The City of Lethbridge recognizes the benefits of partnering with students and faculty at post-secondary institutions, including accessing and leveraging research, data and expertise.
The City Scholars program creates a pathway for students, faculty, and the City to work together on evidence-informed applied research projects that support innovation, addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our city. Through collaboration, we can better understand the needs of our diverse community, the impacts of local and global changes, and ultimately design and deliver high-quality planning, programs, and services to our community.
City Scholars
The City Scholars program helps bridge the gap between campus and community by creating strong partnerships.
Students
Students bridge their academic knowledge with career development by learning about what it means to work within a public sector environment.
- Develop workplace skills and apply academic knowledge
- Access professional and academic mentorship
- Network with prospective employers
- Learn about municipal governance and business practices
Faculty
Faculty bridge theoretical frameworks and application to ground their work in real-world contexts and to support the City with research, data analysis, and knowledge.
- Develop connections for applied research
- Collaborate with public service experts working in the research field of interest
- Provide opportunities for WIL placements
- Ground truth their research by applying it to a real-world context
City Staff
City of Lethbridge staff bridge with "on-demand" expertise at post-secondary institutions to support operational and strategic needs at the City of Lethbridge.
- Access faculty research expertise
- Increase capacity to take on research projects
- Develop staff mentorship and supervision skills
- Learn about new approaches and practices to their work
City Scholars creates a unique opportunity for collaboration through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL).
WIL projects provide students with hands-on workplace experience, structured around both professional and academic outcomes. At the City of Lethbridge students have the unique opportunity to work on projects that positively impact the wellbeing of their community, while also benefiting from the mentorship of City and faculty supervisors. The skills and experiences gained through City Scholars' WIL opportunities support students as they enter the workforce and/or pursue further education.
The structure of City Scholars WIL projects can vary, however most take the form of Applied Studies and Community Service Learning. Applied Studies provide opportunities for students to take on short-term (typically one or two semesters) research projects. Students receive both professional and academic work plans, as well as supervision by a City project lead and faculty member. Typical outcomes include research papers, policy briefs and presentations. Applied Studies are often carried out by one student, however can also be designed for a small cohort. Community Service Learning projects embed real world outcomes within the structure and learning objectives of a class, linking theoretical concepts with experiential learning.
WIL projects are often initiated by the City based on our operational and strategic needs, however can also be proposed by students and faculty.
Current Projects
Project: Policy Review for Asphalt Applied Art Works
Student(s): Louisa Seitz
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Jillian Bracken, Recreation and Culture
Timeline: Winter 2024
Partner(s): Public Art Committee
Project: Exploration of Work-Integrated Learning Opportunities for Fine Arts Students
Student(s): Mick Jacobs
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services & Jillian Bracken, Recreation and Culture
Timeline: Winter 2024
Partner(s): University of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts
Project: Project Management Leading Practices
Student(s): Wynonna Smith & Morgan Resler
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services
Timeline: Winter 2024
Partner(s): University of Lethbridge Dhillon School of Business, Niitsitapi Centre of Excellence in Work-Integrated Learning
Project: Artificial Intelligence Best Practices in Communications and Public Engagement
Student(s): Oluwanifemi Oladoye
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Kaitlin Barr & Meagan Williams, Communications and Engagement
Timeline: Winter 2024
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Project: Policy Innovation Lab Design and Evaluation
Student(s): Erica Gonzalez
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Graduate Student Research Assistantship
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services
Timeline: Winter - Summer 2024
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Project: Assessing the Impact of Students
Student(s): Kes Soup
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services
Timeline: Winter 2024
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, Niitsitapi Centre of Excellence in Work-Integrated Learning
Project/Course: Bridging Cultures: Two-Eyed Seeing for Both Ways Knowing
Student(s): Multiple
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Community Service Learning
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services
Timeline: Winter 2024
Project/Course: Business Incubator Feasibility Study
Student(s): Multiple
Institution: Lethbridge College
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Community Service Learning
City Supervisor: Justin Schipper, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Spring 2024
