{"id":96125,"date":"2025-06-04T15:41:51","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T19:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&#038;p=96125"},"modified":"2025-10-20T09:23:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T13:23:01","slug":"inspiring-ravens-share-carleton-experience","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/inspiring-ravens-share-carleton-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Inspiring Ravens Share Their Experience at Carleton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-max  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n                    \n                    \n            \n    <div class=\"cu-wideimage relative flex items-center justify-center mx-auto px-8 overflow-hidden md:px-16 rounded-xl not-prose  my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 bg-opacity-50 bg-cover bg-cu-black-50 pt-24 pb-32 md:pt-28 md:pb-44 lg:pt-36 lg:pb-60 xl:pt-48 xl:pb-72\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-balloons-1200x900-1.jpg); background-position: 50% 50%;\">\n\n                    <div class=\"absolute top-0 w-full h-screen\" style=\"background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.600);\"><\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"relative z-[2] max-w-4xl w-full flex flex-col items-center gap-2 cu-wideimage-image cu-zero-first-last\">\n            <header class=\"mx-auto mb-6 text-center text-white cu-pageheader cu-component-updated cu-pageheader--center md:mb-12\">\n\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold mb-2 text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] cu-pageheader--center text-center mx-auto after:left-px\">\n                        Inspiring Ravens Share Their Experience at Carleton\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                            <\/header>\n        <\/div>\n\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"absolute bottom-0 w-full z-[1]\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 1280 312\">\n                <path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M26.412 315.608c-.602-.268-6.655-2.412-13.524-4.769a1943.84 1943.84 0 0 1-14.682-5.144l-2.276-.858v-5.358c0-4.876.086-5.358.773-5.09 1.674.643 21.38 5.84 34.646 9.109 14.682 3.59 28.935 6.858 45.936 10.449l9.874 2.089H57.322c-16.4 0-30.31-.16-30.91-.428ZM460.019 315.233c42.974-10.074 75.602-19.88 132.443-39.867 76.16-26.791 152.063-57.709 222.385-90.663 16.7-7.823 21.336-10.074 44.262-21.273 85.004-41.688 134.719-64.193 195.291-88.413 66.55-26.577 145.2-53.584 194.27-66.765C1258.5 5.626 1281.34 0 1282.24 0c.17 0 .34 27.596.34 61.3v61.299l-2.23.375c-84.7 13.718-165.93 35.955-310.736 84.931-46.494 15.753-65.427 22.076-96.166 32.15-9.102 3-24.814 8.198-34.989 11.574-107.543 35.954-153.008 50.422-196.626 62.639l-6.74 1.876-89.126-.054c-78.135-.054-88.782-.161-85.948-.857ZM729.628 312.875c33.229-10.985 69.248-23.523 127.506-44.207 118.705-42.223 164.596-57.709 217.446-73.302 2.62-.75 8.29-2.465 12.67-3.751 56.19-16.772 126.94-33.597 184.17-43.671 5.07-.91 9.66-1.768 10.22-1.875l.94-.161v170.236l-281.28-.054H719.968l9.66-3.215ZM246.864 313.411c-65.041-2.251-143.047-12.11-208.432-26.256-18.375-3.965-41.73-9.538-42.202-10.074-.171-.214-.257-21.38-.214-47.046l.129-46.618 6.654 3.697c57.313 32.043 118.491 56.531 197.699 79.143 40.313 11.521 83.459 18.058 138.669 21.059 15.584.857 65.685.857 81.14 0 33.744-1.876 61.306-4.93 88.396-9.806 6.396-1.126 11.634-1.983 11.722-1.929.255.375-20.48 7.769-30.999 11.038-28.592 8.948-59.288 15.646-91.873 20.147-26.36 3.59-50.015 5.627-78.35 6.698-15.584.59-55.209.59-72.339-.053Z\"><\/path>\n                <path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M-3.066 295.067 32.06 304.1v9.033H-3.066v-18.066Z\"><\/path>\n            <\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n\n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<p>Convocation is a time for the Carleton University community to come together to honour the dedication and achievements of the Class of 2025 as they receive their degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From June 16 to 20, campus will be filled with family and friends cheering on their loved ones as they celebrate years of academic dedication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every student&#8217;s journey at Carleton is unique. Below we share the stories of five graduating Ravens as they reflect on their time at the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"#1\">Kayla Young, Bachelor of Commerce<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#2\">Lu Chen, Master of Social Work<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#3\">Declan McCloskey, Bachelor of Engineering, Aerospace<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#4\">Leah Marshall, Bachelor of Cognitive Science<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#5\">Matthew Bacic, Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience and Mental Health<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull wp-image-96136 size-full w-screen ml-offset-center cu-max-w-child-max px-4 md:px-6 lg:px-12\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-7.jpg\" alt=\"Two hands cupping a mobile phone to take a photo.\" class=\"wp-image-96136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-7.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-7-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-7-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-7-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><a name=\"1\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"kayla-young-bachelor-of-commerce\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Kayla Young, Bachelor of Commerce<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a middle-schooler living in the Greater Toronto Area, Kayla Young determined that she wanted to pursue a career in accounting while working on a school project envisioning her life at 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I was really drawn to accounting because it combined my interests in math, business and social impact,&#8221; says Young.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;After touring the campus and speaking with upper-year students and professors, I knew Carleton was the perfect place to grow and explore those interests.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Realizing that goal, Young is now graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce, concentrating in Accounting with a stream in Sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-96132\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/ravens-experience-1200x800-1.jpg\" alt=\"A young woman with glasses leans against a railing while smiling for the camera.