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(Sault Ste. Marie, ON November 18, 2021) – Each year, ˽��ӰԺ proudly nominates remarkable ˽��ӰԺ alumni for the prestigious Premier’s Awards, which recognize the important social and economic contributions that college graduates make to Ontario and throughout the world. We are tremendously proud and excited to announce that one of ˽��ӰԺ’s nominees – Stacey Jackson – was selected as this year’s Premier’s Award recipient in the Technology category! 

Stacey is a graduate of ˽��ӰԺ’s Aviation-Flight Technology program in 2005. She is an internationally recognized "Elsie Award" winning Airline Pilot, Crash Site Investigator and Women In Aviation Advocate. Stacey has made a career out of her passion for flying and the study of Human Factors as they pertain to the aviation industry. Whether flying UN evacuation missions, starting her own consulting firm, or chartering the Upper Canada chapter of Women in Aviation International, Stacey earns the highest accolades of her industry and brings a passion for the development and support of her peers to every aspect of her career.

“My experiences at ˽��ӰԺ laid the foundation upon which I built my successful career. The program was intense, but rewarding, and it definitely allowed me to stand out in the aviation industry,“ said Stacey Jackson, Premier’s Award recipient. “I am very thankful to the Instructors and Professors that took the time to coach and mentor me over the years. I truly enjoyed my time at ˽��ӰԺ and would highly recommend it to any student who wants to be a leader in their field,“ she added.

“Our students and alumni are important members of our ˽��ӰԺ community and we always welcome the opportunity to recognize their successes and contributions,” said Dr. Ron Common, President, ˽��ӰԺ.  “It is with great pride that we nominate outstanding alumni for the annual Premier’s Awards and having one of our nominees selected among an incredible group of individuals is a true honour. Stacey has been a leader in her career having a significant impact both within Canada and internationally.  Her accomplishments and recognitions are vast, and we are proud to share her successes through this Premier’s Award.” 

˽��ӰԺ also nominated notable alumni for Premier’s Awards: Jonathan Boyer-Nolan (Community Services), Katrina Francella (Recent Graduate), and Mathew Wilson (Health Sciences). “Jonathan, Katrina and Mathew have amazing success stories that we were proud to share and celebrate through this nomination. ˽��ӰԺ is honoured to have helped shape their professional lives and we congratulate them on all of their accomplishments,” added Dr. Common.

˽��ӰԺ’s 2021 Premier’s Award Nominees:

Community Services – Jonathan Boyer-Nolan (Social Service Worker Indigenous Specialization, 2018)
Jonathan Boyer-Nolan is a proud Anishnaabe from Mississauga First Nation whose role in Indigenous advocacy, through the development of holistic and culturally informed policy making, has led to his involvement on a multitude of regional and provincial working groups, volunteer boards and non-profit organizations. Through his work as a Family Services Clinician and through his own consulting practice, Jonathan's advocacy and policy work within Ontario's Education and Labour systems have and will continue to open doors for Indigenous learners and workers across the province by working to resolve systemic issues.

Jonathan is the Chair of ˽��ӰԺ’s Indigenous Circle on Education and is a ˽��ӰԺ Board of Governor.

Health Sciences – Mathew Wilson (Pre-Health Sciences 2008, Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing 2012)
Serving as a Nursing Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, Captain Mathew Wilson has participated in multiple peacekeeping missions globally since graduating from the Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in 2012. Captain Wilson has served in international peacekeeping missions as part of an Aeromedical Evacuation team in Mali and Canadian Armed Forces stabilization efforts in Iraq, as well as being deployed with Canadian Armed Forces operations domestically and abroad providing essential critical nursing care to sensitive populations in need due to emergency situations.

Technology – Stacey Jackson (Aviation-Flight Technology, 2005)
An internationally recognized "Elsie Award" winning Airline Pilot, Crash Site Investigator and Women In Aviation Advocate, Stacey Jackson has made a career out of her passion for flying and the study of Human Factors as they pertain to the aviation industry.
Whether flying UN evacuation missions, starting her own consulting firm, or chartering the Upper Canada chapter of Women in Aviation International, Stacey earns the highest accolades of her industry and brings a passion for the development and support of her peers to every aspect of her career.

Recent Graduate – Katrina Francella (Fitness and Health Promotion, 2018)
“Koach” Katrina Francella’s career has already had a profound impact on the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual youth in the community.

Katrina’s The KLUB has, in a few short years, transformed from an inclusive fitness centre for women and 2SLGBTQ+, to a non-profit community centre and a hub for BIPOC, newcomers, those affected by mental illness and substance use, those with intellectual and physical disabilities and any others experiencing systemic oppression. Katrina provides the community with workshops, keynote speakers, mental health chats, and community outreach with a focus on delivering an inclusive safe space for fitness, wellness, and events.

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