Transform Lives.
Q: How did Brescia prepare you for medical school and your family medicine residency?
A: I’ve really come to believe in the value of a liberal arts degree in medicine. We’re all
recognizing the importance of approaching each patient holistically: mentally, physically,
socially, and spiritually. Medical school and my continuing studies will give me all the
science know-how I need, but Brescia helped with the intangibles.
Q: How did your participation in extracurricular activities shape the leader and doctor you
are today?
experience produces
the most valuable of
Q: Looking back, what do you think of Brescia?
assets: a mind open to the
A: Brescia is that best of both worlds. At Brescia, I had small classes,
close relationships with my professors, a million leadership
opportunities, and all the while access to everything that Western
had to offer, too. For me, Brescia put me exactly where I want to be.
new and different.”
Dr. Paul Barker
Associate Professor, Political
Science and Leadership
PANEL 4
“Above all, the Brescia
A: Getting involved changed everything. I was a shy, off-campus first-year student. One
fateful phone call later, I was on the students’ council (BUCSC). I met my best friends,
even my husband, through BUCSC and orientation. I learned to look to the spirit of a
rule, a policy, or a tradition, and there’s virtue in making a decision based on kindness
and understanding. Dr. Topic taught us the importance of building consensus and I try to
incorporate that now. I always say I got on BUCSC by accident, but my
husband says it wasn’t luck, it was “meant to be.”
Jessica McPherson, MD
Honors Bachelor of Arts, French Language and Literature ‘03
“For 90 years, Leadership has been
central to Brescia’s mission. What do
I mean by Leadership? I’ll start with
what I think Leadership isn’t. It isn’t
about your personality. It isn’t about
the ability to speak in front of large
crowds of people. Leadership isn’t
limited to politicians or heads of
huge corporations. At Brescia, we
Choose to Lead.
We know you have hopes and dreams. Maybe they’re specific. Maybe you’re
just formulating them. When it comes to your future, we’re clear about this:
we want you to graduate from Brescia prepared to lead. Whether that’s as the
examining the world around you
and choosing to take steps to make it
PANEL 2
believe Leadership is about
a better place—in your home, in
your workplace, in your community.
I believe the best thing we can offer
at Brescia is the opportunity to
president of your own company, as an active volunteer in your community, or
choose, practise, and embrace
as a parent in your own home, we are confident your Brescia education will
Leadership as you move forward into
provide you with the tools you need to lead in a way that is unique to you.
the world.”
Colleen M. Hanycz, Ph.D.
Principal, Brescia University College
■■ Entrance scholarships:
begin at 80 per cent
admission average
Phone: 519.858.5151
Fax: 519.858.5137
Email: brescia@uwo.ca
Web: www.brescia.uwo.ca
students; 200 part-time
■■ Enrolment: 1,200 full-time
Registrar’s Office, Admissions, and Tours
■■ Student/faculty ratio: 14:1
BACK
1285 Western Road
London, ON Canada N6G 1H2
■■ Programs: pre-university
Preliminary Year program;
Bachelor’s degrees in Arts and
Social Science, Management
and Organizational Studies,
Family Studies, Health
Sciences, Kinesiology, and
Leadership; Bachelor’s and
Master’s of Science degrees in
Foods and Nutrition with
Specializations in Nutrition
and Dietetics and Food
Science and Technology
University in Ontario
■■ Degrees: granted by Western
University in Ontario
■■ Affiliated: with Western
Canada
■■ Located: London, Ontario,
Sisters of Chatham
■■ Founded: 1919 by Ursuline
Brescia is Canada’s women’s
university.
Brescia at a Glance
Phenomenal Futures
FRONT
Brescia
Bold
PANEL 1
PANEL 3
PANEL 5
PANEL 6
Know Brescia.
When we talk about Brescia Bold, we don’t mean “bold” as in “brash.” We mean
that our graduates exude confidence. That’s because the education they received at
Brescia has prepared them to go out boldly into the world and choose to lead—no
matter where life takes them. We do this because we’re:
■■
A women’s university: Brescia University College is Canada’s women’s
university—so you’ll feel comfortable sharing your opinions and ideas in class.
■■
Affiliated with Western University in Ontario: You’ll have the best of both worlds.
You can take advantage of the small classes and caring community at Brescia while
enjoying access to the resources of one of Ontario’s largest universities.
■■
Focused on leadership: Brescia provides many opportunities for you to grow as
a leader, from our new degree in Dimensions of Leadership to the Institute for
Women in Leadership (iWIL).
■■
Rooted in the Catholic tradition: Brescia was founded by the Ursuline Sisters,
who are committed to social justice, community service, and the development of
women. We welcome and embrace women of all backgrounds and faiths.
■■
A diverse community: Brescia attracts women from around the world. In fact,
international students comprise close to 10 per cent of our student body.
■■
Connected to the world: You’ll have opportunities for personal and academic growth
through our international exchange programs and our alternative break program.
Outstanding
Career Placements
Our graduates have outstanding
careers at a variety of companies
and organizations such as:
Live Boldly.