\" class=\"wp-image-96132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-1-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-1-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kayla Young<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As co-president of the Sprott Social Impact Club, she worked with her team to organize a virtual conference that featured a case competition and networking opportunities for business students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We brought in business leaders from different fields that aligned with all the concentrations in Sprott,&#8221; says Young.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;They highlighted how to integrate sustainability and good business into a career.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Her passion for social impact also extended to roles in the Sprott Sustainability Champions Action Group and her involvement in an Enactus project supporting local, socially responsible businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Working as a teaching assistant and peer facilitator, she helped her fellow students succeed in their studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It was a really rewarding experience,&#8221; she says. &#8220;It was a great opportunity to connect with different people and see how I could serve as a leader.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking ahead, Young will be working towards her Master of Accounting degree and pursuing a CPA designation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Young&#8217;s advice to students is to make connections and use the many resources available.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Carleton is a very supportive community,&#8221; she says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The staff, faculty and your peers all genuinely want to see you thrive \u2014 all you have to do is reach out and take advantage of that support.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull wp-image-96137 size-full w-screen ml-offset-center cu-max-w-child-max px-4 md:px-6 lg:px-12\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-6.jpg\" alt=\"Five people posing for a group photo at a graduation event.\" class=\"wp-image-96137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-6.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-6-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-6-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-6-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><a name=\"2\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"lu-chen-master-of-social-work\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lu Chen, Master of Social Work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lu Chen was working at a seniors&#8217; centre, helping to supervise social work students completing their practicums, when her supervisor suggested that she apply to become a social worker herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She enrolled in Carleton&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/socialwork\/bsw-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bachelor of Social Work program<\/a>, initially focusing on frontline service. However, inspired by the research opportunities the program provided, she discovered her passion for policy and began her <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/socialwork\/master-of-social-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Master of Social Work<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chen&#8217;s research examined the working conditions at culturally-specific long-term care homes in Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-96131\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/ravens-experience-1200x800-2.jpg\" alt=\"From the shoulder up, a woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles for the camera while leaning against a tree.\" class=\"wp-image-96131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-2-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-2-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lu Chen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Looking at existing literature, a lot of the focus is on mainstream long-term care homes,&#8221; she says.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;As a Chinese immigrant, I wanted to see the conditions and leadership of homes delivering culturally-specific care.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Looking back at her time at Carleton, Chen values the direction she received from faculty as she pursued her research \u2014 such as submitting her thesis abstract to the Canadian Association of Gerontology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The faculty members really encouraged me,&#8221; she says. &#8220;They had confidence in me and what I could do. Building these connections has allowed me to go farther in my career.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following graduation, Chen intends to take some time before potentially returning to academia to pursue a PhD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She advises future students to establish connections when they come to campus.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Relationship building is very important,&#8221; she says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We can&#8217;t do everything by ourselves, so reach out to people you feel comfortable with.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull wp-image-92840 size-full w-screen ml-offset-center cu-max-w-child-max px-4 md:px-6 lg:px-12\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-31.jpg\" alt=\"Graduation celebrations at Carleton University during Spring Convocation 2024\" class=\"wp-image-92840\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-31.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-31-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-31-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-31-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-31-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-31-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><a name=\"3\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"declan-mccloskey-bachelor-of-engineering-aerospace\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Declan McCloskey, Bachelor of Engineering, Aerospace<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Growing up, Declan McCloskey&#8217;s passion for space was sparked by his experience in the Cadet Program and reading Chris Hadfield&#8217;s book <em>An Astronaut&#8217;s Guide to Life on Earth.