Athabasca University News

Alumni success

�ǿ�Ӱ��graduates are part of a global network of alumni who are doing great work to transform their lives and communities in more than 80 countries worldwide. Get inspired by these change-makers and groundbreakers!

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alumni

My �ǿ�Ӱ��MBA gave me the knowledge to grow and contribute to my organization

Online learning meant MBA grad Shawn Ang could acquire the knowledge he needed to take on new challenges and opportunities at work.

alumni

25 years of innovation in health education: �ǿ�Ӱ��celebrates Master of Health Studies milestone

Marking a quarter-century of innovation, accessibility, and excellence in health education help graduates realize their highest potential and contributions locally and globally.

convocation

Photo gallery: Athabasca University convocation through the years

Convocation has always been the biggest party of the year at Athabasca University. Check out our photo gallery from convocations past and get ready to celebrate the Class of 2025 on June 5 and 6!

alumni

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad creates app to help small businesses improve marketing

Dr. Raewyn Sleeman uses her learning challenges and need to help others to launch an accessible marketing strategy app

alumni

Celebrating nurses: Online nursing education and research critical to health care

For National Nursing Week, we’re celebrating the transformational impact of online nursing education and research—critical to the health of Albertans and Canadians.

alumni

I pursued a degree on ‘my own terms’ thanks to AU

Jessica Anderson shares how �ǿ�Ӱ��allowed her to achieve her goal of a Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations degree.

alumni

Community collaboration helps address housing need in Simpcw First Nation

�ǿ�Ӱ��MBA grad Philipp Gruner leads project to build energy-efficient housing in flood-prone community.

alumni

Autism diagnosis at 39 fuels podcaster to help others who’ve slipped through ‘diagnostic cracks’

Diagnosed with autism at 39, Kristen Hovet found clarity. She now shares insights on her podcast The Other Autism where her studies helped benefit her research.

alumni

Grad grew marketing business while applying MBA lessons to real world

Master of Business Administration grad Justin Sarris shares how AU’s program allowed them to optimize their productivity.

alumni

Sharlene Rutherford keeps climbing for women’s health

MBA grad and Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation CEO celebrates 20 years building health-care excellence.

alumni

'Overwhelmingly positive response': 3 �ǿ�Ӱ��grads launch nurse practitioner clinics

Nurse practitioner graduates share how they’re helping to improve access to primary care in Alberta with new independent practices.

students

A nurse and soldier's path to higher education

Athabasca University grad Kimberley Lamarche shares how distance learning allowed her to pursue nursing and military service

indigenous

Nursing grad proves there’s more than one path to career success

Alison Babiak proves there's more than one path to a career in nursing. Learn how Athabasca University helped her become a registered nurse.

indigenous

MBA grad grows as leader in Indigenous education

Kenjgewin Teg president Beverley Roy (MBA '09) shares how Athabasca University helped her develop as a leader in Indigenous education.

students

�ǿ�Ӱ��accessibility advisor competes in goalball at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

�ǿ�Ӱ��accessibility advisor Brieann Baldock is making her dreams a reality as she prepares to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

alumni

AU’s flexibility key to success for three-time Olympian

Three time Olympian Bryan Bartnett reflects on reflects on Olympics, learning at Athabasca University, and life after sport.

convocation

New grad creates documentary about experiences of gender-creative families in Alberta

An Athabasca University (AU) grad has turned their award-winning thesis research into a documentary about gender-creative parenting.

alumni

MBA grad builds startup success by protecting Alberta’s drinking water

Athabasca University MBA grad builds water monitoring company that uses data to ensure drinking water is safe and free of toxic metals.

alumni

How �ǿ�Ӱ��helped me achieve work-life-education balance in health care

Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner graduate Leisha Vandermey shares how flexible online learning allowed her to find balance as a nurse.

alumni

Counselling grad continues to break barriers, helping trans and racialized communities

Master of Counselling grad Mateo Huezo is breaking barriers as a trans person helping trans and racialized communities.

graduate

Nursing grad advocates for equity in health care

Athabasca University grad Kimberley Jones has studied racism in health care and nursing education, and is an advocate for change.

alumni

This nursing grad is leading the fight against anti-Black racism in health care

Anti-Black racism in health care limits career growth, and ability to get jobs says Athabasca University Master of Nursing grad

alumni

It took me 10 years to finish my marketing degree. I’m thankful I took my time!

