Since MacEwan’s School of Continuing Education was officially established 10 years ago, more than 9,000 students have accessed courses and certificates to gain new skills or refine the ones they already have – proving that there are many diverse ways to study and learn at MacEwan.
To celebrate, we asked several students about their time studying at MacEwan. Here, a few share their stories.
I’ve had a camera in my hand for as long as I can remember. Prior to taking any photography classes, however, I didn’t have the confidence in my skills to use them professionally. The feedback I received for class assignments from fellow classmates and instructors has helped give me the confidence to be a part-time photographer, and I’ve been hired to shoot events in my home community. Now I’m only one class away from finishing the Advanced Photography Certificate.
I chose MacEwan’s School of Continuing Education because I didn’t want to quit my full-time job in order to earn my certificates. The classes were all online and were small, which helped with individualized instruction.
One of my favourite instructors for my photography courses was Heiko Ryll. How he taught me to look at photography changed how I view the world. Anything can be photographed, even the most mundane object, and through the power of a camera, it can be transformed.
Once I finish my Advanced Photography Certificate, maybe I’ll take something just for fun like music or an art course.
PING CHUNG
Business Analysis
I completed the Business Analysis program, and I’m currently taking some project management courses – I want to gain more skills and insights to be better at my job and stay connected and current while continuing my path of lifelong learning.
I have multiple ongoing projects that require a certain set of skills and communication style, and taking these courses at MacEwan have broadened my understanding and skill set.
My time at MacEwan has been very unique – not only am I a student, but I was also an employee. I worked at MacEwan for over 11 years and during that time had the opportunity to take advantage of the perks that MacEwan offered for employees such as professional development courses (work and non-work related). MacEwan has so much to offer for both an employee and a student!
I feel very passionate about my current job and the responsibilities I have. Therefore the courses I take have to be relevant and have added value for my work (and life in general).
Being a first-generation immigrant, I saw first-hand the sacrifices my parents made and, in turn, I want to show them the respect they deserve and make them proud. My father was and always has been my biggest supporter – from encouraging me to apply for a job or never give up on school to just lending a hand with babysitting the kids (he was the greatest grandfather!).
I plan to continue down this path of learning and growing. I like where I am, but I will always keep the door open for opportunities. You never know what the future holds for you. I encourage others to just go for it – you have nothing to lose!
PRATIK CHAUDHARI
Business Analysis and Professional Communication
Founding Dean’s Award, Fall ’24
My journey to MacEwan was one of self-discovery. Coming to Canada as an international student was both exciting and challenging. I enrolled in the Business Analysis and Professional Communication program because I wanted to strengthen my ability to bridge technical expertise with business objectives. With a background in engineering and project management, I’ve always enjoyed problem solving, streamlining processes and creating solutions. This program provided me with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to analyze problems, communicate effectively and develop actionable solutions.
One of my biggest inspirations has been my instructors with diverse backgrounds who brought their real-world experiences into the classroom. They often encouraged me to take on challenges beyond my comfort zone.
It’s an incredible honour to receive the Founding Dean’s Award. It reminds me of the importance of staying engaged, giving back and making the most of every opportunity. Overall, my time at MacEwan has offered me more than just academic knowledge. It’s given me a sense of community, opportunities for personal growth and memories that I will carry with me for a lifetime.
I’m excited to take the next steps in my journey. While I’m open to traditional career paths, I’m equally intrigued by unconventional roles that challenge my thinking. Whether I succeed or stumble, I want to embrace opportunities that help me grow.
To me, education is more than gaining knowledge – it’s about growing as a professional and an individual. Be open to learning, networking and stepping out of your comfort zone – whether that’s group projects, volunteering, joining clubs, participating in student governance, mentoring peers or taking on a student worker role. Don’t hesitate to invest in yourself!
HANNAH DUBE
Office Assistant
Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence, Fall ’24
I was inspired to take the office assistant certificate (medical major) to make a difference and help people. I want to know that what I am doing matters and that, even if it is small, I am doing something that has an impact.
The program has helped me in so many ways. Professionally I have gained skills and knowledge in areas I was surprised to find out I could be successful in – or was even interested in. There was a good balance between knowledge and theory and practical hands-on skills.
But the biggest thing I gained from this program was confidence. Being able to succeed in courses that I expected to struggle in, and having instructors and peers who were always supportive, kind and who had different experiences was huge for me.
Receiving a Dean’s Medal means a lot to me. It came as a complete surprise, and it validates that I chose the right program and the right major. This award was given to me based on my instructors speaking about how I supported my peers and was an important contribution to the class. This is especially meaningful because I pride myself on being kind, thoughtful and supportive. I always strive to be present and put in the work, especially when it comes to school, but I never really thought anyone noticed. It is nice to know that people did see me and that they noticed the good things.
Some of my most valuable experiences in this program were just being in class. Whether virtual or in person, the most important and valuable discussions took place in the classroom with my instructor and classmates. Through these discussions, I made the most of our instructors’ vast knowledge and experience, and it gave me insight into who I wanted to become as a professional and what values and qualities I wanted to take into my career.
