Arts & Science Program and Faculty of Humanities

Dr. Selina Mudavanhu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies & Media Arts.

Influenced by thinkers such as Paulo Freire and bell hooks as well as decolonial scholars, Dr. Mudavanhu’s teaching philosophy – a decolonial, emancipatory and engaged pedagogy – dethrones supremacist elements in “traditional education” that have been shaped by colonial histories. She is intentional about including diverse voices and perspectives in her courses. Also, at the core of her philosophy is the quest to equip students to be citizens who possess reflexive, analytical and critical thinking skills with abilities to imagine and build more just, inclusive, and equitable futures in ways that contribute to attaining what McMaster University terms a “brighter world.” In that regard, Dr. Mudavanhu strives to foster a dialogical approach to teaching and learning.

Outside courses she teaches, Dr. Mudavanhu’s affiliations on campus with the African Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster as well as with the Black Student Success Centre have availed to her opportunities to mentor and support Black students. Beyond Canada’s borders, Dr. Mudavanhu has collaborated with Prof. Kezia Batisai based at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa to provide student mentorship opportunities through the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship program.

Dr. Mudavanhu has published on teaching and learning. Notably, she has co-edited and has contributed chapters to the book, Decolonizing Media and Communication Studies Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (2024), published by Routledge. Further, Dr. Mudavanhu has won several grants to convene teaching and learning projects. She has also been invited to speak on decolonial education.

Mona Haider completed her Honours French and Communication Studies degree at McMaster University. She is committed to advancing equity and expanding access to opportunity, as is seen through her many student-focused initiatives. With a foundation in the arts, she brings an interdisciplinary lens to advocacy.

In her two terms as President of the Communications and Media Arts Society (CMAS), Mona led efforts to expand professional development for her peers, from hosting the Department of Communication’s largest networking events, to launching a partnership with the Canadian Football League to secure media positions for McMaster students. Under her leadership, CMAS’ online presence has also grown exponentially through consistent, multi-platform content. Her work has revived and enhanced the Communications community at McMaster.

Mona also served as the Undergraduate French Representative in her fourth year, where she used her passion for languages to promote bilingualism.

A classically trained vocalist, Mona leverages her artistic background to think beyond conventional models and design inclusive, opportunity-driven initiatives. She is particularly dedicated to fostering greater representation in the performing arts, especially for South Asian women.

In September, she will begin pursuing her Juris Doctor at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law.  

Sara Marentette-Budgell completed her Honours History degree at McMaster University. McMaster provided her with a tremendous opportunity to explore her wide range of interests from Classics to Modern History, and from German to Geography.

Sara did periodic work as a data analytics assistant for a forestry consultancy. During summer 2024, she received an Undergraduate Student Research Award to study the under-researched 1973 Advisory Task Force on Housing Policy. She examined primary source documents and conducted on-site research at the Archives of Ontario to analyze the task force’s impact on Ontario’s Ministry of Housing.

Sara is taking a gap year following graduation to explore her options, spend time with family, and work on personal goals, including developing her German. She is looking forward to having more time to play her flute.

Sara would like to thank her family, friends – especially the group at the McMaster Catholic Chaplaincy – professors, and TAs for their support and encouragement throughout her degree.

Norah Wilson completed her degree in Honours Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law at McMaster University, with a minor in Sociology.

Throughout her time at McMaster, she volunteered as an Events Coordinator for the MSU Pride Community Centre, where she planned and hosted a wide range of fun, inclusive events and helped create safer spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ students. She was also part of the MacDance Recreational team, doing acro dance.

She is particularly interested in the philosophical and social implications of law and policy, and she is passionate about working towards social justice in both personal and professional spheres. This commitment has driven her volunteer work, along with her academic and career path. Accordingly, she is going on to pursue a J.D. at Osgoode Hall Law School, and aims to contribute to her community by practicing in the public interest field of law.

Zachary’s research interests have focused on social, economic, and political processes that mediate humans’ relationships with the environment. His research has looked at Marxist theories of ecology and climate change, the role of philosophy and poetics in the climate crisis, and governance practices and community engagement for climate geoengineering.

A secondary focus has been on the human impacts of technological advancements, including the implications of algorithmic capitalism for labor on food delivery platforms, and student encounters with generative AI.

Zachary is Managing Director of the Public Intellectuals Project, which provides a platform to amplify critical student voices on democracy, fascism, and cultural politics. He also serves as editor-in-chief of Aletheia, the Arts & Science student journal.

Zachary will spend the summer finishing his research projects at McMaster and advocating against climate policy rollbacks in Ontario. Next year, he will pursue an MA in Human Geography at the University of Toronto.