Convocation 2026: Chancellor's Leadership Medal recipient Eric Schultz

Eric Schultz recently completed his dental degree at the University of Alberta, graduating as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Chancellor’s Leadership Medal. This high honour is awarded to a convocating undergraduate student who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to leadership within the community, at the university and beyond, all while maintaining superior academic performance during their final year of study. Throughout his time in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Eric embodied these values by serving as a curriculum representative, working on faculty committees, and actively participating in student organizations. Known for his empathetic and collaborative leadership style, he consistently advocated for fair and compassionate solutions for fellow students facing academic and personal challenges. Following graduation, Eric will be staying local to begin his career as a general dentist in the Edmonton area, eager to give back to the community that supported him throughout his academic journey.

Could you please tell us a bit more about yourself and what led you to dentistry?

Growing up, I developed a love for science through activities like science fairs and conferences, while also finding joy in serving my community through roles such as lifeguarding and organizing a youth hockey program. Combining these passions, I knew my career path was leading me toward health care. It wasn’t until the summer after graduating from my science degree that I truly discovered the path I was meant to pursue. Until that time, I never considered myself very creative and didn’t understand the satisfaction that comes from artistic expression. That summer however, I became passionate about sketching and  model building (yes, such as Lego bricks) while overseeing youth mentorships and summer camps, and through these pursuits I discovered how rewarding creative work could be. Around that same time, I had been shadowing different health-care professionals, including dentists, and was able to witness the creative solutions and lasting impact that their work had. It was when considering these things that I became captivated by the idea of a career that combined my longstanding passion for health care with a lifelong opportunity to channel and cultivate my newfound appreciation for creativity.

What can you tell us about your journey with student leadership and advocacy at the U of A?

I often think back to the first year of my doctor of dental surgery (DDS) program as "flying by the seat of my pants." From running back and forth between our preclinical labs to seminars and lectures, to just trying to keep up with the pace of dental school. Like all students, I spent a lot of time simply trying to figure things out. As I became more comfortable, I realized I wanted to do more than just get by in the program. I wanted to help improve it for the students who would come after me.

The first opportunity was when my classmates elected me as curriculum representative. What started as bringing feedback to faculty quickly grew into a deeper appreciation for student advocacy. This led to serving as the student representative on the Faculty Curriculum Committee and later on the Faculty Academic Standings Committee, where I advocated for students while contributing to conversations about curriculum development and academic support. These roles taught me that effective leadership isn't about having all the answers — it's about listening carefully, recognizing challenges and bringing about reasonable changes and creative solutions.

Looking back, I can see that my time at the University of Alberta has been defined by steady growth. The leadership experiences I had before dental school — in student organizations, tutoring and mentoring youth — gave me a foundation, but it was here that I learned how to advocate effectively within a complex academic environment. That growth has reinforced the kind of dentist I hope to become; one who leads by listening, advocates for others and strives to improve the local community.

Winning the Chancellor’s Leadership Medal recognizes both top-tier academics and community leadership. How were you able to balance the rigorous demands of dental school while dedicating so much time to helping others?

One of the greatest boons of studying at the U of A has been experiencing the new curriculum firsthand. Serving on the curriculum committee gave me a behind-the-scenes look at just how much thought, collaboration and foresight goes into shaping our education.

What impressed me most was seeing how committed the faculty and administration in the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry are to continually refining an already strong program. Rather than reactionary change in accordance with the times, the school actively anticipates and adapts the curriculum to ensure graduates are best equipped with the knowledge, skills and mindset they'll need to succeed. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch student feedback be taken seriously and transformed into meaningful improvements in real time.

The result is a curriculum that doesn't stand still. Each year it evolves to reflect new technologies, emerging evidence and the changing expectations of both patients and the profession. Being part of that process has made me appreciate just how dedicated the U of A is to preparing students not only for the dentistry of today, but for the dentistry of tomorrow.

What made the University of Alberta a great place to study and develop your skills?

The U of A is truly blessed to have so many passionate members of staff, from support staff who cheer us on and make us smile during our toughest appointments, to clinical instructors who have or still continue private practice and bring new perspective and knowledge with them each time they come to the school, I don’t think I would be the professional I am today without all of those supports. 

A big part of your student work focused on making education and health care knowledge more accessible and empowering for others. How do you hope to continue that mission in your dental practice?

For me, the most essential thing will be to keep my door open to young people. I had the privilege of supporting at the open house a couple of years ago and just seeing young people trying to navigate the world of today and find ways to discover their passion was really eye-opening. In many facets of my time at the U of A, my goals have typically been directed at creating change that will affect the next generation. Armed with that knowledge and now at the other end of my academic journey, I truly hope to be able to be that spark that helps the next generation discover and learn about dentistry; hopefully giving them the advice and support as a mentor that we all wish for when pursuing a career as demanding as dentistry.

You’ll be staying in the local community to work as a general dentist in the Edmonton area. What are you most looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to seeing the skills that the U of A has helped me acquire be put to good use providing quality, professional care to the amazing people of this community. Giving my all and making a positive impact have always been the goals of pursuing excellence in my program. I hope to now make that a reality in the community that has always been so amazing to me.