TI-ABASI OKON EKWERE
Gerontology Certificate
Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence, Spring ’25
My deep-seated passion for gerontology and advocacy for the older adult population led me to MacEwan University. As a full-time registered nurse, I have dedicated myself to caring for adults in long-term care, family medicine and hospice, and as a public servant. Witnessing the vulnerabilities and resilience of this population ignited a profound passion within me, and I yearned to cultivate a deeper understanding of the physical, emotional and social complexities of aging so I could advocate for and provide the highest level of compassionate, evidence-based care.
My journey in gerontology is more than just an academic pursuit – it has become a personal mission to serve and uplift those who have paved the way for us.
During this program, I lost my sister and injured my dominant shoulder. I was also working full-time – I felt overwhelmed and tested. It was the grace of God that helped me persevere. And the support from professors was invaluable. My two colleagues – Alyrah and Bernadette – helped me navigate the difficult seasons, and together we successfully delivered a final project that reflected our dedication to gerontology and advocacy for older adults.
This experience taught me the value of perseverance and the profound impact of collaboration, leaving a positive mark on my academic journey. In the future, I aspire to take on an extended role in nursing, specifically as a nurse practitioner.
When I received the unexpected call offering me the Saint Lazarus Palliative Care scholarship and the email informing me I was the Dean’s Medal Award recipient, I learned that when one is driven by passion and genuinely invested in one’s pursuits, success becomes a series of surprisingly beautiful scenarios along the journey – rather than just a destinion.
ROBERT EMEKA, CBAP
Business Analysis
I am driven by the challenge of simplifying complex business and technology problems. MacEwan’s Business Analysis program provided the ideal foundation to sharpen my analytical skills and strategic thinking. Throughout my journey, I discovered that business analysis principles apply across industries and recognized that I had been using these concepts intuitively in different aspects of my life. The program helped me refine these instincts, enhancing my ability to drive meaningful change in the technology sector and beyond.
What made MacEwan’s program exceptional was its strong focus on professional development, practical learning experiences and dedicated support for international students. The program fundamentally transformed my approach to problem-solving, allowing me to apply business analysis concepts such as time management, efficiency, and strategic decision-making in both professional and personal settings.
Achieving my Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) early in the program was a pivotal moment that validated my dedication and inspired me to pursue greater heights. Building on this momentum, I later achieved my Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) designation, a milestone that reinforced my expertise and deepened my commitment to the field.
The opportunity to share my Nigerian heritage through cultural expressions like songs, dances and local products enriched my experience. These cultural exchanges helped me form meaningful connections with students from diverse backgrounds and reinforced the value of global collaboration.
For those considering further education, my advice is simple: take the leap. Continuing education is about personal development, not competition. Although it requires significant time and dedication, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Seek mentorship and build strong relationships with classmates. You will gain more than knowledge; you will develop a lifelong support network.
Choosing MacEwan was both an emotional and academic milestone. Despite being far from my family, I found a genuine sense of community here. These experiences taught me that challenges can become powerful motivators. Each achievement, from earning my certifications to completing my program, brought me closer to making my family proud.
To future students, especially those balancing family responsibilities, the journey may be demanding, but the personal and professional growth makes it worthwhile. Keep moving forward and you will be surprised by what you can achieve.
KSENIIA LU
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
I came to Canada from Ukraine around the end of April 2022 with only grade-school knowledge of the English language – I’d never spoken it for more than two hours a week with my teachers! This limited my daily life and interaction with people, but I understood I had to overcome my language barrier in order to set my life here in Canada.
My first goal was to improve my English. I chose MacEwan because I preferred in-person learning, and I wanted to fully immerse myself in an educational environment.
The first week was stressful – the surroundings, educational systems and class format were completely different from what I was used to. But with time, my anxiety went away, and I was more comfortable and excited about studying. My favourite and most helpful classes were speaking, writing and vocabulary. Speaking classes helped me overcome my fear of speaking up and making mistakes. Vocabulary classes helped extend my lexicon significantly. Writing classes have had a big impact on my career, and now I work as a medical scribe.
In my first week, I noticed that students and teachers were always talking about “the Oilers.” I thought they might be talking about people who work in oil manufacturing. When I asked, I learned all about the hockey team and how hockey is an important part of Canadian culture!
I’m deeply grateful for the experiences I had, and especially to my teachers Terry McLean and Peter Myhre for being supportive, patient and compassionate and Rose Marie Matwie for her kindness, helpfulness and encouragement. I’m motivated to keep learning and growing here in Canada.
To all who consider strengthening their English – go for it! It's not only a good chance to be a student again and boost your skills, but it also helps you integrate into society.
STEVEN PROUT
Office Assistant
When I started the Office Assistant program, I felt that there was a clear path ahead of me that all my studies related to. I also never knew I would be so passionate about Excel!
I was a bit unsure when I started, but I was desperate for a change of pace in my entry-level retail work with no chance of advancing. It wasn’t until I started working in the School of Continuing Education that I realized helping students was something I could see myself doing.
I really enjoyed the opportunity to shadow somebody, and I am forever grateful for the practical experience of my office placement. Between my shadow day at NAIT and my office placement at MacEwan, I found myself very much looking forward to moving from a student in continuing education to a worker in continuing education.
My instructor Kelly Morris really made a big difference. She was very dedicated to helping all of us have the best experience possible.
You are never too late to get an education. Sometimes it just takes time to find the right fit. And sometimes it isn’t where you would expect it. There is a wealth of opportunity within continuing education. While the program is much shorter, the workload can be intense. However, it really prepared me for what was to come once I entered the workforce.