Research seminar by Michael Mihalicz

Title: Bridging the Gap from Theory to Practice: Deepening our understanding of Indigenous student engagement in university education in Canada.

Description: Postsecondary education is an inherent and a treaty right for Indigenous peoples in Canada, yet this population has among the lowest levels of education. This research combines principles from psychology and economics to gain insight into the present state of Indigenous engagement in education in Canada. We specifically explore the non-financial factors that influence the decisions of Inuit, Métis, and First Nations students to attend university, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the motivations behind their choices. This research consists of a quantitative analysis of the 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey, a qualitative analysis of Indigenous students’ experiences in postsecondary environments, and a course-based research project designed to expose these students to an educational path that they might not have considered or felt was available to them. Our findings challenge conventional theories in the labour economics literature that treat post-graduation employment earnings as the primary motivator for pursuing PSE. Instead, Indigenous students are more driven to choose educational paths that align more closely with their culture and values, often at the expense of expected future earnings. We identify key factors—motivators, enablers, barriers, and constraints—that influence these decisions and propose a framework for universities to enhance Indigenous student recruitment and retention. Through a more descriptive understanding of these decision-making processes, we can inform policies and practices that foster the long-term financial well-being of Indigenous students and improve university initiatives to support diverse student populations.

Bio: Michael is a PhD student at the University of Glasgow, the Special Advisor to the Dean on Indigenous Initiatives and Assistant Professor in the Entrepreneurship & Strategy Department at the Ted Rogers School of Management. As a researcher and educator, Michael strives to help people make better decisions. His research combines principles from Psychology and Economics to gain insight into the present state of Indigenous engagement in research careers and deepen our understanding of non-financial factors influencing the decisions of Inuit, Métis and First Nations students to pursue post-secondary education. In his current role as Indigenous Advisor, Michael is tasked with helping make post-secondary education accessible and desirable for Indigenous students and is actively involved in overseeing and supporting reconciliation priorities across campus. Michael is also deeply committed to making education accessible to underserved and often neglected segments of the population. For over a decade, he has been working to afford student inmates access to courses by breaking down barriers to education and finding creative solutions to institutional concerns.