Laurier Psychology and Neuroscience student Kayla Burton named a McCall MacBain Scholarship finalist

Feb. 6, 2026

Wilfrid Laurier University student Kayla Burton (BSc '26) will soon journey to Montreal as a national finalist for the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill.

Established with a landmark $200-million gift in 2019, the McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s largest leadership-based scholarships for master’s and professional studies with scholars receiving substantial funding to pursue an eligible degree at McGill University.

More than 700 Canadians applied to the scholarship program with 151 advancing to a first round of interviews in November 2025. The top 53 Canadians will attend the final round of interviews in Montreal in March 2026, joined by 38 finalists from other countries. Travel and accommodation costs are covered for the final interviews.

Applicants are endorsed by their universities of origin and assessed by volunteer leaders based on evidence of character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength and intellectual curiosity.

An Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience student, Burton co-founded Black Students in Science, leading a team to create a supportive community space on campus. She also helps run the Caribbean Student Association, volunteers at her church and teaches recreational dance. Burton works part-time as a marketing and communications supervisor at Laurier Athletics and Recreation, leading social media. She has spent two summers working as a team lead for youth drop-in programs in Kitchener.

Burton is applying for master's programs in neuroscience and psychology at McGill. She is interested in researching how memory, attention and mental health intersect in the digital age.

“It is hard to put into words exactly how I feel," says Burton. "It's more than an honour to be recognized alongside such thoughtful, driven individuals. This experience has affirmed that my voice matters and that the things I care about have the power to make meaningful change.”

Burton credits Laurier for a formative and empowering experience.

"Alongside academic training, I benefited from strong mentorship and campus resources that supported me at every stage, from developing my application to preparing for the interviews. They helped me refine my voice, build confidence and recognize my potential beyond the classroom.”

“We aim to support emerging leaders who demonstrate integrity, kindness, curiosity, and courage,” says Marcy McCall MacBain, chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “These students have already shown remarkable promise in their communities, and we’re grateful to the universities that encouraged and supported them in pursuing this opportunity.”

While in Montreal, Burton will interview with leaders from academia, business, government and the social sector. Up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholars will be selected after final interviews. Canadian finalists not selected for the cohort will be eligible to receive $10,000 towards their studies at McGill.

“We are also deeply thankful to the more than 300 leaders who lend their time to help us select these exceptional students and graduates,” says Natasha Sawh, chief executive officer of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “The interviews provide candidates with a space for meaningful reflection, and we hope they leave with a stronger sense of their leadership potential and the impact they can have in strengthening communities.”

Previous McCall MacBain scholars from Laurier include Global Studies student Hayley Newman-Petryshen, who was one of 20 Canadians chosen to receive a full scholarship in 2021, along with Opera student Olivia Haramis and Business Administration student Isabella Brodeur who received Regional Awards in 2022 and 2024 respectively.

McCall MacBain Scholarship applications will open in June 2026 for the 2027 cohort. More information about applying for the scholarships is available on Laurier's student website.