Kylee McNally is living proof that everyone needs a helping hand from time-to-time.
An Electronic Engineering Technician student at Cumberland Campus, Kylee has a lot going for her. She represents her class on the Student Association for the second year running. She is constantly cheering on her fellow students and encouraging them to be involved in school activities and events. She also works with the Town of Amherst coordinating a multi-sports program for kids.
“I help teach the kids a total of nine different sports, and I love doing it,” Kylee says.
But she was struggling financially, until she received The Honourable Mayann E. Francis Hope and Inspiration Award, a bursary available each academic year to students at all Nova Scotia Community College campuses around the province.
It’s one of many ways that generous donors to Make Way — The Campaign for NSCC are helping students succeed. For Kylee, it means a lot.
“Without this award, I would not be able to attend my final semester. It means so much to me to be able to complete my program so that I can finally do something that I love,” she says.
“The Electronic Engineering Technician program at NSCC has really changed my life and I can't wait to see where it takes me,” she says.
As Kylee knows, NSCC campuses are integral hubs in the communities they serve across Nova Scotia. They are intrinsically connected to communities, local businesses and service organizations and industries that hire their graduates.
The College is enhancing these relationships through Make Way, which is raising $25 million through the generosity of donors and partners, to support student success across the province.
Amanda Calder spoke about pursuing her dreams at NSCC last fall during the public launch of Make Way’s Cumberland community appeal, as a student who has been helped by donors to the fundraising campaign.
A single mother with three children, Amanda says her journey has not been easy. Last summer, just before her program was about to start, Amanda’s laptop broke.
“I thought ‘Oh no, I’m going to have to spend a lot of extra time at the college doing projects and papers,’ “she recalls. “I’ll have to pay extra for babysitters for my children, and that means less time with them when I am already away from them all day.”
But then, Amanda received word that she’d received the Harrison McCain Foundation Bursary, intended to help NSCC students who are single parents with tuition costs.
“This amazing gift of a bursary meant I could afford to purchase a new laptop,” says Amanda. “Receiving this bursary made me worry less about my financial situation.”
Pictou student lauds investment in education
Delany Pettipas is proud to be investing in a non-traditional career. And she’s proud of the investment made in her by the Joyce Family Foundation.
“Being chosen for the Joyce Family Foundation Bursary has helped me to maximize my chances of success, as it allowed me to devote more of my time to my studies,” says the Welding Inspection and Quality Control student at Pictou Campus.
“I am so thankful for them recognizing the importance of education and for recognizing me as a recipient for the award. To have the recognition of my hard work gives me more motivation.”
Donors to Make Way — The Campaign for NSCC are changing the lives of students like Delany by removing barriers to an NSCC education.
“NSCC has been such a great experience so far,” notes Delany, who came to Pictou Campus directly from high school.
“I have nothing but respect for the staff, who are knowledgeable and always so willing to help. My teachers and fellow students are so great and have made me feel so at ease with transitioning into NSCC.”
