Student profiles

Vincent Grenier

• BSc Honours Biochemistry
  
• Minor Multidisciplinary Studies in Science (member Science College)
  
• Member, Institute for Co-operative Education
  
• 2012 Alexandre Quintal Co-op Student of the Year Award

For Vincent Grenier, it was the variety of programs and the flexibility that attracted him to Concordia, but in retrospect, it was the real-life experiences that he feels has provided him with the most value. This biochemistry and co-op student, musician, volunteer, and teaching assistant says the hands-on opportunities at Concordia are second to none.

“My involvement with Co-op and the Science College has contributed as much, if not more, to my learning and career planning as my coursework,” he says. “Chemistry and Biology are very much hands-on sciences, and there’s no better way to find out what research is actually like than to join a lab.”

We recently caught up with Vincent to ask him a few questions:

Why did you choose Concordia?
I was won over by the Science College. I was drawn to its focus on research, its interdisciplinary approach to learning, and close interaction with faculty. I also liked Concordia’s atmosphere of a young, up-and-coming and rapidly expanding university.

What is the best part of being a member of the Science College?
The people, without a doubt. Being surrounded with bright, like-minded individuals with a broad range of backgrounds is a wonderful thing, and being in such a close-knit and supportive environment can really make your life easier!

Do you have any tips for new students?
There is a lot more to getting your degree than just taking classes. Whatever it is you’re into, I can guarantee that there are far more opportunities out there than you realize, and Concordia makes it easy for you to pursue those opportunities. Get out there and do something! Your university experience will be so much richer because of it.

What’s next?
I’m currently in the process of applying to PhD programs in Chemistry at several universities across both Canada and the US.  My research at Concordia focuses on the chemistry of nucleic acids, and there’s a good chance that I’ll be continuing within that field.

What was your favourite class?
COEN691A/BIOL 498S Biological Computing / Synthetic Biology

What is your favourite on-campus spot to study?
I like the group study rooms at either library; I have to get away from the crowds!

Christine Harries

• BEng Building Engineering
• Member, Institute for Co-operative Education
• Interests: Skiing, swimming, composing music

One of the main reasons Montreal native Christine Harris chose Concordia was the unique and specialized Building Engineering program — the only program of its kind in Canada.

However, she was also attracted to the wealth of co-op and real-world learning opportunities.

Not only has Christine been an active volunteer in the co-op student mentorship program, she is also a certified ski instructor, a trained lifeguard and swimming instructor, a regular on the Dean’s List, and she has a passion for composing music. Christine was also the recipient of the SNC-Lavalin Prize on her third work term at the new McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Glen Campus.

“The value in co-op goes beyond experiential learning,” she says. ”It gives you a taste of the real thing.”

“Representing Concordia in the job force was really great. As an interning student you are given the opportunity to ask questions and see the real deal, all before you graduate.”

We asked her:

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from your co-op experience?
How to search for your own job. Co-op doesn't hand you a job, it teaches you to do cold calls, walk into offices and present yourself. It teaches you to feed off rejection to make yourself better and a better candidate. It teaches you to be humble and not have too much pride, and to reapply after rejection.

Do you have any tips for new students?
Don't be afraid to seek help from professors and try not to procrastinate. Try to learn as much as possible and focus more on understanding the material rather than simply getting a good grade.

What do you wish you had known in your first year?
University will pass by very quickly. Manage your time to study hard and learn, but partake in school and extracurricular activities as well.

What’s next on your agenda?
I am hoping to work in structural design to really understand how a building works and how it is built. In the long term I might like to venture into real estate development.

What was your favourite class?
CIVI453 Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

What is your favourite nearby café or restaurant?
Burritoville. Try the sweet potato burrito!

What is your favourite spot on campus?
The Loyola quad

What is your favourite social activity at Concordia?
The Co-op Speaker Series

Joshua Shamlal

• BComm Business Technology Management
• Minor Computer Science
• Member, Institute for Co-operative Education
• Interests: Boxing, volunteering

Born and raised in Montreal, Josh Shamlal chose Concordia not only because he was impressed by the reputation and rankings of the John Molson School of Business, but also for the University’s well-developed academic programs, and strong national and international presence.

He says it is all about getting off to the right start, and making use of the support services and opportunities that the University offers.

We sat down to ask Josh a few questions:

What is the best part about being involved in “beyond the classroom” learning?
For me, the most important reason for being involved in extracurricular activities (associations, volunteering) or co-op (mentoring, internships) is to gain different perspectives, and to be exposed to new environments. Out-of-the-classroom experiences expose you to real problems, and real problem solving.

