Congrats to these leaders, innovators and creators
Four times a year, we share news about NAIT alumni, students and staff who’ve won awards, achieved great things, reached major milestones, or played leading roles in building their communities.
Here’s the latest group. Please join us in congratulating them!
(Know someone we're missing? Let us know.)
Milestones in a milestone year
In what’s likely a first for NAIT, every Ooks team of student-athletes made the playoffs in the 2024-25 season. Making the feat even more impressive, says Athletics and Recreation director Jordan Richey, was that this year’s teams were young, fielding few experienced “senior” student-athletes.
Among the highlights were gold in men’s soccer, double silver in futsal, and a first-place finish for the badminton team, all at the provincial level.
Check out the complete highlights of the Ooks 2024-25 season
Art of the stampede
Visitors to the 2025 Calgary Stampede will be greeted by the art of Jason Carter (Honorary Bachelor of Technology ’24, Graphic Communications ’01). Carter’s bold, colourful takes on a buffalo, horse and bull will be installed at the June event’s north, south and west entrances.
“I was inspired by the concept of the ‘herd’ and selected these animals, which I felt figuratively embodied the Calgary Stampede’s Western heritage and sense of gathering, while more literally capturing the Stampede’s celebration of agriculture, Western events and cultures,” says Carter.
Learn how Jason Carter became one of Canada’s most recognized artists
Your new favourite restaurant
Edify magazine released its annual best restaurants issue in March and, as usual, NAIT grads were among the cream of the crop:
- Daniel Costa (Culinary Arts ’05) – Olia, Best New Restaurant (2nd place); Bar Bricco, Best Overall (2nd place)
- Jay Downton (Finance '02) and Ewa Jastrzebski (Interior Design Technology ’07) – Duchess Bake Shop, Best Desserts (1st place)
- Brett Geislinger (Radio and Television – Radio '08) – Campio, Best Brewpub (1st place)
- Blair Lebsack (Cook ’98) – RGE RD, Best Overall (2nd place); The Butchery, Best Sandwich (2nd place)
- Nathan McLaughlin (Cook ’04) – The Next Act, Best Tried and True (3rd place); Pals, Best Sandwich (1st place); Pip, Best Brunch (3rd place)
- Shariff Rajpar (Culinary Arts '17) – Fu’s Repair Shop, Best Overall (1st place)
- Neil Royale (Culinary Arts ’09) – Die Pie, Best Pizza (3rd place)
Check out the NAIT guide to restaurants, cafés, bakeries, breweries and more
Meet Terry Schlitter, dean of Health and Life Science
On Feb. 24, long-time NAIT staffer Terry Schlitter (Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology '99) took over as the dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences. She’s excited and confident about preparing the next generation of health-care professionals. “As a NAIT alumna, I have seen firsthand the impact of hands-on, applied learning,” says Schlitter.
Poet of the polytechnic
NAIT English and Communications instructor Kelly Shepherd's recent book of poems, Dog and Moon, topped the March 16 Edmonton bestsellers list, compiled by the Book Publishers Association of Alberta.
The book is Shepherd’s third poetry collection. His second, Insomnia Bird, won the 2019 Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize.
More Jorgia Moore
Jorgia Moore (Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting ’21) was named the winner of the Emerging Leader category at the Edifier Awards, announced in January by Edify magazine. Moore is the cofounder of Don’ya Ukraine’s Kitchen, an initiative that employs women who have escaped the conflict in Ukraine to start new lives in Canada.
Learn more about the genesis of Don’ya and its impact
Meet Jennifer Pascoe, associate vice-president of marketing and communications
This March, NAIT welcomed Jennifer Pascoe to the role of associate vice-president of marketing and communications. Pascoe comes with more than two decades of experience in the field, including previous leadership postings at the University of Alberta and Athabasca University.
“I’m so excited to join NAIT, an institution that Alberta needs now more than ever to drive progress and prosperity for the people of our province,” she says.
Ryski business
Each year, Rethink Retail, a global media leader in retail insights and coverage, names its top retail experts in areas that include academia, finance, technologists and more. The “Class of 2025” included Mark Ryski (Marketing ’88) in the “consultant” category.
Ryski is CEO and founder of Headcount, an Edmonton-based company that works with retailers to improve sales by gathering and analyzing traffic and conversion data.
Learn how Mark Ryski built his business on the value of data analytics
Meet Mike High, new chief financial officer
Mike High joined NAIT on Jan. 21 as chief financial officer and vice-president administration. He is a certified management accountant and corporate financial planning and analysis professional, with 25 years of international industry experience.
“I am committed to ensuring that NAIT has the resources and facilities needed to continue offering exceptional student experiences and contribute to Alberta’s success,” says High.
Mechanics and pitas
Andrea Oullette (Automotive Service Technician ’15) was named the Pita Pit Teacher of the Month for February. Oullette has taught mechanics at North Peace Secondary School in Fort St. John for two years. “They’re so fun and funny,” she said of her students. “They really make me feel good about my trade.”
Risk and rewards
The Canadian Risk and Hazards Network awards honour those committed to advancing the study and practice of disaster risk reduction and emergency management. This year, NAIT representatives dominated the program.
Disaster and Emergency Management chair Jodi Manz-Henezi earned the T. Joseph Scanlon Lifetime Achievement Award. The Marion Boon Mentorship Award went to instructor Randy Smith. And student Matieu Martel claimed second place for the Larry Pearce Education Award, which comes with a $750 prize.
Hooray for hydrogen
Each year, the Canadian Hydrogen Convention recognizes leaders, innovators and trailblazers who contribute to the advancement of the sector. NAIT Corporate and Continuing Education earned award nominations for two recent initiatives.
“Driving Net Zero,” which addressed knowledge gaps related to hydrogen-powered vehicles, was nominated for the Hydrogen Project Award. Its “Clean Energy Professional Upskilling” program is a candidate for the Hydrogen Early Adopter Award.
Top employer – twice over
For the 14th consecutive year, NAIT was named among Alberta’s Top Employers in January by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers. The competition considers workplace quality, benefits, training and more. The polytechnic was also recognized for the second time by Forbes, which ranked NAIT 118th of the 300 companies that made up its 2025 group of Canada’s Best Employers.
See why NAIT was one of Alberta’s Top Employers