Convocation 2026: Makayla Porteous

Makayla Porteous

Graduating with a bachelor of kinesiology in the adapted physical activity major, Makayla Porteous was inspired to pursue healthcare after reading about an amputee's rehabilitation journey in grade nine. As an undergraduate transfer student, she pushed herself outside her comfort zone by completing an international practicum through the Antigua Champions for Health program. This fall, she will continue her journey at the University of Alberta to complete a master's degree in occupational therapy while working part time at the Centre for Autism Services Alberta.

Financial Support and Awards

Awards received during my studies at the U of A include the University of Alberta Undergraduate Transfer Leadership Award and the Education Abroad Individual Award.

What drew you to your area of study?

When I was in grade nine, I read a book called Stronger by Jeff Bauman that spoke about a man's journey where he had a double limb amputation below the knee, and his journey to healing and working with an occupational therapist during this process. After reading this inspiring journey, I decided that I wanted to be an occupational therapist so I can support people in similar ways. This resulted in myself looking at what degrees I could do in order to do this master's program and I came across kinesiology. I thought this was perfect for me as I have been an athlete my whole life who is interested in learning about anatomy and how the body moves, and it would also give me a strong baseline understanding prior to applying to occupational therapy.

What achievement, accomplishment or moment are you most proud of from your time in the program?

The moment that I am most proud of is being a part of the Antigua Champions for Health international practicum program. I am proud of myself because I was able to put myself outside of my comfort zone by living in a new culture for over a month and integrating myself entirely with the Antiguan community. During this time, I was able to gain experience working with children teaching physical education and health, volunteering at sporting events such as basketball, soccer and track, coaching basketball and volunteering at a rehabilitation clinic for children with disabilities. During this time I was able to get real-world experience and work alongside other kinesiology students at the same time, where we learned crucial life skills such as adaptability, lesson planning, time management, teamwork, patience and so many more. The connections I made with the students, teachers, basketball team and community members are so meaningful to me and I am so grateful for the opportunity to develop such strong relationships.

Do you have anyone in particular you'd like to thank for helping with your success?

I want to shout out my mom for helping me with my success during my time at the U of A. I transferred from Northwestern Polytechnic going into my third year, and my first semester I struggled with the adjustment. She was the person who always kept telling me to keep making my flashcards, read my textbook, review my notes and always believe in my ability to be successful. She always has told me "if it's meant to be, it's up to me" and I have used that saying to motivate me to try my hardest with my academics to be successful and achieve my goal of being an occupational therapist.

I also want to thank Jo Sheppard, who has been one of the biggest influences on my academic journey since transferring to the U of A. She started with being my professor for KRLS 290, and then once she chose me to be a student in her Antigua Champions for Health program she became someone I could talk to about anything. She helped my transfer become smoother through being a professor I could trust to talk about my struggles, successes and always pointed me in the right direction when I wasn't sure what to do. She is also such an inclusive professor who always wants to connect with the students and even made an Uno club where I was able to make more friends and have fun between classes.

What was your go-to spot at the U of A? Why?

My go-to spot at the U of A was the quiet section in VVC. I liked this spot because it was a very noise-cancelled section that allowed for myself to focus on my studying and not be distracted by noises or other students walking by. I also really liked this spot because there are couches and tables in there, so based on how I felt I could either sit in a comfy spot or sit at a table and sit upright while doing work.

What did you learn about yourself during your time at the U of A?

I learned that time management skills are very important to have in order to accomplish all the daily tasks that a university student must do. With this I have been able to stay dedicated to completing all my readings, handing in assignments on time, working part time and having time to hang out with friends and family. Through my whole degree I have stuck to the quote "Decide. Commit. Act. Succeed. Repeat." which I have been able to apply for my success in the classroom, work and general life. This helped motivate me to continue to push myself to be the best student and person I can be for my personal growth and future career.

What advice would you give to a student considering your area of study?

If you ever have a question or a topic that you are unsure about during a lecture, do not be afraid to stay after class and ask the professor. It can be intimidating to ask a question sometimes because of how large the class sizes are, but when you are able to develop relationships with the professors and show your desire to learn and improve they will help guide you for your success.

What's next for you in your career and/or academic journey? What do you hope to accomplish?

I got accepted to do my master's in occupational therapy at the U of A for this upcoming fall 2026 semester. During this time, I want to continue to progress my career at the Centre for Autism Services Alberta where I want to work part time during my studies this fall. This will allow for me to continue to gain more knowledge and apply what I am learning into my real-life job with the participants. As an occupational therapist, I want to create an inclusive environment where I can support everyone with their activities of daily living and be a reliable professional they can trust to work together with.