Major Award winners
Learn about awards presented to graduates during Convocation ceremonies and view recipients by campus.
About our awards
The following awards are presented to graduates through a nomination and committee selection process:
- President's Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a Certificate Program who has demonstrated consistent academic achievement, dedication to their program and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Board of Governors' Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma/Advanced Diploma/Graduate Certificate Program who has demonstrated consistent academic achievement, dedication to their program and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a Certificate or Diploma/Advanced Diploma/Graduate Certificate program who embodies the NSCC alumni tradition of excellence and ambassadorship and whose extraordinary contributions have inspired a sense of community and pride on campus.
- Valedictorian - These graduates are selected by their peers and campuses to represent the achievements and experiences of the graduating class. Meet the valedictorians
The following awards are presented to students with a high academic standing. All students are automatically considered:
- Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a Certificate or Graduate Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- The Governor General Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma or Advanced Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
2026 NSCC Major Award recipients by campus
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Jennifer LeBlanc (Early Childhood Education)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Nathaniel Webber (Academic and Career Connections)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Baoyi Zhang (Early Childhood Education)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Mel Sinyerd (Auto Body and Collision Repair)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Catherine McNamara-Wright (Heavy Duty Equipment Repair)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Amy Dyke (GIS – Cartography and Geovisualization)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal (Annapolis Valley Campus) - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Michael Maloni (Electrical Construction and Industrial)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal (Strait Campus) - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Meaghan Ernst (Behavioural Interventions)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Leon Wasiliew (IT Programming)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Matthew Galloway (Electrical Construction and Industrial)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Makayla D’Ambrose (Practical Nursing)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Samantha LeBlanc - (Early Childhood Education)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Bryndis Baldursdottir (Administrative Professional)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Ashley Heukshorst (Social Services)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Jessica Hubbard (Continuing Care)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Selena Atwell (Mental Health Recovery and Promotion)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma or Advanced Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Britany Arsenault (Early Childhood Education)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Kara Gautreau (Electrical – Construction and Industrial)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Jingjie Ma (Early Childhood Education)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Nicholas Degenstein (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - Geothermal)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Kelly Harnett (Carpentry)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Mirannda Bell (Early Childhood Education)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Laura Yorke (Digital Marketing)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Desiree Francis - Poqji-kina'masulti'kw tel-kina'mujik mijua'ji'jk (Mi'kmaw Early Childhood Education)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Jenna Croft (Administrative Professional)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Levon Beck (Nonprofit Leadership)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Xander Sharkey-Chouinard (IT Web Programming)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Keisha Adams (Academic and Career Connections)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Elodie Papp (Occupational Health and Safety)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Reanne McDowell (Medical Office Administration)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Colton Snelgrove (Adult Learning Program)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Sarah Barry (Paralegal Services)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Halina M.S. ScottSmith (ASL Studies)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Anne Marie Woodgate (Business Administration)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Alicia Castel (Electrical Construction and Industrial)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Divine Chigemezu Nduka (Pharmacy Technician)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Makayla Melanson (Disability Supports and Services)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Ida Hudson (Tourism Hospitality)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Taylor Linloff (Social Services)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Jarred Reinking (Medical Office Administration)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Aaron Innes (Social Services)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Candice Mills (Business Administration)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Alexus Bland (Electrical Construction & Industrial)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Caroline MacPhee (Business Administration)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Larissa Darrah (Medical Office Administration)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Naduo Ndang Anchimbom (Anchi) (Therapeutic Recreation)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Josie Phillips (Carpentry)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Andrew Simpson (Academic and Career Connections)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Em Murphy (Social Services)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Rowan Short (Culinary Skills)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Chad MacDonald (Social Services)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Matthew Bedard (Electrical Construction and Industrial)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Trinity Darlington (Continuing Care)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Loretta Smith (Continuing Care)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Molly O’Donnell (Natural Resources Environmental Technology)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Meaghan Ernst (Behavioural Interventions)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Faith Samson (Natural Resources Environmental Technology)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Bretton Kinslow (Electrical Construction and Industrial)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Andrew Parland (Electrical Construction and Industrial)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Debra Penrose (Electronic Systems Technician)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Amanda Cameron (Disability Support Professional)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- John Usher (Cyber Security)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Janelle Matthews (Practical Nursing)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- David Wicklum (Plumbing)
Governor General’s Academic Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Alexandra Ticlea (IT Web Programming)
Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has achieved the highest academic standing.
- Alyssa Poirier (Continuing Care)
Board of Governors’ Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Diploma Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Carmyn Carroll (Child and Youth Care)
President’s Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Certificate Program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and contributed to campus and/or community activities.
- Meghan Totten (Medical Office Administration)
NSCC Alumni Award - Awarded to a graduating student of a College Program (Diploma or Certificate) who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and whose service and leadership has made a difference in the lives of others.
- Salim Abushenaf (Business Administration - Accounting)