Saskatchewan student awarded Rhodes Scholarship

A University of Saskatchewan student has been awarded one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world.

Cassidy Serhienko never thought she’d one day be a Rhodes Scholar, but on Nov. 20, she got the call telling her she’d been selected.

The scholarship, she said, provides two years of full funding for selected postgraduate students to further their studies at Oxford University in England.

Serhienko is one of just 11 Canadian recipients of the academic award this year, allowing her to pursue a master’s degree in English literature with a focus on contemporary feminist writing next fall.

“I’m really passionate about the subject,” she said.

When she graduated from high school, Serhienko pursued an education degree at the U of S and graduated in 2021. She later returned to complete an English degree, and is now in her final year of that program.

“There’s a lot of writers right now that are doing really interesting work (in) comparative literature,” she said, adding she is particularly interested in studying classic narratives told through the voices of women.

After she finished her education degree, Serhienko was invited by the U of S to an information session about the scholarship. Prior to applying, she said she only knew about the scholarship from references in movies.

The competition process was a lengthy one, Serhienko said. It meant securing an endorsement from the U of S and submitting a 1,000-word personal statement, a list of her personal achievements and awards, her academic transcripts and six references to speak to her academic merits and community involvement.

“Every stage of the process was an accomplishment,” she said.

Her work with the university community was considered as well. In addition to her academic work, Serhienko has volunteered as a peer mentor for the university and worked as a member of Dr. Peter Robinson’s research team with the College of Arts and Science, where she transcribed manuscripts from Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.

Serhienko was selected as a finalist for the scholarship this fall, and flew to Winnipeg for a weekend to meet other candidates and participate in a final interview.

“It was hard not to be intimidated, because everyone there is so impressive,” she said, adding the other candidates were very supportive and genuinely passionate about each other’s work.

Although confident in her application, Serhienko said she didn’t think she’d necessarily be selected. When she got the call last month, she said it took a while for the news to register.

“It has definitely started to sink in a little bit more, but I still think it hasn’t fully processed,” she said.

Serhienko’s studies at Oxford will bring her one step closer to her dream job as a university professor.

“It’s in the realm of education, where I’ve always wanted to be,” she said, noting the thought of conducting her own research in a post-secondary atmosphere excites her.

Travel is one aspect of the scholarship that Serhienko said she’s very excited about. Originally from the small town of Maymont, she said she’s never been to England, or even lived outside of the province.

Serhienko jets off to pursue her goals next fall, following in the footsteps of 72 previous Rhodes Scholars who studied at the U of S.