“I am researching and collaborating with the Centre for Public Dialogue team to make lesson plans for independent schools in their Education Together campaign, which advocates for adequate funding and involvement of community within First Nation Schools.”
— Miranda Williams, BA International Studies, 2021
The Laurentian Leadership Centre (LLC) is Trinity Western University’s competitive residential internship program in Ottawa. Successful applicants spend a semester in Ottawa studying courses in government and public policy, while interning with the Canadian government or with non-governmental organizations based in the nation’s capital.
LLC students normally spend the semester living with peers at the historic Booth Mansion in downtown Ottawa. This year, with COVID-19 restrictions, the LLC program made some adjustments to ensure the program’s continued success.
“This semester, the LLC is the art of the possible,” wrote LLC Director Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham in a newsletter to the program’s alumni.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic, we wondered if it would be possible to run the LLC program at all this fall. But we prevailed and so have a modified program.”
The modifications were to split the fall LLC cohort into two groups. Cohort 1 were the first to arrive at the LLC in early September and work full-time internships. Meanwhile, Cohort 2 completed their classes online. This week, on October 19, the two cohorts switched places.
Miranda Williams is one of the students from the first cohort. Williams is majoring in International Studies and will graduate in spring 2021. She shared her experiences of living and working in Ottawa this fall.
On her motivation for joining the LLC, Williams said, “I chose to attend the LLC in order to experientially learn and grow. Although, I am learning that it is even more significant that I am receiving an opportunity to step into a job with a wonderful support system.”
At the LLC, Williams found many opportunities to be supported while being challenged. “I have a chance to undertake a job in my field with the guidance of a caring professor, tips from alumni, as well as the support of a community under the same pressures.”
During her time in Ottawa, Williams interned with the Centre for Public Dialogue. “They promote a positive voice of Christian faith in Canadian public life that seeks justice, hope, and reconciliation in political dialogue, and active citizenship,” Williams explained.
As for her role, Williams shared, “I am researching and collaborating with the Centre for Public Dialogue team to make lesson plans for independent schools in their Education Together campaign, which advocates for adequate funding and involvement of community within First Nation Schools.”
The Education Together campaign that Williams worked on is founded on work done by Anna Vogt, a Trinity Western LLC alumna, who had also interned with the Centre for Public Dialogue.
Williams expressed that mentorship was one of the highlights of her LLC experience. “The best part of my semester so far has been receiving mentorship from my supervisors. I am given at least two opportunities a week to seek wisdom from people for doing what I want to do with my life. They welcome my questions and are ready to help.”
Learn more about The Laurentian Leadership Centre (LLC) at Trinity Western University.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.