One Step Closer: Meet Chloe Stewart

With each step Chloe Stewart takes while crossing the stage at this year’s Spring Convocation, she’ll be one step closer to achieving her life’s goal, becoming a teacher. Born in Fuzhou, China, Chloe grew up in New Glasgow and came to CBU to pursue a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in French. At that time, she had CBU’s Bachelor of Education program in mind and knew the path to follow to make it a reality.

Chloe’s hard work and dedication have paid off, and her success during her undergraduate degree is just the beginning of her journey. “CBU gave me the opportunity to establish some life-long friendships and working relationships, which I am forever grateful for,” says Chloe. “It has provided me with a strong foundation for my future endeavors in both life and career. I’m excited to see how CBU and the Sydney area will continue to grow and evolve in the coming years.”

Chloe says she is particularly thankful for the opportunities she had to get to know her fellow students, particularly in her French classes. “The small class sizes allowed for plenty of opportunities to participate and practice speaking – which is greatly beneficial when studying French,” Chloe explains.

Dr. Ken Oakes and Dr. Bernard Mulo Farenkia had a significant impact on Chloe’s academic journey. Chloe describes Dr. Oakes’ classes on sustainable land use, environmental issues and principles of ecology as fascinating, noting that the material was truly applicable to the real world. Chloe says Dr. Farenkia empowered her to develop strong working relationships and provided a truly unique learning experience.

One of the highlights of Chloe’s time at CBU was working for the CBU Students’ Union. “Working for the CBU Students’ Union has given me some exceptional opportunities for personal growth and development,” Chloe shares. “I’m grateful to have had many networking opportunities and to establish new connections from a young age.” Chloe was initially hired as a Social Media and Events Coordinator in 2021 and was later appointed to Executive Vice President halfway through the year. This year, she is finishing up her time in office as Vice-President Promotions.

Chloe’s plans after graduation include pursuing a Bachelor of Education at CBU, with her three teachables being French, Science and Social Studies. Chloe has always felt CBU’s 15-month B.Ed. program was a great way to fast-track her career and is eager to jump in. “CBU is a growing university that provides a unique university experience,” she says. “It’s a very welcoming and inclusive campus where there are many opportunities to get involved through intramurals, societies, creative arts, house council, student government and more.”

As she looks back on her time at CBU, Chloe is proud of what she and her fellow graduates have accomplished. “Our time at CBU had thrown some curveballs our way but we came through in the end,” she says. As she prepares to move on to the next phase of her life, Chloe is grateful to her family and friends for their support throughout her degree. “I’d like to thank them for their unconditional support, encouragement and guidance,” she says. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it were not for them.”

Congratulations to Chloe and the entire Spring graduating class of 2023!