ANTIGONISH: Dana Morrison, a fourth-year accounting student at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), is making waves both in and out of the classroom.
Originally from Nassau, Bahamas, Morrison has combined academic excellence with a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, leaving a lasting impact on the university community.
Morrison’s achievements are impressive. A recipient of the $80,000 Schwartz National Scholarship and the 2024-25 Dr. Trudy Eagan Women in Business Award, she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to balance leadership roles with academic success.
She is the co-president of the BLACC Student Society and represents Students of African Descent on the StFX Students’ Union, ensuring their voices are heard in important university decisions.
Her dedication to fostering inclusivity earned her a Racial Justice Leadership Grant from the Frank McKenna Center for Leadership, funding a project aimed at improving the university experience for Black students at a predominantly white institution. Additionally, she has served as a community advisor in residence life for the past two years, further demonstrating her leadership and support for fellow students.
Beyond campus advocacy, Morrison has taken on numerous leadership roles in the business community at StFX. She serves as vice president of communications for the Schwartz Business Society, vice president of competition for JDCC, and a campus tour guide. Her volunteer work includes contributions to Kevin’s Food Resource Center and the Rotaract Society, organizations dedicated to assisting underprivileged youth and homeless individuals.
“I always try to fill my spare time with something productive,” Morrison shared. “I like to be very focused and involved.”
Morrison’s passion for business started early.
“I’ve always liked it, from the time I divided things among my siblings to be fair,” she said. With plans to obtain her CPA designation after graduation, she will begin working with Doane Grant Thornton in Antigonish. “To me, the principles just make sense – the debits and the credits. I like when things are balanced.”
Her journey at StFX wasn’t without challenges. She had to defer her first semester due to a study permit delay but remained determined to graduate on time in May 2025 by taking summer courses.
Adapting to a Canadian winter was another adjustment, but she found support from Kevin’s Corner, which provided her with warm blankets – a gesture that inspired her to give back through volunteering.
Morrison steadily expanded her involvement at StFX. In her second year, she joined Xaverian Capital, a student investment fund, and became active in the Schwartz Business Society, JDCC, and Enactus.
By her third year, she took on a leadership role in revitalizing the BLACC Student Society alongside fellow student Olajesu Abioye, successfully growing membership and programming.
A defining moment in Morrison’s StFX experience was her student exchange to Lille, France, at the IESEG School of Management.
“That was a transformative experience,” she said, emphasizing how international business courses broadened her perspectives.
Morrison is also a strong advocate for the significance of African Heritage Month, stressing its importance in recognizing the contributions of Black individuals to society.
“There is still lots of work to be done and now is not the time to minimize the experience of Black people,” she said. She encourages others to engage with events and take away meaningful lessons.
In November 2024, Morrison spoke at the opening ceremony of StFX’s Black Student Success Centre, the Dr. Agnes Calliste Academic and Cultural Centre. She highlighted the importance of creating spaces where Black students feel a sense of belonging.
“It is a home for our voices, our culture, our growth, and our journey. A place where we’re celebrated, not for conforming, but for being ourselves,” she said.
As Morrison prepares to graduate, her legacy at StFX is already well established. Through her academic achievements, leadership, and advocacy, she has not only shaped her own future but has also paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps.