RRC Polytech officially unveiled its new Indigenous visual identity at Fall Convocation on November 18 – a project grounded in the institution’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous student success, and shared values of respect, inclusion, and belonging. 

“Celebrating our latest cohort of graduates is always an exciting, profound occasion,” said Fred Meier, RRC Polytech’s President and CEO.

He shared that the fall ceremonies carried extra significance, as Indigenous graduates crossed the stage wearing new stoles that honour tradition while embracing progress and change.

The stoles and new visual identity are the result of extensive conversations with Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, community partners, and hundreds of alumni, led by a steering committee made up of RRC Polytech staff and valued partners. 

“The design on these stoles is rooted in sacredness, seasonality, and interconnectedness, honouring the distinct identities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples while weaving together themes of land, language, and story into a living expression of who we are,” said Carla Kematch, steering committee member and RRC Polytech’s Director of Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement.

“The visual identity reflects teachings learned through engagement sessions and a survey that was shared among our community, ensuring that the design is a true reflection of an identity that belongs to all of us.” 

New Educational Assistant grad credits positive practicum experience for confirming career path

“I think it’s beautiful,” said Elizabeth Henderson. “I feel empowered.”

Henderson graduated from the Educational Assistant Certificate Program with honours. She credits her practicum at Isaac Brock School — which has an Ojibwe bilingual program —­­ for confirming she was on the right career path.

“I plan on furthering my education to become a Anishinaabemowin teacher because I did so well in my practicum that people thought I was a teacher.”

“An opportunity just opened up back home in Ontario, so it’s just aligning with my life perfectly right now,” she said. “I think that’s my next step, revitalizing the language.”

While she was a student, Henderson sat on the Indigenous Student Panel and had the chance to speak to teachers about how they can better support Indigenous students. Wearing the new stole at graduation felt like a full-circle moment.

When asked what graduating meant to her, Henderson shared how proud was.

“Coming to RRC Polytech, I felt like I was able to succeed really well, especially thanks to the Indigenous Student Services Centre. That was my place to go and have some peace and quiet, practice my culture and smudging, and just have a home.”

Henderson drove from her hometown in Ontario to Winnipeg to attend convocation, her brother in tow. And though the ceremony was a meaningful event, she shared excitement about returning home.

“Taking this stole back home, the little kids can see that they can leave their home and then come back with education,” Henderson said. “It’s inspiring.”

You can learn more about RRC Polytech’s new Indigenous visual identity and Indigenous student supports on our website.

A career in surveying can take someone to an exciting variety of job sites — from rural to urban, populated to remote.

That’s where Colin Rivard started after graduating from the Civil Engineering Technology program, specializing in Geomatics, at RRC Polytech in 2012. With an entrepreneurial background, though, there was always a desire to build something of his own.

“My dad and his dad started a small business together. I saw how they got to see the tangible efforts of what you put into owning a business. There’s a direct correlation to the harder you work, the more benefit there is. I’ve always liked that.”

In 2018, Rivard founded RivaCore Surveys and Locates as a one-person operation, and since then he’s adapted his focus to building the ideal team and overseeing a period of fast expansion.

“Starting in the field, you just get a love for surveying and being by yourself with an instrument,” said Rivard. “The biggest thing that drives me now, though, is being able to work with a team that we’ve really developed over the years.”

Just last year, RivaCore had a small team of eight — today, they’ve grown to a staff of 23, with at least five more coming on for long-term projects before the end of 2025.

RivaCore, which provides services including pipeline, construction, topographic, heavy civil surveys and beyond, hasn’t just grown in numbers — it’s grown in reputation as well. The organization has clients across multiple provinces and its reputation for inclusion as a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation, as well as teamwork and community, have been at the core of their growth and success.

“I come from a soccer background,” said Rivard. “It’s a team sport, and now I’m sitting here with work and I really enjoy it because I’m with this great team where everyone has each other’s back and tries to make it the best they can.”

One of the key aspects to the company’s growth has been bringing on students new to the world of surveying. Many of these students come from RRC Polytech.

“This was actually our first year hiring a Civil Engineering Technology summer student and it’s already become a company model for us,” said Rivard.

“We had an opportunity with the Alamos Gold project in Lynn Lake where we could have multiple surveyors on site, which was the perfect chance to bring in juniors and grow our team for the next few years.”

By bringing in students, Rivard is looking to provide a work environment that can inspire them to stay on board with RivaCore and support a positive cycle of learning.

“We can pour into these students… and build a loyal, knowledgeable surveyor base. Then, we continue to develop people from within, get them into higher positions, and we know what we’re getting. The RRC Polytech program is a huge resource for that.”

One of the students who joined the team this summer was Aidan Pacey, who is entering his second year in Civil Engineering Technology. His co-op at RivaCore saw him build experience as a survey assistant across Manitoba.

RRC Polytech presented Tessa Potter, an Emmy-award-winning broadcast technician, with the 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award at the Electrical Engineering Technology Homecoming event for the program’s 60th anniversary. The award celebrates the remarkable personal and professional achievements of RRC Polytech alumni.

