal faculty members were celebrated for their outstanding academic achievements at the Faculty Excellence Celebration.

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Map the System

Map the System

MRU’s Team Caring is Cool is headed to Banff for the Map the System Canadian Final, showcasing student-led, systems-focused research on social issues.

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Painting of MRU Camps logo with hand prints

35 years of MRU Camps

Since 1990, MRU Camps have been sparking curiosity, confidence and community — and the next generation of leaders is just getting started.

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Two individuals in lab coats examining an object together in a laboratory setting.

Advancing community-first research

MRU joins Research Impact Canada and signs the Declaration on Research Assessment, reinforcing its commitment to community scholarship and fairer ways of evaluating research.

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Jayden Baldonado (right) alongside other Calgary Centre candidates at Cold Garden for a debate on April 14.

From campus to the campaign trail

Mount Royal environmental science student Jayden Baldonado ran for the Green Party in Calgary Centre during the 2025 federal election. Here’s what he took from the experience.

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Visit the MRU Media Room for all of our stories.

 

Announcements

Save the date: Summer Block Party

Mark your calendar and swing by the East Gate Lawn on Wednesday, June 4, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. to catch up with colleagues and friends. Enjoy some sunshine and sweet treats before summer officially kicks off.

 

Canadian Armed Forces on campus May 15 to June 30

MRU will be home to members of the Canadian Armed Forces as Canada prepares to host the G7 Leaders Summit in Kananaskis from June 15 to 17.  Uniformed Canadian Armed Forces personnel will stay in campus residences from May 15 until June 30, as part of the integrated security group preparing for the Summit.

 

Bargaining update

The negotiating committees of Mount Royal’s Board of Governors and the Mount Royal Faculty Association will engage in informal mediation from May 21 to 23 with mediator Deborah Howes. Talks since February have led to agreement on many proposals, with compensation and workload still under discussion. The Board's proposed settlement pathway aligns with sector trends and includes an overall compensation increase of 12% over four years, with room for modest, targeted enhancements if affordable and within sector norms. Read the full update.

 

Budget community update

Mount Royal’s 2025/26 budget was approved by the Board of Governors on March 27. MRU’s budget report to the community provides an overview of the University’s 2025/26 budget development process and the resulting approved budget. Visit the Financial Matters page on MyMRU to read the report.

 

IT outages this month

Due to planned upgrades and maintenance, there will be 10- to 15-second internet outages on campus on Thursday, May 15, between 9:15 and 11:59 p.m. and approximately 30 minutes on Sunday, May 18, between 8:30 and 11:30 p.m. Residence will not be affected. Banner services — including course registration, fee payments, timesheet submission and FAST — and DegreeWork Production will be unavailable from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 24.

 

Invitation: Update on the General Education model revision

Join Dr. Karim Dharamsi, PhD, vice-provost Academic, on Tuesday, May 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Park Room (J301) for an update on the General Education Steering Committee and its work to revise the General Education model at MRU, as set out in the 2023-2030 Academic Plan. Please RSVP to attend.

 

Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies

Join us in celebrating the incredible achievements of Mount Royal’s Indigenous graduating students. Experience celebratory messages, traditional songs, a blanket ceremony and inspiring speeches on June 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Everyone is welcome! Register here.

 

MRSA General Meeting May 28

The Mount Royal Staff Association Executive Board is holding its General Meeting on Wednesday, May 28, from 10:45 a.m. to noon. Article 7.3 of the MRSA/BoG Collective Agreement allows for time off with pay "up to a total of two and a half (2.5) hours to be used over two meetings to Association members for the purpose of attending the Annual General Meeting and the General Meeting provided these occur during the Employee's normal working hours."

 

Complete your cybersecurity training by June 15

Mount Royal’s new cybersecurity platform makes completing your training a breeze. Log into the easy-to-use platform now to complete your required cybersecurity training before June 15. Learn more about protecting yourself and our University from cyber threats.

 

MRU and UCalgary to co-host global nursing conference

Nurses from around the world will gather in Calgary from July 28 to 30 for the 7th International Global Network of Public Health Nursing Conference. Co-hosted by Mount Royal's School of Nursing and Midwifery and the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Nursing, the event will focus on finding solutions to urgent public and population health issues. Learn more.

 

Teaching and Learning Conference: Innovations and AI Solutions

MRU’s Faculty of Health, Community and Education is hosting a conference on May 22 to explore how technologies like AI, virtual reality and simulation are transforming teaching in practice-based fields. Learn more.

 

Management and Exempt credential completion

The Management and Exempt Credential Completion Committee is now accepting applications from those taking courses starting on or after July 1 and ending on or before Dec. 31. Complete the application form and send it to humanresources@mtroyal.ca by May 31.

