Antoinette “Toni” Steele did not come to the Max Bell School to figure out whether she liked policy. She already had that figured out. What she wanted was a year that would push her, challenge how she thought about policy, and put her in a room full of people who cared just as much about the work. By the time she arrived at Max Bell, Toni had completed her undergraduate degree in policy at Carleton University and worked in several co-op roles, including within the federal government at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
And, she’d already decided to pursue an MPP long before most students have even heard of it. While working as a lifeguard outside her hometown of Ottawa, she struck up a conversation during a swim lesson with a grandparent – who turned out to be a recently retired Assistant Deputy Minister. He offered to mentor her, resulting in Toni having early conversations with senior policy professionals and thinking more seriously about grad school before even finishing high school. “I’ve always loved policy,” she said, and those conversations helped confirm that Canadian public policy was where she wanted to focus. McGill’s one-year MPP and the chance to live and work in Montreal ultimately made the program the right fit.
Once in the program, Toni was intentional and strategic about how she approached her coursework. Having already studied policy as an undergrad, she wanted to strike a balance between building on what she knew and trying something new. “I tried to do things that interested me, but also that I didn’t know too much about,” she said. She chose Canadian policy over global policy and leaned into program evaluation, an area she had not encountered before. While the pace was demanding, she found the condensed format effective. “I really liked the condensed nature of it because you spend a lot of time with the professor and a lot of time with the material,” she explained. “It just flows better, and I feel like you really get a good understanding.”
Community was just as central to Toni’s experience as the coursework. Like many students who moved to Montreal for the program, she arrived without an existing social network and quickly found one through the cohort. “We had a fantastic cohort. We all became fast friends,” she said. Students spent time together inside and outside the classroom, organizing informal get-togethers and supporting one another through the intensive coursework and group projects. “I didn’t find the environment competitive at all,” she added. “People really supported each other.”
That mix of academic commitment and genuine engagement with the life of the School did not go unnoticed. At the end of the program, the faculty named Toni the inaugural recipient of the Stanley Hartt Prize in Public Policy.
Steele learned she had received the award through an email and was unaware the prize existed at the time. “I was shocked, and honestly felt really honored.” She noted that what resonated most was how the award was described. “It wasn’t just academic achievement, but also bringing life to the school,” she said. “That’s always something I try to do in my environments. I like making people feel welcome.”
Associate Professor Pearl Eliadis, who previously worked with Stanley Hartt, underscored the significance of Steele receiving the prize in its first year. “I know he would be thrilled to hear of Toni’s success,” Eliadis said. “Toni is committed, engaged and curious, with a deep and nuanced understanding of the public good. I can think of no better inaugural recipient for this award.”
Toni’s advice for incoming MPPs? Find that balance between academic and community to get the most out of the program.
- Reflect on your intentions for the program. Everyone comes to the program with different backgrounds, perspectives, and goals. Reflect on what you want to get out of your experience and adjust accordingly. Do you want to build up your work experience? Do an RAship and work with a professor. Do you want to improve your writing portfolio? Get help from the writing coach and write for the Bell, the MBS student-led publication. Get involved in a way that suits you.
- Put yourself out there. While it can sometimes be intimidating to meet new people or professors, this is an environment where I would encourage you to push yourself and build your network. There is so much to learn from other students, faculty, and visiting professors, so try and connect as much as you can.
- Events, events, events! There are so many opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. Go to the talks and events hosted by MBS, attend professional learning days, and participate in the Ottawa trip if you can. This really cements and furthers your learning.
- Seems cliché, but balance is key. It is important to prioritize your studies while also making time for your health, well-being, and socializing with fellow MBS students. It is a unique program where you can make meaningful friendships quickly. Don’t miss that opportunity. It was an essential support system for me. This does not have to come at the detriment of your studies either. Multitask. Going to the library with a friend can be more fun than going by yourself.
- Feedback is your friend. While it can be disheartening to hear constructive feedback, remember that you are here to learn and challenge yourself. Take it as an opportunity to hone your skills.
- Have. Fun! The year goes by way too soon. Try to live in the moment, do the best you can, and connect with people along the way.
As Steele prepares for the next stage of her career, her MPP year stands as a reminder that the program is what students make of it. With intention, curiosity, and a willingness to engage fully, the year can be both demanding and deeply rewarding.
