Renfrew’s Mackenzie Nolan made history this spring as one of two first-ever Black Studies graduates at Queens University in Kingston.
The local graduate earned a degree in sociology and a minor in Black Studies, a brand-new program that piqued her interest as soon as she heard about it.
She wasn’t sure what to expect but ended up being thrilled with the outcome.
As a member of the BIPOC community, it was refreshing for Mackenzie to see diversity not only in her peers, but professors, as well.
Mackenzie said she doesn’t recall ever having a teacher from the BIPOC community, so the experience was a nice change.
Further exploring the variety of issues and information in the program, often things she hadn’t been taught in her previous school career, was great and important, she said.
Because the program was so new and not a lot of people are aware of it, class size was small, which made it an even better experience for Mackenzie.
Graduation itself was a proud experience for Mackenzie and her family. It was particularly poignant for all of them since her high school graduation was cancelled because of the pandemic. Making history, alongside classmate Amaiya, was icing on the cake.
Mackenzie said the significance of it all didn’t really hit her until she realized a representative from the Black Studies department sat on the stage for entire convocation until it was time to hand out the Black Studies sashes.
Right now, Mackenize is working a Canada Summer Jobs gig at the Boys and Girls Club in Kingston as a community development worker, doing marketing, social media, organizing events and connecting with community members and businesses.
She’s not certain what’s in store after that but said she would like to work with disadvantaged youth.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)