Inspirational alumni - �鶹ֱ��

A horizontal wooden frame in the shape of a canoe with white material stretching upward from the middle.

New �鶹ֱ�� art exhibition examines Indigenous, colonial histories

Alumna Aylan Couchie will showcase some of the art she created at �鶹ֱ��, new pieces and a series of woodworking created by her late grandfather.

Three people wearing blue convocation robes smile and the person in the centre holds a framed certificate. They're standing on a stage, with a large crowd behind them.

Former �鶹ֱ�� President and alumnus receive prestigious awards at convocation

More than 2,800 graduates celebrated �鶹ֱ�� convocation over three days.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: From tacos to travel, international student embraces new experiences

Meet Diksha Mongia, an alumna of �鶹ֱ��’s Project Management program.

A grizzly bear mascot swings a golf club in front of rows of people sitting in golf carts.

�鶹ֱ�� Golf Classic drives record proceeds for students

This year’s tournament, hosted at The Club at Bond Head on May 23, provided golfers with a uniquely �鶹ֱ�� experience.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Rugby teaches international student life lessons

Meet Rahal Delpachitra, alumnus of the Business Administration – Human Resources program and former varsity rugby player.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Paralympian finds ‘pure happiness’ in sports despite setbacks

Meet Darda Sales, Paralympian and alumna of �鶹ֱ��’s Therapeutic Recreation program.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Library technician finds satisfaction in helping students succeed

Meet Jana Bickell, Library Technician and two-time alumnus of �鶹ֱ��’s Business – Accounting and Library Technician programs.

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Mother’s Day: ‘Three Musketeers’ mom and kids work at �鶹ֱ��

To celebrate Mother’s Day, we caught up with a mom and her two kids who all work at �鶹ֱ��.

Two people stand together outside on a deck overlooking a body of water and a skyline in the distance.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Administrator driven by helping international students

Meet Sid Taneja, �鶹ֱ�� alumnus and International Community Engagement Coordinator, International Education and Development.

A group of people stand on a stage and each hold up an award.

�鶹ֱ�� celebrates inspiring partnerships and people at Awards of Distinction

Meet the recipients of this year’s �鶹ֱ�� Board of Governors Awards of Distinction, the college’s highest honour.

Three people wearing medals stand in a row, with the person in the middle putting their arms up in the air.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumna skates her way to Special Olympics Canada gold

Meet Brooke Thomas, an alumna who won gold at the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.

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These �鶹ֱ�� grads moved into residence and fell in love

Meet alumni Emily and Ross, who met after moving into the same residence building and fell in love at �鶹ֱ��.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Social worker embodies inclusion, belonging

Meet Jermaine James, alumnus of �鶹ֱ��’s Social Service Worker program at the Orillia Campus.

Five people wearing matching uniforms stand in front of a red helicopter.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumni forest firefighter blazes many career paths

Meet Joshua Bowles, a student in �鶹ֱ��’s Paramedic program and a two-time alumnus.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Top 5 inspiring stories of 2023

Here’s a look at our Top 5 most-read People of �鶹ֱ�� stories from 2023.

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�鶹ֱ��’s Top 10 good news stories of 2023

Here’s a look back at some of our favourite good news stories from throughout 2023.

A person wearing a blue convocation gown stands in front of a backdrop reading "�鶹ֱ��" and holds a diploma.

People of �鶹ֱ��: International alumnus embraces ‘new life’ at college

Meet Rhithul Roythomas, alumnus of �鶹ֱ��’s Computer Systems Technician – Networking program and ONEcard officer.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumna’s automotive career in her blood

Meet Grace Stein, alumna of the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Automotive Management) program.

A person wearing a turqouise, feathery outfit stands outside in the snow against a tree and smiles.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Sexual assault survivor changes federal legislation on publication bans

Meet Brandy Mullen, alumna and professor in �鶹ֱ��’s Health, Wellness and Sciences department.

A person wearing a blue convocation robe stands behind a marquee sign reading #�鶹ֱ��Proud.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumna reconnects with Indigenous culture, finds purpose

Meet Alicia Thompson, Manidoo Kwe (Spirit Woman), alumna and Community Liaison Officer, Indigenous Services.

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�鶹ֱ�� alumnus wins Etsy Design Award thanks to Sarah Jessica Parker

Meet Moh Alsulaiman, who also shares how his Human Resources Management graduate certificate helps him in his artistic career.

