Meet Alumni Advisory Council member Kyra Droog

Kyra Droog (Bachelor of Communication Studies ’19) is one of the newest members of MacEwan University’s Alumni Advisory Council (AAC).

Droog has worked with the Francis Winspear Centre for Music and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Antarctic Institute of Canada, Simon & Schuster Canada, British publisher Anthem Press and Vancouver publisher Arsenal Pulp Press. Her publication credits include several short stories and poems and one non-fiction book; she has also co-written seven full-length non-fiction books. Droog is continuing her studies and will complete her Master of Publishing at Simon Fraser University in December 2023.

We caught up with her to talk about her accomplishments, favourite MacEwan memories and goals for her new position with the AAC.

What would you say has been your biggest achievement so far?

My experience volunteering with the Bolo Tie Collective at MacEwan as a writer and editor set the stage for my work with publishing companies, including Arsenal Pulp Press, Anthem Press, Golden Meteorite Press and Simon & Schuster Canada. I’m so proud to have my writing featured alongside so many other talented MacEwan students and alumni.

Your most vivid MacEwan memory?

There are so many things that I remember vividly about my time at MacEwan: from the long Tim Hortons lines to Fall Fest to walking up and down the halls looking for a table to study at – and never wanting to leave once I found one. The first time I returned to MacEwan after graduating, I remember the feeling I had walking down the halls as an alum. What hit me most was the feeling of coming home: remembering all the days I spent rushing from class to class and building to building, but also feeling pride and energy as I thought of all the incredible things I did as a student.

Is there a faculty or staff member at MacEwan that impacted you during your time at MacEwan?

Every single professor I had at MacEwan influenced my journey in some way – from a helpful conversation after class to a smiley face on the very last exam of my undergraduate career. I’m especially grateful for the Bachelor of Communication Studies professors, who encouraged me to follow my passion for publishing and helped me open doors I never thought were possible.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am passionate about many things, and they all show in what I do outside of work. As a certified fitness instructor, I enjoy teaching spincycle, bootcamp and kickboxing classes. I am part of Volunteer Alberta’s Research and Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice and their Youth at the Table Alumni Committee. I also enjoy baking, reading, writing and rock climbing.

What about your experience at MacEwan inspired you to join the AAC?

One of the reasons I loved my MacEwan experience as much as I did is because of its community: with such a small campus, it was easy to make friends, get to know your professors and be an active participant in academics and social clubs. I’m still connected with many of my friends from my time at MacEwan. I want to maintain those vibrant friendships and share all the exciting journeys that MacEwan graduates are on.

What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the AAC?