Friday, June 12, 2026 | 3pm
Niagara College 2025-2026 Board of Governors
Lora Tisi (Chair)*
Senior Retail Specialist
Rashmi Biswas (Vice-Chair)
Lake and Associates
David Adames
The Niagara Parks Commission
Janet Allan
Retired Partner, KPMG Canada
Lisa Benger
Walker Industries
Samantha Cormier
NC Student Representative
Linda Franklin
Retired CEO, Colleges Ontario
Matt Giffen
Bench Brewing Company
Lynn Guerriero
Niagara Health
Shauna Gupta
NC Academic Staff Representative
Kate Hagen*
NC Support Staff Representative
Andrew Harber
Abatement Technologies
Sean Kennedy
President, Niagara College
Pamela Lilley
MNP
Michael Mann
Lancaster Chown & Welch LLP
Klaus Reif
Reif Estate Winery
Orel Ruiz*
NC Administrative Staff Representative
NC Alumni Member*
Student-focused. Trailblazing.
Welcoming. Passionate.
These core values are at the heart of ‘ncLIFE’ and continue to set Niagara College apart. NC offers outstanding applied education and training for a changing world at our two modern Niagara-based campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
Discover the ‘NC’ difference
Our unique learning enterprises are on campus and open to the public, equipping students with hands-on experience before they graduate. Explore our NC Dental Clinic, Massage Therapy Clinic, Student Performance Therapy Clinic, Teaching Spa, Teaching Hair Salon, Teaching Greenhouse, Benchmark Restaurant, and the Niagara College Craft Beverage Centre– featuring “NC Craft,” a line of student-crafted products from our Teaching Winery, Teaching Brewery and Teaching Distillery.
Driving industry innovation
Niagara College consistently ranks among Canada’s top research colleges. Within our leading-edge Research and Innovation division, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty and staff researchers to provide solutions for industry, gaining real-world experience while driving innovation that helps local small- and medium-sized enterprises thrive. Explore NC Research and Innovation
Global reach
NC draws a diverse student population to our unique Niagara campuses and delivers our exceptional brand of education around the world through numerous international projects, partnerships and learning opportunities.
Knights for life!
We take pride in our alumni community of more than 125,000 strong – and growing! NC graduates are succeeding and leading in Niagara, across Canada and around the world. Explore Alumni Relations
Order of Proceedings
The Processional
Traditional Indigenous Drumming
The Marshals
The Graduands
The Platform Party
Opening
Karl Dockstader, Oneida, Bear Clan
O Canada (Video presentation)
Barbara Mantini and Giacomo Folinazzo, Niagara College Faculty
Opening Remarks
Sean Kennedy, President
Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie, Vice President, Academic
You Will Always Be a Knight (Video presentation)
Board of Governors Address
President’s Address
Presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award
Celeste Anderson, Co-Founder Digital Sports Administration
Conferring of Certificates and Diplomas
Sean Kennedy, President
Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie, Vice President, Academic
Adam Dusome, Registrar
Zan Dominick, Presenter
Presentation of the Governor General’s Silver Academic Medal
Nashwa Higazy, Honours Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resources
Alumni Well Wishes (Video presentation)
Closing
Karl Dockstader, Oneida, Bear Clan
Recessional
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026 | 3 PM
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Celeste Anderson
CEO and Co-Founder Digital Sports Administration Inc.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Celeste Anderson moved to Ontario with her family in the mid-1990s. At age 30, she made the decision to return to school and enrolled in Niagara College’s Tourism Management – Business Development program. While returning to school was intimidating, the experience helped shape her future as an entrepreneur and leader.
During her studies, Anderson discovered how tourism, events, and community building could create meaningful experiences and lasting memories. NC faculty and staff played a significant role in her development, helping her strengthen her professional skills, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset.
A turning point came during her co-op placement at Blue Mountain. Starting as an Adventure Ropes Guide, she advanced to Adventure Ropes Supervisor and lead the following year. Her experiences in adventure tourism, combined with her education at NC, reinforced the value of creating memorable experiences that bring people together and leave a lasting impact on communities.
In her final semester in 2020, Anderson was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery. With support from NC, she completed her studies with a 97.52% average, earned the Dean’s Academic Award, and successfully overcame cancer.
Outside of her studies, Anderson built a career in gaming and esports. She became Canada’s first female professional gamer, won the reality television series King of the Nerds in 2013, appeared on Conan, received a TrailBlazeHER in Gaming nomination at the GameHER Awards, and earned the Halo Community Commendations award for Best Event Organizer. She also serves on the executive team of Women of Halo as Director of Business Operations, helping create opportunities for women in gaming to build community and lasting memories.
