We love hearing from Lethbridge College alumni! You can find additional updates online at widerhorizons.ca. To submit your news to share with your classmates and the college community, drop us a note at [email protected].
2019
Pamela A. Bandstra
Unit Clerk
Pamela shares this update: “I’ve had the privilege of working at Lethbridge Family Services since May 2019 thanks to my combination of Administrative Office Professional and Unit Clerk training.”
Tyhanna Hankins
Correctional Studies
Tyhanna told the Alumni office: “I moved back to my hometown to help with my family and got a job at the women’s shelter as a casual worker. I decided to take another two years online from the college and work towards my degree to open more doors!”
Taylor Nielson
Business Administration – Marketing
TayIor checked in with the Alumni team to let them know she moved home to Red Deer and got married in June. She’s currently doing onsite marketing for a radio station and working as the office manager for a chiropractic office, managing day-to-day tasks and marketing.
2018
Kristen Chamberlain
Massage Therapy
Kristen works at a Lethbridge sports medicine clinic, utilizing both her Massage Therapy diploma from Lethbridge College and her Kinesiology degree from the University of Lethbridge to work with fitness enthusiasts, athletes and more.
Ryan J. Grove
Communications and Media
Ryan tells us he is working in promotions and social media management at Lethbridge radio stations 106.7 Rock/Kiss 107.7.
Andrea Kowalchuk
Business Administration – Accounting
Andrea’s team took home first place and she captured Best Presenter honours at the fifth annual Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Case Competition co-hosted by the college and the University of Lethbridge in October. In the competition, 10 teams of five students each have four hours to analyze a written case and develop a solution. Teams then deliver a 15-minute presentation of their solution to a panel of judges, followed by 10-minute Q&A that demonstrates their acumen in the areas of agribusiness and agriculture. Teams compete for their share of $2,000 in prize money. Andrea is currently working towards a bachelor's degree in management, majoring in accounting.
Cassidy M. Yaroslawsky
Communication Arts – Public Relations and Advertising 2014, Business Administration – Marketing 2018
Writes Cassidy: “After I graduated my first program at Lethbridge College… I worked for almost a year as a graphic artist at the Taber Times. I decided to return to the college in 2016 to pursue a second diploma in Business Administration. Immediately after graduating, I found a position with the Taber Public Library, which is part of the Chinook Arch Regional Library System serving 33 communities in southwestern Alberta. My official title is library assistant and within that, I have an extensive list of duties including answering reference questions at the front desk, offering technology support to patrons, developing library programming in cooperation with the program coordinator, research assistance, giving information on crisis support programs, and shelving and repairing materials. Although my job does not appear to be directly related to either program I completed at Lethbridge College, both programs provided the skills I use every day at my job. They have given me knowledge that is extensive in variety, and the communication skills to interact well with people of all backgrounds.”
2017
Laura Serafini
Business Administration – Management
Laura is putting her education to good use as administrative and online coordinator for consulting firm TMH Business Coaching. The former Kodiaks women’s volleyball player is also staying close to the court as a coach.
2016
Kayla Weston
Agriculture Sciences – Animal Science
In September, Kayla was elected president of the Young Cattlemen’s Council (YCC), representing Canadian beef cattle enthusiasts aged 18-35. “They were looking for young people to get involved and I was excited by the opportunity to learn more about the industry,” Kayla told the Fort Macleod Gazette. Kayla was raised on a cow-calf operation in Fort Macleod, which led her to major in animal science at the college. After graduation, she went to work as the manager of Livestock Veterinary Services and eventually landed her dream job at Fort Macleod Veterinary Clinic while continuing to be involved with her family cattle operation. The YCC is a subsidiary of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). As a board member, Kayla will have the opportunity to serve on CCA committees, take part in various domestic and international events, round tables and meetings as a voice for Canada’s next generation of cattle producers. “I hope to create more opportunities for young people to be part of the industry. Right now to go and buy land and start a cattle operation from scratch is nearly impossible and I am hoping as a board we can come up with some creative solutions.”
