Members of NC’s alumni community are sharing words of wisdom with current students as part of a new series, Ask an Alumni Anything.
Presented by NC Alumni Relations with support from the NC Student Administrative Council, the initiative gives students an opportunity to pose questions to successful NC alumni via Instagram Live. The sessions are generally 45 minutes to an hour long and are moderated by NCSAC president Tom Price.
On January 21 (2 p.m.), the series will feature CHUM 104.5 and iHeartRadio Nights host Shannon Burns, who graduated from the Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film program in 2013.
“The reason why I am so excited to take part in this event is because Niagara College was my starting off point into the radio industry,” said Burns. “I owe the school so much for my success. I also know what it’s like to be a student who is just entering the work field and how looming the experience can be so I hope to pass on any advice or knowledge I can with my experience in the world of radio.”
Alumni engagement officer Jana Boniferro noted that the series was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to connect with students and offer them support and advice during challenging times.
“Our alumni are always willing to help the students because they have been in their shoes. This is one situation where everyone comes together to help each other in any way they can,” said Boniferro. “Although our alumni have not experienced college life during a pandemic, they can certainly offer relevant advice as industry professionals who are pivoting in their industries to get through this.”
NCSAC president Tom Price noted that the Ask an Alumni Anything initiative highlights the continued collaborative partnership between Niagara College and NCSAC.
“The opportunity for current students to connect with and ask questions of alumni, who are leaders in their disciplines, is invaluable to their academic and personal success,” said Price. “The alumni open a window into their time at Niagara College and underscore how studying, engaging, and networking provides the entire student community the same opportunities to succeed.”
The series was launched on November 12, featuring Jeff Blay, creative director, Enterprise Canada. The event was presented in collaboration with the College’s Marketing department as well as NCSAC.
It continued on December 3 with the multi-award-winning retired world-class sledge hockey Paralympian Kevin Rempel, founder and CEO of The Sledge Hockey Experience. Rempel is a double graduate of the College (Event Management, 2009; and Business Administration – Marketing, 2005).
While the events are geared to students, they open to the entire college community via Instagram Live. Boniferro noted that members of faculty have been engaged with the events to connect with their alumni from their programs.
Plans are in the works to continue the Ask an Alumni Anything series on a monthly basis.
