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From the President's Desk: April 2025

From the President's Desk

Hello everyone,

At Lakeland College, we encourage students to go beyond the classroom and take part in student-led and student-managed initiatives. These experiences foster leadership, creativity and real-world readiness. Many students engage in public presentations and organize events, gaining valuable experience in speaking confidently before large audiences. These activities also help develop strong organizational and time management skills, boost self-confidence, and prepare students to navigate professional challenges. Additionally, student-led events create valuable learning opportunities not only for participants but also for industry professionals and the wider community. Some recent examples of our student-led initiatives are: 

  • Students on field tripEarly childhood education and child and youth care counselor students participated in a field trip to Edmonton visiting the Boyle Street Community Centre, YMCA Family Resource Centre, and Kickstand: a support hub for youth ages 11-25. Students learned about the different services and resources these agencies provide to support the community.
  • Human services students initiated and participated in Noon-Fest activities to celebrate a sense of belonging and learn about diverse cultures within our Lakeland community.
  • As part of their HS202 Community Advocacy & Partnerships course, students partnered with a variety of community agencies to provide healthy snacks to young children, deliver baskets to the Stollery Children’s Hospital, create sensory baskets for Brighter Beginnings, initiate a food drive on campus and partner with CLASS to promote conversational English for International students.
  • In the annual Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition, our team of five business students competed against 12 teams from other post-secondary institutions across Alberta to create real business solutions for a local Fort McMurray business owner. Over several weeks of preparation, our Case Team honed their business analysis, collaboration and public speaking skills by assessing other business cases and preparing presentations at their weekly practices. During the competition, each team presented their recommendations to both the business and a panel of expert judges. While the team did not place, the event was a unique opportunity for our students to gain practical hands-on learning and real-world experience. We would also like to send a huge thank you to our case team sponsor, Metrix Group LLP.
  • Public speaking is a key communication skill for professionals in all fields. At Synergy Speakers’ Corner, students boost their confidence, build their presentation skills and take their public speaking to the next level. Throughout the year, 116 Lakeland College students participated in 10 Synergy Speakers’ Corner sessions. Five students completed a variety of projects to earn a green pin, including leading a discussion, delivering an impromptu speech and creating the perfect elevator pitch. One student also earned a gold pin by facilitating a session, timekeeping, handling crisis communication and other leadership building activities. Synergy Speakers’ Corner allows Lakeland College students develop their practical skills in a welcoming environment, sponsored by Synergy Credit Union.
  • Students helping at Inspiring Women ConferenceFor the sixth consecutive year, business students in the administrative professional program partnered with KT & Co. for the Inspiring Women Conference. Our students played a vital role in the event, which had over 400 attendees this year—the largest conference yet! Students took on lead roles with the conference preparations and gained real-world experience in event planning, social media marketing, public speaking, and more. Our students also supported the event day’s many important responsibilities, including overseeing the registration table, seating attendees, supporting the vendor booths, and emceeing sessions. They also completed post-event tasks such as survey amalgamation, event review, and formal report writing.
  • The second annual Border Beauty Showcase was a huge success again this year. In preparation for the event, hairstyling and esthetician students played a vital role by visiting local salons to spread the word and assisting with planning and setup. On the day of the showcase, they were instrumental in running registration, managing the popcorn and mocktail bars, live-streaming the event, decorating the venue and later helping with cleanup that evening and the following day. A total of 28 hairstyling and esthetician students participated in various competitions, joined by 12 competitors from high schools and the industry. The tradeshow featured eight vendors, drawing a diverse crowd from the community, local schools, and industry professionals who came to cheer on competitors and explore what the showcase had to offer. With such strong support and enthusiasm, planning is already underway for Border Beauty Showcase 2026.
