Alumni in the news
Cakes, cupcakes, and warm treats: Sassy Sweet Cups to open location in New Glasgow
SaltWire | For Stephanie Grant (CCA '11), owning a food business was always a dream. She fulfilled her dream on Dec. 1 when she got the keys to her storefront Sassy Sweet Cups in downtown New Glasgow.
In Halifax, a call to promote old-growth forests as a guard against future wildfires
CBC News | As he stands near a Nova Scotia forest with soaring 150-year-old trees, Mike Lancaster (NERT '11) sees a natural, long-term solution to the threat wildfires pose to city dwellers.
Yarmouth County astronomer wins Rural Nova Scotia Tourism Innovation Pitch Competition
Saltwire |Tim Doucette (Scientific Computer Programming '93) of Deep Sky Eye Observatory in Quinan, Yarmouth County, has won the top prize in this year’s Rural Nova Scotia Tourism Innovation Pitch Competition.
Second annual Mi'kmaw Christmas Market in Sydney more than just a marketplace
SaltWire | Tepknuset Art and Wellness feature its unique products at the Mi'kmaw Christmas Market. It’s owned by Membertou First Nation sisters Rebecca (ACMA '03, Leadership & Supervision '09) and Theresa Scirocco.
Mom pens book about daughter’s life and death while in clutches of human traffickers
SaltWire | Jennifer Holleman (Accounting ’91), whose daughter died at age 21 while trapped in the world of human trafficking, has written a book about how her daughter was caught up in that world.
Video: Smile and Shine Pageantry
Global’s Eilish Bonang (RTJ ’18) interviews Mikayla Marriott (Business Admin ’19), founder of Smile & Shine Pageantry, about her goal to change the stigma around pageants by empowering partakers to embrace who they are.
New Glasgow's Mann family takes on Family Feud Canada
SaltWire | The Mann family appeared on Family Feud Canada, their team included Doug (CCEDP '04), Crystal, Melanie (Interactive Technology '04), Cassie (Music Business '19) and Nathan (Recording Arts '06).
Coldstream Clear cuts ribbon on new brewery in Truro, N.S.
SaltWire | Coldstream Clear cut the ribbon on their upgraded facility in Truro, a move made to satiate demand for their products. It’s co-founded by Liam Giffen (Power Engineering Technology '18) and his siblings.
New Waterford woman vying for Miss Mission Canada title to promote animal cruelty prevention
SaltWire | Rolanda Nason (Business Tourism ’22), entered Miss Mission International pageant with her mission to help prevent animal cruelty through education and volunteerism.
Juanita Peters wins 2023 Portia White Prize
Arts Nova Scotia | The Creative Nova Scotia Awards were presented on November 3, recognizing excellence in artistic achievement. Alumni recipients include Juanita Peters, Andre Fenton, Jah'Mila and P’tit Belliveau.
Hometown grief inspires Cape Breton artist's song about living each day as if it was your last
SaltWire | The video for Brett Matthews’ (Recording Arts ’12) single, “If I Die Today” you might want to be prepared for some deep reflection. Featuring Classified, it was inspired by a tragedy in Mattthew’s hometown.
Video: Black Women in Excellence
Tia Upshaw (ALP ’06), CEO and Founder of Black Women in Excellence, has a segment called "Tuesdays with Tia" on CTV Morning Live Atlantic, celebrating the incredible achievements of Black women entrepreneurs.
Halifax filmmaker's documentary wins award at New York festival
CBC News | Sean MacDougall (Radio Television Journalism '19) was recently awarded Best Environmental Short Documentary at a New York festival for his documentary Saltwater Souvenirs.
'Songs of Unama'ki' shines at AIFF
SaltWire | Atlantic International Film Festival awarded "Songs of Unama'ki" with the Best Atlantic Short Documentary Award. It was co-directed by Membertou's Dawn Wells (Applied Communication Arts ’03) and Jeff Miller.
Freeze-dried fun: Candy Frost unique treats from Cape Breton on grocery shelves
SaltWire | Candice Mugford (Continuing Care ’11) started making freeze-drying candy when her daughter got braces last winter. Now, she’s selling those treats to big-name shops around Cape Breton, including Sobeys and Foodland.