Since graduating from RRC Polytech’s Electronic Engineering Technology program in 2000, Potter has built a successful career in television, radio, and live sports broadcasting, earning two Sports Emmy Awards for her technical work on the 2022 Beijing and 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“I’m thankful to RRC Polytech for this opportunity…I feel very honoured,” said Potter. “It’s surprising, when you see the list of other Distinguished Graduates, that someone like me, who’s still maybe considered a ground-floor worker, would be honoured.”

Potter credits the program for giving her the technical foundation that’s supported her throughout her career.

“Learning electronics isn’t something that happens through osmosis…you have to work at it,” said Potter. “Those classes where we took apart computers or wired up microcontrollers on a breadboard were valuable because they gave us space to experiment and make mistakes in a safe environment.”

She went on to roles with CTV and Rogers Media before joining True North Sports + Entertainment (TNSE) as a Broadcast Liaison, where she has supported NHL and AHL broadcasts for more than a decade. Today, she balances her work at TNSE and her role as a Senior Broadcast Technician at SBL Engineering with freelance broadcast contracts, which have taken her to international sporting events, such as the UEFA EURO Finals, the FIFA World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics.

“Tessa’s career shows how far a polytechnic education can take you, particularly in technical industries,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “Tessa has built an incredible career through collaboration, hard work, and continuous learning, which are all qualities that reflect her character and RRC Polytech’s values. We’re proud to count Tessa among our alumni and pleased to recognize her with this award.”

Potter is also an advocate for representation in her industry, a mentor to the next generation, and a leader committed to strengthening the broadcast community.

Generously supported by CTTAM (Certified Technicians and Technologists Association of Manitoba)

2025 marks more than half a century of excellence in Electrical Engineering education at RRC Polytech. To celebrate this incredible milestone, we invite members of the RRC Polytech Electrical Engineering community to join us on November 6 for Homecoming.

This free, casual event will bring together generations of alumni, instructors past and present, current students, and industry supporters for an evening of networking and fun. Food, beverages, and an interactive photo booth are on tap for the night, as well as a pop-up Campus Store booth where you can purchase RRC Polytech merch. In addition, we are proud to honour Emmy-award winning Broadcast Technician Tessa Potter as the recipient of RRC Polytech’s 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award at Homecoming.

We look forward to bringing our EET alumni community together this fall!

Event Details

Date:         Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time:         5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location:  RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus (2055 Notre Dame Ave.)
Menu:        Refreshments will be served and a cash bar will be available. *Attendees will receive a complimentary drink ticket.

A confirmation email will be sent out with event and parking details a few days prior to the event. If you have any questions, please contact Phil Klassen at pklassen@rrc.ca.

On Friday, September 26, content creator, super thrifter, and RRC Polytech Creative Communications grad Tedi Gilmartin will be the headliner at CreativeMornings Winnipeg’s free event taking place at Launch Co-Working (Exchange District – 5th floor, 167 Lombard Street). All RRC Polytech alumni and community members are 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.

September’s theme is BLOSSOM: every blossom is an act of becoming. The quiet force of roots pushing through the dark, the slow unfurling of a bud, a sudden burst of color. But plants don’t blossom on command. Each flower requires the right amount of sunlight, water, and nourishment across the cycle of the seasons. To truly blossom, you must take the risk of opening up. This is your season. You deserve to be seen. Offer your abundance of color and creativity to the world! 

A graduate of RRC Polytech’s Creative Communications program (2016), Tedi is a content creator celebrated for her Manitoba thrifting expertise, playful personality, and dynamic creativity. By day, she works as a content marketing specialist for a multi-billion-dollar company, and by night, she’s a creative photographer behind billboard campaigns, a videographer, and an editor passionate about storytelling-driven video content. Over the past year, she learned how to create her own path – in life and in work – and in this talk, she’ll share her story of growth and resilience.

Join CreativeMornings Winnipeg on September 26 at Launch Co-Working (Exchange District) for an inspiring morning!

Mark your calendars for October 2! Sponsored by BMO, RRC Polytech’s 3rd annual Fall Market at the Exchange District Campus will feature handcrafted items, artwork, delicious food, and innovative products all curated or created by talented students, staff, alumni, and industry partners.

Join us for a day of fun and festivity as we usher in a new season. In addition to shopping, there will be music, creative workshops and activities, and food trucks.

Entry is free for visitors and all are welcome.

Market Details

Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: RRC Polytech’s Exchange District Campus (160 Princess Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Become a Vendor

Alumni makers are warmly invited to sell their products and services at the market! Vendors will be provided with a table and chairs in the Roblin Centre or Manitou a bi Bii daziigae.

Vendors are responsible for transporting their own display items, arranging their tables, and handling their own sales (including monetary float for transactions).

RRC Polytech’s Electrical Engineering Technology program (EET) has reached a significant milestone this year: more than half a century teaching generations how to harness the innovative technology that powers industry and essential services in Manitoba and around the world.

