Emma Yee (BMus’24) from Markham, Ontario, is in the running for the McCall MacBain Scholarship, Canada’s first comprehensive leadership-based scholarship program for master’s and professional studies.

Yee is also a recipient of the Bell Achievement Award, one of Mount Allison’s most prestigious undergraduate awards, valued at $44,000 over four years, including an internship and peer mentorship opportunities.

Yee is among 91 finalists from around the world. More than 700 Canadians applied for the scholarships, and of those, 159 participated in a first round of regional interviews in November and December. She will travel to Montreal to attend final interviews in March, with travel expenses covered by the scholarship program. 

Each finalist was chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity. 

“The community-based, arts-focused community of Mount Allison University has empowered me,” says Yee. “I hope to further explore the connections between the arts and social change, work with leaders in various sectors, and seek out greater professional performance opportunities.” 

Passionate about opera, Yee is a music student at Mount Allison University. During her time on the music society’s executive team, she expanded mental health initiatives, developed a peer buddy program, and introduced a student pantry initiative. Yee works four part-time jobs during the school year, including her role as co-editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. She performs in the alto section of the chamber choir, and last summer played the lead role in the Halifax Summer Opera Festival’s production of Handel’s Serse. 

A cohort of up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholars will be selected after final interviews. Canadian finalists who are not selected will be eligible to receive a $10,000 Finalist Award. 

Congratulations to SunMin Park (BSc’23) and Aakanksha Khandwaha (BSc’24) who were also among the top candidates in the McCall MacBain Scholarships selection process and both earned $5,000 McCall MacBain Regional Awards. The Regional Award may be applied to eligible studies at any public university in Canada. Park and Khandwaha are also Bell Scholarship recipients.

Applications will open in June 2024 for the 2025 cohort. In addition to the 30 fully funded McCall MacBain Scholarships each year, up to 100 additional awards, valued at $5,000 to $20,000, are offered to candidates. More information about the McCall MacBain Scholarships can be found at mccallmacbainscholars.org. 

About the Scholarship:  

The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill are Canada’s first comprehensive, leadership-driven scholarships for master’s and professional degree studies. The scholarship is designed to encourage purposeful leadership and will enable students to pursue a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill while participating in mentorship, coaching, and a leadership development program.  

The scholarships were announced in 2019 by John and Marcy McCall MacBain, through a landmark gift of $200 million and are planned to continue in perpetuity. The scholarship brings together a group of exceptional students who strive to make a positive impact and take on meaningful leadership roles. McCall MacBain Scholars connect with mentors and participate in an interdisciplinary leadership program while pursuing a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University.