As we wrap up another year of convocation ceremonies, Mount Royal educators and professors reflect on the unique characteristics and experiences that define the Class of 2024, shedding light on their capacity to lead, innovate, and inspire change.

From his home base in Mount Royal’s Faculty of Health, Community and Education, Professor David Legg has seen the evolution of countless students become alumni for over 25 years. 

The current student experience looks pretty different now – AI as a tool for research and summary notes, hybrid classrooms and Tik Tok – yet Legg is confident that students who earned their credentials 25 years ago vs. now, at their core, are very similar. 

There’s strength in the struggle
“Sometimes Gen Z gets a bad rap as being unable to handle change or adversity” says Legg. 

The reality is that post-secondary students worldwide have navigated unprecedented upheaval and uncertainty. They attended university during a global health crisis and are now entering a dynamic and uncertain job market. As a coach, educator and optimist, Legg reframed those struggles as strengths, saying...

“If I were to describe our future, I’d say we’re in great hands.”

2024 Class Photo - Bachelor of Health and Physical Education 

Over at the Faculty of Arts, history professor Kirk Niergarth highlights another unique characteristic of the Class of 2024. “The majority are working, often full-time, while pursuing full-time studies, so they are attuned to the balance” Neirgarth says. 

Many of Mount Royal’s newest alumni are Gen Z and are known for prioritizing work-life balance and boundaries. These values create a perception that this generation is unwilling to work hard. But Neigarth’s teaching experience debunks the “nobody wants to work” rhetoric. Mount Royal grads are anything but complacent.

“Many of the students we have here…it’s not their first [work or school] experience,” says Neirgarth, “they are extremely motivated and capable.” 

What will the Class of 2024’s leadership look like? Great question. 

Leda Stawnychko, an instructor in the Bissett School of Business specializing in leadership development, praises their authenticity and commitment. “They’re working more than every other generation before them, and they’re engaged and excited to be there,” she says. 

Unlike their predecessors, who may have prioritized ambition and success at all costs, the newest generation of leaders value meaning and purpose in their work. They lead with integrity and empathy, and a genuine desire to effect positive change in the world. 

Stawnychko's observation underscores the importance of authenticity in leadership, highlighting its potential to inspire trust, foster collaboration, and drive innovation. “They see the opportunity, the positive…they look at the world and say ‘how can we make it better?’” echos Legg.

To all the MRU alum hiring managers out there….

Keep an eye out for these aspiring leaders and changemakers. As Mount Royal’s newest alumni take the next step – further education, a full-time career, travel and adventure or something else – one thing is clear: they’ll bring heart and authenticity to everything they do. 

To each member of the Class of 2024, welcome to the MRU alumni community – MRU alum looks good on you.

P.s. 

Looking to take your leadership skills further? Check out the Faculty of Continuing Education’s Leadership Development Extension Certificate.

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