For Melanie Forbes, connection isn’t just a word, it’s the foundation of a career at St.Amant that’s spanned 20 years and impacted many lives.

As Manager of Corporate Education, Forbes supports employees and volunteers through their education and onboarding. She has plenty of lived experience here to share, as she’s continued to advance her education at every step of her career ladder.

“I think we’re never done learning,” she said. “It’s important to me to challenge myself and to continue on in my learning and my career.”

A beloved organization in Manitoba, St.Amant is dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and autism to live full lives, rooted in dignity and choice. With a team of more than 2000 staff and hundreds of volunteers, the nonprofit offers residential, clinical, educational, and outreach services, always emphasizing person-centred care and inclusion.

Forbes’s career with St. Amant began in 2005, when she started as a direct support professional in the Community Residential Program, a service that empowers adults with intellectual disabilities to live their lives in their own homes in the community.

“We support them to do the things that everybody does in life – go hang out with friends, participate in clubs, see their family, go to church – all that good stuff.”

As an Honours Graduate from RRC Polytech’s Health Care Aide certificate program, Forbes initially considered a career in nursing. However, a few years into her time at St.Amant, she realized that her passion was more in community-focused work. Transitioning to a supervisory Team Leader role, her passion and compass started to align.

“That’s when I started my diploma in Disability and Community Support,” said Forbes. Enrolling in RRC Polytech’s two-year program, she finished the first year, took a break to start her family, and then returned years later to finish off the second year, graduating in 2019.

“It was important to me to challenge myself in my learning and career,” she said. Even now, Forbes is studying at the University of Winnipeg, pursuing a degree in Disability Studies. “At RRC Polytech, I wanted to finish what I had started, and I knew it was a program that my organization valued.”

One standout memory from the program was a media course on disability representation.

“We did an arts project as part of that course, and that was just really fun for me — something that sort of combined my academic interests with my personal hobbies, being sort of crafty,” she recalled.

What a difference one open door makes.

Alana Odegard was an expatriate Canadian in Iceland with a husband and a young daughter when she found her vocational calling.

“I had arrived in Iceland as a University of Manitoba student planning to do a couple of credits and instead of a couple of months, I’d ended up staying seven years,” said Odegard, Director of Chamber Relations with Winnipeg-based insurer Johnston Group.

“I was teaching English. And I came to realize I really wanted to help people find their message and communicate it. A friend – also an expat – said to me ‘that’s a thing.’.”

That was in 2010.

Odegard looked up RRC Polytech’s 2-year Creative Communications (CreComm) program. It sounded too good to be true.

She moved back to Canada in June 2011. Though intake was closed for the upcoming academic year, she went down to the College’s Exchange District Campus on her dad’s recommendation.

“I really wanted to start my path. The person at reception said ‘okay, go up to the (Creative Arts) Chair’s office, you never know.’ I went up there – locked door. I turn to leave, and the door opens. Out comes (then Chair) Larry Partap. I gave him my pitch,” she said.

“I was so excited at the prospect of starting the program that I had already looked up and finished the entrance requirements — like the photo essay —even though I knew it would be another year before I could submit them.”

Partap listened and asked for Odegard’s submissions, which she was ready to hand in the next day.

Two months later – and one year earlier than she anticipated – Odegard was starting CreComm.

It’s a familiar story: student becomes graduate, graduate becomes industry professional, industry professional comes back to teach. At least, it’s a familiar story at RRC Polytech – in fact, more than 900 current staff are RRC Polytech graduates.

And there’s no mystery why alumni make the career transition from industry to classroom: as students, they loved learning from instructors with real-world experience; after working in industry and gaining expertise, they want to pay it forward by teaching the next generation of graduates. Talk about coming full circle!

From Industry to Classroom: Become an Instructor

All alumni are warmly encouraged to attend RRC Polytech’s first-ever Industry to Classroom networking event to discover the rewards and impact of teaching at RRC Polytech.

Over two evenings at the end of April, alumni can visit the Exchange District Campus or Notre Dame Campus — or both! — to learn about RRC Polytech’s mission, the impact you can make as an instructor, and the comprehensive supports available to help you succeed. Discover the flexibility of teaching, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to shape the future workforce.

Event Details

Both evenings will follow the same agenda with scheduled tours, presentations, light refreshments, and the opportunity to connect directly with Deans, Associate Deans, Chairs, and other instructors that have made the career transition from industry to the classroom.

This free come-and-go event will also feature incredible alumni guest speakers, who will be sharing their experiences from classroom to industry and back again, during the “Power of Teaching” presentation.

On Friday, April 25, award-winning artist and RRC Polytech Advanced Graphic Design grad Roberta Landreth will be the guest speaker at CreativeMornings Winnipeg’s free event taking place at Launch Exchange (5th floor, 167 Lombard Street). All RRC Polytech alumni and community members are warmly invited to attend.