Photo courtesy Fort Macleod Gazette
2015
Armond Duck Chief
Business Administration Armond, a Juno Award nominee, was recognized at the 2019 Indigenous Business Builders Series from Indigenous business development organization Community Futures T7. In addition, he was elected to Siksika Nation’s council in November.
Jessika Guse
Digital Communications and Media
Jessika tells us she is the national news lead and prairie field editor with RealAgriculture, a multi-platform media organization providing information and insight about the latest in agronomics, farm business issues, ag policy and farm show coverage around the world. Since graduating, Jessika has worked as a radio host, reporter, news anchor and sports announcer across the prairies. She joins Jason Stroeve (Communication Arts 2004) as Lethbridge College alumni working with RealAgriculture.
2014
Terry Fieguth
Exercise Science/Police Recruit Training
Terry, a constable with the Lethbridge Police Service, was recognized in February 2019 by the RCMP Serious Crimes Branch for his assistance in a homicide case. Terry and fellow officer Drew Kanyo helped locate a key witness in a murder case. Both officers received an RCMP challenge coin as a token of appreciation.
2013
Dallas J. Dixon
Massage Therapy
Dallas started her own massage therapy business, Imagine Wellness Massage Therapy, in 2014. After five years in Lethbridge, Dallas headed back to her native Newfoundland in September 2019, where she plans to continue her business in the St. John’s area.
Kyle Moore
Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism
Kyle has landed in Peace River as a reporter for River Country 94.9 FM’s Trending 55 News Team. He writes: “I’m the guy doing the news every weekday morning. Born and raised in the town of Strathmore, Alta., I’ve moved around a bit over the years. Went to college in Lethbridge, worked in Dauphin, Man., Bonnyville-Cold Lake, Alta. and now I’m here in Peace River. My biggest passion is covering sports and doing hockey play-by- play (and yes I wear a lot of Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders gear even though northern Alberta is sort of enemy territory). I’m also big into classic video games. I like to consider myself as someone who’s easy to make friends with, and I look forward to making a lot of new ones here in Peace River.”
2012
Kirsten McLevin
Business Administration – Accounting
Kirsten is working as account administrator for Taurus Projects Group Inc., a Fort Saskatchewan-based company specializing in a variety of construction services. She says she absolutely loves the company and her work.
2011
Jody MacDonald
Communication Arts – Print Journalism
After graduating, Jody went on to study Crop Technology at Lakeland College and worked as an agronomist before returning to the written word as a marketing coordinator with the City of Yorkton.
Laura Vogelsang
Nursing
Laura has been with Lethbridge College since 2018, first as chair for the Nursing Education in Southwestern Alberta (NESA) program and, since May 2019, as the Associate Dean of Nursing.
2010
Rob Parsons
Welding
Rob (aka the Chairslayer) became the first wheelchair-bound competitor at the World Time Attack race in Sydney, Australia in October. Rob piloted the 1200hp LYFE Motorsport Nissan GT-R in the Hi Octane Direct ProAm Class. Rob, who was featured in the Fall 2015 issue of Wider Horizons, is behind the Chairslayer Foundation, which aims to get wheelchair users back into the driver’s seat via the use of motor sport-oriented hand control systems.
2009
Robert T. Sakamoto
Business Administration – Management
After graduating, Robert started his own marketing company called Ad Caddy. Currently, he manages a lawn care company called Outdoor Solutions and on weekends, he works with Coca Cola.
Tarra Wright Many Chief
Business Administration – Accounting
As the organization’s executive director since 2018, Tarra has led the start-up and growth of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, an Indigenous-led not-for-profit provincial destination marketing organization for Indigenous tourism in Alberta. In her role, Tarra is responsible for business planning for the organization, negotiation of multiple government and non-government funding commitments, and formal tourism industry partnership agreements. Tarra is passionate about working with Indigenous people to support independent and sustainable community development. Tarra is grateful for the opportunity she has had to work within the local Indigenous communities.
2008
Erin Young-Simmons
Geomatics Engineering Technology
Erin says: “Since 2018, I have been the GIS liaison for major projects and operations with TC Energy, covering the Liquids Division and the country of Mexico. Before this, I worked with the City of Lethbridge Electric Utility in their GIS department. After graduating from Lethbridge College, I continued with GIS and completed my GIS concentration with the University of Lethbridge. There is not a day that goes by that my knowledge and hands-on experience from Lethbridge College has not come into play – including understanding how data is collected and how to manipulate data when it comes to different projections and transformations. Ultimately, being able to perform complex analysis with tabular data and making it visual for stakeholders is most rewarding. I will never forget my time at the college – and the instructors were amazing and continue to remain helpful and supportive 14 years later!”
2006
Matthew D. Kennedy
Correctional Studies
Matthew writes: “Between 2003 and 2006, I worked as a provincial correctional officer at Lethbridge Correctional Centre and the Red Deer Remand Centre. In February 2007, I began my career in federal corrections as a correctional officer at Bowden Institution. In October 2007, I was promoted to parole officer. Between 2010 and 2015, I specialized in working with Aboriginal offenders and contributed toward the creation of a nationally recognized reintegration program. In 2013, I received the Exceptional Service Award for my efforts with Aboriginal offenders; I was nominated for this award by the Deputy Commissioner for the Prairie Region. In 2015, I returned to working with general population offenders. While Corrections Canada has offered frequent opportunities to act in management capacities and these opportunities were available after just two years in the service, it is clear to me that my heart is in parole and I expect to remain a parole officer until the end of my career.”
Leanne Lammertsen
Civil Engineering Technology
After graduation, Leanne moved to Cranbrook, B.C., where she worked for a civil engineering firm as a resident field inspector. After three years in the field, she moved back to work for the City of Lethbridge as a liaison between the municipality and land developers, specifically in the field during civil construction. In 2014, her focus shifted to maintenance and repair when she took on her current role as the water and wastewater operations manager for the city. Leanne’s department consists of up to 75 staff who operate and maintain the water and wastewater systems every day with the goal of earning the trust, respect and confidence of the community. “The Civil Engineering Technology program at Lethbridge College provided a great foundation to build my career on,” says Leanne. “A unique benefit that I have found is many of my former classmates are now the people I am working with in the
municipal field here in Lethbridge. Relationships that were built during class work have carried on into industry over 10 years later!”
2005
Kelly Waldron
Information Specialist
In October 2019, STARS Air Ambulance service unveiled the latest additions to its fleet, two brand new Airbus H145 helicopters. One of the new aircraft bears the official registration marks C-GKLY in honour of Lethbridge College alumna Kelly Waldron, the air ambulance services’ first-ever patient. As an infant, Kelly was flown from Lethbridge to Calgary on Dec. 1, 1985, after she and her twin brother were born two months prematurely. Today, Kelly is one of the partners at ASW Accounting in Lethbridge. The new helicopters are the first part of a plan to replace the non-profit air ambulance’s entire fleet across Western Canada.
2004
Tracy Park
Communication Arts
Tracy sent this update into the Alumni office: “I spent almost eight years working in marketing in Lethbridge, first at Braman Furniture then Gas King. I had twins at the end of 2013 and have been a stay-at-home mom ever since. In my spare time, I have an Etsy shop where I sell digital and printable décor and photo greeting cards as Tracy V Graphics.”
Tiel Ryant
Electronics Technician
Tiel liked the college so much he never left. He was hired on staff right after graduation and today works as an Operations Supervisor with Customer Services.
2003
Shawn Hammond
Automotive Service Technician
After spending nine years in the automotive industry in Lethbridge, Shawn and his wife Becky purchased Big Al's Auto Repair in 2012. In addition to running a highly regarded independent automotive repair shop, Shawn has spearheaded Big Al's Christmas Vans program for families in need. Shawn was recognized as one of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and BDO’s 2019 Top 40 Under Forty.
Dustin Nielsen
Communication Arts
Dustin continues to make his mark in the sports broadcasting world. Last winter, the TSN 1260 radio host scored a play-by-play gig at the Spengler Cup hockey tournament in Davos, Switzerland, between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Then, in May, Dustin made his pro football broadcast debut with the play-by-play team at the CFL on TSN for a pre-season game between the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Dustin made several additional appearances in the broadcast booth over the course of the 2019 season on top of continuing to host his morning radio show.
