Alumni in the news

Creepy Cape Breton" creator and director Dawn Wells watches footage live on a monitor during a production shoot in a living room set.

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.

Shane, Nadine & Scott Robicheau standing across the road, in front of their business La Cuisine Robicheau.

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 in the street with people in the background wearing branded clothes in support of his campaign.

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.

A three-picture collage. From left to right, a hand in the garden holding a carrot, Kyla Welton squatting in the garden picking fresh greens, and Kayla interacting with honey bees.

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).

Holly Lawrence (left) was present with an award by the town of Westville for her actions saving a man during the Canada Day Parade by Mayor Lennie White (right).

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 sisters Ella and Eva Nicholas standing back-to-back in traditional wear while each holding a drum.

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.

Brenna MacNeil standing outside the new location of her business, The Corner Store by missbrenna, at 15645 Central Ave., Inverness.

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.

Cherie MacLeod standing outside next to a tree in the South Shore.

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.

Mercedes Blair and her dog Izzy behind the counter of her business, Wandering Jasmine Gardens.

'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.

Digby entrepreneur Barbara Roberts chats with a customer visiting her booth, AfroNova, during the Takin' BLK Market at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre during the Journey Back to Birchtown.

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.

Beer on display at the Coldstream Clear distillery and retail outlet in Dartmouth Crossing on Friday.

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.

Two individuals pose for a photo in the Lieutenant-Governor's office while holding a framed award.

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.’

Twenty-eight grads stand in an open room for a photo with a blue 'NSCC' photo background behind them.

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.

Three men hold items from their new restaurant, including a milkshake with tons of toppings and a butter chicken sandwich with fries.

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.

A white background with black, blue and grey text reads 'sociable media.'

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.

Two individuals stand on the stage, one receiving their graduation certificate and the other handing it to them.

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.

A woman with blonde hair and a pink dress is staring up to the sky while standing in a field.

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.

A woman is shown in a professional kitchen, wearing an apron and chef's hat as she focuses, preparing food.

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.

A woman wearing pink lipstick, light pink framed glasses and a white top is photographed, smiling with a blue background.

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.

A woman wearing a Toronto Blue Jays shirt, a baseball cap and baseball glove stands in a baseball field under bright stadium lights.

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.

Global News preview showing a photo of four bandmates, 3 men and 1 women, pose in front of a blue sky background, with a frowning yellow sun above their heads while holding paper clouds in their hands.

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.

Five people look at the camera with excited faces ahead of attending the Abilympics in France.

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.

Brandon Jolie, left, the local co-ordinator of the federal Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program, sits with participant Stacey MacDonald at the mayor’s office where she recently started a 14-week work placement.

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.

Four bandmates, 3 men and 1 women, pose in front of a blue sky background, with a frowning yellow sun above their heads while holding paper clouds in their hands.

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.

Mayor Nancy Dicks of New Glasgow, right, and past Mayor of Trenton Glen MacKinnon outside of the Pictou County Wellness Centre.

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).

Phil Hatcher standing outside one of his 40-foot shipping containers on the Dartmouth waterfront that he uses for his hydroponic farming business.

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."

Ed Hamilton-Irving is pictured. He is working in a commercial kitchen, wearing chef's garb and holding a tray of uncooked croissants.

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."

Anishinaabe artist Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (left) poses with his partner, Maria-Margaretta, and daughter, Mino-Margaret, in front of his mural outside Mystic Loon Trading Co. in Wasauksing.

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.

Andre and Guy Pratt, owners of Asia Studio East, seen at their Cunard Street eatery in Halifax.

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.

Numerous people are shown sitting at a "head table" - From left to right, they are: Jeff McMahon, Kevin Graham, Ken Byrka, James Twaddell and Sarah McDonald

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.

Stylized image of several Atlantic Canadian places.

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.

Frank Kadillac and Adrian Morris (Music Arts '14) in South Africa.

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.

Mi'kmaw signers Holly Green and Sheila Johnson are pictured. They are outside in a sunny forest.

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.

Allison Chapman is pictured with her four-year-old daughter Jonah Chapman.

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.

Matthew Duffy is shown. He is wearing a life jacket and standing with his back to a body of water.

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.

Gold medal for the North American Indigenous Games.

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.

Olesya Shyvikova sitting in her living room during the holiday season.

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.

Arad Gharagozli in front of a white board with a diagram and calculations.

'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).

People are sitting at the bar at Stillwell on Barrington Street in Halifax.

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.

A man in a headset is seated at a recording studio desk. There are monitors and microphones seen.

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.

Ethan Green competing at the 2022 Canadian National La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Jeunes Chefs (Young Chefs) Competition.

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.

Jaden Dixon, pictured, is one of NSCC’s first graduates of its Africentric Early Childhood Education diploma program.

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.

Andre Fenton reading his book The Summer Between Us.

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 and his team at Kiju's Restaurant.

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.

photo of beadwork, including earrings and moccasins.

‘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.

Kids vs. Aliens director Jason Eisener faces off against a toy extraterrestrial on a picnic table.

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.

Brooke Chandler and Kiely White sitting on a couch.

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.”

Hailee McDonald stands beside her booth at CaperCon 2022 in Sydney.

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.

Kristine Hanifen and Jessie Wilson at their post on the Polar Prince.Kristine Hanifen and Jessie Wilson at their post on the Polar Prince.

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.

Bredan Pippy behind the bar at The Emerald Light kitchen and bar.

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.

Photo of NSCC Alumni Shae-Lynne-MacLean's alcohol ink art

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.

Photo of NSCC alumni Victoria and Tom Fraser

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.

Photo of NSCC alumni Denika Coakley, Dan Croft, Terri Lynn Kearsey

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.