After her brother lost a dear friend and coworker in a tragic accident, CIRHR undergraduate student, Miqa Castilla Sears, stepped away from work and her studies at the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources for several weeks to help him grieve.
“My brother is my biggest inspiration,” said Miqa, “so watching him experience such profound pain was devastating.” She went on to say that:
"At that time, I wrestled with whether I should continue the semester. I take pride in showing up to every class, raising my hand for every question, and dedicating myself fully to the study of work, Industrial Relations, and Human Resource Management. And yet, after taking such a significant break, I had no idea how I would manage my finances and coursework while also navigating grief. Still, something inside urged me to keep going — that it would all be worth it."
Miqa is this year’s deserving recipient of the Woodsworth College Students’ Association - Peter Silcox Scholarship, which is presented to a student enrolled in a Political Science or IRHR/ER/CHRM program, in recognition of their high grade-point average.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Peter Silcox Scholarship,” said Miqa, “and I want to express my sincere thanks to the Woodsworth College students’ Association (WSCA), my wonderful professors, the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, and its affiliated administrators for their generosity and support, including the IRHR Library (who see me far too often)."
The support Miqa has provided to her brother and his other coworkers during this difficult time has also helped clarify how and where she wants to use her energy in the future:
"I have never been entirely certain of my plans after graduation. For so long, submitting assignments has felt like the center of my existence. But as I supported my brother and his coworkers— blue-collar men who have never been told that it’s okay to cry —I felt something shift. I want to continue studying, contributing to, and advocating for bereavement and mental health support in the trades."
We extend our deepest congratulations to Miqa, and we celebrate the loved ones, like Miqa’s brother, who help nurture our students’ development and their pursuit of personal and professional excellence.
“Whenever I struggle with school, my brother often tells me ‘Even if your hard work betrays you, you must never betray your hard work.’ Thank you for honouring my hard work,” said Miqa. “This scholarship has provided me with the stability to take care of myself, so that one day, I too can give back to the University of Toronto community and beyond.”
Miqa Castilla Sears is a third-year student at the University of Toronto, double majoring in Industrial Relations & Human Resource Management and Buddhist Studies. When she isn't studying, she is often practicing or teaching yoga. Her academics have fueled her passion for workplace health and well-being, bridging her background in Eastern philosophy and mental health with the modern workplace.