Partner(s): Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences
Project/Course: Immersive Architecture
Student(s): Multiple
Institution: Lethbridge College
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Community Service Learning
City Supervisor: Logan Bartholow & Crystal Scheit, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Spring 2024
Partner(s): School of Spatial Design Technologies
Project/Course: Block Modeling for Civic Commons Precinct
Student(s): Multiple
Institution: Lethbridge College
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Community Service Learning
City Supervisor: Logan Bartholow & Crystal Scheit, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Spring 2024
Partner(s): School of Spatial Design Technologies
Project: Multi-stage project that focuses on 1) labour market trends, 2) risk exposures to us as an employer and community, and 3) the use of Work Integrated Learning and Applied Research Partnerships as pathways to manage / mitigate labour risk
Student(s): Taylor Manns, Amy Cran & Sydney Whiting
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Internship
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services
Timeline: Fall 2023 – Summer 2024
Partner(s): Mitacs, Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Project: Land Use Bylaw Renewal Project Decoding Papers
Student(s): Hannah Laberge, Sydney Whiting, Brie Wilson & Wezi Mutambo
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisors: Genesis Molesky and Ross Kilgour, Planning and Design
Timeline: Fall 2023 – Spring 2024
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Past Projects
Project: Best Practices for the Use of Artificial Intelligence within Public Service Settings
Student(s): Kes Soup
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services
Timeline: Fall 2023
Partner(s): University of Lethbridge Niitsitapi Centre of Excellence for Work Integrated Learning, City of Lethbridge Indigenous Relations Office, Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Project: Researching best practices for recruitment, retention and onboarding through the lens of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility
Student(s): Mercy Trinh
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Chris Witkowski, People and Partner Services
Timeline: Fall 2023
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Project: Research into Historic Places and Statements of Significance
Student(s): Brie Wilson
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Logan Bartholow, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Fall 2023
Partner(s): Historic Places Advisory Committee
Project: Better Practices for Neighbourhood Design
Student(s): Lawrenz Decano, Rachelle Phillips, Bryanne Wandler
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Spencer Croil, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Fall 2023
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Project: City Scholars Program Development and Work-Integrated Learning Best Practices Research
Student(s): Taylor Manns and Kianna Turner
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Internship
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services
Timeline: Summer 2023
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Project: Civic Commons Catalyst: Urban Core Master Planning and Conceptual Design
Class: Urban Design Studio
Institution: University of Calgary, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Community Service Learning
City Supervisor: Logan Bartholow, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Summer 2023
Partner(s): University of Calgary, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Project: Urban Design and Stakeholder Engagement for Chinatown
Class: Geography 4500
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Community Service Learning
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Spring 2023
Partner(s): University of Lethbridge, Urban and Regional Studies Program
Project: Assessing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Lethbridge’s Heritage Inventories Using a System Plan Approach
Student(s): Hannah Laberge and Brie Wilson
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Ross Kilgour, Planning and Design
Timeline: Spring 2023
Partner(s): Historic Places Advisory Committee
Project: History of the Warehouse District
Student(s): Peter Gorombey
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Spring 2023
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Project: Civic Commons: Best Practices for Comprehensive Planning
Student(s): Kirsten Hironaka
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Spring 2023
Project: Inclusive urban design, planning and engagement practices: Chinese National League Site
Student(s): Kianna Turner and Taylor Manns
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Spring 2023
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Project: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility in planning and placemaking
Student(s): Amy Cran, Isabella Lee and Kianna Turner
Institution: University of Lethbridge
Type of Work-Integrated Learning: Applied Study
City Supervisor: Perry Stein, Opportunity Lethbridge
Timeline: Fall 2022
Partner(s): Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
Project Contact
Perry Stein
Email: perry.stein@lethbridge.ca
Phone: 311 or 403-320-3111 (if outside of Lethbridge)
City of Lethbridge
910 4 Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 0P6
Contact Us
City Hall
910 4 Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 0P6
Phone: 311
or 403-320-3111 (if outside of Lethbridge)