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.)
Soccer superstars
The Ooks men’s soccer team took the provincial title at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) finals in October, shutting out Keyano College 2-0, with both goals scored in overtime. The awards didn’t stop there. The ACAC went on to acknowledge Jeff Paulus as the league’s coach of the year, Peter Jones (above left) as player of the year, and Matthew Herbut as rookie of the year.
One for the books
As part of the Taste Canada Awards, “Cook the Books” invites students to show off their skills and creativity on a national stage. In 2024, seven teams from six schools across Canada took part in the competition in Toronto, including NAIT. Students Jillian Sampson and Hailey Whitford-Stiller placed second overall for an elaborate Alberta beef roulade with a parsnip-potato tart. “Their dish was fabulous!” Taste Canada declared on Instagram. “Congratulations to the team!”
Reaching new heights in research
NAIT has been recognized as one of Canada’s top research colleges and polytechnics, according to a recent ranking. At the end of each year, Research InfoSource publishes Canada’s Innovation Leaders, a list that highlights top contributors to the country’s “global competitiveness in the knowledge economy.”
For 2024, NAIT placed third overall, up five spots from 2023, having secured $17.5 million in research funding. The polytechnic also ranked second for the amount of research income per researcher, and fourth for research partnerships, which numbered 127.
Craft beer community
In fall 2024, the Jim Button Community Builder Award, given out at the Alberta Beer Awards, went to Analog Brewing, co-owned by Bryan Launier (Marketing ’09). The annual honour goes to an independent brewery, individual or group that makes a notable contribution to the province’s craft beer industry as a whole. The recipient is nominated by peers.
Check out our craft beer guide, featuring breweries owned or operated by NAIT grads
An award for a study on awards
Dr. Alexander Ondrus, NAIT senior research specialist in educational insights, earned an award for a recent study on the impact of entrance awards on yield rates, or the number of accepted post-secondary students who end up attending thereafter.
The work was recognized and subsequently published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and Ondrus presented on the topic at the organization's conference in the fall. NAIT research analyst Ashmita De co-authored the award-winning paper.
Making connections
Daryl Silzer joined NAIT on Nov. 25 as the polytechnic’s new vice-president external relations and chief development officer. Silzer has more than 20 years of experience in the field, and will focus on fundraising, alumni relations, marketing, communications and more.
“Together we will build on NAIT’s strong foundation through thoughtful and strategic engagement with our community in ways that inspire growth, innovation and long-lasting connections," he says.
Learn more about Daryl Silzer, vice-president external relations and chief development officer
The Innovation Generation
A group of students from Edmonton’s Mother Margaret Mary Catholic School were the top winners in the inaugural Innovation Generation High School Business Challenge. Held by NAIT’s JR Shaw School of Business, the event invited high schools from across the city to devise solutions for the challenge of food insecurity. Carmen Leibel (Radio and Television – TV ’02) served as host.
Ensuring operational excellence
Patti Hergott joined NAIT in December as its inaugural associate vice-president of Academic Quality & Operational Excellence. Officially starting on Jan. 20, she will work to ensure exceptional learning experiences at NAIT and strengthen its position as a trusted industry partner.
“I look forward to contributing to a culture of academic excellence, growth, innovation and impact," says Hergott, who has held several post-secondary leadership roles.
Learn more about Patti Hergott and her new role at NAIT
Three out of 40 isn’t bad
Edify magazine’s most recent installment of its Top 40 Under 40 program, announced in November 2024, featured two NAIT alumni and a staff member:
- Antu Chicahuala (Mechanical Engineering Technology ’11) was recognized for building up the family company, Accusteel.
- Patrick Twinn (Hospitality Management '11) leads economic reconciliation efforts at ATB.
- And, as executive director of Corporate and Continuing Education and Product Development at NAIT, Kassie Burkholder oversees the creation and delivery of customized curriculum for a variety of clients.
Prize-winning writer
Each year, the Edmonton Arts Council, in partnership with the Edmonton Community Foundation, recognizes local artists for their contributions to the community with the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund. Joan Marie Galat (Biological Sciences Technology – Environmental Sciences ’84) was one of the twenty 2024 recipients of the prize.
Galat is the author of more than 30 books of fiction and nonfiction, most for younger readers, and mostly focused on science and nature.
High above and beyond
Crane and Hoist Canada magazine named Ashleigh Kaliszuk (Crane and Hoist Equipment Operator ’13) to its 2024 Top 10 Under 40, an annual collection of the industry’s rising stars. Kaliszuk’s writing and photography at her website Construct YEG caught the publication’s attention, as well as her advocacy for women in trades. She is now an instructor in the program she studied at NAIT.
Fabulous photography
Railene Hooper (Photographic Technology ’16) is set to represent the nation once again thanks to her talent for wedding photography.
The image above was selected to represent Canada at the 2024 World Photographic Cup competition, an “international Olympic style” event that has showcased the best of the best for more than a decade. She is back in the running in 2025 "Wedding Reportage" category. Hooper was recognized as a photographer of the year by the Professional Photographers of Canada in 2023.
Learn more about Railene Hooper’s path to photography
International outlook
In November, NAIT welcomed James Aldridge to its executive team as associate vice-president international. Aldridge brings 30 years of experience in international education to the role, in which he will oversee efforts in recruitment, fostering partnerships and other aspects of engagement at a global level.
“I’m looking forward to increasing our support for our international students and providing more opportunities for all students to have transformative global experiences,” he says.
Learn more about James Aldridge, associate vice-president international