Today, Anderson lives in Toronto and is the CEO and Co-Founder of Digital Sports Administration Inc. Through DSA, she develops and manages esports tournaments, gaming activations, and live events across North America. She leads gaming programming at the Canadian National Exhibition and has delivered projects for organizations including Intel, TELUS, BLAST, Halo Studios, DreamHack, Best Buy, and ESL FACEIT Group, creating experiences that bring communities together through tourism, gaming, and events.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026 | 3 PM
Governor General’s Silver Academic Medal Recipient
Nashwa Higazy
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Human Resources)
Nashwa Higazy is this year’s recipient of the Governor General’s Silver Academic Medal, recognizing her outstanding academic achievement in the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Human Resources) degree program, where she earned a 94.93% average.
In addition to receiving her BBAHR degree, Higazy will also receive her graduate certificate in Project Management. She also graduated from NC’s Business Administration – Human Resources advanced diploma program in 2024.
The St. Catharines resident, who is originally from Sudan, is a mother of six who balanced full-time studies with work and family responsibilities throughout her academic journey.
For three years, Higazy worked as a student employee with NC’s Global Business Development department, contributing to student engagement, global education, organizational development, and international projects. These experiences strengthened her leadership, communication, and project management skills while allowing her to apply her learning in real-world settings.
Known for her resilience, compassion, and strong work ethic, Higazy credited her achievements to the support of her family, faith, perseverance, and encouragement of mentors and colleagues. Passionate about helping others grow, she hopes to build a career focused on leadership, people development, and community impact.
The Governor General’s Academic Medal
Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General after Confederation, created the Academic Medals in 1873 to encourage academic excellence across the nation. Over the years, they have become the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can receive.
For nearly 150 years, the Governor General’s Academic Medals have recognized the outstanding scholastic achievements of students in Canada. They are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from a high school, as well as from approved college or university programs. Pierre Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, Kim Campbell, Robert Bourassa, Robert Stanfield and Gabrielle Roy are just some of the more than 50,000 people who have received the Governor General’s Academic Medal as the start of a life of accomplishment.
Today, the Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded at four distinct levels: Bronze at the secondary school level; Collegiate Bronze at the post-secondary, diploma level; Silver at the undergraduate level; and Gold at the graduate level. Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General by participating educational institutions, along with personalized certificates signed by the Governor General. There is no monetary award associated with the Medal.
Business and Environment
School of Business and Management
Supply Chain Management
Comfort Abban
Akeem Olanrewaju Adeboye
Albertina Akosua Adu
Valentina Modupe Akinwale
Akshita Akshita
Adnan Ali
Shalini Arya
Viven Attri
Ranganathan Babu
Roshan Raj Baral
Angela Ibay Bautista
Tarun Bhambhu