Do you have any tips for new students?
Make the most of your very first semester at Concordia. Priority number one should be setting your GPA, but don’t shy away from extracurricular opportunities. Students must learn to pace themselves through their first semester and university career in order to benefit from the best results both in, and out of the classroom.

Also, remember time management! Leaving things until the last minute isn't a healthy way to learn, for your mind or your body.

After graduation, what’s next on your agenda?
My plans after graduation involve taking a more active part in the family business. I wish to help my father and mother expand their business by helping them open new clothing stores, first in Montreal, then maybe across the country by using everything that I've learned at university and during internships.

What was your favourite class?
BTM 430 - Enterprise Resource Planning, This was the first class where I had the opportunity to not just learn, but also to use an actual ERP system that many top organizations in the world are using.

What is your favourite nearby café or restaurant?
There are too many to mention :)

What is your favourite spot on campus?
MB building, 12th floor. The view is nice and it's a good quiet place just to think.

Breanna Harvey

• BFA Contemporary Dance
• Minors in English Literature and Education

Hailing from Brampton, Ontario, Breanna Harvey has been an active volunteer throughout her education at Concordia in her faculty, and beyond. From participating in “Studio 7” (the Contemporary Dance department’s monthly dance shows) to rebuilding a playground for children in a low-income neighbourhood with Concordia LIVE, to cheering on the Stingers, or raising money with Concordia Shuffle, Breanna is dedicated to giving back to her community.

A member of the Aboriginal Students Resource Centre, and an Aboriginal student herself, Breanna is also a Student Success Mentor, which she says is one of the highlights of her Concordia experience.

“Being a mentor has changed my life,” she says. “Concordians are lucky enough to be at a school that has plenty of opportunities for supplemented learning, and there is always something going on!

Here is a little bit more about Breanna, in her own words:

Why did you choose Concordia?
Concordia has one of the best Choreography-centred dance schools in North America, and I knew that this type of school was perfect for me. The fact that it is in Montreal is just an added bonus - I love the city and all it has to offer.

Do you have any tips for new students?
Plenty! Take advantage of the mentors at Concordia - they are students and they get it. Learn to balance work and play - give yourself goals so that you accomplish everything on time, and without the rush and added stress that comes from doing an assignment the night before it is due. And, if everything seems to be going wrong, remember that it is totally ok to ask for help. There is always someone out there who can give you advice!

What do you wish you had known in your first year?
I definitely I wish I had known more about the wealth of services offered for students, even beyond your first year. There are workshops, counselling services and a multitude of different organizations which can help you. Even personal mentors who you can turn to for any questions you may have!

After graduation, what’s next on your agenda?
Next step for me is Grad School! I have been looking into a few and have narrowed it down between two: A Masters in Dance Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, or a Masters in Dance ethnography from York University in Toronto. My first choice is U Hawaii, but wherever life takes me, I will know that I was fully prepared for it due to my time here at Concordia!

What was your favourite class?
ENGL 377 - Contemporary Canadian Fiction by Dr. Darren Wershler. Two words: AH-MAZING.

What is your favourite nearby café or restaurant?
Smoke's Poutinerie (2019 Bishop Street, Montreal, QC H3G 2E8). Yum yum yum.

What is your favourite spot on campus?
The Student Success Centre

What is your favourite social activity at Concordia?
Any sports game!

David Tremblay

• BA Leisure Sciences
• Member, Concordia Stingers Wrestling Team

Twenty-four-year-old Stony Point, Ontario native David Tremblay knows a thing or two about hard work and organization. The two-time Concordia University Male Athlete of the Year (April 2011 and April 2012), and winner of Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence scholarships managed to balance his position on the Stingers wrestling team with school work, while qualifying to compete in the Summer 2012 London Olympics.

David says he has always loved sports, and was introduced to the world of wrestling by his father — a high school wrestling coach — at a young age. And, while wrestling may be an individual sport, rather than a team sport, David acknowledges the value in the support network at Concordia.

We caught up with David recently. Here is a bit about his Concordia experience, in his own words:

How would you describe your experience with the Concordia Stingers wrestling team?
My experience so far has been great; it has allowed me to meet so many other amazing athletes. The coaching staff is the best in the country, and our facilities continue to improve! It’s simply an amazing environment to train in.

How do you balance your course load and academic commitments with your Stingers involvement?
As a Stinger we are fortunate to have an academic adviser to help in this tricky but doable task. We are able to build a course load that can revolve around our training. This is important, because I find that school can help keep you focused in your sports.

Do you have any advice or tips for first year students or student athletes?
As a first year student, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your coaches, teammates, academic advisors and others are all willing to help you in performing in both school and sport. If they do not know the answer, then they will be able to tell you who does.