To mark this moment, we warmly invite members of the RRC Polytech Electrical Engineering community to join us in November to celebrate!

Just as the industry has continued to evolve, so too has the program. EET encompasses three specializations:

1. Electrical Engineering Technology
2. Electronic Engineering Technology
3. Instrumentation Control Engineering Technology

Over the past 60 years, EET has also encompassed:

1. Computer Engineering Technology
2. Communication Engineering Technology
3. Instrumentation Engineering Technology

We’re excited to reconnect with alumni, former staff, and industry partners from each of these streams!

Save the Date

Date:         Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time:         5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location:  RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus (2055 Notre Dame Ave.)

More information coming soon! Please keep your eyes on our blog for event updates and refresh your contact information to ensure you’re on the invite list. Don’t forget to share with any RRC Polytech EET grads in your network!

The RRC Polytech Students’ Association (RRCSA) is looking for individuals to help select board members for the 2025-2026 term. The Appointment Panel will be made up of individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including alumni, RRCSA staff, past executives and board members, and current students.

The Appointment Panel plays a key role in selecting the newest members of the RRC Polytech Students’ Association Board (SAB), which guides major decisions and governs the RRCSA. Panelists will review board member applications and select new members that will uphold the SAB’s mission, vision, and values, ensure that the SAB operates with openness & transparency, and provide diverse perspectives.

All alumni interested in lending their expertise and wisdom as members of the Appointment Panel are invited to apply starting August 26, 2025. Applications close September 5, 2025 and selected members will receive detailed instructions by September 22, 2025. 

Time Commitment: Appointment panelists must be available the weeks of September 29 – October 3, 2025 and March 24 – March 31, 2026
Tasks: Review and grade SAB nominations
Honorarium: Provided upon completion (per term)

Learn more about the role of the Appointment Panel on the RRCSA website.

Be a part of something impactful — apply now!

Stay connected, give back, and mentor current students.

The RRC Polytech Students’ Association (RRCSA) is currently accepting applications to fill its opening for an ex-officio alumni position on it’s board – and they’re looking for a passionate graduate like you! All proud RRC Polytech alumni are warmly invited to apply.

This volunteer opportunity allows alumni to share their professional experience and insights with a dynamic, student-led board of directors. The alumni representative on the Students’ Association Board (SAB) brings industry knowledge and provides direction and mentorship to the team.

“The alumni representative on the SAB plays a vital role in shaping our direction. They have the chance to bring fresh insights, real-world experience, and a unique perspective that helps shape better decisions for students. It’s also a chance to stay connected, make an impact, and share what they’ve learned since graduating,” said Jasmine Lucero, President of the Students’ Association for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The SAB oversees a $3 million budget, which funds student initiatives and trust funds, and supports donation requests and capital projects. Your voice will help shape the decisions that directly impact the student experience and the broader RRC Polytech community.

“Being the alumni member on the SAB allowed me to give back to RRC Polytech and share some of my work and board experiences with student members since graduating many years ago,” said Colin Tirschmann (Business Administration, 1992), who served on the SAB for the 2024-2025 term.

“The SA Board is one of my favourite boards – the students bring a lot of energy and take their roles seriously. The bonus is that you meet a lot of nice people.”

The alumni representative will contribute to the development of the RRCSA’s Strategic Plan and serve on the Building Trust Fund Committee, which guides key campus infrastructure and improvement projects. They will also have the opportunity to provide invaluable mentorship to emerging student leaders who are committed to making a difference on campus.

This volunteer board member position is a one-year term from September 2025 to September 2026, with an opportunity to extend per interest and approval. Meetings are held in-person monthly, with nine meetings a year. Make a meaningful impact on the future of RRC Polytech – apply today!

Applications will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found. For more information and to apply, visit the RRCSA website.

RRC Polytech President and CEO Fred Meier with Neil Aisenstat, President and CEO of Hy’s Canada, and RRC Polytech student and award recipient Might Tapaoan at the 2024 Hy’s Patio Party in support RRC Polytech students.

All RRC Polytech alumni are warmly invited to a phenomenal culinary experience in support of RRC Polytech’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality students at Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar on Thursday, June 26.

This year, Hy’s celebrates 70 years. To mark this milestone, the John Aisenstat Memorial fundraiser is taking us back to 1955 with retro-inspired cocktails, appetizers, and exceptional socializing on Hy’s beautiful patio at the iconic intersection of Portage and Main in downtown Winnipeg. This annual patio party celebrates the future of culinary and hospitality excellence here in Manitoba and supports the Hy’s – John Aisenstat Memorial Award, which is dedicated to assisting graduating students from RRC Polytech’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs.

By purchasing a $100 ticket, you’ll make a meaningful impact on the next generation of culinary and hospitality talent and receive a $50 tax receipt. Your entire contribution will go directly to the John Aisenstat Memorial Fund at RRC Polytech. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to support a great cause and have a fantastic time. Purchase your tickets now and be part of this memorable evening!