Pranankur Bhardwaj
Mihir Bhattacharya
Akashdeep Singh Bhinder
Jaykumar Naginbhai Bhoi
Mandy Blais
Arshdeep Singh Brar
Weicong Cao
Victoria Cudjoe-Wonzee
Dwayne Allen Dsouza
Kosisochukwu Blaise Ezeonu
Adunola Oyenike Fadugba
Anthony Joseph Gabriel
John Blessing Gbatsoma
Tony Godwin
Gulshan Gulshan
Manit Gurung
Eric James Haist
Hemshikha Hemshikha
Kingsley Nwachukwu Ijomah
Swarnjit Singh Janoha
Kajal Kajal
Shubham Chandresh Kaji
Miracle Bolaji Kalejaiye
Amandeep Kaur
Amritpal Kaur
Balpreet Kaur
Gagandeep Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harpreet Kaur
Jashanpreet Kaur
Jaspreet Kaur
Lakhvir Kaur
Simardeep Kaur
Simran Kaur
Simranjeet Kaur
Simranjeet Kaur
Sukhdeep Kaur
Sukhpreet Kaur
Sunday Boluwatife Kehinde
Caroline Mutindi Kieti
Binay Kumar
Munish Kumar
Sachin Kundu
Kenneth Xavier Astor Loria
Nanase Maeda
Mohammad Fareed Malik
Shubhpreet Kaur Mangat
Alan Jacob Mathew
Sanket Kamleshbhai Mehta
Oritsegbe Irene Mene
Rashmi Mishra
Dharam Rajeshbhai Naik
Swatiben Mukeshbhai Nayi
Neelam Neelam
Nikita Nikita
Nitika Nitika
Ginikachukwu Cynthia Nwachukwu
Daniel Kwabena Oteng
Dhruv Alpeshkumar Parekh
Dev Manishkumar Patel
Dhruvi Manish Patel
Varshil Hiteshkumar Patel
Poonam Poonam
Priya Priya
Arshaque Rahmathulla
Sachin Rana
Kajal Rani
Pravar Singh Rautela
Carla Paulina Romero Caballero
Evan DiValentino, Dean
April Tyrrell, Associate Dean
Harpreet Kaur Safri
Arshdeep Singh Saggu
Sahil Sahil
Shalu Shalu
Aditi Sharma
Monika Sharma
Sanchit Sharma
Akashdeep Singh
Amrit Pal Singh
Gurlal Singh
Gurpinder Singh
Gurpreet Singh
Jasgurpreet Singh
Jaspreet Singh
Lovjeet Singh
Pardeep Singh
Sandeep Singh
Tejinder Singh
Virasat Singh
Moizuddin Ahsan Syed
Zsofia Maria Szabo
Sravan Kumar Tadepu
Abiodun Emmanuel Taiwo
Rutvikkumar Mukeshbhai
Thakkar
Kirti Thakur
Tobin Thomas Tom
Nawal Ubaidullah
Michael James Udo-Offiong
Ishita Upadhyay
Muskan Verma
Beatrice Wanjiru Waihenya
Parveen Singh Yadav
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration
(Human Resources)
Rilwan Babatunde Adesokan*
Ngoc Chau Anh Dao*
Nashwa Higazy*§
Anshula Hiran Kumar*
Amber Kaila Laliberte
Ella Rose Leo*
Aiden Isaac Lightbourne - Clarke*
Hassan Rabbani*
Stacey Allison Reist*
Lynnoia Rosezelda Smith*
Amanda Mckenzie Kathleen Von Anrep*
Elizabeth Whalen*
Sophia Hoogasian Whidden*
Business Administration – Accounting
Keny Xiomara Benitez Ayala*
Abhinandh Dileepkumar*
Angela Lianne Ford
Jennifer-Lynn Faith Gosling*
Kolby Frederick Grondin
Chan Young Jung*
Emmanuella Jani Kapinga Kupa
Michael Frederick Maceachern*
Maira Daniela Melgar
Mark Roy Milutinovic
Mary Patricia Minhorst
Thi Thu Hang Nguyen*
Tatyana Panchenko
Adriano Porco*
Kirenia Rodriguez Rodriguez
Jake Riley Silcox*
Jada Reanna Smith
Florica Marcela Sustrean*
Zachary Carson Toth*
Business Administration - Human Resources
Daniel NMI Abdolzahraei*
Hiba-Tul-Hadi Ahmad*
Muibat Abiodun Alimi
Hajir Magdi Alyas
Larissa Serenah
Andrianambinina*
Tyler Jeffrey Black*
Hailey Breukelman*
Cindy Yuribeth Castillo Ordonez*
Brian Raymond Creighton*
Madelyn Hope Dueck*
Alexa Florian Compean*
Briana Arely Gracia
Jarett Ramir Brahim Jimenez*
Seihateru Kusunoki
Emma Mae Marshall*
Kyla Angelene Mckinnon
Aliyah Jade Morgan*
Thu Nguyen*
Oktavia Nowakowska-Kaminska
Chikaima Shanessa Okereke
Roxanne Grace Pastor*
Ally Bryn Ramey
Rutcel Canzana Salcedo*
Hridhya Sathyajith*
Jesse Dylan Scott
Emery Secord*
Smithy Simon*
Eric William Stevens
Dilucshara Sureshkumar
Rebecca Lyn Swindall*
Mary Telford*
Business Administration
– Marketing
Christen Montana Anderson*
Nicholas Borgmann*
Nicholas James Carmosino
Dishon Abigayle Clarke*
Ethan Russell Cook
David Lajos Dioszegi*
Israel Godoy
Callum Thomas Harney
Leila Katriel Inocando*