Alexandra Johnson

• BA Honours in Political Science
• Minor in Diversity and the Contemporary World
• Member of Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability (LCDS)

To describe Alexandra Johnson as an overachiever is an understatement. Not only did she work full-time and volunteer at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, she balanced a full-course load, and all the responsibilities that come from being president of the Concordia chapter of Golden Key International, vice-president of the Garnet Key Society, a Dean’s Scholar (representing the top one per cent of her program) and one of the three Faculty valedictorians for her graduating year.

Although she is currently pursuing her MSc in Intellectual History at the University of Edinburgh, we were able to catch up with the recent grad, and ask her a few questions:

Why did you choose Concordia?
I was initially interested in getting into law school. I had heard it was a good idea to get an undergraduate degree before a professional degree, and the word in Montreal was that the ideal place for undergraduate studies was Concordia. I had heard it was a rising institution with plans to expand resources, buildings, and access.

Why did you decide to become a member of the Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability?
I first enrolled in LCDS because it highlighted interdisciplinary classes. I am a firm believer that topics should be approached from a multitude of angles to be understood. It was a political science classmate who mentioned the college again to me in my second semester, boasting its student-friendly activities and initiatives, calling it "the best thing at Concordia".

What are the highlights of your experience as a member of the Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability?
LCDS ensure my studies and by experience at Concordia were well-rounded. It inspired me to rediscover my leadership abilities and get involved in small and big ways. Small class sizes and people from all sorts of majors are what give the college its unique appeal. As VP academics for 2 years, I have seen the college grow, adding a new minor, and hosting successful fundraisers and conferences.

Do you have any advice for first year incoming Arts & Science students?
Get involved. There are so many opportunities at Concordia and so much diversity; so much place to develop your potential and your passions. Take classes that genuinely interest you, as those are the ones you will excel in and the ones that will help you grow as an individual.

What was your favourite class?
POLI 401 - American Political Tradition with Dr. Travis Smith because it made 9:00 a.m. class fun and guaranteed great class debate. I always learned something new.

Favourite nearby café or restaurant?
Patisserie Olivier Potier on Sherbrooke between Mackay and Bishop, for phenomenal fresh waffles, Canneles on Thursdays, and enchanting desserts.

Favourite social activity at Concordia?
Societies and prestige aside, I would have to admit that it was lunch at The People's Potato, where you always meet really interesting people while waiting in line (not to mention free delicious vegan food!)

Agnieszka Koziol

• BEng Building Engineering
• Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA) winner
• Member, Institute for Co-operative Education
• Interests: urban gardening, international cuisine, fashion design,
  passive solar energy, green roofs

Agnieszka’s love of Montreal and her interest in energy efficient buildings led her to Concordia’s Building Engineering program, and later, a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA) exploring building-integrated solar technology.

But, her path to Building Engineering was less than typical.

“I think I'm the only one in my program who started out studying fashion design before switching to engineering!” she says with a laugh. “I still really enjoy designing clothes and accessories, especially from recycled fabrics.”

We recently caught up with Agnieszka to ask her a few questions:

Why did you choose to study at Concordia?
While attending high school in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I visited Montreal on a road trip with my friend and completely fell in love with the city. I ended up moving to Montreal after graduation, but I still wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with my life. Eventually, my interest in energy efficient buildings, combined with my math and problem-solving skills, inspired me to apply to Concordia’s Building Engineering Program. The program is quite unique, as very few engineering programs in North America concentrate specifically on buildings.

What has been the highlight of your program?
The highlight of my time at Concordia was really the time spent outside of the classroom. Since my second year of engineering, I have been involved with a number of student groups ranging from the Engineering and Computer Science Association (ECA), to the Sustainability Action Fund (SAF). Involvement with these groups has allowed me to collaborate on projects with students from various backgrounds, with many different ways of thinking. Seeing what students can accomplish when they work together is really inspiring.”

What type of research were you involved in?
When I worked with Dr. Athienitis as a research assistant under the NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA), the research projects I worked on were in the field of building-integrated solar technology. I spent most of my time working on a large-scale demonstration project in the new JMSB (MB) building. This project involves a building façade that uses solar energy to preheat incoming winter air (by passing it behind dark corrugated metal with holes in it) and simultaneously produces electricity on the same surface using photo-voltaic panels. The best part about the USRA was that I had the chance to meet graduate students who were very passionate about solar technology in buildings - a topic that interests me very much.

What is your favourite nearby café or restaurant?
La Panthère Verte

What is your favourite spot on campus?
The greenhouse on top of the Hall Building

What is your favourite place to study?
In the EV Building's atriums (on the 5th, 8th, 11th, 14th floors)