  • Student doing client's hair in salonThe student-led salon and spa at Lakeland were huge successes again this academic year, thanks to the continued support of the community, Lakeland staff and their families, and Lakeland students. During the 2024/2025 academic year, the salon booked over 1,000 appointments, offering a wide range of services including scalp massages, shampoo and styles, hot shaves, beard and mustache trims, haircuts, and colour services. Similarly, the day spa saw over 1,000 appointments for services such as pedicures, manicures, waxing, lash and brow treatments, various massages, and facials. Many loyal clients return year after year, a testament to the high-quality service provided. Clinical esthetician students will soon begin that portion of their training, offering new services to the public in May and June. Meanwhile, the salon remains open until June 12 and is excited to soon introduce perms to its service list.
  • The final step in fulfilling the graduation requirements for the bachelor of applied science: environmental management program is an eight-month practicum experience followed by capstone presentations. Twelve students provided information on diverse topics that support environmental management.
  • The final presentations for the second-year veterinary technology students highlighted activities from the student-led classes. The Canine Blood Donor Clinic was held on March 11, with fifteen dogs taking part.
    The second-year students in the crops technology program provided their final presentations, reporting on production, marketing, promotion, and other aspects of their activities.
  • RoundUp Sale 2025The Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF) purebred beef, commercial beef, extensive grazing, and equine units were all involved with the RoundUp Livestock Auction held on March 22. This was an awesome opportunity for students to showcase the animals they raised and trained, as well as make industry connections and learn how to effectively organize a sale. The sale averages were: 14 Bulls - $8161, 4 Purebred Heifers - $5438, 13 Commercial Heifers - $3915, 3 Extensive Grazing Bred Heifers - $5000, 2 Colts - $8250, 1 Mare - $4500
  • The joint ag sustainability and crops practicum presentation provided a review of the sustainability of the SMF farm units. They provided feedback on how communication, record keeping and some environmental issues could improve the overall SMF experience for both students and overall farm operations. The students' observations and conclusions were accurate. The practicum crops students investigated a theoretical evaluation of incorporating irrigation to our crops. They provided an overview of past climate, correlated this to actual yields, and discussed the potential gains in yield and possible revenue. They spoke about the environmental impact irrigation would have on both the farm and the water source ecosystem. They reviewed several methods of irrigation and provided a recommendation for a system that would work for these fields.
  • Students and industry at Farm 4.0 eventFor the third year in a row, the bachelor of agriculture technology (BAgTech) program students organized Farm 4.0 – The Future of Agricultural Technology. The event is a conference, tradeshow and networking opportunity that brings together students, the community, and industry to explore the latest in agricultural innovation. While this event helped benefit current and future students, it also highlighted Lakeland College and provided significant exposure to the BAgTech program. The graduating Class of 2025 students presented their practicum reports, highlighting their experiences and insights.
  • The second-year agribusiness students have been working on their business plans all semester. In groups of two to three students, they took a business idea to a concept by creating their business plans. These plans included key elements such as a product need, customer ID, marketing ideas, and a breakdown of three years of financial statements. This year's students created business plans that ranged in concepts from farm disaster relief, value-added services such as cheesery and overall non-agriculture commercial businesses such as electric scooters, a wedding venue/services, and restaurants. On April 9, the teams presented their final plans to their fellow students and faculty members. It was so great to see all of the varied and creative business plans that the students developed.
  • The animal science technology students’ final presentations took place on April 10. All team members in the RoundUp committee, purebred beef, commercial beef, dairy, equine, bison, and extensive grazing research units provided reports. The presentations were well-organized and provided excellent information.

Lakeland College is committed to providing high-quality programming that equips students with the skills and training needed to enhance their educational and career opportunities. Our goal is to prepare students not only for success in the workforce but also to become future leaders in their communities. These valuable, real-world learning experiences would not be possible without the dedication of our faculty and staff. I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has invested their time, energy, and expertise to ensure our students receive the best education possible and graduate ready to excel in their chosen field.

Until next time,
Alice

 

Photos: 1. Human services students on a field trip to the Boyle Street Community Centre in Edmonton. 2. The Inspiring Women's Conference. 3. The Student-Led Salon. 4. The RoundUp Sale. 5. Farm 4.0.