Studies in Lifelong Learning Students

Graduate Studies in Lifelong Learning at The Mount attracts a rich diversity of students from many different places and many walks of life. Students enrolled in our program join together in a common quest for learning about the role and nature of lifelong learning in today's society. Students work independently and together to deepen their understanding of challenging theoretical material, to master complex practices, and to enhance their ethical sensibilities. For many of our students, getting to know their fellow students is one of the greatest pleasures of the GSLL program.

Dr. Nancy Taber My Experience as a Masters Student in Lifelong Learning

Dr. Nancy Taber graduated from the Mount's Studies in Lifelong Learning program almost a decade ago. She is now a professor at Brock University in the Center for Adult Education and Community Outreach. We asked Dr. Taber a few questions about her experiences at the Mount. Here is what she told us:


What were you doing prior to coming into the Mount's GSLL program?

I was working in the military, preparing to enter a second career in conflict resolution after completing my service contract.

Why did you decide to take this program? What were your career aspirations at the time?

I chose to take the Mount's MEd because I wanted to learn more about workplace education, particularly with respect to conflict resolution and interest-based negotiation. 



Can you recall some of your main impressions of the program when you were taking it?

I was immediately astounded by the depth of the material with which we engaged in the courses. I began to understand that adult education is a complex, multifaceted, critical field that explores learning in various contexts of our lives. Instead of simply learning about the instructional aspects of program development and delivery, I was introduced to scholars who explore learning from a societal, holistic, and critical perspective. 



What do you feel was the most important thing you learned while you were in the program?

The most important thing I learned was how to think critically and challenge my own assumptions about the world. In particular, my introduction to feminist theories was particularly transformative, changing the way I thought about my professional and personal life. At what point did you decide to pursue a career in academia?

In what ways did the program contribute to this decision?

The program was integral to my decision to continue in academia. I had previously viewed learning more as an end, as something you do to get a degree and then move on. My Master’s was the first time that I viewed learning as an ongoing process that I wanted to continually and actively engage in. I realized the importance of the study of adult education and lifelong learning in order to work for social justice. 



What path did you follow since graduating from the program? What do you do now?

Since graduating from the program, I completed my doctorate with the University of South Australia and am now an Assistant Professor with Brock University’s Faculty of Education. The Mount's program was a significant contribution to my success as an academic. I still draw on my learnings in the program and have published an article about the ways in which the program, by introducing me to feminist and critical thinking, prompted me to explore my own perspectives on my military experiences and future as an academic.