Nipissing Alumnus Holly Garnett Reflects on Mentorship, Research, and Global Impact
For Holly Garnett, Nipissing University was more than just a place to earn a degree; it was where her lifelong interest in politics transformed into an impactful career, shaping conversations about democracy around the globe.
Growing up in North Bay, Garnett was already familiar with Nipissing’s welcoming community long before she walked through the doors as an undergraduate student. Her interest in politics began early, starting with her studies of civics during a provincial election in grade five and culminating in her service as a page at the Ontario Legislature in grade eight. By the time she finished high school, she had taken summer enrichment courses at the University and knew it would be the right place to pursue her undergraduate studies. “Nipissing was already an academic home for me and an easy choice for my post-secondary studies,” she shared.
That choice set her on a path toward a career dedicated to researching electoral integrity and democratic processes. When she arrived at Nipissing, the Political Science program quickly captured her attention. “After taking one course, I was hooked; not just on the readings and issues, but especially the debates and interactions in the classroom,” she said. Professors David Tabachnick and Toivo Koivukoski played a pivotal role in encouraging and mentoring her, offering research opportunities and academic challenges typically reserved for graduate students elsewhere.
One of those opportunities changed the trajectory of her career.
With Dr. Tabachnick’s encouragement, Garnett applied for and received a Killam Fellowship through the Fulbright Program, the first ever awarded to a Nipissing student. She spent a semester at Cornell University in 2008, where her studies deepened her interest in elections and democracy. That spark carried her forward to graduate school at Queen’s University and later a PhD in political science at McGill University.
Now a leading scholar in her field, Garnett’s career has taken her around the world, from research collaborations with international organizations to speaking engagements with election officials across Canada. A highlight came in 2022 when she addressed the Chief Electoral Officers of Canada’s provinces and territories in Iqaluit, Nunavut; an experience that not only advanced her research but also introduced her to one of the most unique places she’s ever explored.
Today, Garnett is the co-director of the Electoral Integrity Project, a global network that studies democratic resilience. She is also the lead editor of the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Electoral Integrity, a project she describes as both surreal and deeply rewarding. In 2025, she held the prestigious Fulbright Research Chair in Canada-U.S. Relations at Johns Hopkins University, a full-circle moment that echoed the mentorship she once received at Nipissing.
Despite her global reach, Garnett continues to champion the kind of undergraduate-focused opportunities that shaped her own path. She developed the Undergraduate Partnered Research Programme, which pairs students with civil society and government organizations to explore pressing issues in Canadian democracy. Nipissing students have already participated, including recent graduate Kennedy Bond, who worked with Elections Ontario on strategies to counter digital misinformation.
Her advice to current students is simple but powerful: take advantage of every opportunity. “Professors are thrilled to encounter students who are eager to learn,” she said. “Attend talks and seminars, reach out to your professors, and don’t be afraid to network, you never know what might spark your curiosity.”
Outside of her professional work, Garnett remains closely connected to community life. At the Royal Military College in Kingston, where she teaches, she volunteers on base with a Girl’s Club, getting to know military families and children.
Looking back, Garnett credits Nipissing with shaping not just her academic path, but her approach to mentorship and research. “I see the incredible capacity of undergraduate students when they are given meaningful opportunities to contribute,” she reflected. That belief continues to guide her as she inspires the next generation of scholars and practitioners committed to strengthening democracy. Credit NU News
