By Dr. Jessica Henlon | Educational Psychologist | Consultant | Speaker

The Spotlight: McCall MacBain Scholarships

Applications are now open for one of the world’s most holistic graduate scholarship programs: the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University in Canada. But this opportunity is more than a full-ride. It’s a blueprint for building thoughtful, ethical leaders who lead with purpose and create lasting impact in their communities.

McCall MacBain Scholars receive full tuition, a living stipend, and up to $5,000 CAD for summer leadership projects. The program emphasizes leadership development, mentorship, and community engagement, values that deeply resonate with the consulting work I do to support inclusive systems in higher education and nonprofit settings.

Why This Matters

Over the past 25 years, I’ve designed student development programs, led mentorship initiatives, and helped institutions create spaces where emerging leaders can thrive. In my doctoral research, I investigated how belonging and engagement foster motivation and persistence, particularly among first-generation and online learners.

Too often, graduate education focuses solely on academic performance. But authentic leadership is nurtured through mentorship, reflection, and values-based action. Programs like McCall MacBain remind us what higher education can be: a launchpad not just for careers, but for character.

What the Research Says

Gigliotti et al. (2024) found that structured leadership programs, like the one at Rutgers University, enhance institutional alignment and leadership readiness. These programs succeed when they’re shared endeavors rooted in mentorship and lived experience. 

Crawford et al. (2024) demonstrate that students in leadership roles develop stronger self-awareness, community focus, and ethical grounding, key traits of authentic leaders. 

Miliotis et al. (2025) emphasize that when leadership development is integrated into graduate education, particularly through mentorship and reflection, students develop hope, confidence, and clarity in their goals.

These findings align with those in my dissertation (Henlon, 2025): when students are supported, they can thrive!

Call to Action

If you’re a student, advisor, or institution, this is your invitation. Support purpose-driven leaders by championing programs like McCall MacBain. And if you’re ready to design similar initiatives in your organization, let’s talk.

🔗 Apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarships

📬 Book a strategy session with me to explore building your leadership pipeline.

References

Crawford, J., Lewis, G., & Kelder, J. (2024). Authentic student leadership development: Structural equation model testing differences among student leader populations. Journal of Leadership Education. https://doi.org/10.12806/V21/I4/A4

Gigliotti, R. A., Arends, R., & Waran, V. (2024). Advancing graduate leadership education for institutional alignment. Journal of Leadership Studies, 18(2), 52–58. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21901

Henlon, J. (2025). Exploring the learning experiences of online first-generation college students participating in virtual extracurricular activities (Publication No. 32114979) [Doctoral dissertation, Capella University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://www.proquest.com/docview/3217854749

Miliotis, M., Stone, H., DePauw, C., & Al-Hamdani, S. (2025). Embedding professional development within the curriculum of graduate programs: A cultural shift for student belonging and career clarity. PLOS ONE, 20(6), e0299805. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299805

---

Photo Source: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels