Alumni stories

Mary Grace Gomez, left, and Joshua De Leon, right, stand in the front entrance of their restaurant, Omma's Korean Bar BQ and Grill.

Shared love for food Joshua De Leon (Business Admin '20) and Mary Grace Gomez own what’s believed to be Cape Breton’s first Korean BBQ restaurant. Partners in life and business, their story resembles the romantic plot of a Hallmark movie.

Six Music Business students sit on a set of stairs outside.

NSCC students launch new business with record label and first signing Seven Music Business graduates ('23) have created their own record label business, Lulo, and are already signing local artists. This includes signing alumni band Good Dear Good.

From left to right, Cyndi McLean (Business Admin '09), Logan MacLean (AMCA '23 and Achieve '21) and Joe MacLean (Continuing Care '23)

Father-son duo graduate together amid adversity Convocation is a proud moment for any family, often with graduates’ family cheering them on from the audience. However, the McLean family had a unique experience, where both father and son crossed the stage in June.

Two African Nova Scotian sports broadcaster sitting at a desk during a sport event.

A career of firsts Vincent Williams (RTJ '15) uses his voice to empower youth and represent his roots through his work as a sports broadcaster, football official and African Nova Scotian student support worker.

A woman, Carrie Anne Michael, stands in front of a door.

Diverting community waste Carrie Anne Michael (Natural Resources Environmental Technology '17) is a driving force in pioneering a comprehensive waste management program that includes every household in her community, We’koqma’q First Nation.

NSCC grads Arad and Luc from GALAXIA Mission Systems in front of a moon photo.

Grad’s mission to liftoff Nova Scotia’s space industry Going where no Nova Scotian has gone before, Arad Gharagozli (Electronic Engineering Technology '15) contributes significantly to the province’s aerospace industry. From working on satellites to founding space organizations.

Chefs Kelly-Jo Beck (right) and Lalanya Kaizer (left), co-owners of Easy Street Diner in the Fairview area of Halifax are pictured.

Chefs, partners build life on Easy Street Culinary Management grad Kelly-Jo Beck ('18) and her fiancé Lalanya Kaizer (Cook Apprentice) are two-thirds of the talented trio behind the award-winning Easy Street Diner in Halifax.

From left to right: Phil, Olivia, Nicole, Michelle, and Bern Byers at NSCC's Kingstec Campus making cheesecakes for cheesecake raffle winners. Missing: Laura Byers

A legacy of carpentry, cheesecake and community Richard Byers (Carpentry '80) exemplified community, mentorship and the art of carpentry – a legacy that will be shared with NSCC Carpentry students at his alma mater through the Richard Byers Memorial Bursary.

Sydney Daoust at her booth in Alderney Landing Farmer's Market selling baked goods.

Baking her own sweet success From a farmers' market to selling baked goods online and at local businesses, Sydney Daoust has certainly baked her own sweet success. She enrolled in NSCC’s Start-up Accelerator Program to further grow Syd Delicious.

Paul Adams is pictured. He is standing in the atrium of the Black Cultural Centre in Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia.

Design for difference Paul Adams is a two-time NSCC grad and the official designer of Nova Scotia’s annual African Heritage Month posters - a role he was honoured to take on following his NSCC co-op placement.

Isabella and Jake Graves at the Marconi Campus Convocation in 2017.

Leading in Love at NSCC Isabella (ECE '17 & Applied Communication Arts '09) and Jake Graves (Therapeutic Recreation '17) went back to school together, got engaged as students and married a month after graduation. Read their NSCC love story.

Headshots of Mohammad al Masalma and Jubanti Dhan Toppo.

Grads named Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada Jubanti Dhan Toppo (HR Management '21) and Mohammad al Masalma (Tourism Management '18) are honourees of the 2023 Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada awards. Read what receiving this award means to them.

Cole Gregory is wearing sunglasses while using equipment in a lab.

Leading the charge Cole Gregory (Electronic Engineering Technology ’18), Research Associate with NSCC Applied Research, is helping Kohltech Windows and Entrance Systems determine if their residential windows could function as solar panels.

Jerry in the backyard of his A Frame on Fletcher property.

Building a future Jerry Lewis (Carpentry ‘14 & ‘15) never dreamed the decision to study at NSCC would lead to owning and renovating multiple event venues popular with brides, Instagram influencers and musicians alike.

Stephanie Joline sitting on a mental staircase outside of a brick building.

A natural storyteller Stephanie Joline (RTA '04) is part of a new generation of filmmakers using their art and influence to share the stories, voices and experiences that are often forgotten.

Genevieve Allen-Hearn behind the bar at Maritime Express Cider Company, a business that she co-founded.

Getting down to business Genevieve Allen-Hearn (Nonprofit Leadership ’21) is passionate about Kentville. The business owner, publisher and community-builder is boosting the town's business sector, celebrating its cultural infrastructure and flipping the script on rural communities.

Keandre Johnson leaning on a railing of a building covered in graffiti.

Behind the scenes Keandre Johnson (Applied Media and Communication Arts ’19, Screen Arts ’21), a TV and film production newcomer, has lent his skills to award-winning programs including Diggstown and This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

Clothing brand with a cause Tyra Paul (Business Admin ‘18) created Drip Avenue 902 as an outlet to share her personal story. The entrepreneur and community-builder donates a portion of all proceeds to support mental health and addiction services.

