NAIT Alumni

05/29/2026

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jeffrey (Construction Engineering Technology '11) and Kevin Lapes, the co-owners of Pemco Construction Ltd. Pemco, a second-generation family-owned business that’s been around for over 35 years, is a commercial contractor specializing in interior renovations, primarily in the Edmonton region. Learn more about Pemco, Jeffrey's time at NAIT, and their entrepreneurial journey. ⬇️

05/28/2026

Check out these photos from Convocation in 1988. 🎓 For decades, we've come together to celebrate the achievements of graduates, warmly welcoming them to our alumni family, and we can't wait to continue this tradition with our Class of 2026 in under a month. 🎉

05/27/2026

Michelle Harris (Biological Sciences Technology – Renewable Resources ’11) recently published “Explore the Green Side of Edmonton,” a book that covers destinations, resources, and other ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Michelle has grown her career as an environmental educator in Edmonton, working with clients like the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance. While she felt the industry had an eye on aspects of accessibility to enjoying nature, such as financial barriers or even unpaved paths, she wasn’t convinced it did enough to simply extend an invitation to participate.

Helping people take the first step was a constant issue that no one was addressing, so the self-described “tree hugger” decided to address it herself. What started with a single notebook grew into 340 pages of expert guidance to exploring the incredible bounty and beauty of the natural world in and around Edmonton.

Learn more about the book. ⬇️

05/26/2026

Attention NAIT alumni: We need your help to make Convocation a success! 🎓

NAIT’s Convocation will take place from Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June 25 at the Edmonton Convention Centre and we're seeking volunteers to help us create a smooth, organized, celebratory convocation ceremony. We’re especially in need of volunteers on Thursday, June 25!

Roles available include:
✨ Info Desk
✨ Guest Tickets / Grad Gifts
✨ Stage Marshall
✨ Graduate Line-Up

Learn more and sign up for shifts: https://bit.ly/4u5HMyY

05/26/2026

Planning a trip this summer? Don’t forget to consider travel insurance!

As a NAIT grad, you get access to preferred insurance rates on travel, home, and auto insurance with our affinity program partner, TD Insurance.

Learn more and get a quote: tdinsurance.com/affinity/naitalumni

05/22/2026

Last night we had our year-end Alumni Association Advisory Committee (AAAC) dinner to celebrate the amazing contributions of our committee members. ✨

Our AAAC members generously volunteer their time to emcee events, support with shortlisting and selecting alumni award recipients, offer feedback on alumni programming and benefits, volunteer at Open House and Convocation, support students as mentors, share their expertise as guest speakers, and so much more. We're grateful for their collaborative spirit, passion for NAIT, and commitment to serving our alumni community. 💙

And a huge shout out to Hayloft Steak + Fish for making this evening so special. We love supporting alumni-owned businesses and this restaurant by Paul Shufelt's (Cook '01) did not disappoint! The service and food were both incredible - we'll all be dreaming of those desserts for the foreseeable future. 👀

05/20/2026

Do you have at least one year of full-time professional work experience in your field? Are you interested in helping students grow professionally while also building your own leadership, communication, and coaching skills? If so, apply to be a mentor for the fall intake of NAIT’s Career Mentorship Program!

This program connects students with professionals in their future field interest (“career path”) to discuss career aspirations and options, develop new skills, and gain new insights. Our goal is to empower students to confidently navigate their career paths and transition from the academic setting to the professional world. ✨

Learn more and apply as a mentor: www.nait.ca/careermentorship

05/19/2026

In February, Rob LeLacheur (Marketing ‘94) launched his 55-day fundraising campaign, starting with a red lollipop and “trading up” over 55 days, with the goal of raising money to support NAIT students.

The campaign was a huge success and after 55 days and eight trades, Rob and his company Road 55 turned a red lollipop into two framed prints made from copper plates etched by Rembrandt in the 1600s. Rob was able to sell them for $10,000 in support of NAIT students. 🎉

We are so grateful for Rob’s continuous support for the NAIT community! Learn more about his fundraising campaign: https://techlifetoday.nait.ca/articles/2026/rob-lelacheur-red-lollipop

05/14/2026

Convocation is just around the corner and we can't wait to officially welcome the Class of 2026 to our alumni family. 💙

If you're graduating this year, be sure to stay connected. You remain an important part of the NAIT community and have access to some great deals, discounts, and perks as an alum:

✨ Take advantage of lifetime career and job search support
✨ Have fun, learn something new, and meet fellow grads when you attend alumni events
✨ Receive special rates on campus recreation facilities
✨ Access alumni scholarships for you and your kids
✨ Join our Alumni Business Directory, a talented community of alumni entrepreneurs
✨ Get savings on home, car, travel, and business insurance with TD Insurance
✨ Access competitive rates on term life, health, and dental insurance plans with Manulife
✨ Receive valuable rewards with BMO NAIT Mastercard
✨ Get cashback rewards on residential referral services with All-Purpose Realty

You can also come back to campus and share your knowledge and experiences with prospective and current students by volunteering for initiatives like Open House, Program Previews, mock interviews, resume reviews, and more.

Learn more about all you have access to as a NAIT grad: nait.ca/alumni/benefits

05/13/2026

Speaking French can open new doors in Canada, as NAIT alum Hems Joshi (Bachelor of Technology in Management ’20) knows firsthand.

Through his platform, Simple French With Hems, Hems is helping immigrants unlock new opportunities by preparing learners to pass the CLB 5 French language test. Powered by artificial intelligence, real time feedback, and virtual reality, the platform makes learning French more accessible, practical, and less intimidating, especially for newcomers working toward permanent residency.

From NAIT grad to tech founder, Hems is using innovation to remove barriers and help others build a life in Canada. Check out the full techlifetoday story.⬇️

Alberta startup identifies unique need in Canada’s immigrant community