Student Testimonials

“As a part of the first cohort that went through the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan, I saw first-hand the dedication and hard work required to get the program running.  The result of the dedication of the faculty and staff is a program, which despite being new, has become highly regarded in not only Saskatchewan but also the rest of Canada.  Shortly after the completion of my degree, I was offered work with two levels of government, as well as with the Saskatoon Health Region.  The knowledge and skills I obtained while at the JSGS continue to serve me on a daily basis, allowing me to fulfill my duties at a level that exceeds expectations.  The high calibre of the faculty is quickly making the JSGS a national leader in public administration; I am both thankful and privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from them.”

Patrick R. Falastein, MA MPA CTRS
Project Manager - Strategic Planning
Planning, Policy & Performance
Saskatoon Health Region

"The MPA program at JSGS has enhanced my knowledge of public policy, research and theory. The quality and experience of the professors and the opportunity to network with professionals within the field was truly a rewarding experience. In addition, JSGS has strong links with the government and large funding bodies which provides students with opportunities to intern and receive hands on training."

Oreoluwa Ogunrinde
BKin, Health Studies, University of Regina, 2008
MPA Candidate, University of Regina, 2010
"My experiences at the JSGS U of R campus were filled with opportunities. The courses allowed students the freedom to pursue personal interests in the field of public policy, governance and administration. The internship provided me with a rare opportunity to work in executive government and learn from senior officials, which was an immensely gratifying experience both personally and professionally. I also had the opportunity to work closely with faculty, staff and colleagues as part of the JSGS Student Association. Furthermore, the school supported many events, training, and learning opportunities for students that well surpassed my expectations. The school offers its students opportunities that are simply not afforded elsewhere."
Charlotte Morrisette, MPA, BA
Executive Assistant to the ADM
Ministry Services and Standards Division
Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
“In the spring of 2010, I was considering applying to one of the many MPA programs in Canada and visited the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School to learn more about what it had to offer. I was having a look around the campus when Professor Peter Phillips, noticing that I was a little nervous and unsure of where to be, rushed out and invited me into his office. He then introduced himself and asked all about what I was interested in. This turned into a very pleasant and engaging conversation and I left with a very positive impression of both the faculty and the school. At the time I was considering a number of options. It was because of this instance of commendable and personable behaviour that I chose the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy for my studies."
Joseph Dan MacKenzie
BA (Hons) in Political Studies and History, University of Saskatchewan, 2009
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, Canadian Forces
MPA Candidate, University of Saskatchewan
"My experience at the school thus far has been positive. The students bring a great variety of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives to the program, and I find learning from my peers to be as engaging as learning from faculty. I hope to work in a research-related field in the future, especially in a position focused on disseminating research results to the public in terms of policy, and I think the array of knowledge provided in the PhD program will be a great asset."
Sara McPhee-Knowles
BA (Hons) in Public Administration, University of Saskatchewan, 2009
PhD Candidate, University of Saskatchewan
"I would highly recommend the Master of International Trade program to those mid-career professionals seeking to improve their understanding of national strategic level and global issues.  The interdisciplinary nature of the program ensures that important themes are examined from a variety of perspectives.  Equally as important are the perspectives from your fellow students who reside across Canada and, indeed, the world.  I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the extra effort many of the professors in the program put forth in reaching out to students socially so as to better cement relationships.  On two separate occasions, I had a professor take the initiative to meet with me in Ottawa while he was there on business.  The graduation ceremony was also attended by many of my professors who then took me out for lunch!  Though the program can be time consuming, I am confident that it has improved my ability to analyze and comprehend both national and international events such that my employer, the Department of National Defence, is also a beneficiary."      
Major Ryan Smid
Chief of Staff Coordinator for Land Forces Western Area in Edmonton
National Defence
Government of Canada
"This internship has helped to refine and enhance my public policy skill set, which I developed in my MPA program. My placement has also provided me with opportunities to learn how to work effectively under time constraints, in a high-paced work environment."
Alison Hamilton
2010 Federal Internship
BSc (Hons), Brandon University
MPA Graduate, University of Saskatchewan

"The JSGS has the necessary tools and resources to provide students with the best they can hope for. The School boasts some of the best brains in public policy teaching and practice. It has given me the breadth of knowledge which I have been able to transfer seamlessly into both a summer job in a government ministry and project internship through the fall and winter. Like every institution, it has its strengths and weakness, but just as the province of Saskatchewan has been a beacon for some of the best programs in Canada, the school definitely punches above its weight, considering."

Shlomo M. Levi
BA (Hons) London Metropolitan University, UK
LLM, Environmental Law and Policy, Washington College of law, American University
MPA Graduate, University of Regina
"The MPP program at JSGS has given me the opportunity to enhance my knowledge of public policy, while also providing me with the flexibility to undertake research in areas which have excited me the most. The program has definitely helped me in improving my research and analytical skills which can be applied to both academia and job markets. Cordial environment and a sense of closely knit community have been the hallmark of my stay at JSGS, where engaging in meaningful dialogue with faculty members and fellow students has always been encouraged." 
Ata-Ul Munim
BA (Hons) Economics, McMaster University, 2007
BA (Hons) Political Science, McMaster University, 2009
MPP Candidate, University of Saskatchewan

"The JSGS MPA program has provided me with the key practical skills needed to be successful in a government policy field.  Part of the JSGS program involves offering networking opportunities and learning forums to enhance knowledge of government and policy, as well as to allow students to make contacts in both the public and private sectors. One of the most beneficial aspects of the MPA for me was the Executive Internship Program where I was able to gain significant experience working in a Federal Government department". 

Rebecca J. Austin
BA in Political Science, University of Regina, 2007
MPA, University of Regina, 2010

"The MPP program at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy afforded me a high quality education and provided a high level of interaction and support from my supervisor. With strong ties to the provincial government, the school provided me with a unique and valuable internship experience in government that allowed me to apply the skills I learned in class. In addition, working in a smaller organization as an intern exposed me to high-level decision-making and allowed for daily interaction with senior managers and policy makers. I am confident that the skills I acquired in class and through my internship will enable me to succeed as I start my career."

Matthew Jurczak
MPP student, University of Regina