Mount Allison University Science and Commerce student Bentley Huffington (BSc ’25, BComm ’26) is being recognized for an academic and leadership journey that has never followed just one path. 

Huffington is completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Commerce and Psychology this spring after earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology last year – already a unique feat.  

Huffington is one of eight students in Atlantic Canada to receive this $50,000 regional entrepreneurship award for business students. The recognition celebrates leadership, initiative, and entrepreneurial promise – qualities Huffington has demonstrated through an unusually interdisciplinary university experience. 

Rather than building a single business venture, Huffington’s entrepreneurial approach has grown through connecting disciplines and creating her own opportunities.  

“It’s so humbling to be recognized alongside such thoughtful, inspiring entrepreneurs, and I feel so grateful to be welcomed into another supportive community,” she says. “I’ve spent a lot of time navigating the spaces between different fields – asking questions, testing ideas, figuring things out as I go. Being around people who are equally curious and driven makes every step feel like a chance to learn, grow, and push further than I ever could alone.” 

 

Originally from Calgary, AB, Huffington came to Mount Allison knowing she wanted an education that would allow her the freedom to explore both science and business. Over five years, that vision became a demanding and highly personalized course of study – one that reflected her interest not only in scientific inquiry, but also in communication, application, and real community impact. 

“I fell into this constant cycle of curiosity at MtA. Being part of different departments meant I was always learning from people with completely different perspectives. I love seeing how scientific research – especially the work coming out of my own community – translates into real-world impact,” Huffington says. “It’s a passion I didn’t even realize I had.” 

Alongside the financial award, Huffington will participate in a mentorship program – an opportunity she is particularly excited about as she explores how her dual passions for science and business could influence the trajectory of her future. 

At Mount Allison, Huffington has embraced every facet of student life with energy and impact. She has helped revitalize Women in Science and Women in Commerce, served as a teaching assistant across four departments, contributed as a research assistant across two, played a key role in the restructuring of Navigate MtA, and engaged in numerous other initiatives – making a lasting impact on the campus community, including through her contributions on the planning team behind the university’s strategic plan.  

“I just love every corner of this community,” she said. “I’m so lucky to have found a place to explore so many different paths, learn from so many perspectives, and truly feel like I’m contributing to something bigger than myself.” 

That sense of belonging is one of the things that has defined Huffington’s time at Mount Allison. What first drew her to the University, she says with a laugh, was the beauty of the campus – particularly the ivy-covered architecture of the Flemington Building that reminded her of Hogwarts. She has never gotten tired of the beauty on campus. What kept her here was the opportunity to tailor her education, build close connections across disciplines, and grow within a community where people know and support each another. 

That sense of connection is central to her story. Whether through student leadership, research, freelance marketing and photography work, or volunteer service, Huffington’s focus has remained the same: creating value, opening doors, and helping others grow alongside her.  

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue growing her freelance work while building her consulting business that supports small organizations, start-ups, and women-led ventures. Long term, she hopes to work at the intersection of science, business, and education, with ambitions that include international conservation and research.  

Her story already reflects true entrepreneurship – the path to the collection of two degrees has been inventive, personal, creative, and not something she says could have been done without the small, invested, and connected community at Mount Allison.