 

Fall program registration opens soon for MRU Conservatory

Registration for MRU Conservatory fall programs opens Monday, May 26. There are music and speech art options for all ages and stages, including private lessons, group classes, ensembles, orchestra and choir programs. Select summer intensives are also available. Explore programs.

 

Show the full value of your research

Mount Royal’s Research and Scholarship Plan supports real-world impact, diverse contributions and scholarly integrity — values also reflected in DORA. Whether you’re writing a grant, updating your CV or growing your research profile, the Library can help with tools for responsible assessment, open scholarship and more. Learn more.

 

Spring copyright refresh

With spring in the air and the semester winding down, it's a great time to address your copyright needs. Contact the copyright advisor (mrucopyright@mtroyal.ca) for support with course material, permissions and more. The Copyright Office offers reviews, workshops, FAQs and a decision tool to guide your use of protected works. Learn more.

 

Unwind with a good book

Take a break from work and explore the Library’s recreational reading collection on the second floor of the RLLC. Whether you enjoy thrillers, graphic novels or uplifting fiction, this collection offers a thoughtfully curated selection to help you relax and recharge. Learn more.

 

Upcoming Employee Wellness events

On May 21, Employee Wellness teams up with the Maker Studio to offer Creative Projects to Support Mental Health between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Also on May 21, the Canadian Blood Services Life Bus will shuttle participants to and from the blood donation centre. On June 4, GreenShield Health will host a Zoom webinar on Fitness and Nutrition Myth Busting from 10 to 11 a.m. Learn more and register.

 

MRU in the media — In case you missed it

Rural crime rates consistently higher than in urban centres, StatCan data suggests

CTV News via the Canadian Press — Doug King, faculty

 

Calgary comedian, drag performer Karla Marx explores ‘silly, wild, unusual’ side of trans life in new album

Calgary Herald/Calgary Sun — Victoria Bucholtz, faculty

 

Métis archaeologist transforms her field from 'grave robber' to 'grave finder'

CBC Radio, “Ideas” — Kisha Supernant, MRU Faculty of Arts Distinguished Speaker

 

Meet the reporter: Acacia Carol

Airdrie City View — Acacia Carol, student

 

Mount Royal University, faculty, students and alumni are often featured in the media. To subscribe to the daily MRU Media report, email mediarelations@mtroyal.ca.

 

Bleed Blue

Dr. Aliyah Dosani honoured with national medal

Dr. Aliyah Dosani, PhD, has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal by the Canadian Nurses Association. The honour recognizes her outstanding contributions to nursing, community health and national well-being. “This, by far, is the biggest honour I’ve received to date in my nursing career. The medal is a meaningful acknowledgment of my commitment to excellence in my teaching, scholarship and service in nursing,” Dosani says. Read more.

 

A flight to remember

When an 18-year-old with autism and terminal cancer wasn’t eligible for Make-A-Wish, MRU flight instructor Ronan Court and friends stepped in, arranging a flight in a Cessna 172. “It wasn’t the F18 he wanted to fly,” Court said. “But he had a blast in our Tonka-truck version.”

 

Emma Gilchrist earns top digital journalism award

Emma Gilchrist, MRU journalism alumna and co-founder of The Narwhal, was awarded the 2025 Digital Publishing Leadership Award — the highest honour from the Digital Publishing Awards. Recognized for her visionary leadership in non-profit media and public interest journalism, Gilchrist continues to shape Canada’s media landscape with bold, independent storytelling rooted in environmental and social impact. Read more.

 

Dr. Lisa Taylor recognized with national emerging scholar award

Dr. Lisa Taylor, PhD, recently chaired the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada Research Forum, where she was honoured with the Research Council Emerging Scholar Award — Doctoral Level. Presented to just one recipient annually, the award recognizes outstanding commitment to scholarly teaching, research and leadership within the PHE Canada Research Council.

 

Events

Featured event

Big Bob's BBQ poster

Big Bob’s BBQ: May 27

Join the Transitional Vocational Program (TVP) for a fun, inclusive event in support of TVP’s programming for adults with developmental disabilities. There will be burgers, entertainment and door prizes. Even better, the barbecue is an opportunity to gather and enjoy the company of the Mount Royal community. Learn more.


Check out all the events happening in and around campus on our new events calendar.

 

Have a story, announcement or info to share?

Summit and website stories

We would love to hear about your story! Go to the online story submission tool and guidelines.

MyMRU announcements

Please send announcements for MyMRU's homepage to mymru@mtroyal.ca. Review the guidelines.

Start of semester emails, with option for distribution list
sign-up

As each semester begins (August/September and December/January), areas with ongoing employee activities can send an email to all employees describing their semester activities. Employees can then choose to opt in to that area's distribution list (Google Group) for regular updates. If you would like to send an email and/or set up a Google Group for your area, please contact Marketing and Communications for guidelines.

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