English graduate receives prestigious awards from College of Arts and Science

Gillian Skjei earned numerous awards and honours during her time as an undergraduate student at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

This week, her graduation continued that trajectory of excellence.

On Nov. 10, during USask’s Fall Convocation, Skjei received her Bachelor of Arts (honours) degree in English, with high honours, from USask’s College of Arts and Science, as well as two prestigious awards: the Rose Litman Medal in Humanities and the Dean’s Medal.

The Rose Litman Medal in Humanities is awarded annually at Fall Convocation to the most distinguished graduate receiving a Bachelor of Arts four-year degree or honours degree in the humanities. The Dean’s Medal is awarded annually at Fall Convocation to the most distinguished graduate of the College of Arts and Science.

“Receiving these awards is an honour and joy, and I am extremely grateful for these nominations,” said Skjei, who grew up on a farm outside of Eston, Sask., and came to USask after graduating from high school at Eston Composite School in 2020.

For Skjei, USask’s Fall Convocation marked a time to celebrate and reflect.

“It is gratifying to be able to celebrate these years of hard work and dedication and the many memories and experiences that accompanied them not only at Convocation, but also through the recognition of these awards,” she said.

While Skjei has now earned her degree, she isn’t leaving USask any time soon. She is currently employed on a contract basis as a research assistant in the Department of English, as part of the ongoing project “Analyzing the Analytical: Investigating Wollstonecraft’s Reviews with Stylometrics.”

Below, Skjei talks about her time as a USask student, her tips for academic success at university, and what’s next in her career.

You graduated from USask on Nov. 10. Why did you decide to study at USask?

While remaining close to my family during my studies was important to me, I ultimately decided to complete my degree at USask following some of my early tours of the campus. I had many friendly and engaging conversations with members of the staff and faculty who provided a welcoming sense of community and a feeling of reassurance amidst the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time.

You received the Rose Litman Medal in Humanities and the Dean’s Medal. Congratulations! What other awards and scholarships did you earn during your time as an undergraduate student at USask?

I was fortunate to receive a number of awards and scholarships from both USask and St. Thomas More College, where I spent much of my time volunteering in the early years of my degree. Some of these awards and scholarships included a Hantelman Humanities Undergraduate Scholarship in 2024, the St. Thomas More College Leadership Award in 2023 and 2024, and the Cornelius and Rosallie Woloschuk Scholarship and the Debbie and Keith Hayward Scholarship from St. Thomas More College in 2023 and 2025, respectively.

You earned a Bachelor of Arts (honours) degree with high honours in English. Why did you choose that area of study?

My early interests in reading, writing, and the enjoyment I found in engaging critically with literature first motivated me to pursue a degree in English. By pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (honours) degree, I was able to collaborate extensively with a community of creatives and scholars who found equal joy in discovering new ways to look at literature throughout history and into the present. If you have a love of literature and want to read more books and scholarly articles than you ever thought possible, a Bachelor of Arts (honours) degree in English is for you.

What did you enjoy most about this program?

Every day I was fortunate to have the opportunity to access and engage with what I can now look back on as an astounding number of texts from a variety of unique perspectives and genres that I may not have otherwise had the opportunity to read, study, and discuss as in depth as I did during my degree. This program provided me with the opportunity to not only expand my academic interests, but also my personal interests outside of my degree across art, film, and other media. I will always be grateful for having such opportunities.

What are some of your fondest memories from your time at USask?

Some of my fondest memories from my time at USask come from my 400-level English seminars, where I had the pleasure of studying alongside an endlessly creative cohort of upper-year English students and many of the dedicated and thoughtful professors from the Department of English. These courses were some of my favourite and most engaging collaborative environments, where both professors and classmates consistently encouraged one another to think critically, dive deeper, and always pursue the farthest edges of our ideas and questions. I often remember thinking to myself at the time that I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to share a classroom and conversation with a community who could be as earnest and wise as they were creative and humorous.

What are your tips for academic success at university?

One thing I will always recommend is seeking out and utilizing the services and supports integrated into your academic and broader campus community, whether that be your students’ unions, academic advisors, or even simply connecting with your professors when you have questions or want to discuss your ideas. You do not need to face the complexities of your academic journey alone.

A more personal recommendation that not only contributed to my academic success, but also my overall enjoyment of my degree, was to take advantage of the many interesting and unique electives you have access to while you are completing your degree at USask. These courses provide opportunities to discover new interests or pursue your existing interests in an in-depth academic setting. A personal favourite of mine, ART 151: Introductory Printmaking I, provided me with the opportunity to learn a unique skill while also encouraging me to set aside dedicated time to work mindfully in a hands-on studio environment.

Now that you have completed your English degree, what are your future goals?

Over the years of my degree, I have grown to deeply appreciate the many services, staff, and faculty members who collectively work together to support students throughout their academic journeys. I have been fortunate enough to know many staff and faculty members who have had positive and lasting impacts on my academic life and these experiences have inspired me to pursue a career at USask with the goal of paying forward the generous support I received and to help future students make the most of their opportunities and time here at USask.