Max Edward Johnson
Nazek Kigab*
Akshay Kumar
Kylie Danielle Ladouceur
James Anthony Langendoen*
Cooper Armstrong Long
Dalya Makdessian*
Benjamin Thomas Mann*
Michael Francesco Napoli
Jaineel Deepakbhai Patel
Amelie Johanne Piette
Anton Prokopik
Mohammad Fahim Sulaimani
Anastasia Ulyanova*
Thi Cam Ly Vu*
Muriel Joel Wocseu Koueche
Business Administration
- Supply Chain and Operations Management
Joshua Paris Aguiar
Erika Madison Barrett*
Lucas Robert Bartlett*
Joshua Joseph Roger Bouchard*
Lucky Malana Calimag*
Michael Dublin-Green
Spencer Jean-Paul Kleniewski*
Doran Libin*
Abdirahim Ahmed Mah
Albert Legrand Ndjambe
Bayiha
Thi Chi Na Ngo*
Yen My Nguyen*
Melie Okoye
Aneri Vipulkumar Patel*
Patricia Poggi Chacaltana*
Vaibhav Shankarbhai
Prajapati*
Nyla Shields*
Nha Han Vo*
Sport Management
Andrew James Allan
Adian Chae Astudillo
Jaxon James Alexander Austin*
Milan Basara*
Kailey Faith Brevitt*
James Michael Burridge*
Jose Antonio Cadena Castrillon
Viktoriia Chugaeva*
Joseph Jacob Clanfield
Benjamin William Collette
William Peter James
Crumblehulme
Noah Daniel Dimaurizio
Sean Michael Shenmore Gerig
Ryan Burton Allan Hill
William Samuel Hoare
Sydnee Japp*
Tia Bryana Kelly
Marissa Ann Langley
Roberts Vilnis Licis
John Anthony Macdonald*
Kyle Douglas David Mcdougall
Aidan John Mcvey
Olivia Grace Noyes-Mittlestead
Colin Andrew Renwicke
Simon Joseph Romero*
Jacob Daniel Rosebrugh
Ethan Patrick Formica Serpa*
Grayson Edward Thomas Shular*
Devyn Gur Singh*
Trisha Vescio
Chad Wintle*
Noah Ryan Justin Zurbrigg
Business - Accounting
Tricia Annunziata
Kylo Babcock Hannas*
Sofia Brinzova*
Aashiv Chhabra
Elaia Kim Ruitas Delos
Santos*
Annica Draper
Kaeden Coulter George
Sharmila Gurung
Shadae Tiffany Guthrie*
James Nicholas Harris
Leeah Jordan Henhawk
Kereese Deon Holness
Sara Abdulrahim Imam
Krista Kalmus*
Manjot Kaur*
Manpreet Kaur
Manav Kumar
Kun Liu*
My Linh Lu
Manav Mahiwal
Emily Vanesa Martinez
Keylyn Menard
Rafael Melchor Sicat Molar*
Nedelyn Ochigue Mugdan
Muskaan
Sefora Negusse
Thomas Vinh Nguyen
Tran Minh Hoai Nguyen*
Meshva Girishkumar Patel
Devantell Rolle
Emmanuel Sam*
Subhkarmanjot Kaur Sandhar*
Sarah Lynn Savoie
Stephen Arnold Schachowskoj*
Sehjaadpreet Singh
Gio Sferrazza
Gursharan Singh
Sachin Singh
Kyla Stevenson*
Yashraj Nileshbhai Vaghela
Peyton Mae Van Rooy
Julia Carson Lee Waite*
Jonas Dylan Wharton
Wai Yu Wong*
Sport Administration
Finn Bisschop
Matthew James Cowan
Dryden Czenczek
Kyle Evan Dafoe*
Rahul Deshwal
Christopher Robert Diemert*
Adam William Fisher
Yassipi Gikundiro
Sukhpreet Kaur
Daniel Jake Laengerer
Rhyan Laengerer
Habeeb Olakunle Ogunrinde
Anthony Jorge Oliveira
Jack Harris Porter
Brodie David Rice
Carlos Eduardo Rivas Gonzalez*
Evgeny Stelmashonok* *Niagara Scholar Distinction
Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies Craig
Youdale, Dean
School of Hospitality and Tourism
Hospitality and Tourism
Management
Oluwatosin Elizabeth Adebayo
Bhanvi Bhanvi
Ruben Remedio Cananea
Kathryn Azuro Certicio
Dhaval Jayantibhai Chambadiya
Krisha Chandrakant Chauhan
Sammy Mar Gadong Duldulao
Sourav Gautam
Jashanpreet Kaur
Manjot Kaur
Manmeet Kaur
Manpreet Kaur
Manpreet Kaur
Prabhjot Kaur
Anil Kumar
Anthony Chidera Nkachukwu
Inesh Rawal
Ridhima Ridhi
Carla Paulina Romero Caballero
Yogesh Sandhu
Gurvir Singh
Ranveer Singh
Andrei Ghie Periel Galanto
Supnet
Meet Vallabhbhai Sutariya
Gajender Kumar Swami
Ferlin Joy Taylan
Vikas Vikas
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality)
Alexis Jade Apps*
MacKenzie Jaye Brown
Yidi Cheng*
Lingkang Feng
Reva Hiranandani*
Qinyuan Hu
Xingyu Li
Wenrui Lian
Xiaoyu Liu
Yanqing Liu
Rodrigo Javier Martinez Ferreiro*
Lauren Sophie Mitten*
Phuong Dung Nguyen*
Kavan Dev Singh Sandhu*
