Purpose in action: Honouring 2026 Alumni Award recipients

On April 16, 2026, alumni, community members, friends and family gathered to celebrate the outstanding NorQuest alumni who were nominated for recognition by those they’ve inspired along the way. We are proud to share the award winners’ stories celebrating their impact, achievements, and the transformative influence they’ve had at NorQuest, in their workplaces, and within their communities. 

Community Leader Award winner 

The Community Leader Award recognizes a NorQuest alum who is driving positive change and making a lasting impact in their community. Through strong leadership and a deep commitment to helping others, they are a force for social good. 

Join us in celebrating the 2026 Community Leader Award recipient! 

Busayo Disu, Machine Learning Analyst, Class of 2024

Busayo Disu arrived in Canada in 2019, looking to rebuild her life from the ground up. After practicing in Nigeria as a pharmacist for 12 years, she found in NorQuest the opportunity to redefine her career path in Canada. Through her diploma, Busayo gained not only technical skills in data analysis, project management, and innovation, but also the confidence and clarity to lead boldly and serve meaningfully. Today, as founder and president of a nonprofit society, she leans into her strengths to develop community programs, secure grants, create educational resources, and design inclusive cultural initiatives.

In 2023, Busayo founded the Africans Society of Strathcona County (ASOSC), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting cultural understanding, supporting African immigrants, and strengthening social inclusion in the community. Building the ASOSC from scratch required vision, resilience, and countless volunteer hours. Busayo developed the organization’s policies with board members, built partnerships, led volunteer teams, and developed programs that bring people together through culture, education and storytelling.

She is also a published author of “Our Story, Our Voice”, a book that shares the lived experiences of African immigrant children in Alberta. Since its publication, the book has expanded to include a Teacher’s Guide, and has inspired a documentary and a series of presentations that Busayo has personally delivered to over 100 different schools, connecting her with thousands of students and educators.

Despite all her professional commitments, Busayo remains deeply rooted in her community. She volunteers her time to organize multiple events, included BBQs, celebrations at her church, and the Strathcona County’s first African Festival, the region’s first community Black History Month event.

At the core of her achievements is an unwavering sense of purpose. “Service is deeply personal to me, and I see leadership as an act of compassion,” she says. “Every initiative I lead reflects NorQuest’s values of inclusion, courage, and community impact and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue building a community where every voice, especially those that often go unheard, can rise, be celebrated, and make a difference.”

Busayo’s accomplishments span healthcare, education, childcare, entrepreneurship, technology, cultural advocacy, and nonprofit leadership, each rooted in her lifelong passion for empowering people, especially children, to grow, dream, and reach their full potential. Her work sits at the intersection of education, culture, social inclusion, and youth empowerment and her impact is felt in classrooms, families, and public spaces across Strathcona County. She leads not with titles or recognition, but with heart, service, humility, and an unshakable belief in the potential of people.

According to her nominator and friend Temi, Busayo is uniquely deserving of recognition because “She is not just building programs; she is building people. She is not just organizing events; she is creating belonging. She is not simply advocating for cultural understanding; she is living it, every single day. Busayo represents exactly what this award stands for: A leader who serves, inspires, connects, and transforms her community.”

Difference Maker Award winner

The Difference Maker Award celebrates a NorQuest alum who now works at the college and lives out its values every day. Through their dedication, they positively impact both students and colleagues, helping to build an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment for all.

Congratulations to our 2026 Difference Maker Award recipient!

Samantha Parchment-Andrews, Social Work, Class of 2019

Samantha Parchment-Andrews’ NorQuest journey began in 2017, when she arrived from Jamaica to pursue Social Work. From the moment she joined the college, she became an active and engaged member of the community, volunteering through SANQC and the RBC Student Ambassador Program. She also helped create initiatives that foster belonging, address food insecurity, and reduce loneliness among learners. Her commitment to student wellbeing was evident early on, and she quickly became a trusted peer and leader.

After graduating in 2019, Samantha continued her NorQuest journey professionally, first in the Office of the Registrar and later at NorQuest International, where she stepped into the role of Settlement Advisor. In 2023, Samantha advanced her education by pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Calgary, graduating with honors in 2025.

In her role as an International Settlement Advisor, Samantha designs and leads meaningful supports that ensure new international students feel prepared, welcomed, and confident from the moment they apply to NorQuest. Her commitment to advocacy is unwavering and Samantha’s work breaks down barriers, builds connections, and allows students to envision and reach their full potential.

