06/30/2026
“I’m a proud q***r, trans African Nova Scotian – a drag artist for over 10 years, the 2025 Halifax Pride ambassador and someone who built their life around creating space for others. I was the first in my mother’s family to graduate high school.
At 19, I didn’t finish my first semester of university because I knew it wasn’t for me, and my alcoholism had begun to take over. As I got older, my mental health, alcoholism and addiction became harder to manage. Today, I’m grateful to be over 2 years sober.
I enrolled at NSCC as a mature student to study Continuing Care (CCA). Seeing my family navigate the healthcare system and living with my great grandmother who had Alzheimer’s inspired me to enter this field.
NSCC made me feel seen and heard. I learn best by doing, so I found it helpful how hands on the program was. It was honest about the highs and lows of being a CCA and showed the meaningful impact we can have on people’s lives.
At one point, I wasn’t sure I could continue, but getting support made all the difference. I accessed a range of supports, from accessibility services in the Testing Centre to the campus food bank during a difficult stretch and the Africentric Centre.
Financial awards and bursaries made it possible for me to finish my program, easing my stress so I could focus on school instead of bills and basic needs.
Student awards and bursaries truly give people a chance. Life happens, and finances shouldn’t stop someone from getting an education to build a career and contribute to society.
The 2SLGBTQ+ Bursary is especially important because many of us lack family or community support. For me, it offered hope, helped me get through, and made me feel seen as a Q***r student.
I had a career opportunity before finishing my program and now work in my field. I’m ready to give back what was given to me, and it means the world to support communities that are underrepresented.”
- Reign Dorfschmidt (CCA ’26, 2SLGBTQ+ Bursary recipient)