A person takes a selfie while holding up one of their arms, showing a tattoo reading INDC.

Interior Decorating alumna gets program code tattoo

We spoke to Mikaela Parker about what her experience was like in the Interior Decorating program and how it prepared her for her career.

Three people dressed formally hold up an oversized cheque for $410,000.

�鶹ֱ�� ignites passion to help students at fundraising gala

A total of $410,000 was raised and will go toward scholarships, awards and bursaries, as well as the �鶹ֱ�� Food Locker.

�鶹ֱ�� celebrates 100,000 alumni milestone with ‘more than a number’ stories

�鶹ֱ�� has officially reached 100,000 graduates, marking the significant milestone in its 56-year history.

Two adults and two children sit on the floor together, while one of the adults holds a framed photo of a baby.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Daughter’s stillbirth leads to charity for grieving families

Meet Mathew Morrison, Financial Analyst and Reporting Officer and alumnus, who co-founded Bridget’s Bunnies.

Two people wearing blue convocation robes stand next to each other in front of a backdrop reading "�鶹ֱ��.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Student-turned-professor discovers love of teaching

Meet Keith Connell, a �鶹ֱ�� professor and two-time alumnus.

A person wearing a firefighter's uniform walks across a parking lot.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Sister’s death inspires firefighter’s career

Meet John Wilcox, an alumnus and part-time instructor in the Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training program.

A person wearing blue scrubs uniform, holding a snake around their neck in a veterinary clinic.

Veterinary Technician grad finds employment thanks to placement

Did you know that almost all �鶹ֱ�� programs offer formal work-integrated learning experiences? Sasha Pratt, a recent Veterinary Technician grad, was able to secure her dream job thanks to her clinical placement.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Three-time student studies leadership with mom

Meet Elissa Kozub, a current student and employee at �鶹ֱ��, as well as two-time alumna.

Two adults, wearing a suit and wedding dress, respectively, pose in front of a lake with their arms around each other.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Musical connection leads to grad’s whirlwind wedding

Meet Matias Contreras Perez, International Recruitment Officer – Offshore and two-time �鶹ֱ�� alumnus.

A person stands outside in front of a strawberry mural on a black wall.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumna ditches policing for public art

Meet Monica Loney, an alumna of �鶹ֱ��’s Police Foundations and Human Resources Management programs.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Helping students ‘an honour,’ says retiring coordinator

Meet Terri Edmonstone, Student Life Coordinator, who is retiring after 33 years. She’s also a two-time �鶹ֱ�� alumna.

A person with short, black hair, glasses and a goatee stands outside on a sidewalk and smiles, with an orange sunset sky above.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumnus uses artificial intelligence to detect skin cancer

Meet Arjun Pawar, a two-time �鶹ֱ�� alumnus.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Determination drives woman to college, help Indigenous communities

Meet Tiffany McCue, Anishnaabe kwe, Indigenization Initiatives Lead, alumna, and part-time faculty.

Three people each wearing a rainbow headband take a smiling selfie together.

People of �鶹ֱ��: 2SLGBTQIA+ equity top of mind for co-op consultant

Meet Jacob Chevrier, a Co-op Consultant and two-time �鶹ֱ�� alumnus.

A person wearing a scubasuit sits on a white boat that's driving across a blue ocean.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumnus finds confidence by trying new things

Meet Arjun Batra, alumnus of �鶹ֱ��’s Mechanical Engineering Technology – Automotive Manufacturing program.

Two people attached to each other skydive in tandem, while one of them covers their eyes with a hand.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Friend’s death sparks woman’s life-changing travel

Meet Joanne Foxton, Manager of #ChangeTheNow and �鶹ֱ�� alumna.

A person with long, brown hair and pink dress shirt smiles while standing outside against a wall of windows.

People of �鶹ֱ��: International alumna’s key to success staying open to opportunities

Meet Prerna Sharma, an alumna of �鶹ֱ��’s Big Data Analytics program.

Two people stand together. One is dressed in a ribbon skirt, jean jacket and black, beaded hat, and the other is wearing a buckskin dress.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Indigenous program reconnects consultant with heritage

Meet Sharon Rigby, a two-time �鶹ֱ�� alumna, current student, and an Indigenous Employment Services Consultant.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Top 5 stories of 2022

Looking back on 2022, we have collected the most-viewed People of �鶹ֱ�� stories featuring �鶹ֱ�� employees, students and alumni.

