Political Science Graduation Address by former MP Karen McCrimmon
Graduation Stories Fall 2021
Congratulations to our recent graduates! Here we would like to introduce you to some of our BA, MA and PhD graduates November 2021, and highlight some of their experiences and research interests. Be sure to scroll down to find out more about our graduates and their experiences at Carleton.
BA graduates share their Carleton experiences
Zahraa Chahrour
Zahraa is graduating with a BA (Hons) Political Science, Minor French. She also completed the Co-operative Education concentration. We are proud to announce Zahraa is graduating with High Distinction.
“I came to Carleton as one of eight kids, where only one of my siblings had gone to University. I had grand and broad dreams of becoming a lawyer. However, I wasn’t sure how to realize my dreams. I didn’t think I was smart enough or strong enough to become a lawyer. Instead of taking law as my undergrad I decided to take Political Science since I enjoyed the topic. That was the best decision I ever made.
I met a lot of good people in my time at Carleton and had a lot of support over the course of my undergrad. I wouldn’t have been able to finish my degree without my friends, family, and teachers.
Carleton granted me a unique experience I will never forget. My time there gave me the confidence to go to law school and I just started my first year at Queen’s Law this past September!”
Nicholas Zuger
Nicholas is graduating with a BA (Hons) Double Major Canadian Studies and Political Science. We are proud to announce Nicholas is graduating with High Distinction.
“Like many Ottawa high school students, I was caught in a choice between Carleton and uOttawa. After much deliberation, I decided to settle this dilemma with a coin toss. I couldn’t be happier with the choice fate decided! My experience with the Department of Political Science at Carleton University over the last four years has been nothing short of extraordinary.
I had the pleasure of working with and learning from some very talented and knowledgeable professors, students, and administrative staff. Political Science at Carleton awards students the opportunity to apply their interests in the classroom. In my last year, I completed a directed study with Professor Iacovino. I really enjoyed working one-on-one with a faculty member in a class completely curated by the student. Together we researched and debated how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Canadian federalism.
Holding my diploma makes me overcome with so many different emotions. I’m thankful for this privileged experience and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned to my community as I enter the public service. A heartfelt thank you all those I met along the way!”
MA graduates share their Carleton experiences
Sukhi Dhaliwal
Sukhi is graduating with Dual Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Lucerne, Switzerland, and Carleton University. As part of her program Sukhi completed a MA thesis, entitled “So, I Stayed”: Narratives in Agency from Punjabi-Canadian Women in Forced Marriages”.
I was pushed out of my comfort zone quite often while I was completing my Dual MA in Political Science. I TA’d a few courses for the first time, I lived and studied in Switzerland, I completed two Co-op terms with the Government of Canada, and I was encouraged to complete a thesis even though I was intimidated by taking on a big project. While I felt a bit overwhelmed and had a case of imposter’s syndrome, I came out of each challenge feeling better than when I started it. Looking back, TAing allowed me to connect with students and help them succeed. The opportunity to complete a Dual degree and live in Switzerland offered a new perspective and approach to learning, even beyond the classroom. My Co-op placements afforded me a wealth of experience, aiding me in securing my current job at Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. Lastly, writing a thesis allowed me to pour into a passion project and work with exceptional mentors. My experience at Carleton opened up many doors and I am grateful to have walked through them.
Kayla Dold
Kayla is graduating with a MA in Political Science. Her thesis is entitled “A Story Worth Remembering: Literature’s Role in Simone de Beauvoir’s Philosophy”.
“I started my MA just after graduating from Carleton’s Humanities and Biology program. That means when I graduated this fall, I’d spent a quarter of my life studying and working at Carleton! My favourite part of my MA was writing my thesis under the supervision of Dr. Sophie Marcotte-Chénard, which I defended in June, 2021.
I wrote about the viability of Simone de Beauvoir’s existential literature as political theory. I argue that paying close attention to the relationship between literary form and philosophical function in Beauvoir’s essay The Ethics of Ambiguity and novel All Men Are Mortal reveals how our experience of ambiguity serves as a basis for community formation and ethical behaviour. Dr. Marcotte-Chénard was a fantastic supervisor who let me test wacky ideas… like the philosophical importance of mushroom similes! It doesn’t get much better than using mushroom similes to demonstrate how Beauvoir’s theory of mortality is better than Martin Heidegger’s. After all, why read Being in Time when you can read a novel filled with suspense, intrigue, romance, and adventure?
