Concordia Art Education student Mia Scroggins-Hadley earns McCall MacBain scholarship

Mia Scroggins-Hadley, an Art Education – Visual Arts student at Concordia, has been selected as one of 20 Canadians to join the sixth cohort of McCall MacBain Scholars at McGill University. The scholarship covers tuition and a living stipend and includes mentorship opportunities and a leadership curriculum.

Scroggins-Hadley will pursue a Master of Education in Educational Psychology while joining an interdisciplinary group of students.

In addition to their academic achievements, Scroggins-Hadley was recognized for their community involvement in education and advocacy for students with disabilities. During their studies, they founded a disability studies book club and a chronic illness peer support group and worked as library coordinator at the Fine Arts Reading Room. They also volunteered as a tutor and dance teacher’s aide.

Scroggins-Hadley encourages students interested in prestigious awards to see the application process as an opportunity to better understand their own strengths and perspectives.

What made you decide to apply for the McCall MacBain scholarship?

Mia Scroggins-Hadley: I first saw the scholarship in the Concordia newsletter. After attending an information session, I said to myself, “There’s no harm in applying.”

They were looking for someone community-minded. Art Education has such a community-based approach to education, so I thought I might be a good candidate. I put my hat in the ring, just to see what would happen.

What was the application process like?

MSH: To start, you write a lot. They ask about your academic background, volunteer and extracurricular activities, leadership skills and how you work with people. There’s also a space for portfolio items, so artists: This is a good place to put your paintings, your poems, your short films, your pieces of music!

After, they let you know if you’ve made it to the next phase, which is regional interviews with other people from around Quebec. Then, the final round of interviews happens in Montreal with people from all over the world. During that week, there’s programming where you get to know your fellow finalists.

What lessons did you take from this application process?

MSH: I think it would have been very easy to compare yourself to others. In between interviews, you’re talking to other finalists about their accomplishments.

For me, it was just like being in studio arts classes. In a critique, you can compare yourself to others, or you can approach it with, “I’m in the room with all these people that I can learn interesting things from, and I can only speak from my own experiences.”

That was an asset to me as a fine arts student. I learned that you have to be humble, but you also know what you’re bringing to the space and how to talk about your work.

What experiences at Concordia stood out to you as you prepared your application?

MSH: I did a field school in Costa Rica last summer in a cloud forest where there’s an internationally renowned ecology research centre. It was a great opportunity to learn from biologists and people studying evolutionary science, environmental science, ecology — all sorts of cool stuff. I created a zine drawing parallels between the experience of living in a disabled or chronically ill body and forest ecology.

Having the opportunity to create independently, to do research or a creative project, you become more confident in your ability to self-direct. I really liked being able to talk about something that I crafted myself.

Even in regular classes, we have great professors who allow you to mould your own understanding or represent it in multiple ways. It helps you get to know your own perspective.

What advice would you give a student who was considering applying for this type of scholarship?

MSH: I think your greatest asset is knowing yourself. They’re not asking you for answers you don’t have; everything is about your experiences and your work, your education, your opinions, your ideas.

And remember, at the end of the day, you’re not unsuccessful if you don’t win something. I think it’s a success just to go through the process.

My grandfather would tell me: “Win or lose — but never lose the lesson.” Whatever happens, I had practice with interviews, writing and seeing different parts of what I’ve done and stringing them all together.

What are you most excited for as you join the next cohort of McCall MacBain scholars?

I’m really devoted to being an educator. My mom was also an educator, and she always taught me that it’s not just something you do, it’s a way of being in the world. I’m excited for anything that this experience will bring that will let me get better at what I do. I think it really is my truest passion.

Join an info session to learn more about prestigious awards, including the McCall MacBain scholarship.

Find application support at the Concordia Student Success Centre.