Academic X’cellence: Sharing stories from our inspiring StFX community
It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with StFX that our campus is filled with highly engaged students, educators, researchers, and leaders. Academic X’cellence shines a spotlight on members of our educational community to find out more about their unique experiences—both inside and outside of the classroom. (To see the full series, please click HERE.)
Here we meet Renée Papp of Ottawa, ON, a fourth year honours English student, who is also completing a subsidiary in French. Renée is the recipient of a prestigious Irving Oil Research Mentorship Award. To help connect and bring students together in her academic department, she co-founded and is the co-president of the StFX English Society. She is also the vice-president of the Model United Nations Society, and has plans to attend law school after graduating from StFX.
Tell us about some of the highlights and involvements during your time at StFX.
I think my involvement really started when (English professor) Dr. Kailin Wright selected me and four other students to work for her as research assistants. This was an invaluable opportunity and one that I wouldn’t have had if I went to any other school. Over my second and third years I worked for Dr. Wright on various projects surrounding her work on motherhood and reproductive justice in Canadian theatre and literature. I learned so much about the research process and got to see what it was like to do high level work. From there, Dr. Wright encouraged me to apply for a summer student research grant. I was very fortunate to receive the Irving Oil Research Mentorship Award to undertake an individual research project on ‘Sexual Violence in Canadian Literature.’ I spent my summer after second year learning about the history of reproductive rights in Canada and the United States, how sexual violence is represented in various works of Canadian fiction, and how these works play a role in framing ongoing reproductive debates. Having the chance to pursue a subject area that I’m passionate it about in an in-depth way that a single class wouldn’t have allowed for has been one of my favourite experiences of my time here.
I am also the co-founder and co-president of the StFX English Society. This has been a really fun experience. The English department is small, but it was hard to feel connected with our peers since we all take different classes and didn’t have a pre-existing network of students. We really wanted to make this space for English students and find a way to bring together our department. It has been super rewarding to create the society and see these connections being built through the different events we put on. I think it really helps to know the people in your classes and know the faculty and the English Society has been a way for us to make this possible.
Another big experience for me has been being a part of the Model United Nations Society. I joined as a member last year and now I’m acting as the vice president for this school year. The team goes to a conference in New York City every March where you simulate the inner workings of the United Nations. We represented Australia and I got to be on a committee that was focused on improving the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community internationally. Arts student don’t have as many opportunities for hands-on learning and Model UN is one of those rare ones. It’s been a really great way to learn about international politics because you get to see it at work and participate in it yourself. We got to go to the actual UN building in New York - how many people can say they’ve done that? And it was also just a really fun experience to get to go to New York with a group of my peers and friends and explore the city together for a week.
What drew you to study English?
I knew I liked English from high school, but I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to major in and was considering a few different options. But once I took my first English classes at StFX, saw the engaging classroom environment, and met the faculty I knew that English was the right path for me.
Have you had a favorite class?
It’s hard to narrow it done to just one! First, I would say ENGL 279: What’s Canadian About Canadian Literature? with Dr. Wright. This class was a highlight because, before I took it, I didn’t know much about Canadian literature and probably didn’t think it could be interesting, but it completely changed my perspective. We studied contemporary works like Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and learned about how literature can have real implications in framing debates about ongoing issues like fertility rights. Dr. Wright teaches in an exciting and fun way that made me look forward to every class. I also really enjoyed PSCI 343: Law and Politics with Dr. Igor Shoikhedbrod. I really liked this one because it was a great way to learn more about the Canadian legal system and how it plays a role in current political debates. Dr. S is also a great teacher and I feel like I learned a lot from him.
Do you feel your student research experience impacted your studies?
Yes, I think my student research experience had one of the biggest impacts on my studies. The work I did really helped me find what I was passionate about and want to pursue. It’s played a big role in my decision to apply to law school. The work I did over the summer makes up one half of my honours thesis, so it has made the workload this year much lighter. I have a lot more time to work on the next half and can put forward my best work. It also was a really great chance to work on different skills like time management, organization, and accountability. It was pretty self-driven and while I met with my supervisor once a week, I had to push myself to stay accountable and keep up with the work every week. I think this really helped me be able to balance a busier schedule going into my third and fourth years.
Do you have a path in mind for after StFX?
Yes! I have just applied to law school. I can say with confidence that I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for the experiences I’ve had at this school.
Would have advice for a first year student?
Get involved! Join a club, society, or team. I wish I had gotten more involved from the start. It’s such a great way to meet like-minded people and you can make really great friends when you find people that you share a common interest with. It also just really enhances your time here and sets you up very well for whatever path you want to follow in the future.