Carmen Neville embraced the flexibility of online learning at Athabasca University to enjoy life’s big moments and balance her studies.

alumni

MBA grad’s fourth book shares lessons in leadership, business

Athabasca University MBA grad and leadership coach Mike Mack has written a new book, Lunch with Leaders, featuring lesson from executives.

alumni

How a counselling grad and psychologist found a path to helping others

Master of Counselling grad Rod Mitchell shares why he switched careers and found success thanks to Athabasca University.

alumni

Long-term care nurse caps career with master’s degree

Deb Jenkins shares why she turned to Athabasca University for a Master of Nursing degree. Jenkins, now retired, was a nurse for 50 years.

alumni

Open your options with flexible learning

Discover how flexible, affordable, and accessible online delivery has changed the lives and careers of Athabasca University grads.

alumni

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad devotes career to improving health care for Indigenous Peoples

Athabasca University grad Dr. Wayne Clark devotes his career to uplifting Indigenous cultural safety in health care.

alumni

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad’s Master of Science in Information Systems helped transform his career

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad Wes Sauder got the chance to do cutting edge research and advance his career with his Master of Science in Information Systems.

alumni

Online MBA makes it possible to balance career, school, and family

Learn how MBA grad Laurie Wang found success balancing a busy career, home life, and online studies at Athabasca University.

alumni

Flexible online MBA allows nurse to grow as health-care leader

Learn why nurse Leanne Bulmer chose Athabasca University's online MBA to develop her skills in health-care leadership.

alumni

Counsellor completes master’s from rural Manitoba

Cara Zaharychuk took advantage of Athabasca University's flexibility to complete a Master of Counselling degree from rural Manitoba.

alumni

Flexibility puts online Bachelor of Management degree within reach

The flexibility of Athabasca University's online Bachelor of Management program is making Hanna Habke's education dreams possible.

alumni

Open for Alberta

Learn how Athabasca University students and alumni are making a difference in their careers and communities across Alberta.

alumni

MBA allows nurse to advance as health-care leader

Discover how Athabasca University's MBA empowered a nurse to become a leader in health care and juggle work, family, and school.

alumni

Online MBA opened doors for health-care executive

Athabasca University alum Mauro Chies credits his online MBA for creating new opportunities in leadership at Alberta Health Services.

alumni

Nurse practitioner treats health inequity in remote Indigenous community

�ǿ�Ӱ��nurse practitioner grad Kayla Milley provides health care to the people of Fox Lake, a remote Indigenous community in northern Alberta.

alumni

Construction entrepreneur unearths new skills through online MBA

Learn how Athabasca University helped construction entrepreneur Bob Willows take his business to the next level through an online MBA.

alumni

Athabasca University provides launchpad for career in science

Athabasca University helped Natasha Donahue go from high-school dropout to a career in science education and Indigenous outreach.

alumni

Athabasca University a career 'catalyst' for banking CEO

Curtis Stange of ATB Financial used his MBA from Athabasca University to go from middle-management to the C-suite.

alumni

How Athabasca University helped a trucker go from highways to boardrooms

Jim Little went from working as a trucker to roles in management and consulting thanks to an MBA from Athabasca University (AU).

alumni

Never too late to earn a degree

Laverne Wells of Blood Tribe First Nation was in her 50s when she went back to school at AU. Now she owns her own business.

alumni

Building business acumen in service to community

MBA grad Denise Blair goes from class assignment to signing corporate partnerships to mentor at-risk youth in Calgary.

alumni

From small-town pharmacist to cannabis king

Family has been a foundation for success for Athabasca University MBA grad and serial entrepreneur Vickram Minhas of Grande Prairie.

indigenous

�ǿ�Ӱ��a ‘perfect’ fit for Indigenous, remote communities, says grad

Open learning at Athabasca University a "perfect fit" for First Nations and isolated communities, says MBA grad Carter Yellowbird.

indigenous

Take a chance on university, advises �ǿ�Ӱ��grad and Indigenous business leader

Athabasca University MBA grad Carter Yellowbird shares advice about life and school for Indigenous students.

alumni

‘Elevate security now,’ cybersecurity expert advises leaders in open learning

Athabasca University MBA alum Claudette McGowan says there's a growing need for skilled cybersecurity professionals.

