University of Regina graduate Isabella Grajczyk is one of 20 Canadian recipients of the McCall MacBain Scholarships. Designed to encourage purposeful leadership, the McCall MacBain Scholarships enable students to pursue a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill, while participating in mentorship, coaching, and a leadership development program.
“I was in Ottawa visiting a friend when I got the news,” says Grajczyk. “I was sitting in the food court of the mall and tried to find a quiet corner to join the call. I was so nervous. When I heard the news, I couldn’t believe it. I was definitely in shock and I even shed a few tears, which I was not expecting. After receiving the news, it still didn’t feel real. I Facetimed all my family and friends and seeing their excitement was the best feeling. I knew they were all so proud.”
Each scholar was chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.
Originally from Moose Jaw, Grajczyk, who graduated in 2022 with High Honours in International Studies, with concentration in International Affairs (Department of Politics and International Studies), works on gender equality projects for the United Nations Development Program. She started and oversees Sask Girls United, a registered not-for-profit organization that has provided more than 700 girls and gender-diverse youth with free virtual programming, and co-leads an initiative to educate Canadians about homelessness. Grajczyk also co-chaired the URSU equity committee, organized events for her program’s political science student society, and serves on the board of the Regina Public Interest Research Group.
Grajczyk underwent a rigorous seven-month selection process involving two rounds of interviews. She is the first University of Regina graduate to earn this scholarship.
As a McCall MacBain Scholar, Grajczyk plans to begin a master’s degree in political science at McGill University.
“This scholarship means everything to me. The idea of grad school seemed almost unattainable before, but with the support of the McCall MacBain Scholarship, I feel ready and able to achieve my dreams! Coming from a small town in Saskatchewan, it can be challenging at times to imagine life in a big city, but I am so fortunate to have had friends and family who have encouraged and supported me on this journey,” says Grajczyk.
The idea of grad school seemed almost unattainable before, but with the support of the McCall MacBain Scholarship, I feel ready and able to achieve my dreams!
Isabella Grajczyk BA’22, High Honours, International Studies, with concentration in International Affairs (Department of Politics and International Studies)
“Grajczyk’s selection is a tribute to the time and energy she has put into improving the lives of others,” says Natasha Sawh, Dean of the McCall MacBain Scholarships. “Our volunteers looked not only for academic strength, but for leadership qualities like integrity, kindness, grit, and an ability to motivate a team to address tough challenges.”
To recognize additional talent, the McCall MacBain Scholarships and McGill University also offered 96 entrance awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 each to top candidates who were not selected for the cohort. University of Regina students Bronwyn Heerspink, currently in the BA Honours program in Political Science in the Department of Politics and International Studies, and Trey Chernoff, 4th-year Physics student, earned awards of $5,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Altogether, this year’s 126 scholarships represent an estimated commitment of nearly $3.3 million in tuition and living costs alone, which will be complemented by mentorship and leadership development programming.
Applications for the McCall MacBain Scholarships will open in June 2023 for September 2024 admission.
Discover the scholarship that you deserve. Find out how you can fund your U of R education.
Banner image provided by Isabella Grajczyk.
About the University of Regina
Set in the heart of the Canadian prairies we are a comprehensive, mid-sized university where the opportunities are as limitless as the horizon. Our campuses are on Treaty 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. It is our responsibility to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future for all. Our three federated colleges, 10 faculties, 25 academic departments, and 18 research centres foster innovative research with practical and theoretical applications. We are committed to cultivating the potential of our 16,000 students and supporting their health and well-being. We take learning beyond the classroom through work and volunteer experiences to develop career-ready graduates.
Let’s go far, together.