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When Haadia Sharif addressed government officials, donors and community partners at the 29th Annual Premier's Scholarship Luncheon on Oct. 30, 2026, she spoke on behalf of a group of students whose paths to Bow Valley College were shaped by resilience and a desire to make a difference in their communities.
"Scholarships like these demonstrate to students that their hard work and dedication matter," she says.
Haadia, who completed her Social Work Diploma in the School of Community Studies at Bow Valley College this spring and is continuing her education through a Bachelor of Social Work, was one of 11 scholarship recipients recognized on campus during the luncheon. Premier Danielle Smith and other government representatives joined Bow Valley College to celebrate recipients of this year's Premier's Scholarships and Premier's Community Commitment Scholarships.
The Premier's Community Commitment Scholarships were awarded to five students, each receiving $3,000 in recognition of their dedication to volunteering and community service, while six students received Premier's Scholarships worth $3,500 each for academic excellence, financial need and determination to succeed. For many students standing on the stage to receive their award, the recognition marked another step in an already remarkable journey.
Before coming to Canada, recipient Menah Dina Mustaqim earned a law degree and worked as General Manager of Information at Afghanistan's Ministry of Disaster Management. After arriving in Canada with her family, including a newborn baby, she continued learning online while volunteering to provide free virtual English classes to girls in Afghanistan. Wanting to make a difference through a career in health care, she enrolled in the Practical Nurse Diploma in the School of Health and Wellness.
"Receiving this scholarship reminds me that my efforts are being recognized and encourages me to keep moving forward," she says. "The support will help reduce pressure on my family and allow me to focus on completing my nursing education. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and it motivates me to give back to my community through my career in nursing."
For Cruz (CJ) Pearson Bertsch, a disabled Métis woman and member of the Michel First Nation, advocating for equal access to education helped shape the path she follows today. In high school, she was denied access to academic courses because administrators mistakenly believed she was not intellectually capable. Successfully advocating for her right to participate and learn strengthened her understanding of systemic inequities and shaped her commitment to accessibility, inclusion and social justice.
Today, Cruz maintains a 4.0 GPA in Disability Studies in the School of Community Studies and plans to build a career in disability research, advocacy and rehabilitation.
"I chose to study at Bow Valley College because of its reputation for inclusion, supporting diversity and culture," she says.
Siby Antony's journey brought him back to the classroom after an established career as an internationally trained lawyer. After moving to Canada with degrees in law, business administration and healthcare administration, he enrolled in Bow Valley College's Legal Assistant Diploma in the Chiu School of Business to build a career in the Canadian legal field. Committed to supporting access to justice, Siby volunteered with organizations including Pro Bono Law Alberta, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary and the Calgary Youth Justice Society.
"Returning to school and building a new professional path in Canada has required dedication, adaptability and hard work," he says. "This scholarship gives me confidence that those efforts have been recognized and encourages me to continue pursuing my goals."
Established in 1994 by then-Premier Ralph Klein, the Premier's Scholarship Luncheon has raised more than $2.1 million in support of over 320 students. This year's event raised over $200,000 through sponsorships and event day donations, in support of the Premier’s Scholarship Fund.
The impact of community investment extends beyond scholarships. During the luncheon, Bow Valley College also highlighted the Health Care Centre of Excellence (HCCE), a transformative initiative that will expand high-quality health-care training and help address Alberta's growing need for skilled health-care professionals. Earlier this year, the Government of Alberta invested $5 million toward planning and design of the future facility. As well, it was shared that the College continues discussions with the City of Calgary regarding the acquisition of Block 40, including the former W.R. Castell Central Library adjacent to South Campus, to support future expansion.