Artists commemorate homes, pets lost in Halifax-area wildfires
CBC News | After witnessing hundreds of her fellow Nova Scotians lose their homes and pets from wildfires, artist Brynn Budden (RTA '10) wanted to use her creativity to help people commemorate their losses.
Filmmaker puts Cape Breton's hidden mysteries into frame
SaltWire | Dawn Wells’ (AMCA ’03) upcoming series, "Creepy Cape Breton," produced for Bell Fibe TV1, reveals the island's most obscure ghost stories, creepy legends and UFO sightings.
Clare Nova Scotia - Culinary Destination
Maritimes Maven | Highlights culinary destinations in Clare, NS, including successful businesses owned by Shane Robicheau (Culinary Arts ’18) and his family.
Jamie Myra wins Lunenburg mayoral election
SaltWire | Jamie Myra (Sales & Marketing '91) has been elected mayor of the Town of Lunenburg, collecting more than twice as many votes as the other candidate in a special election held Saturday.
Benjamin Bridge Celebrates the Biodiversity of the Gaspereau Valley
SaltWire | Benjamin Bridge will host an experiential tour this weekend focused on their biodiversity program, which is led by chef Kyla Welton (Culinary Arts '17).
Westville woman celebrated for heroic deed during Canada Day Parade
SaltWire | Holly Lawrence (Practical Nursing ’10) was presented with an award by the town of Westville for her actions saving a man during the Canada Day Parade.
We’koqma’q Festival a labour of love for Nicholas sisters
Sisters Eva and Ella Nicholas' (Mi'kmaw Health & Wellness '15, Pre-Employment '08) passions for traditional knowledge, art and healing brought them together, working on the Skye River Trail.
There’s a new kid in town: The Corner Store by missbrenna
Cape Breton Partnership | From apparel with Brenna MacNeil’s (ACA '06, Graphic Design '07) own Cape Breton-style designs, to Italian goods, and more, there’s something for everyone at the Corner Store by missbrenna.
Affordable co-op housing project picking up steam on N.S. South Shore
SaltWire | Since May, Cherie MacLeod (Drafting – Architectural '11), who works as a home designer, has been trying to get a co-operative housing project off the ground in the Lunenburg area.
'This doesn't feel like work'
Pressreader | Mercedes Blair (Business Admin '22) is passionate about plants and her business, Wandering Jasmine Gardens, lets her share that love with others every day.
African roots and culture celebrated at Journey Back to Birchtown event
SaltWire | Barbara Roberts (CCEDP '16), owner of AfroNova, brings authentic African handiwork to Nova Scotia. She recently shared her work at the market for the Journey Back to Birchtown festival.
My Friend, Larry
Saltscapes | Larry Bergeron (CCEDP '01) continues to inspire others in his third career since retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces and NSCC – helping veterans with PTSD and their families via connection with horses.
Coldstream's new beer is pouring out of Nova Scotia liquor stores
SaltWire | Liam Giffen (Power Engineering Technology '18), co-owner of Coldstream Clear, talks about the company’s success in expanding into brewing and its history.
Cape Breton man finds new career path in the kitchen
Saltwire | Colin McCulloch (Culinary Arts ’23, Graphic Design '01, AMCA '00) earned the 2023 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Culinary Excellence after NSCC’s Culinary Arts program ‘turned his life around.’
NSCC Achieve program brings together course alumni
Saltwire | NSCC Achieve alumni gathered for a reunion at Pictou Campus. Grads from the past five years came together to inspire one another, connect and celebrate their accomplishments since graduating the program.
Shaking up Cape Breton's restaurant industry
Saltwire | Sheraz Ali (Business Admin ’18) and Muhammad Ali (Office Admin ’16) are ‘shaking things up’ with their new endeavor – launching an Indian, Canadian and Pakistani-style restaurant in Sydney, NS.
Video: Reimagined Energy Podcast: Energy Tech 101 with Dr. Groszko
Sociable Media | NSCC researcher Wayne Groszko joined grad Maria McGowan (Website Design '09) on her podcast, Reimagined Energy to discuss recent projects on renewable energy and the value of involving students.
Video: A N.S. valedictorian comes out during graduation speech. A standing ovation followed
Global News |Quinn Legg, Akerley Campus Valedictorian and Automotive Service and Repair grad ('23) shared an emotional moment with their classmates and faculty – coming out as transgender during their valedictory speech.