A group of people in festive holiday sweaters sitting in two rows and smile at the camera.

NSCC Holiday Message Happy holidays from your Alumni Relations team and NSCC community. Read our holiday message.

Hannah Jackson mid-taking a photo at a business event with a few guests in the background.

A lens on mental health Hannah Jackson (Photography ‘18, Nonprofit Leadership ‘21) understands firsthand how photography can support mental health, in fact, it’s a guiding principle of her work.

Sushi business finds soaring success Liam Crane (Culinary Arts ‘17) and Ashley Scott continue to expand their restaurant, Soaring Crane Sushi, since opening in 2021. From renting kitchen space to a food trailer, and dine-in location in Enfield opening soon.

Alum strengthens community while growing business Shawn Montique (Applied Media and Communication Arts ‘18) opened Gloria International Grocery, which is believed to be the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada. His store also creates space for the community to gather.

Nova Scotia is Where It’s At There’s no shortage of things to see, do and taste in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley region, and Jeremy Novak (Business Admin '06), owner of Where It’s At Tours, is excited to show it all off.

Male co-worker and Emma Freckelton standing on either side of The Breeze 94.1 sign on a wall.

New grad lands job as morning show host Before crossing the Convocation stage, new grad Emma Freckelton (Radio TV Journalism ‘22) landed the job as 94.1 The Breeze’s morning show host and took over the mic from her radio idol.

Ivan (left) and Justin (right) smiling for a photo inside their home.

Father & son embrace a similar path decades apart Justin Bishop and his late father, Ivan, both enrolled at COGS as mature students. While they worked in different fields, they both transitioned from physically demanding jobs to tech-based careers.

Anisa sitting on the waterfront with her arms outstretched to show her knuckle tattoo that reads create/

Pursuing her passion for creativity Anisa Francoeur (Graphic Design ’16) is making a name for herself as a graphic designer. See her bold, colourful art and learn about her creative career.

Photo of Juliet Mawusi at the FIN Atlantic International Film Festival

Inspiring social change through film Juliet Mawusi (Radio Television Journalism ‘21) is working to develop eye-opening documentaries to educate people and promote social change. Her documentary, Being Black in the Nova Scotian Music Industry, did just that.

Grads Heather O’Brien and Kristen Beaton memorial awards – celebrating their care and compassion The families of Heather O'Brien and Kristen Beaton, along with the VON and help from NSCC Alumni Relations, have established annual memorial awards celebrating their lives.

Sherri on stage at her convocation receiving her diploma.

Finding empowerment in education Sherri Butler (Business Information Technology ’99, Office Administration ’00) enrolled at NSCC as a young single mother to build a better future for her son. She had a full-circle moment when she was hired by NSCC.

Alum nominated for GRAMMYs, JUNOS and ECMA in 2022 Laura Roy (Music Arts '12) is an up-and-coming voice in alternative R&B. The singer-songwriter has released 2 EPs, multiple singles and collaborated with many artists. Learn about her latest career milestones.

Photo of the Marshall family by a fireplace.

It’s a family thing: three generations of NSCC alumni The Marshall family has three generations of NSCC alumni from more than six different programs. In 1965, Ross Marshall graduated from Bell Road Campus and recently, Ross Bartlett graduated from Ivany Campus in 2022.

Photo of Kate Eillot, NSCC alum (PR '14) and founder of Up Public Relations.

Grad-owned business 'Ups' their NSCC connection Kate Elliot (PR '14) has always been an active alum in the NSCC community. During the College’s 25th anniversary, she reached a personal goal when her business was hired to help with celebrations.

Two women walk in a flowery field carrying camera equipment.

Alum duo makes visual reconnection with College As students, Jane Nicholson and Kristen Brown created Arrow & Knot Productions. This year, their videography company reached a huge milestone after being selected to be part of NSCC’s 25th anniversary.

Photo of Stephanie Joline on set at Night Blooms with crew and cast members

Alum feature film hits local theatre Stephanie Joline (Radio Television Arts ’04) has a feature film, Night Blooms, playing at a Halifax theatre! After graduation, Stephanie made her own career path in Nova Scotia’s film industry, where she creates space for diversity whenever possible.

Crissi Cochrane shares the sweet sound of success Crissi Cochrane is a Music Business alum with over 13 million listens on Spotify. She co-founded a music co-op and is currently crowd-funding her first animated music video. But what's most impressive about Crissi is how she's giving a hand-up to others in her community as she makes her way to the top.

From farm to table Kara Friesen has launched a local meal-kit business with produce straight from Nova Scotia farms. Kara’s vision for this sustainable business was supported by the Scotiabank Entrepreneur in the Making Program and enabled her to bring farm fresh to the Annapolis Valley and HRM.

Finding community at NSCC Alum Juno Keizer, a proud father of two daughters, and recent participant in the Irving Pathways to Shipbuilding Program, shares his experience on the program and the community support that made the journey worthwhile. View his story and others as part of the NSCC Foundation Lead the Way campaign.