More than a decade ago, CreativeMornings was launched out of a desire for ongoing, accessible events for creative communities to connect. Today, these communities gather in 247 cities across more than 60 countries — including right here in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg chapter of CreativeMornings not only celebrates our city’s creative talent, but also promotes an open space to connect with like-minded individuals. From marketing legends to hometown heroes, speakers are selected by each chapter based on a global theme.

April’s theme is CROSSROADS: we all reach turning points in life that change the course of our destiny – no wonder that in folklore and mythology, crossroads represent a gateway between our mortal coil and the supernatural realm. An in-between place of transition, where worlds collide, and anything can happen next. So, how do you decide which way to go next? Just pick what feels right. Because there’s no wrong choice. Only different journeys to where you’re meant to be.

A graduate of RRC Polytech’s Advanced Graphic Design program (2012), Roberta is a multiple-award winning artist and designer, working primarily in the music industry. Her designs are widely celebrated, notably earning a JUNO, four WCMAs, and two Covenant Awards. Roberta has worked on album artwork for more than 200 albums, as well as on posters, merch, and other graphics with artists such as The National, Luke Combs, Jully Black, Serena Ryder, the Bros. Landreth, William Prince, Dan Mangan, Natalie MacMaster, Big Wreck, Ani DiFranco, and many many more. She’s also worked on festival artwork for Winnipeg Folk Fest (including this year’s 50th anniversary artwork!) – and that’s just scratching the surface.

Join CreativeMornings Winnipeg on April 25 as Roberta shares her creative crossroad as a freelance designer and how she chooses an abundance mindset over scarcity (and how you can, too!).

Ninety per cent of Cypher Environmental’s employees are RRC Polytech graduates. That’s not a coincidence.

The company has built a strong connection with the College and actively seeks out grads who are ready to tackle real-world challenges—a must in the manufacturing industry.

“Red River is home for a lot of us,” said Dr. Teaghan Wellman, Executive Vice-President and Vice-President of Research and Development at Cypher.

“The College does a fantastic job of giving students the opportunity to get their feet wet—not just in a perfect situation, but what might actually take place—on a manufacturing floor or in a research project,” adds the 2016 grad, who completed a post-graduate diploma at RRC Polytech in Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Wellman knows this firsthand. What started as a short-term research role at Cypher turned into a decade-long career leading one of Manitoba’s most innovative environmental companies.

Today, she helps develop sustainable road solutions used in more than 60 countries—and it all began with an unexpected opportunity at RRC Polytech.

The Road to Real-world Exposure

Wellman’s path to Cypher wasn’t part of some carefully laid-out career plan. It happened because she stayed open to opportunities.

After earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba, she wasn’t sure what was next. A master’s degree felt like the obvious choice, but she wanted something more applied to bridge the gap between theory and industry.

That’s what led her to RRC Polytech’s Post Graduate Diploma in Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

“The program had a diverse course load,” she said. “There were different courses in not only the pharmaceutical industry but also general manufacturing and quality control.”

She describes her time at RRC Polytech as creative, hands-on, and motivating. Unlike traditional academic programs, where learning often stays theoretical, RRC Polytech provided Wellman with real-world exposure.

You’re invited! In partnership with Ten Thousand Coffees, we’re excited to offer a virtual ‘Office Hour’ to RRC Polytech alumni, students, and staff with an industry expert who will share valuable insights on leveraging existing skills to land your dream job. This free virtual event will take place on Thursday, March 27 at 4:00 p.m. CT.

Unlock the secrets to transforming your job search and converting applications into offers. Join this interactive event to gain insider knowledge from Jasmeen Sindu, Ph.D., Associate Director of Partnerships and Special Projects at CEWIL Canada.

In this dynamic session, you’ll:

• Discover what your transferable skills are and how to articulate them
• Learn strategic upskilling techniques for job readiness – directly from a career expert!
• Gain a simple 3-step framework for building confidence and landing opportunities
• Participate in a self-assessment exercise to recognize your strengths

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools to turn your job applications into job offers so you can unlock your potential and launch your career with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out, looking for new opportunities, or shifting your career, RRC Polytech alumni at any stage of their career journeys are warmly invited to attend.

Register now for this free webinar on Thursday, March 27 at 4 p.m. CT.

RRC Polytech alumni and film buffs of all stripes are invited to discover the pulse of Canadian cinema at an event presented by the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts. All alumni are warmly invited to attend.

This free event — Telefilm Canada: A Reel Conversation — is taking place Thursday, March 20, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Round Room at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, 319 Elgin Avenue.

There, the College will host Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada, for an engaging fireside chat. With nearly three decades dedicated to the film industry, Roy brings a wealth of experience, having served in pivotal roles at the National Film Board (NFB) and leading positions in programming, distribution, and innovation.