While I plan on continuing this scholarship in the future, I’m currently indulging my interest in research librarianship in uOttawa’s Masters of Information Studies. My hope is to use my MA in political science in combination with my MIS to work as a research librarian in politics, philosophy, and literature.”
Ashley Fearnall
Ashley is graduating with a MA in Political Science.
“Although the experience quickly changed with the pandemic, I’m incredibly thankful for the time I spent with new colleagues and friends over two years at Carleton. I truly think that if we can complete graduate school in a global pandemic, the sky is the limit!
I’m looking forward to new opportunities in policy work; chasing my new interests along with those Carleton helped to foster. Thanks to all of you who invested time, talent, and support to help my quest to complete this degree.”
Desirrea Meney
Desirrea is graduating with a MA in Political Science. Her thesis is entitled “Examining the Conflictual Political: Alternative Agonisms for Democratic Designs”.
“Completing my masters thesis at Carleton’s Political Science department has been one of the most challenging, but rewarding experiences I have had to date. It has taught me so much about how to create the conditions for my own flourishing and that every large endeavour takes a team of support. My course work and thesis studies have only further instilled my love of learning, discussing, and debating important ideas. Under the unpredictable circumstances of my time here, I have formed the most meaningful friendships and important relationships with faculty. I liked it so much I decided to never leave! With just days in between my thesis defence and the fall semester, I am back again for doctoral studies”
PhD graduates share their Carleton experiences
Rumbi Chimhanda
Rumbi is graduating with a PhD in Political Science. Her thesis topic is “Diasporic Experiences of Everyday Multiculturalism: Navigating Race and Space Through African Women’s Beauty Practices”.
“When I arrived in Canada on a chilly Spring morning in May 2010 to start my undergraduate degree, I never could have imagined that I would be graduating with my PhD a decade later. As an international student from Zimbabwe, this accomplishment is layered with an immense sense of gratitude, joy, pride, well-worth-it-sacrifices, and generous support from many wonderful people. When I chose to do my Master’s in Political Science at Carleton, I only planned to stay for the duration of the program and then leave Ottawa, but I enjoyed the rich courses I was taking so much and found professors who nurtured my intellectual passions under their mentorship that I chose to continue with my PhD. The Political Science department quickly became like home and I’ve had the opportunity to grow as a woman, a scholar, and a professional through my experiences both within and outside the department.
When I try to think of my favourite memories, there are just so many that blend the delights and challenges of being a graduate student but what will stay with me long after graduation is how the faculty and staff in the department were undeniably invested in my success, often going the extra mile to help me accomplish my academic goals and navigate the different facets of being an international graduate student. I will also remember my cohort and other students who made graduate studies more bearable (dare I say even enjoyable at times) because of the camaraderie and community that was fostered. While I’m still figuring out what’s next for me, what I know for sure is that my time in the Political Science department at Carleton has equipped me to take on whatever adventures lie ahead me with courage and confidence.”
Federmán Rodríguez
Federmán is graduating with a PhD in Political Science. His thesis is entitled “Why Different Powers Behave Similarly: A Neoclassical Realist Approach to American and Canadian Engagements in Afghanistan (2001-2014).”
“Based on my PhD dissertation and oral defence, I was nominated by my examining committee for a Senate Medal for Outstanding Graduate Work at the Doctoral Level. For me, it was a monumental achievement that would not have been possible without the magnificent space offered by the Department to develop my dissertation. My core courses’ instructors on International Relations and Comparative Politics encouraged me to address enticing ways of thinking to compare American and Canadian counterinsurgency strategies in Afghanistan as the primary purpose of my PhD dissertation.
My supervisor Brian Schmidt and my other two committee members, Elinor Sloan and Laura Macdonald, played a remarkable role during my time researching and writing my dissertation. There will always be a special place in my heart for them.
Aleja, my wife, was my engine and my inspiration. Her love and patience helped me fulfill one of my dreams: getting a PhD in a high-standard university. Another dream coming true thanks to her was to forge a lovely family. My wife and I took over the beautiful task of raising our son. Jerónimo was born just before I became a PhD candidate. I thank him for making me more efficient in writing my dissertation.”