Our graduates are leaders. Some are quiet leaders, working in the background, well away from
the spotlight. Some are front and centre—vocal, powerful, engaging. Some don’t consider
■■ 3M Canada
themselves leaders, but we do. They’re confident women who are diligent, responsible,
■■ Banff Television Foundation
independent, and articulate. They have the skills and the drive and determination they need
■■ Bank of Canada
to create the lives they want. Here are a handful who are leading boldly:
■■ Canadian Diabetes Association
■■ Canadian Living Magazine
■■ Canadian Mental
Health Association
■■
Sylvia Ley ’10, who earned a BSc Foods and Nutrition degree. She received the Dietitians of
Canada Award supporting her PhD studies at The University of Toronto.
■■
Jennifer Milne ’09, completed her degree with an Honors Specialization in Psychology,
Minor in Political Science. She earned her MSc Neuroscience in 2010, and is currently
pursuing her doctorate in Neuroscience at Western University in Ontario.
■■
Toktam Neda Wassie ’07, who earned a BA Honors Specialization in Psychology. She is enrolled
in the graduate Clinical Psychology Program at The University of Leiden, The Netherlands.
■■
Ashley Conyngham ’04, graduated with a BA Honors in Philosophy and Political Science
with a Minor in Ethics. She earned a Master’s degree in Political Science at
The University of Waterloo. She is a Community Relations Specialist at Western University
and is an active volunteer in the London community.
■■
Carey Watson ’04, who graduated with a BSc Foods and Nutrition degree. Now a registered
dietitian at the Brant Community Healthcare System, she travelled to the Amazon with the
non-profit organization Short Term International Medical Missions Abroad. In the village of
Francisco de Orellana, she encouraged the people to consume less rice, a staple food in their diet,
and add more fruits and vegetables. To aid that effort, she and the others planted a community
garden for the villagers.
■■
Tahirih Naylor-Thimm ’00, a Brescia valedictorian and graduate of Osgoode Hall
Law School in New York City, is a Baha’i International Community Representative
to the United Nations.
■■ Citi Financial
■■ Halton Regional Police Service
■■ IBM Canada
■■ JP Morgan Chase
■■ JPR Arbitration Hearing
Centre, Inc.
■■ London Health Sciences Centre
■■ Nestlé Canada
■■ Ontario Government
■■ Thames Valley District
School Board
■■ The World Health Organization
Propel Forward
Practise Leadership
Q: How did Brescia prepare you for your work in the food industry?
A: Brescia provided an education rich in knowledge. The professional development series increased
my awareness of different jobs in the field of nutrition and taught me important skills to take
forward in my career.
Q: How did Brescia prepare you for leadership?
A: Brescia created a safe environment where one can develop and further her leadership skills.
Q: What will you always remember about Brescia?
A: Dr. Matthews brought to my attention a one-month internship in an area outside of clinical
nutrition. I realized then that I had wider interests, and that is where I currently work. Brescia
truly has excellent professors who are passionate about what they teach and
care for their students’ success.
At Brescia, we believe in giving
you a chance to take what you’ve
learned in the classroom and use it
in the real world. One of the best
ways to do that is through
internships and practicums.
Because we’re well connected—
and well respected—in the
community, we’ll assist you in
landing the opportunity that will
propel you forward. Our students
have had extraordinary
experiences at places such as:
■■ ARAMARK
■■ Celestica
■■ Deaf Blind Ontario Services
■■ Formet Industries
Q: What Brescia-developed strengths do you call on in your current life?
A: I call on leadership skills as a woman in the workforce, the willingness to
take risks, confidence, public speaking, and last but not least, knowledge.
Melanie Chislett, RD
Project Manager, W.T. Lynch Foods Limited
Foods and Nutrition ’09
■■ Ministry of the Attorney
General’s Office
■■ PCCA Corporation
■■ Salvation Army Corrections
and Justice Services
■■ United Way of London
and Middlesex
Create Possibilities
Q: How did Brescia prepare you for your graduate coursework and research?
A: We were challenged to think like a leader and use what we learned to make the world better,
whether as a dietitian or a researcher, in the food industry or in the classroom. With this gift
of education, it is up to us to change the world.
Q: How did Brescia prepare you for starting your own company, Nutrition Rx?
A: Although I gained specialized knowledge through my degree, Brescia also gave me the broad
education to be a successful entrepreneur, including business skills such as accounting and
human resources. Brescia discussions gave me skills I apply everyday with my clients.
Q: How was your Brescia education bold?
A: It completely flipped my idea around about what a university education should be. At
Brescia, they encouraged us to be leaders, to create possibilities. I learned to see myself as
someone who could envision what she wanted and who could set out and achieve it. I have
accomplished so much more because of Brescia.
Q: What will you always remember from your time at Brescia
as an undergraduate?
A: I will never forget my very first day at Brescia. I walked in for
registration and they said, “Hello, you must be Jennifer.” They were so
warm and welcoming. I knew I would love to learn at Brescia.
Jennifer Broxterman, RD
Founder and owner, Nutrition Rx
Foods and Nutrition ’09
MSc (candidate) Foods and Nutrition
Learn More
At Brescia, we prepare our
graduates to be lifelong learners.
Many do this formally by
continuing their studies at the
graduate level. We have graduate
students studying neuroscience at
Western University in Ontario or
going on to study at institutions
such as:
■■ Harvard University
■■ London (England) School of
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
■■ Ontario Institute for Studies
in Education (OISE) at
The University of Toronto
■■ Queen’s University
■■ Stony Brook University,
New York
■■ University of Guelph
■■ University of Toronto
■■ University of Waterloo