2002
Shaun T. Skidmore
Criminal Justice
Shaun writes: “Since graduation, I’ve worked for Correctional Service of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA has been really enjoyable as you are the first contact for all people and goods entering the country. Most recently I’ve become a detector dog handler searching for drugs and firearms. My partner is Yogi, a 1½ -year-old yellow Labrador retriever. And everyone loves dogs! A career highlight for me was confiscating 50 kilograms of methamphetamine this summer, which is especially important with the drug problems Alberta is currently facing.”
2001
Jill Siewert-Lemieux
Criminal Justice
After more than 15 years as a 911 dispatcher for Lethbridge Police Services, Jill returned to the college to work as an admissions specialist for the Correctional Studies and Criminal Justice-Policing programs.
2000
Steven W. Healy
Computer Information Technology
Steven shared this update with the Alumni Office: “After I graduated, I worked at Lethbridge College for almost 13 years as Academic and Career Advisor, a position I loved and enabled me to incorporate what I learned in CIT. I was able to positively impact the lives of future learners of the college (and their life journey to other institutions). In 2015, I left the college and started my own business: Healy Advising and Consulting. I lived in the Philippines for two years, which gave me a different perspective on life. I now am back in Canada.”
Rick Semenuik
Criminal Justice
After almost eight years as a crime fighting duo, Lethbridge Police Services Canine Unit officer Cst. Rick Semenuik and his K9 partner, Ymos, had their final patrol together in September 2019. Ymos is settling in to a well-deserved retirement as part of the Semenuik family, while Rick is setting to work training the next generation of police service dogs. Rick and Ymos were featured in a Fall 2012 story in Wider Horizons.
Shaun Vander Heide
Computer Information Technology
Shaun works as a Systems Architect for KPMG, one of the largest firms in the Lethbridge region providing auditing, taxation and advisory services.
October 1 : @lethpolice Please join us in congratulating these officers on their recent promotions! We are confident you will serve the citizens of Lethbridge very well in your new roles. #yql
- Christy Woods (Conservation Enforcement 1999)
- Cam Van Roon (Criminal Justice 1997)
- Liam Breedon (Police Recruit Training 1995)
- Jason Walper (Criminal Justice 1995)
- Saska Vanhala (Police Recruit Training 2006)
- Owen Conway (Criminal Justice 2005)
1996
Lowa Crowshoe-Beebe
Information Specialist
Speaker, facilitator, consultant, writer and influencer Lowa Crowshoe-Beebe was honoured at the 21st Annual Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta Awards in September. Lowa received the Public Relations Award in recognition of her ongoing efforts to advocate for Indigenous people. You can read more about Lowa in the Spring 2019 edition of Wider Horizons or follow her on Twitter at @LowaBeebe.
Cory Wolfe
Communication Arts – Print Journalism
After 15 years as a journalist, including more than a decade with the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Cory moved into public relations. Today he’s the senior communications specialist with uranium mining giant Cameco.
1995
Darryl Schalk
Civil Engineering Technology
Darryl is the Group Manager of Transportation and Rural Infrastructure with Associated Engineering in Lethbridge, managing utilization of staff and assigning staff resources to projects, and oversee the projects within the group. “The Civil Engineering Technology program at Lethbridge College created a
great foundation for my career,” he says. “In the early stages of my career, I was able to apply the principles I learned for developing specifications, tender documents, quantity takeoffs and estimates. As I moved into project management, contracts and technical writing became a big part of my job. I am very thankful that this program created such a backbone to support my career development.”
1994
Kam Heng Ng
Cooking – Professional
After more than 20 years as an instructor with Lethbridge College’s Culinary Arts program, Chef Heng retired in April 2019. But he didn’t go far: Heng is now working with the college’s English Language Centre to revamp the Explore program.
1991
Romina Senneker
Recreation and Leisure Services
Romina was part of the Canadian 50+ Senior Women’s B team that took part in the 2019 International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Thailand. Romina, who took up dragon boating with Lethbridge College 16 years ago, brought home four silver medals from the 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 metre events. She told the Taber Times her favourite moments of the Dragon Boat Federation’s World Championships were being able to observe the other teams setting record times and moving at speeds she didn’t think were possible.