A person with short hair, sunglasses and a white, collared shirt, and a person with short, blonde hair, glasses and a floral top smile in a selfie.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Analyst has ‘life-changing experience’ as running coach

Meet Tony Podziemski, a �鶹ֱ�� alumnus, former varsity running coach, and college employee for 35 years.

A person wearing a red-and-black para ice hockey uniform and black helmet, skates across the ice and handles a puck with their stick.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Paralympian shares ‘unreal’ experiences he nearly missed

Meet Brad Bowden, two-time �鶹ֱ�� alumnus, medal-winning Paralympic athlete, and recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

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Mother and daughter nursing students head back to school together

Meet Tonya Kennedy and her daughter, Jess Cos, who are both studying to be nurses at �鶹ֱ��.

A person with brown hair pulled back, bangs, glasses, brown striped sweater and blue jeans, looks at the camera and stands in front of a wall of 10 colourful paintings.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Student uses painting to share autism journey

Meet Emily Slaght, a student graduating from �鶹ֱ��’s Fine Arts program this June.

A person with short, curly red hair, blue T-shirt with a colourful design on it, and jeans, smiles and holds up two pieces of colourful art in clear wrapping.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Artist dreams up future as entrepreneur

Meet Monica Levac, artist and alumna of �鶹ֱ��’s Hospitality – Hotel and Resort Operations Management program.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumnus celebrates the weirdness of life

Meet Dan Hendley, alumnus from �鶹ֱ��’s Visual Photography and Imaging program.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: ‘Bubbles’ makes full-circle college journey

Meet Lisa Lavigne, �鶹ֱ�� alumna and Academic Program Assistant at the college’s Owen Sound Campus.

Lindsay Rice, in her racing gear, sponsored by AUdi Canada.

Lindsay Rice: Racing into the future

There is a group of girls who come out to a lot of my races around Ontario and they’ll come to visit me when the races are done. There may be 15 drivers around me and every one of them is male, but I’m showing these girls that I’m still out here doing this, and so can they.

Guy-Olivier Potvin in a suit, standing on a staircase (image is in black and white)

Grad’s automotive ecommerce gains traction

It’s National Entrepreneur’s Day! To mark the occasion, read about Guy-Olivier Potvin, an ambitious young entrepreneur and graduate of the Automotive Business School of Canada.

A person with long brown hair and beard, circular sunglasses, shirtless, and orange jacket, grimaces while holding up three fingers on one hand.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Student by day, wrestler by night

Meet Corbin Crawford-Joslin, alumnus from �鶹ֱ��’s Advertising and Marketing Communications program.

A person with short, brown hair and wearing blank pants and a navy T-shirt and face mask stands next to a cat mascot wearing a blue cap with the letter "B" on it, in front of a food truck that says Foodiez Barrie.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Aviation student launches food truck after co-op in Nunavut

Meet Sachin Sharma, alumnus from �鶹ֱ��’s Aviation Management program and owner/operator of Foodiez food truck in Barrie.

A person with brown hair and dressed in a paramedic uniform sits in the back of an ambulance with two children on their lap, all of them smiling at the camera.

People of �鶹ֱ��: One comment changed the course of Paramedic student’s life

Dustyn Paton, an alumnus and current student in �鶹ֱ��’s Advanced Care Paramedic program.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Family’s key to ‘the good life’ for events co-ordinator

Meet Beedahsiga Elliott, Events Coordinator with �鶹ֱ��’s Indigenous Services and a three-time �鶹ֱ�� alumnus.

Two people stand and one crouches and holds a golf club on a golf course next to a hole and golf ball.

Golfing this weekend? �鶹ֱ�� alumnus launches golf safety device during pandemic

Meet James Skrypec, a �鶹ֱ�� alumnus, who helped launch Pin Caddy, a device aimed at helping make golfing safer.

Nurse and �鶹ֱ�� grad Sebastian Collins, in full PPE

Nurse focuses on empathetic healthcare during COVID-19

This article was originally published in the spring 2021 edition of �鶹ֱ��View, the college’s alumni magazine.

Anne Moller on ski-doo, petting a dog, on a snow lake in Northern Canada. Two children are in a sled behind the snowmobile.