The event presents a unique opportunity for alumni, students, faculty, and industry professionals alike to delve into the insights and trends shaping Canadian media today. Whether you’re passionate about film production and storytelling, or simply curious about the future of Canada’s cinematic landscape, the discussion promises valuable takeaways and networking opportunities.

A light lunch and refreshments will be provided before the conversation begins.

About RRC Polytech’s Schroeder Institute

The Schroeder Institute serves as a dynamic hub for creative arts education and research in Manitoba. Established through a generous $15-million gift from the Schroeder Foundation in September 2024, the Institute bridges classroom learning with industry demands, offering programs in animation, digital film and media production, video and motion graphics, and more.

Students benefit from hands-on experiences, industry partnerships and applied research opportunities, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute to Manitoba’s burgeoning creative industries.

“When you have to do something, don’t think, ‘I have to do this’. Look at it as an opportunity and say, ‘I get to do this.’”

This motto guides Shannon Bunn, Funding Officer at Treaty One Nations, in her work, family life, and community involvement.

A proud member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation with family ties to Sandy Bay Ojibway Nation, Bunn has spent her career serving urban Indigenous communities and helping build self-reliance and strength for First Nations in Manitoba.

In 2012, as a young parent, Bunn planned to enroll in the Early Childhood Education program at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech). When the program was full, an advisor recommended the Business Administration program, which then offered a flexible, three-year option for students returning to education.

“I was able to commit to my education and my family at the same time because of that program,” Bunn said.

The program’s supportive environment made a big difference. Bunn appreciated the small class sizes, hands-on learning, and inclusion of Indigenous knowledge. “There was a high rate of Indigenous students in the classroom, which made me feel more comfortable venturing into something new,” she said.

Bunn recalls a communications class with instructor Lyall Krahn as a turning point. “I remember questioning why I was in the program and what I wanted to do after,” she said. “He gave me good words of encouragement, shared his experiences working with Indigenous communities, and told me how well I was doing. That gave me the confidence to continue with the program.”

A Career in Community

The skills Bunn gained at RRC Polytech became the foundation of her career. After graduating in 2015, she brought her skills to the non-profit sector, working to support and strengthen Indigenous communities. Her desire to make a difference comes from her upbringing in Winnipeg’s North End.

“I grew up there and could relate to many of the stories of the youth and children in the area and wanted to make a positive impact on their lives,” she said.

Reflecting the College’s deep commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous student success, and our Strategic Plan priorities, we’re honoured and excited to embark on a journey to update our Indigenous visual identity. And, we’d like your help along the way.

To lead this important work, we have partnered with Narratives Inc., a creative agency specializing in culturally grounded consultation and design, who is supporting us with an Indigenous-led team

Narratives is working with a Steering Committee, representing areas from across the College, and alongside the Knowledge Keepers Council, to ensure this work is led with care, integrity, and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Together, we will undertake a collaborative process with input from students, staff, and community partners, including you – our alumni.

A key component of the College’s brand, the updated Indigenous visual identity will serve as a guiding resource for how RRC Polytech visually represents Indigenous cultures (Inuit, Métis, Status and Non-Status First Nations), stories and relationships across formal communications such as marketing materials, business cards, advertising, signage, and presentations.

It will complement our corporate visual identity, while highlighting and celebrating Indigenous knowledge, innovation and leadership at RRC Polytech.

Learn more about why this matters and why we’re embarking on this journey.

Katherine Westwood first joined Relish Ideas as an intern.

Little more than a decade later, they’re stepping up to big responsibilities as a principal and Director of Product Development with the Winnipeg design and digital-strategy firm.

“It happened gradually, then all at once,” quipped Westwood, a 2013 Digital Media Design honours graduate, reflecting on the still-fresh promotion. “It’s a little surreal.”

“I advanced in fits and starts. I took on tutorials and then more duties as a junior and then senior web-developer.”

Hired off their internship, Westwood knew right away Relish was the place for them.

“When I filled out my work-placement form at Red River, I said I wanted to go someplace quiet. That’s Relish; everyone is focused, using headphones. It was my dream workplace. It was where I belonged.”

“From the start, I was given my own project as an intern. I was fortunate to get coaching from (Relish principal) James Black.”

It was during their annual review two years ago that Westwood was asked what they wanted to accomplish at Relish.

“I turned it around and asked ‘What do YOU want to see from me. What is YOUR long-term goal for me?’”

So began the career-development conversation that led to Westwood assuming new roles this past August.

Westwood has worked more closely with Black during their time with the firm. Now, as a principal, Westwood is also collaborating with Suzanne Braun, who founded Relish as a one-person studio in 1998.

The firm has grown since then, expanding its business from graphic design to a broader set of digital capabilities. Relish now employs 29 people.

Westwood will aim to keep that momentum going. As Director of Product Development, they are working to commercialize technology, lead special projects, and develop unique applications for Relish clients.