Five questions with Brooklyn Blackmore
Canadian Beats Media | Brooklyn Blackmore (Music Arts ’18), a country-pop artist from Dartmouth, answers a Q&A, letting her fans get to know her as more than an artist.
Filipino couple's success with Korean restaurant in Cape Breton leads to relocation
Saltwire | Filipino-born Joshua De Leon (Business Admin '20) is using his NSCC diploma to open the first Korean restaurant in Cape Breton.
SPICE Girls: New program for BIPOC and immigrant women breaks down barriers in food entrepreneurship
SaltWire | Cassandra Downey (Culinary Management ‘22) pilots SPICE, a new organization combating inequality against BIPOC and immigrant women in the food service industry.
Event Aims to Financially Empower Women
Huddle | Tia Upshaw (ALP '06) is the keynote speaker at Investing in You: Making Cents of Tough Conversations, a free virtual event to inspire female entrepreneurs and break the taboo of discussing financial struggles and success.
Female baseball players get a league of their own in Nova Scotia, games start in June
Jen Donaldson (Drafting ’99) is one of the lead organizers of the first ever all-women's baseball league in Nova Scotia. The league will be known as Nova Scotia Monarchs Baseball, Women's Division.
Video: Music Monday: Lulo Music Group and Good Dear Good
Global News |Interview with members of Halifax’s newest record label Lulo Music Group, and indie pop-rock band Good Dear Good (Music Arts '17-18). The new record label started in the NSCC Music Business Program.
5 Nova Scotians heading to France to show off their skills at the Abilympics
CBC | NSCC grad Liam Crane (Culinary Arts '17, Cooking Apprenticeship '20) and four other Nova Scotians will be taking part in the Abilympics in Metz, France from March 23-25, 2023.
Yess to success: Cape Breton mayor impressed by new team member
SaltWire | It didn’t take long for Stacey MacDonald (Social Services '16, Early Childhood Education '21) to make a good impression on CBRM Mayor Amanda McDougall in her work placement at the mayor’s office.
Cabot Cape Breton appoints Kendall Clancy as new general manager
SaltWire | Cabot Cape Breton recently announced the appointment of Kendall Clancy (Tourism Management '20) as the new general manager at the Inverness resort.
New Halifax Label Lulo Signs Good Dear Good
Exclaim! | Lulo Music Group, formed by NSCC Music Business grads, announces its first signing: Good Dead Good (Music Arts '17-18). The alumni band includes: Tim Hatcher, Brandon MacDonald, Izra Fitch and Connor Booth.
Nova Scotia 55+ Games announces 2023 co-chairs
SaltWire | The 2023 Nova Scotia 55+ Games, taking place in Pictou County, has announced this year’s co-chairs: New Glasgow Mayor Nancy Dicks and former mayor of Trenton Glen MacKinnon (Data Processing).
From a mug of lettuce to a shipping container full of it: Dartmouth hydroponics operation helping tackle food security challenges
SaltWire | Phil Hatcher (International Business '01), owner and farmer of Very Local Greens Inc. in Dartmouth, N.S., was attracted to hydroponic farming because it helps address food security issues.
Miramichi swim program for kids with autism gets global recognition
CBC News | Cindi Green (Nonprofit Leadership '21), founder of Autism Swim Miramichi, says the community's reception of the program has "blown me out of the water."
Video: Moncton man chooses second career and passion over retirement
CTV News | Ed Hamilton-Irving (Baking & Pastry Arts '20) was just days away from retirement at the Moncton Hospital when he read a single line in a magazine that changed his life. “It said, ‘baking and pastry arts -- one year."
Upcoming children's book to feature work by Wasauksing artist
Parry Sound | Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley’s (Graphic Design '14) illustrations will be featured in an upcoming children’s book, ‘Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome’, which highlights accepting differences and promotes respecting nature.
Halifax brothers go around the world to bring new flavours to their restaurant
Saltwire | Not only are Guy (Business Admin '19) and Andre Pratt pretty successful chefs and restaurateurs, their business deductions game is extraordinarily strong. The brothers are the co-owners of Studio East.
Provisioning the Valley with healthy, flavourful foods
Saltwire | Kara Friesen (Business Admin '20), of Piecemeal Food Provisions, hosted a fascinating evening recently where four farmers and a food advocate discussed the future of food in the Annapolis Valley.
