B.A. Philosophy, University of Winnipeg, 2003
B.A. Philosophy and Politics, Oxford University, 2005
Ph.D. candidate in Philosophy, University of Toronto

Honours and Awards: Rhodes Scholar; Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar

One of the most formative experiences in my life was studying philosophy at the University of Winnipeg. Not only was it here that I discovered my passion for philosophy, but this passion was carefully cultivated by the program’s unique environment. Its small class sizes and easy accessibility to faculty were ideally suited to the practice of philosophy: chasing new (or very old!) and exciting ideas, critically examining your own beliefs and developing arguments for different views in conversation with others. This also meant that I never felt like a number. I was even able to TA and lead weekly discussion seminars, an opportunity exceedingly rare in larger institutions with graduate programs. Furthermore, the department’s emphasis on the history of philosophy encouraged developing an independent and critical mind from early on. Even first-year students engage with great philosophical texts from the past instead of relying on second-hand summaries.

The education I received through the Philosophy Program was outstanding and prepared me exceptionally well for my future studies at Oxford and currently at Toronto. The independence of mind fostered by the program served me well outside of academia, when I worked in the human rights field in the Peruvian Andes.

I am proud to be a University of Winnipeg alumnus.