Grads ready to make an impact in health care, business, technology, trades and the environment
Let those academic caps fly!
Each year, techlifetoday proudly celebrates the accomplishments – in and out of the classroom – of grads from each of NAIT's schools. They've proven that they know how to put their knowledge and skills to work on real-world challenges. Now, they're ready to contribute to the improvement of virtually every aspect of life in Alberta.
Please join us in congratulating this group, and the entire NAIT Class of 2025. Our communities will be, and in many cases already are (see below), better because of them.
Jasper wildfire experience forges grad’s future
During her Construction Engineering Technology program, Cherry Pagtalunan was inspired by a guest lecture by another grad from her program and a partner at First General. The Edmonton-based company addresses damage from fire, water and more, then works to return properties to their original states.
That lecture led to a summer placement with the company and an unforgettable learning experience that saw Pagtalunan support the Jasper community with restoration following last year's devastating wildfire.
Read more about Cherry Pagtalunan →
Grad rekindles love of business thanks to family and NAIT
Ishita Sharma began her post-secondary journey studying astrophysics but soon realized she had other aspirations.
After enrolling in Finance at the JR Shaw School of Business, Sharma rediscovered a past love of entrepreneurship. She also developed Ghii, an all-natural line of skincare products made of ghee, an ancient Indian ingredient. It earned her top prizes in the NAIT Mawji Centre for New Venture and Student Entrepreneurship "Pitch It To Me" competition and the Business Innovation Showcase.
It even impressed producers of CBC's Dragons' Den.
Read more about Ishita Sharma →
How a grad found his calling as a first responder
Carter Buchanan is now a three-time NAIT grad, with a winding career path that has taken him through the trades, entrepreneurship and the Canadian Armed Forces before landing in paramedicine in 2022.
His passion for health care shone through in his latest diploma – Advanced Care Paramedic – in which he helped create major simulation events at NAIT to strengthen the student experience and prepare students across disciplines for crisis situations. Now, he’s ready to return to their field and bring his learnings back to his community.
Read more about Carter Buchanan →
Grad sees future in combining empathy and innovation
Vanessa Sueppmayer's background in health care and her recent education in software development converged following a conversation with her sister about the need for resources for new parents. The result was BabyNest, an app concept that earned the Best Community Solution prize at the NAIT Mawji Centre for New Venture and Student Entrepreneurship 2025 Business Innovation Showcase.
With a focus on accessibility, accurate information, and support, BabyNest is intended to help parents navigate the often overwhelming journey of pregnancy and early parenthood.
Read more about Vanessa Sueppmayer →
Congratulations to Juan Giannitti, 2025 Governor General Award Recipient
Juan Giannitti (Digital Media and Information Technology ’25) is the winner of the Governor General's Collegiate Bronze medal for achieving the highest overall average upon graduation from a diploma level, post-secondary program at NAIT.
An international student from Argentina, Giannitti moved to Edmonton two years ago to pursue his dream of working in animation.
It was a big leap. Support from his wife and three daughters, who joined him in Edmonton, pushed him to succeed. “I’m not here only to seek a better education, but to [find] a better future for them,” he says.
Giannitti would like to make Canada his permanent home. Through his connections at NAIT’s Mawji Centre for New Venture and Student Entrepreneurship, he is exploring opening his own studio specializing in architectural animation and modeling.
Prospect of life in Canada pushes grad past obstacles
Despite early struggles, Xinkai Wang was determined to succeed at NAIT. He capitalized on student services, improved his language skills and developed great relationships with his instructors. As an international student from Beijing, Wang was fully focused on creating a better in Canada life for his wife and young son.
His final class project was a toy robot operated by speech, touch and remote control was built from the ground up as a gift for his son.
Read more about Xinkai Wang →
Industrial heavy equipment mechanic grad honoured by classmates
Nicholas Albury isn't just graduating from Industrial Heavy Equipment Technology, he's doing so with a rare and remarkable distinction.
In every semester of his program, Albury earned the Golden Wrench Award, a peer-nominated honour recognizing leadership, teamwork and a willingness to help others succeed. It’s an achievement reached only once before in the program’s history.
Read more about Nicholas Albury →
Father and child graduate Forest Technology together
In 2023, Cassady and Darren Spencer (Forest Technology ’25, both) decided to answer the call of the wild. It sounded different for each, but led them to one place: as father and child studying the same program at NAIT at the same time.
Darren, now 49, was curious about a career change after teaching middle school for 20 years. Cassady, now 21, had taken a year to work and pick up science classes after being intrigued by a summer job as a junior forest ranger with Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks. Both are already out in the wild, having started their new careers (in different places).
Read more about their experience of studying at NAIT together →
Meet NAIT's 2025 Honorary Degree recipients
NAIT offers no higher award than an honorary degree. Each year at convocation, the graduating class is joined by a small group of extraordinary people who, throughout their careers, have done amazing things for their communities.
This year, that group comprises the four outstanding Albertans above (from left to right):
- Dr. Jim Carter, Alberta oil sands pioneer
- Carol Moen, advocate for inclusion in the skilled trades
- Brent Hesje, long-time partner of NAIT
- Dr. Holger Petersen, foundational member of the local and national music industry and community
Read more about NAIT's 2025 Honorary Degree recipients