Celebrating the Most Inspiring Immigrants In Atlantic Canada 2023
My East Coast Experience | The Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada initiative is our way of identifying and honouring those who stand out in their towns and cities across this region.
Halifax duo Neon Dreams drops new album inspired by love of South Africa
CTV News | Halifax duo Neon Dreams just dropped a new album, which the pair says was inspired by their home away from home.
Meet one of the signers who translated the Mi'kmaq Honour Song into sign language
CBC | Mi'kmaw signers Holly Green and Sheila Johnson helped translate the Honour Song, which was featured in a video for Nova Scotia Community College.
Restoring furniture an artform for N.S. woodworker
Saltwire | Allison Chapman (ALP '20, Cabinetmaking '21) says she loves being creative. In her late 20s, Chapman decided to go back to school to take the cabinet making class at her local NSCC.
How a head injury led to career in fish safety
The Safety Magazine | A knock to the head turned out to be the push Matthew Duffy ('17) needed to realize his perfect professional calling. Not long after the accident, Duffy stumbled across an occupational health and safety program at NSCC.
Medal design unveiled for upcoming North American Indigenous Games
CBC | The medal design for the 2023 North American Indigenous Games has officially been unveiled. Initially designed by Ella Scothorn, a student from Hardwood Lands, N.S., before being finalized by Mi'kmaw artist Tayla Fern Paul (Welding '14).
Juanita Peters on always being ready for the next thing
Saltscapes Magazine | Juanita Peters (RTJ) is the executive director of the Africville Museum in Halifax, but she is also a director of documentaries, plays, feature films and episodic television, as well as being an actor and a playwright.
Ukrainian-Canadian filmmaker hopes new documentary will help war-torn country
Global News | A Ukrainian-Canadian filmmaker wants to use her power of storytelling to help the war-torn country. Olesya Shyvikova (RTA '16) is hoping her new documentary will take her to the streets of Ukraine.
'An amazing moment,' says team leader as satellite built in Nova Scotia launches into space
CBC News | It was one of dozens of satellites that were part of the Canadian CubeSat Project and the first made in Atlantic Canada. The project manager is Arad Gharagozli (Electronic Engineering Technology '15).
New restaurant brimming with German influences
Saltwire | A self-described military brat, chef and owner Ian Clarke (Culinary Arts '10), has opened PMQ Restaurant in downtown Halifax.
Halifax has a new chief administrative officer: Cathie O’Toole
Saltwire | Halifax has announced Cathie O’Toole (Business Information Program '94) will replace Jacques Dubé as chief administrative officer. She is the first woman in this position for the municipality.
YouTube series helps African immigrants find connections, community in Nova Scotia
Penticton Herald | Gnenga Akintokun (RTJ ’19) and fellow African immigrants in Halifax have created a YouTube web series to help keep other African immigrants informed on issues specific to their new community.
Nova Scotia’s Ethan Green to Represent Canada at International Young Chefs Competition
Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine | Ethan Green (Culinary Skills '20 & Culinary Management '21) won the 2022 Canadian National La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Jeunes Chefs Competition.
Halifax reporter named Atlantic director of Canadian Association of Black Journalists
Halifax Examiner | Amber Fryday (RTJ '21), a Halifax reporter with African Nova Scotian roots has been appointed as the new Atlantic director of the Canadian Association of Black Journalists.
Artists Honoured at 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards Celebration
Province of Nova Scotia | The Portia White Prize was awarded to singer, songwriter and actress Cyndi Cain of North Preston. As part of the award, Ms. Cain received $7,000 for her protégé, NSCC grad, musician/singer Adina Fraser Marsman.
1st cohort of Africentric early childhood educators graduate from NSCC
Yahoo! News| A new program at NSCC designed to encourage more Black students to enter the field of early childhood education has celebrated its first graduating class.
Halifax author Andre Fenton announces film adaptation of his novel Annaka
The Coast | Andre Fenton (Screen Arts '15 & Social Services '18) will collaborate with Halifax filmmaker Cory Bowles on the flick.
Newcomer to Cape Breton pays it forward to local business community
Cape Breton Post | When Lan Zheng (Office Admin '14 & Business Admin '15) arrived at the JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport, she knew she was home. Ten years later, she sits on the CBLIP Immigrant Advisory Table with nine other migrants.
