Assiniboine College's Alumni Association has announced the recipients of the 2025 Parkland alumni awards. The college will present the four awards at an Alumni Celebration Dinner this coming February in Dauphin, recognizing those alumni who have excelled in their chosen professions and made significant contributions to their communities.
Phyllis Racette
This year's Distinguished Alumni award will go to community Elder Phyllis Racette, while the One to Watch Alumni Awards will be presented to Blessing Chukwunonso and Bryn Thiele. The Excellence in Education award will go to Parkland Campus Learning Strategist Kristy Desender.
Known by her spirit name, White Turtle Woman, Elder Phyllis Racette has been a fixture in the Parkland region for a number of years, and is a former the recipient of Assiniboine's Parkland Alumni Association Community Service award. A three-time graduate of Assiniboine (Mature Student High School, Applied Counselling, and the Early Childhood Education program), Elder Racette is an Early Childhood Educator with the Head Start Program and is the knowledge keeper for the Mountain View School Division. She is one of the leading coordinators for the annual Assiniboine College Mountain View School Division Powwow graduation celebrations, and was recently recognized by the Southern Chiefs Organization for her work fostering knowledge and language in schools throughout the region. She is a proud community member of Ebb and Flow First Nation, where she continues to live a traditional lifestyle, share teachings, and speak her language of Anishinaabemowin.
"I feel like I've been here (Parkland Campus) since I was about 17," said Racette with a chuckle. "I feel so very proud to have worked with so many great people in the Parkland campus family, people like the late Shirley Ford, Gabe Mercier, Lorraine Johnson, Joan Clarkson, and the late Elder Beverly Harvey. She (Elder Beverly Harvey) was my friend and a leader, and I give tribute to the work that she did in the schools work I'm fortunate to continue to this day."
Blessing Chukwunonso
When reflecting on her time as a student, Racette spoke about the hope that students have in pursuing post-secondary education, "a group of us travelled for two-years back and forth from our community to Dauphin, which is an hour each way, to get an education. It was hard work, it was a lot of work, but it was also very rewarding. Your diploma or certificate will get you places."
This year's recipient of the One to Watch Awards are Blessing Chukwunonso and Bryn Thiele. The One to Watch Award recognizes graduates who have made exceptional achievements and significant contributions to their profession and community since graduation.
Blessing Chukwunonso is a 2024 graduate of the Social Service Worker program. She is a mother of three and is currently working as the Housing Homelessness Coordinator for the Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation. Blessing's drive to become involved in this work came from a deep passion to facilitate the end of homelessness in her community, and she was humbled in learning about the recognition of her work.
"I was not only shocked and surprised, but also very excited and grateful (to learn of the award). I'm honoured to learn how highly people think of me and it challenges me to continue to do more great work in the community. Assiniboine is a place where the environment not only gives you knowledge, but also builds your confidence to face the world, which has helped me a great deal in my early career."
Bryn Thiele
For Bryn Thiele, a 2021 graduate of the Business Administration program, his time at the college set him up to begin his career working with Canadian Mental Health Association as a Rehabilitation Worker and Public Educator. An avid athlete, Thiele coaches and runs sports clubs in the community, as well as owning his own growing clothing brand. As a Peer Outreach/Peer Support worker, Thiele assists vulnerable individuals that have mental health disorders or substance use problems to obtain and maintain housing; and as a Public Education worker, he facilitates free programing on mental health disorders and promotes positive wellbeing.
"My time at Assiniboine College helped me connect with individuals in the community and made me more confident. My time in Business Administration also helped teach me marketing skills which I now use for my clothing brand. I'm truly honoured to be recognized by peers in the college community."
The Excellence in Education award recognizes educators and staff who exhibit a drive to ensure exceptional student experiences at the college. This year's recipient is Kristy Desender, the Learning Specialist at Parkland campus. Prior to joining the team at Assiniboine, Desender worked as a K-12 teacher and in the non-profit sector with The Almost New Store, a supported employment training centre in Dauphin. Now a decade into her time with Assiniboine, she spends her spare time with family and is involved with the local theatre troupe Theatre Amisk.
"What sets Parkland campus apart is the personal connections we form with students. I tell new students at the college that I will be there to watch them walk across the stage when they complete their program. For some, it is the first time someone has shown faith in what they can achieve. How could I miss out on that? It is the best part of my job!" said Desender. "I was speechless when I learned I would be receiving this honour. Parkland campus means so much to me and I believe in every student and what they can accomplish. To learn that my effort to support students was going to be recognized was very moving, as the work we do matters to me, it matters to our students, and it matters to our community."
Kristy Desender
An event honouring this year's recipients takes place February 4, 2025, at the Watson Arts Centre in Dauphin.
For more event details, sponsorship information, or tickets contact Parkland Campus, at 204.622.2222 or email parklandinfo@assiniboine.net.