Dr. Caroline Chabert Delio, Associate Dean
Faith Elizabeth Grace Stewart*
Anh Dung Ta*
Yizi Xiao
Chenyang Yu
Yicheng Zhang
Jingyang Zhu*
Esthetician
Nora Anne Bartholomew*
Alexis Lynn Black*
Evynn Kayle Boivin*
Sara Maria Boyce*
Kristen Pamela Burtch
Sydney Jean Casagrande*
Angelique Carmel Corbin
Hannah Felicia Corrado*
Shaa-Ann Keshane Davis*
Bianca Lynne Dejeto*
Ainsley Jeorgette Dekoninck*
Sarah Jessica DesRoches*
Devanshi Devanshi
Olivia Justine Di Francesco
Lauren Andrea Doolittle
Angelica Grace Dunlop
Maris Eseohe Eromonsele*
Kayla Roseanne Carole German
Nathalie Claudia Gonzalez
Nicole Carolina Gonzalez*
Madison Logan Haggerty*
Myah Chloe Harper*
Himanshi Himanshi
Cassandra Elizabeth Hundley
Balpreet Kaur*
Gurinder Kaur
Lakshdeep Kaur
Ravnish Kaur
Sukhpreet Kaur*
Olivia Danielle Kirszling
Emma Heather Leake
Victoria Jane Lof*
Emily Massicotte-Finch*
Ciara Mello
Nikolina Milakovic*
Carol Malak Mamdouh Zareh Moussa*
Dadie Dagrolie Musavyi
Rida Naghman*
Trinity Neath
Simona Nuziato
Camila Ochoa Serrano*
Karla Theresa Olguin
Lauryn Jennifer O’reilly
Kayla Emily O’Rourke
Sanika Kiran Patil*
Allison Elizabeth Ann Pearson
Piyush Piyush
Malina Delshae Raynor
Sydney Alcott Ryckman*
Saraya Sylvia Shibley*
Amber Lynn Shortt*
Aryonna Alexis Singh*
Emma Grace Stroud*
Irene Farai Tigere*
Maya Allison Tilley
Alyssa Victoria Trider
Tushar Tushar*
Aura Maria Valencia Grajales*
Aurora Heidi Maria Visi
Rosalie Ruby Walker
Mackenzie Dawn Waugh*
Myranda Judith Irene Willson*
Tourism Management - Business Development
Mayank Bhalla
Blair John Burland*
Tzu-Le Chiang*
Mayuko Hasegawa
Lucy Brooke Jackson
Jagdeep Kaur
Sandeep Kaur
Vo Van Khanh Le*
Brigitte Anne Marie Lessard*
Sheree Torrejos Loyloy*
Kaelyn Rachel Mullin*
Juan Andres Pena Pinilla
Kimberly Pabilada Santiago*
Abigail Elisabeth Shulman
Shweta Shweta
Isha Bhavin Soni
Nick Kyle Christian Gapo Sun*
Vishal Verma
* To be eligible for Niagara Scholar Distinction, a student must be a graduate from a college diploma, advanced diploma or degree (minimum two-year, full time duration) who achieves a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher in the program.
Please Note: Program information was correct at press time.
O Canada
O Canada !
Terre de nos aîeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux !
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée, Il sait porter la croix !
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
O Canada
O Canada!
Our home and native land
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
WELCOME TO OUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY!
Niagara College would like to welcome the class of 2026 as new members of our 125,000-plus community of graduates.
Congratulations on this incredible milestone and remember to stay in touch. We love to hear how members of our alumni community are succeeding and leading in Niagara, across Canada, and around the world.
Check out niagaracollege.ca/alumni for upcoming events, and to familiarize yourself with the benefits and services now available to you. Please update your contact information to ensure you receive our future communications.
To update your contact information or connect with Alumni Relations, visit niagaracollege.ca/alumnirelations or email alumni@niagaracollege.ca
For the latest College news, visit niagaracollege.ca/insidenc.
ReuKnighted is Niagara College’s largest alumni reunion of the year that provides an opportunity for NC alumni to reconnect with their former classmates and the College community through social and athletic events at the Welland Campus during an afternoon of activity in November. Make sure your info is updated!
niagaracollege.ca/reuknighted