1989
Tracie L. Elliott
Communication Arts – Broadcast Production
“I am currently doing helicopter traffic reports on CTN – Global 1 Chopper Traffic. I am also an announcer for all four of the CORUS Entertainment radio stations in Edmonton Alberta – CISN Country 103.9, 630 CHED, Global News Radio 880 and 92.5 The Chuck. I started at CISN Country 103.9 back in 1991 and continue to work for them today,” Tracie says.
1988
Mark Tamagi
Communication Arts – Print Journalism
Mark is the President of Black Gold Broadcasting Inc, operating radio stations 93.1 The ONE in Leduc, and 88.1 The ONE in Stony Plain/Spruce Grove. Mark has more than 25 years of radio experience, primarily in senior management. He worked his entire broadcast career in markets very similar to those that make up Leduc and Parkland County. His work has taken him to smaller radio markets in Alberta and British Columbia, working for Nor-Net Broadcasting, Okanagan Skeena and Telemedia. During his career at Nor-Net, Mark brought the first World Professional Chuckwagon Association and Canadian Professional Rodeo Association broadcasts to rural Alberta radio. He also helped establish the rural radio network that broadcast Edmonton Oilers play-byplay, bringing this exciting programming to small rural markets that previously had no access to it. Mark is proud to have provided the City and County of Leduc with its first FM radio service for this rapidly growing and dynamic region.
1984
Carmelle R. Steel
Manufacturing Process Technology
Carmelle was recently profiled on the Alberta Health Services website for her work as volunteer coordinator with AHS. Carmelle is responsible for recruiting, training and managing volunteers at AHS facilities in Claresholm, Vulcan and Nanton in southwest Alberta. Steel told the AHS her role includes organizing volunteer orientation, updating the site’s volunteer database, tracking volunteer hours, and scheduling and supervising approximately 250 volunteers across three sites. She is also continuously screening new applications to try to match people’s interests to volunteer roles. For example, she relayed a story of how the local junior high school in Claresholm approached her about pairing students with residents at the continuing care facility to practise their math skills by playing cribbage together. “What started out as a chance for the students to sharpen their addition and factoring skills has turned into something even more rewarding, where they are building new friendships,” she says.
Photo courtesy Alberta Health Services
1983
Debra Savidant
Nursing
Debra is still in the healthcare field as manager of the Integrated Quality Management Team at Alberta Health Services for the south zone, which includes Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
Lawrence Schinkel
Agricultural Technology – Irrigation Technology
“After graduation I was hired by Agriculture Canada at the Lethbridge Research Station. I was then hired by Alberta Agriculture as a planning technologist. For the last 20 years, I’ve been involved in irrigation water flow measurement. I was the first one in the Alberta government to use new leading technology to measure water with acoustic Doppler devices. I’ve been invited to speak at conferences and workshops to share our knowledge in measuring irrigation canals and have been fortunate to work with all types of instrumentation to record water level and flow,” Lawrence says.
1981
Michael Ward
Conservation Enforcement
After moving back to Manitoba, Michael worked with Manitoba Natural Resources as park patrol officer, special officer and finally natural resource officer. After 15 years, he moved on to serve with the Winnipeg Police Service, where he worked for 13 years. He then worked five years with the police service for the Rural Municipality of Springfield, followed by stints with the Ste. Anne Police Service and the Winnipeg Parking Authority.
1968
Robert Paskuski
Business Administration
Robert was one of the first students of Lethbridge College. But he very nearly wasn’t. “I was late enrolling and all the classes were full, but Jim [Twa] saw some potential in me and let me into the program. He took a chance on me and I don’t know where I’d be without him.” Robert went on to transfer to Gonzaga University but eventually found his way back to Lethbridge, spending more than 20 years as an administrator with Edith Cavell Care Centre. Today, Robert’s grandson is following in his footsteps as a student in the college’s Business Administration program. The two are even living together!