alumni

Go The Distance podcast Ep. 1: My virtual boss is a jerk

Athabasca University grad Laverne Wells shares what was like going back to school in her 50s and experiencing an AI-powered virtual co-op.

alumni

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad advocates for more visibility of Black nursing students

Master of Nursing grad Kimberley Jones has found the experiences of Black nursing students underrepresented in literature

alumni

�ǿ�Ӱ��

Alumni success

My �ǿ�Ӱ��MBA gave me the knowledge to grow and contribute to my organization

25 years of innovation in health education: �ǿ�Ӱ��celebrates Master of Health Studies milestone

Photo gallery: Athabasca University convocation through the years

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad creates app to help small businesses improve marketing

Celebrating nurses: Online nursing education and research critical to health care

I pursued a degree on ‘my own terms’ thanks to AU

Community collaboration helps address housing need in Simpcw First Nation

Autism diagnosis at 39 fuels podcaster to help others who’ve slipped through ‘diagnostic cracks’

Grad grew marketing business while applying MBA lessons to real world

Sharlene Rutherford keeps climbing for women’s health

'Overwhelmingly positive response': 3 �ǿ�Ӱ��grads launch nurse practitioner clinics

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad delivers Christmas spirit to families in need through Santas Anonymous

A nurse and soldier's path to higher education

Nursing grad proves there’s more than one path to career success

MBA grad grows as leader in Indigenous education

�ǿ�Ӱ��accessibility advisor competes in goalball at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

AU’s flexibility key to success for three-time Olympian

New grad creates documentary about experiences of gender-creative families in Alberta

MBA grad builds startup success by protecting Alberta’s drinking water

Video series showcases inspiring work of �ǿ�Ӱ��alumni locally and globally

How �ǿ�Ӱ��helped me achieve work-life-education balance in health care

Counselling grad continues to break barriers, helping trans and racialized communities

Nursing grad advocates for equity in health care

My journey as a refugee studying at Athabasca University

This nursing grad is leading the fight against anti-Black racism in health care

It took me 10 years to finish my marketing degree. I’m thankful I took my time!

MBA grad’s fourth book shares lessons in leadership, business

How a counselling grad and psychologist found a path to helping others

Long-term care nurse caps career with master’s degree

Go the Distance podcast Ep. 11: Building a new approach to Indigenous health

Open your options with flexible learning

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad devotes career to improving health care for Indigenous Peoples

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad’s Master of Science in Information Systems helped transform his career

How �ǿ�Ӱ��sparked a career in cybercrime prevention

Online MBA makes it possible to balance career, school, and family

Flexible online MBA allows nurse to grow as health-care leader

Counsellor completes master’s from rural Manitoba

Flexibility puts online Bachelor of Management degree within reach

Career pivot pays off for communication studies major

Open for Alberta

MBA allows nurse to advance as health-care leader

Online MBA opened doors for health-care executive

Nurse practitioner treats health inequity in remote Indigenous community

Construction entrepreneur unearths new skills through online MBA

Athabasca University provides launchpad for career in science

Athabasca University a career 'catalyst' for banking CEO

How Athabasca University helped a trucker go from highways to boardrooms

Why an Alberta Mountie is ‘a little bit addicted’ to Athabasca University

Never too late to earn a degree

Building business acumen in service to community

From small-town pharmacist to cannabis king

�ǿ�Ӱ��a ‘perfect’ fit for Indigenous, remote communities, says grad

Take a chance on university, advises �ǿ�Ӱ��grad and Indigenous business leader

‘Elevate security now,’ cybersecurity expert advises leaders in open learning

Go The Distance podcast Ep. 1: My virtual boss is a jerk

�ǿ�Ӱ��grad advocates for more visibility of Black nursing students

Susanne Grainger reflects on Olympic gold, learning, and next steps

Go the Distance podcast Ep. 10: From refugee to PhD

Go the Distance podcast Ep. 9: Creating space b'tween girls

Go the Distance podcast Ep. 8: The thrill of a life in business

Go the Distance podcast Ep. 7: Quitting space to help women in STEM

Go the Distance podcast Ep. 6: Analytics in the Athabasca River basin

Go the Distance podcast Ep. 2: Sawbonna—Finding Shared Humanity with a Murderer

Things people have said

A celebration like no other: Highlights from Convocation 2025