Samantha also brings the college’s global community to life through cultural events such as the International Talent & Fashion Show, Diwali, Paskong Pinoy, and Black History Month. These events create a deep sense of belonging and pride, encouraging students and staff to celebrate who they are.

One of Samantha’s most impactful contributions was her leadership in developing the Transition to Canada Toolkit, a project she envisioned and drove from concept to completion. This toolkit has become an essential resource for new students, guiding them through all aspects of living and studying in Edmonton. It covers housing and tenant rights, required documentation, community and health resources, wellness supports, childcare and schooling for dependents, and everyday practicalities of Canadian life. Students regularly tell us how the toolkit helped them avoid costly mistakes, understand their rights, and feel more confident during their transition.

When speaking to her role, Samantha had this to share “Every conversation with a student is a reminder that success in education depends on more than academics; it also depends on feeling supported, respected, and able to meet basic needs.”

For Samantha, “being a Difference Maker means paying attention to what students quietly struggle with and responding in ways that make their daily lives a little easier. Whether through food access, transportation support, or inclusive programming, my work is guided by care, advocacy, and a deep belief in NorQuest as a welcoming and supportive community for students and staff alike.”

Transformation Award winner

The Transformation Award  honours alumni who’ve overcome challenges with remarkable resilience, breaking barriers and creating meaningful change, not just in their own lives, but in the lives of others around them.

Congratulations to our 2026 Transformation Award recipient!

Meaghan Rewniak, Business Administration, Class of 2023

Four years ago, Meaghan Rewniak was standing at a crossroads. A newly single mother of two, her youngest just two and her eldest navigating life with autism, Meaghan was battling her own ADHD, financial uncertainty, and the collapse of her marriage. Most people would have focused simply on survival. Meaghan chose reinvention.

With no savings and no safety net, she made a decision that would alter the trajectory of her life: she went back to school. At NorQuest College, she embraced every opportunity she could find, discovering not only new skills but a fresh purpose in entrepreneurship. Meaghan didn’t just attend classes; she immersed herself in the ecosystem, competing at the Inventures tech conference, and representing NorQuest on a national stage in Ottawa. Alongside her studies and campus involvement, she also launched and successfully ran a business, earning a spot on the shortlist for YEG Student Entrepreneur of the Year.

Upon graduating with honours, Meaghan joined Junior Achievement, where she took the helm of their Company Program and SHE Leads initiative—programs designed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in youth. Despite limited resources, she built both into stronger, more vibrant programs. Her success didn’t go unnoticed. ATB Financial soon came calling, offering her a new stage as their Entrepreneurship Events Coordinator. Now, Meaghan organizes high-impact events that have earned the respect of CEOs and startup founders alike. Her work has been recognized with two Impact Awards as she continues to push herself to excel.

While rebuilding her career, Meaghan also re‑centred herself around health and balance. Her reinvention became a holistic process, shaped by discipline, self‑belief, and care for her well‑being—and her family’s. Her kids continue to blossom and she's shining in the role, even getting outside validation when she earned a Parent Award from her daughter's dance school.

Meaghan Rewniak’s impact extends far beyond her professional success, she has become a force for connection, inspiration, and empowerment in her community. She continues to volunteer her time with Junior Achievement, returning to classrooms to share her story, mentor students, and serve as a judge for student competitions, and she has recently joined the 1000Women Committee, returning to offer support in a new way here at the college.

Meaghan had this to share about her own journey “since graduating from NorQuest College my journey has been defined by a radical shift from surviving to thriving. A few years ago, I was at rock bottom: a single mother navigating ADHD, drowning in debt, and terrified of a future that felt increasingly uncertain. Today, I stand as a confident professional, a dedicated community leader, and a resilient advocate for those navigating their own barriers. My transformation is not just about financial stability; it is about the profound shift from being a shy, insecure individual to someone who takes up space and empowers others to do the same.”

Congratulations to our winners! 

Thanks to everyone who joined us to cheer them on, and a special shoutout to those who submitted nominations. We know there are so many amazing NorQuest alumni out there, so start thinking about who you might nominate next year! 

Nominations for the 2027 Alumni Awards will open in Fall 2026. Subscribe to the alumni newsletter to receive updates on future awards, alumni benefits, and to stay connected with the NorQuest Alumni community!