Chef Shaun Zwarun celebrates Nova Scotian suppliers in new cookbook
At Kiju’s Restaurant in Membertou, NS , chef Shaun Zwarun (Culinary Arts '94) creates menus that use local ingredients, but more than that are inspired by them and the local enterprises making up the food industry ecosystem in Nova Scotia.
‘Proud to be Mi’kmaw’: Artist shares how beading reconnected her to culture
Global News | Caitlyn Moore (Motor Vehicle Body Repair '18), of Qalipu First Nation in Newfoundland, says learning to bead was a way to reconnect with her culture.
Halloween goes haywire in Jason Eisener’s latest film, Kids vs. Aliens
Saltwire | In his new feature Kids vs Aliens, Dartmouth filmmaker Jason Eisener (Screen Arts '03) has crafted the perfect kind of Halloween movie.
A groovy kind of podcast from Colchester duo
Saltwire | When Kiley White (Social Services ‘17) and Brooke Chandler first started working together with a youth group in Brookfield, their overall, inspirational message to the teens was “find your groove.”
Jingle dresses and mermaid tails
Cape Breton Post | Hailee McDonald (Digital Animation '18) brought together something that she didn't really see much of in the comic book world when she tried the MerMay challenge: Indigenous representation in comic book characters.
Scientists, artists, indigenous people travelling our coast aboard the Polar Prince
Saltwire | Murres, puffins, the various varieties of shearwaters, leeches storm petrels … are just a few of the 20 or more seabirds Jessie Wilson and Kristine Hannifen (NERT ’15) will need to identify over the coming 21 days.
Shelburne’s downtown rejuvenating with new businesses opening
Saltwire | Brendan Pippy (Tourism Management '19) is the owner/operator of The Emerald Light kitchen and bar, one of several new businesses to recently open in downtown Shelburne.
Nova Scotia author hopes to spark conversation about eating disorders
Saltwire | Scott Ellis (Natural Resources Environmental Technology '19) hopes his new book, Chasing Numbers: Sleep, Starve, Repeat, will help shine a light on eating disorders.
Beauty in simplicity: Alcohol ink art takes plenty of practice, says Cape Breton artist
Saltwire | Shae-Lynne MacLean (Applied Media & Communication Arts ’20) was first introduced to the techniques and tools of alcohol ink art via an independent study at NSCC.
Mi'kmaw woman starts clothing brand, offers hope about recovering from addiction
CBC Nova Scotia | Tyra Paul has turned her life around from drug and alcohol abuse, and now she wants to show others there is life beyond addiction.
The Broken Ground unearths rich history of Inverness coal mines
The Port Hawkesbury Reporter | Up-and-coming-filmmaker Liam MacDonald (Screen Arts '20) unearths some of the rich history of coal mining in his hometown with a full-length documentary.
Still painting the town: Yarmouth NS sees lots of mural potential and opportunities
Saltwire | Local artist Danielle Mahood's (Applied Communication Arts '06, Graphic Design '07) latest mural is a stunning and colourful shoutout to the lobster, swordfish and scallop fisheries.
Ben Brown ready to paddle with world’s best in Dartmouth
Saltwire | Ben Brown (Business Administration '19) has made a splash in his first full year of competing in paracanoe.
Equine therapy program in Pictou helps individuals connect to their emotions
Saltwire | Victoria and Tom Fraser (Social Services ’22) approached Pictou Town Council about creating an equine therapy program.
Lunenburg Doc Fest unveils participants for pitch competition, The Launch
Real Screen | Juliet Mawusi (Radio Television Journalism ’21) is one of five finalists competing in the pitch competition.
'Night Blooms': The small-budget Nova Scotia film doing big things
CTV Atlantic News | The Nova Scotia–made film “Night Blooms” by writer and director Stephanie Joline (Radio Television Arts ’04) has found success at home and can now be seen by audiences across the country.
Lights, camera, Yarmouth: New HGTV series Trading Up making its debut on May 12
Saltwire | With alumni Denika Coakley (Carpentry ’15) as project lead, Dan Croft (Bricklaying Masonry '10) as an apprentice, and Terri Lynn Kearsey (Radio & Television Arts '12) as assistant director.