10 things you won't believe our alumni are doing today
With more than 4,000 NSCC graduates each year, you never know where you may run into one. Inspired by their education and experience, our alumni are making an impact here at home and around the globe.
Here’s what some of them are up to today:
1. Charlotte Paul: Therapeutic animal farm
Charlotte Paul (Social Services) says that her late father’s love of animals—particularly the turkeys and chickens he raised—did wonders for his physical and mental health. With her father in her heart, Charlotte opened Dragonfly Haven Therapeutic Farm in 2017 and it is now home to two mini horses, a donkey, a mule, four goats, two miniature potbelly pigs, two Guinea pigs, two cats and a bunny named Zoro. Learn more about Charlotte.
2. Councillor Gail Christmas: Membertou Citizen of the Year
Gail Christmas (Child & Youth Care) is the youngest female councillor ever elected to the Membertou First Nation in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The 2014 Membertou Citizen of the Year is dedicated to giving back to her community by being a positive model for youth after overcoming addiction. Learn more about Gail.
3. Jeff McKenna: Training NASA employees
Through his company Gateway Geomatics, grad Jeff McKenna (Geomatics Engineering Technology), is training NASA employees how to use Open Source mapping software solutions. Between his international keynote addresses, accepting numerous professional awards and consulting work, Jeff also makes time to come back to NSCC to share his skills and experience with current students. Learn more about Jeff.
4. Stephanie Purcell: Representing talented artists and speakers
Corporate agent Stephanie Purcell (Public Relations) represents some of the biggest names in the music and public speaking business. At Vox Management Agency, Stephanie ensures that well-known, East Coast talent like The Mellotones, Stuart Knight, Shreem and Jay Malone are seen and heard by audiences around the country. Stephanie also spends time mentoring and inspiring up-and-coming PR professionals. Learn more about Stephanie.
5. Sue Siri: Founder of the world’s first professional photo booth
Sue Siri (Professional Photography) is the founder of the world’s first professional photo booth: Iris Booth. Sue has re-imagined professional headshots by creating a change room-sized photo booth that gives clients high-resolution, beautifully lit, self-edited photos worthy of their professional profile. Plus, she does it for a fraction of the cost of a typical photo shoot. Learn more about Sue.
6. Nitesh Singh: Helping patients access low-cost prescriptions
STI Technologies is working to simplify how patients access prescriptions at the lowest out-of-pocket cost possible. As a Database Report Developer, Nitesh Singh (IT Database Administration), ensures that administrators and front-end users have access to an interconnected, intelligent system that ultimately improves patient outcomes.
7. Will Walsh: Selling Hootsuite around the globe
With 15-million customers around the globe, Hootsuite is the world’s leading social media dashboard. The online tool allows users to simplify their feeds so they can better engage with key publics. As one of Hootsuite’s inside account executives, Will Walsh (Business Administration) helps Hootsuite clients harness that power so they can strengthen their marketing efforts, generate sales and improve customer service.
8. Aaron Higgins: Best Automotive Technician in Canada
After winning a national skills competition, Aaron Higgins (Automotive Service & Repair) was named Acura Canada’s Top Technician. The shop foreman now uses his diagnostic abilities to expertly repair the mechanical and electrical systems for some of the country’s top selling vehicles.
9. Bee Stanton: Drawing the beauty of the East Coast
Bee Stanton (Graphic Design) has a unique ability to capture the thoughts and feelings etched in the souls of Nova Scotians and translate them into one-of-a-kind, visually-stunning, word-art masterpieces. From the pages of Teen Vogue and the distinctive blue glass bottles of Steinhart Distillery, to the closets of East Coast Lifestyle clothing-lovers everywhere, Bee’s designs have caught the attention of many notable Canadian brands.
10. Ashley Butler: Entrepreneur in action
Ashley Butler (Business Administration) started out in the workforce as a cashier in her family’s business. Now, the Ivany Campus grad’s parents work for her. Ashley is the Owner and Manager of The Ultimate Party & Rental Store in Lower Sackville. Her mom, Janice, is the business's President, and her father, Ken, is its delivery driver. Learn more about Ashley.