<\/em> To help him achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut, he turned to Carleton&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/admissions.carleton.ca\/programs\/aerospace-engineering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aerospace Engineering<\/a> program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During his time at Carleton, McCloskey took part in an engineering program in the Austrian Alps to develop an interplanetary satellite mission for the European Space Agency. The program used a concurrent engineering approach for spacecraft design \u2014 bringing together individuals from a variety of disciplines to simultaneously craft solutions to project challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;We were a group of about 15 or so bachelors, master&#8217;s and PhD students from all over Europe,&#8221; says McCloskey, who was the sole Canadian participant.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We designed a mission proposal for a spacecraft to explore Saturn and then one of its moons.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-96130\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/ravens-experience-1200x800-3.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of a man with short brown hair smiling at a camera, from the shoulder up, while sitting in a bedroom.\" class=\"wp-image-96130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-3-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-3-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-3-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Declan McCloskey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>McCloskey brought his experience back to Carleton, working with the student group <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cusaclubs.ca\/club\/carleton-aerospace-astrophysics-radio-club-ca2rc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CU on Orbit<\/a> for a weekend concurrent design project for a spacecraft mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McCloskey also took part in co-op placements with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and a private satellite engineering firm. At CSA, he worked on the Arctic Observation Mission.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;The project was still in the proposal phase, so as a student I got to contribute to design recommendations for the final satellite, which was very cool.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>His undergrad now complete, McClosky will continue his studies at Carleton in a Master of Applied Science with the <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/spacecraft\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spacecraft Robotics and Control Laboratory<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McCloskey advises future Ravens to apply to all opportunities that interest them.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;The reason that I&#8217;ve been able to do these things is because I have a habit of throwing my name out at almost everything that that comes into my path,&#8221; he says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Putting yourself out there is important.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull wp-image-92848 size-full w-screen ml-offset-center cu-max-w-child-max px-4 md:px-6 lg:px-12\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-23.jpg\" alt=\"Graduation celebrations at Carleton University during Spring Convocation 2024\" class=\"wp-image-92848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-23.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-23-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-23-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-23-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-23-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/spring-convocation-2024-1200x800-23-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><a name=\"4\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"leah-marshall-bachelor-of-cognitive-science\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Leah Marshall, Bachelor of Cognitive Science<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When exploring universities to attend for her undergraduate degree, Leah Marshall was drawn to Carleton&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cognitivescience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Department of Cognitive Science<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Carleton has dedicated Cognitive Science professors and a course structure that brings everything together,&#8221; she says.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;I thought that was amazing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Marshall became very involved in the Math Lab. She also worked closely with the lab&#8217;s director, <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cognitivescience\/people\/lefevre-jo-anne\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Prof. Jo-Anne LeFevre<\/a>, when completing her thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-96129\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/ravens-experience-1200x800-4.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of a young woman with long brown hair, sitting among plants.\" class=\"wp-image-96129\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-4-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-4-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-4-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Leah Marshall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Marshall&#8217;s research explored how children aged two to four understand numbers, including digits, quantities and finger patterns. To collect her data, she worked with preschools and early childhood resource centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Finger patterns seemed really special in the world of numbers and there&#8217;s not a lot of information on them,&#8221; says Marshall. &#8220;My research found that children were more familiar with finger patterns than any other representation of numbers.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the classroom, Marshall has taken an active role in building the cognitive science community, co-leading the department&#8217;s spring conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The supportive environment the university provides was important to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve never felt like I couldn&#8217;t do something or that I couldn&#8217;t be involved,&#8221; she says.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve always felt like my professors believe I&#8217;m capable of whatever I want to do, which is an amazing feeling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Following convocation, Marshall plans to continue her research in a master&#8217;s program at Carleton. Drawing on her own experience, she encourages future Ravens to get the most out of their degrees by getting involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Once I started getting involved, it just changed everything,&#8221; says Marshall. &#8220;I felt so much more connected to the school and it made everything so enjoyable.