Graphic Communications Management student awarded prestigious Gold Medal at convocation

Graphic Communications Management (GCM) student Allison MacKenzie is the 2022 recipient of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Gold Medal. The Gold Medal is the University's highest award, presented to students with outstanding academic achievement combined with extraordinary contributions to the life of the University, their professional community, or the community at large.

MacKenzie reflects on her academic journey and shares words of advice to current students. 

What was the biggest challenge for you this past year and how did you persevere/overcome this challenge? 

In November 2021, I had to fly back to British Columbia to present a Victim Impact Statement in front of a judge and court. This spoken presentation outlined the psychological and physical harm caused from prolonged abuse that happened to me before I started at TMU. This was the most vulnerable and most serious presentation I’ve ever made, in front of significant authority. I could not have done it without the incredible support system I’ve found at TMU and with family and friends supporting me. My peers were understanding and flexible, and my incredible teachers at GCM were very accommodating. Build your community, lean on others around you when you need to, and try your best to offer the same grace to those around you.

What has been the most rewarding or enjoyable part of your university experience? 

From the moment I moved here, I have been connecting with incredible people. It seems that from every corner of the university, there are humans impacting my journey. In residence, other programs within The Creative School, through the Consent Comes First Office, through Print Wisdom Program, and of course, my own family at GCM and in Colloquium. I feel so lucky to have met the people in my life through these opportunities, and hope that I have impacted their journey as well. I feel well connected to mentors, faculty, peers, friends and family having gone through the academic, professional, and personal growth of the last few years. I am so grateful for those who have been tied to every memory and such a rewarding part of my degree.

What is a memory that stands out to you from your university experience? 

This past semester, the GCM Colloquium (external link)  team was hosting our second virtual conference, with the theme this year being Accessibility in Graphic Communications! We decided to try and host together in-person on campus.

A last minute power outage left us without our original place to set up on Day 1, and we chose to try and all host from the same room in the Heidelberg building. We set up, our conference call went live, and we immediately realized the audio feedback would make it impossible for multiple people to host from the same room. After over a year of Zoom meetings, we forgot about the logistics of multiple live mics in the same room. While I initially panicked, the team paused, made a game plan, and under the incredible calm mentorship of GCM Assistant Professor Donna Razik and Associate Professor Reem El Asaleh, set up a plan for success. Plans don’t always go perfectly, and it was an important lesson to be challenged in the moment to adapt, keep your head on straight, and do the best with what you can.

We were able to assess, adapt, and shift back into small team rooms in the SLC for hosting on Conference Day 2, and it was a much better success! I am so proud of our team for hosting that conference, challenges and all!

What experiences have helped prepare you for your future career? 

Everything we do helps us prepare for our next step. You never know what’s going to happen exactly, but if you set yourself up for success, something great can happen. It is so exciting to be a part of something bigger than yourself, and discover what’s possible when you work alongside other curious, dedicated peers and incredible faculty. I am incredibly grateful for the Graphic Communications Management program at TMU, where I developed technical proficiency, leadership, creativity, project management and business skills that I will continue to carry with me through everything I do. 

What advice do you have for current or future students?

Beyond any of the other ideas and cliches I’ve already mentioned, I wholeheartedly believe that you should do everything in your power to do everything in your power. We are capable of impacting, empowering, changing the world around us. Get involved, and don’t forget that there are people there to help you and support you when you need it. Follow your gut, find what you love and chase it. 

About The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University 

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Comprised of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.