Turning the Page: A new chapter for the Alumni Advisory Committee

As we step into the new year, we’re eager to reflect on the progress of our Alumni Advisory Committee and celebrate its continued growth. Now entering its third year, the committee has been instrumental in fostering meaningful connections among our alumni and supporting NorQuest’s mission of lifelong engagement. We deeply thank our Alumni Committee members for their dedication, hard work, and commitment in shaping the direction of our alumni initiatives.

Our Alumni Committee is experiencing a change of the guard, and some members are moving on! A special thank you to Cherie Potskin, Sandeep Singh, Tiffany Thompson and Kassey Koumarelas (our inaugural chair) for their invaluable contributions to our alumni community. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and look forward to staying connected as part of the NorQuest alumni family.

As we bid farewell to these amazing committee members, we are thrilled to announce that former vice-chair Vaishnavi Bhawsar has accepted nomination as new chair of the committee, and we will welcome six new faces to the table. Their diverse backgrounds, expertise, and enthusiasm will undoubtedly bring fresh perspectives and energy to the committee.

Meet our new Alumni Committee members

Divya Bharathi Murugan | Machine Learning Analyst Grad | 2024

Divya works as a data analyst, where she specializes in data analysis and the development of AI and machine learning-based applications.

"As a newcomer to the field, I often wished for someone to provide quick guidance during my job search and the early days of my first job. As an immigrant, this journey was particularly challenging. Today, I want to give back to the NorQuest community by supporting current students and graduates in any way I can. I aspire to be a resource for students and graduates, offering guidance on preparing for and applying to tech jobs."

Gurneet Kaur | Business Administration Grad | 2022

Gurneet works as an Administrative Assistant, and is proud to contribute to a supportive workplace.

"I wanted to give back to NorQuest by contributing to initiatives that benefit current students and alumni. Joining the advisory committee felt like a meaningful way to stay connected with the college and its community. I hope to help create the opportunities for alumni to engage with the college and with each other in meaningful ways."

Lucienne Soriano | Therapeutic Recreation Grad | 2015

Lucienne is an instructor at the Olson Centre for Health Simulation at NorQuest College where she coordinates simulations for many programs within the Faculty of Health Studies.

"I joined the Alumni Advisory Committee because it aligns with what I value in my role. I’ve had a unique career journey and want to share insights from both a learner and educator perspective. I thrive on building community and know that NorQuest has incredible potential to strengthen the connections learners make here."

Prashant Virdi | Business Administration Grad | 2022

Prashant Virdi is the Campus SafeWalk Administrator at The Students' Association of NorQuest College, where he manages policies, recruitment, training, communications, budgeting, and outreach.

"I chose to join the advisory committee to stay connected with both the students and NorQuest College. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the student community by making processes and experiences more accessible and seamless, particularly those that I found challenging during my own journey."

Samantha Thembie Tshuma | Social Work Grad | 2022

Samantha is pursuing a BSW degree while working as an Early Childhood Development Worker, where she designs and facilitates programs that support the growth and well-being of children, youth, and families.

"I joined the Alumni Advisory Committee to give back to the college that played a pivotal role in my personal and professional growth. I hope to contribute my insights and experiences to support current and future students on their journeys."

Shubhnoor Dhaliwal | Business Administration Grad | 2022

Shubhnoor is a student advisor, here at NorQuest College, where she advises prospective students on the different pathways to meet the admission requirements, and helps them enroll for their courses.

"I have always wanted to do some volunteer work for the college. As a member of the Advisory committee, I want our alumni to feel included with NorQuest, even after their graduation. My main focus would be to think of ideas on how to do that."

We are excited about the future of our Alumni Committee and the impact these new members will have.

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events and initiatives as we work to make this year even more successful than the last!

Get involved

Have a great idea for an alumni initiative? Want to learn more about how you can get involved? Check out how to get involved.