Retired nurse reflects on decades of service

Although the first eight years of her career were spent at urban hospitals in Edmonton and Barrie (with a year at a nursing home in Barrie) she spent the next 10 years as an outpost nurse working in Canada’s far north.

Sarah hugs her mother Shelley on convocation day

Daughter begins nursing career as mother fights for her life in ICU

“It makes me kind of emotional thinking about it because Mother’s Day was the last time I saw my mom before she went into the hospital. This has definitely made us closer."

People of �鶹ֱ��: Watching police movies with dad inspires alumnus’ career path

Meet Const. Wazeer Rahiman, a �鶹ֱ�� alumnus and police officer with the South Simcoe Police Service.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Instructor finds support – and second career – as mature student

Meet Marco D’Intino, �鶹ֱ�� alumnus and part-time Academic Technologist at the college’s Owen Sound Campus.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Indigenous Studies co-ordinator connects with students through virtual reality

Meet Michele O’Brien, �鶹ֱ�� alumna and Co-op Experience Consultant with the college’s Indigenous Studies programs.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumna inspired to rewrite her life story at college

Meet Alasoba (Lala) Kelsy-Braide, alumna of �鶹ֱ��’s Child and Youth Care program.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumna’s hunger for higher education propels her from ‘humble beginnings’

Meet Roxann Whittingham, �鶹ֱ�� alumna. She recently created a scholarship for Black students studying at �鶹ֱ��.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: International co-ordinator finds ‘true personality’ at college

Meet Kenta Shirakura, alumnus of one of �鶹ֱ��’s Hospitality programs, and the International Housing Coordinator with �鶹ֱ��’s Segal International Centre.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Nursing student rises from foster care to college with ‘amazing’ faculty support

Meet Frankie Von Dahlen-Klaus, a Practical Nursing student and PSW alumna at �鶹ֱ��, who’s a model for the college’s MORE campaign.

A puppet sits on the branches of a Christmas tree.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Dopey the real star of student recruiter’s Christmas tree

Meet Kailey Hawkins, �鶹ֱ�� alumna and Student Recruitment Specialist at �鶹ֱ��.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Support officer an ‘outdoors fanatic’

Jay Harris, Student Systems Support Officer at �鶹ֱ�� and alumnus, is a huge fan of anything that gets him active outdoors.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Aviation alumni leads COVID-19 response at airport

Meet Chantal Urquidi, alumna from �鶹ֱ��’s Aviation Management program. She was recently named to Business London’s Twenty in their 20’s.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Award-winning Peruvian filmmaker finds inspiration in diversity

Meet Paul Arredondo Rodriguez, a �鶹ֱ�� alumnus, Support Clerk and filmmaker, whose short film won two awards at the Barrie Film Festival this fall.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Alumna ‘brave enough to suck at something new’

Meet Anna Julia Sirghiuta, alumni of �鶹ֱ��’s Aviation Management program and founder of �鶹ֱ�� Skies. She now works in corporate airport operations at Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Indigenous-Canadian actor champions cultural empowerment

Meet Nadia George, �鶹ֱ�� alumna, award-winning Mi’kmaq-Canadian actor, public speaker, and Indigenous rights and youth advocate.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Philanthropist says family treated college as ‘part of the family’

Meet Jane Brown Jackson, �鶹ֱ�� alumna, philanthropist, and longtime friend of �鶹ֱ��.

Person stares with wide eyes and open mouth at a monster sculpture they're holding in their hands.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Graphic designer creates movie monster magic

Meet Adam Dagenais, Community Animator for �鶹ֱ��’s Centre for Changemaking and Social Innovation, and a �鶹ֱ�� alumnus from the Art and Design Fundamentals program.

People of �鶹ֱ��: Early ‘turmoil’ inspires alumna’s child-rights advocacy

Meet Jane Kovarikova, �鶹ֱ�� alumna and founder of Child Welfare Political Action Committee of Canada.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Massage Therapy alumna pays it forward with inspiring advice

Meet Lindsay Geiger, graduate of �鶹ֱ��’s Massage Therapy program and owner of Kneading Balance Services.

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People of �鶹ֱ��: Army coach finds second family through fitness

Meet Chelsey Tuck, �鶹ֱ�� alumna, Fitness and Health Promotion program, and fitness and sports instructor at Canadian Forces Base Borden.