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull wp-image-89746 size-full w-screen ml-offset-center cu-max-w-child-max px-4 md:px-6 lg:px-12\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-2023-highlights-1200x800-20.jpg\" alt=\"Behind the audience of a Convocation event.\" class=\"wp-image-89746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-2023-highlights-1200x800-20.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-2023-highlights-1200x800-20-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-2023-highlights-1200x800-20-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-2023-highlights-1200x800-20-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-2023-highlights-1200x800-20-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-2023-highlights-1200x800-20-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-2023-highlights-1200x800-20-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/convocation-2023-highlights-1200x800-20-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><a name=\"5\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"matthew-bacic-bachelor-of-science-neuroscience-and-mental-health\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Matthew Bacic, Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience and Mental Health <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After hearing great things about the university from a family member, Matthew Bacic came to Carleton to pursue his undergrad. Passionate about healthcare and interested in the workings of the human brain, Bacic enrolled in <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/neuroscience\/undergraduate-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the Neuroscience program<\/a>. The variety of areas of study and an opportunity to explore how the mind functions appealed to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The classes were fascinating,&#8221; he says.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;It changed the way I thought about how the brain and body work together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Outside of class, Bacic made a major contribution to the campus community by volunteering with the <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carleton University Student Emergency Response Team (CUSERT)<\/a>, which provides on-call emergency response 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-96128\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/ravens-experience-1200x800-5.jpg\" alt=\"A head shot of a young man with glasses and short brown hair.\" class=\"wp-image-96128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-5-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-5-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ravens-experience-1200x800-5-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matthew Bacic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve found that volunteering and giving back to the Carleton community has been really enriching,&#8221; says Bacic.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;This was a fantastic way to get involved in an area that I was passionate about.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Bacic became a leader on the team, taking charge of training the next generation of CUSERT responders. He balanced his extracurricular commitments with school work and paid research opportunities with faculty members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His dedication to CUSERT was recognized this year with the university&#8217;s Service Excellence Award, an honour that&#8217;s normally bestowed on faculty and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I worked with an amazing group of individuals over the last few years on CUSERT. It was a lot of fun, but it also took a lot of sacrifice,&#8221; he says. &#8220;Being recognized for the work I did was very special and reflects not only my efforts, but also the countless hours put in by all of our responders.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With his undergrad complete, Bacic will be conducting research on Parkinson&#8217;s disease with <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/neuroscience\/profile\/natalina-salmaso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Prof. Natalina Salmaso<\/a> this summer before moving on to medical school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His advice to future Ravens is to talk to their professors.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Carleton is a large enough university that there are lots of programs and resources, but it&#8217;s still small enough to provide the opportunity to build connections with professors,&#8221; he says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;They are an incredible resource.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211;<br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/our-stories\">More Stories<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Convocation is a time for the Carleton University community to come together to honour the dedication and achievements of the Class of 2025 as they receive their degrees. From June 16 to 20, campus will be filled with family and friends cheering on their loved ones as they celebrate years of academic dedication. Every student&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":410,"featured_media":61146,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_story_type":[25],"cu_story_tag":[1920,1918,1921,1919,1922],"class_list":["post-96125","cu_story","type-cu_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","cu_story_type-student-experience","cu_story_tag-faculty-of-arts-and-social-sciences","cu_story_tag-faculty-of-engineering-and-design","cu_story_tag-faculty-of-public-and-global-affairs","cu_story_tag-faculty-of-science","cu_story_tag-sprott-school-of-business"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":"blueprint"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/96125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/cu_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/410"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/96125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97674,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/96125\/revisions\/97674"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61146"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_story_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_type?post=96125"},{"taxonomy":"cu_story_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_tag?post=96125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}