In 2022, as National President of JCI Canada, I saw the need for our members to re-connect. We had spent 2 years in forced isolation, unable to connect with each other in person for fear built out of the pandemic culture. Our member-driven organization that thrived on our ability to build and maintain a strong network was suffering.

Little did I know it at the time, but the notion of re-connecting to rebuild communities was starting to gain traction in the academic world; where those who had a voice in the academy were publishing articles and books that touted connection as the key to success in not only academia, but also in the broader context of our increasingly diverse society (Jordan, 2024; Lewis and Olshansky, 2016).

Finding opportunities to study and write about human connection has not only influenced and impacted my development as an academic writer, it has also inspired my outlook for this Masters degree.

I look forward to publishing more in the future.

Stay tuned for Season 2 of "The Chatterbox" launching in June 2025!

Resources:

Jordan, J. V. (2024). Introduction. In Relational–cultural therapy., 3rd ed. (pp. 3–13). American Psychological Association. https://0-doi-org.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/10.1037/0000411-001

Lewis, C., & Olshansky, E. (2016). Relational-cultural Theory as a Framework for Mentoring in Academia: Toward Diversity and Growth-fostering Collaborative Scholarly Relationships. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 24(5), 383–398. https://0-doi-org.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/10.1080/13611267.2016.1275390