Matthew Leddy

"The strength of Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability, aka 'The College,' comes from its size. Compared with other departments, what it lacks in student numbers, it makes up for in depth and quality of engagement. There is a vibe to The College that can only come from a smaller community of diverse individuals who share a common outlook, of wanting to leave the world a better place than they found it.

A smaller college allows for deeper connections between students, staff, and Faculty. As a student, you will deal with challenges. At The College, you will speak directly with someone who will help you solve them. They will even invite you in for coffee.

If you have an idea of a relevant project you would like to actualize on campus, there is a good chance you will see the project, from feedback, securing financial/administrative support, to actualization, to fruition. With this, you also begin to understand the administrative complexities and multitude of actors that exist behind the scenes in making what can appear a simple project, a marvel to complete.

Successful sustainability is inherently interdisciplinary and being able to use the campus as a living lab to teach you about the successes and challenges of working in sustainability and diversity-related work is the best education you could hope for. I am forever grateful I chose The College, I wouldn’t be who I am now without having done so."

Matthew works as a Program Coordinator with Energy & Climate Action at the University of Alberta.