We’re so proud of the nearly 2,400 people who earned the privilege of walking across the stage at the university’s Spring Convocation ceremonies on June 18, 19 and 20 at the Winspear Centre, including more than 600 from the School of Business.

Here, members of the Class of 2024 from the School of Business reflect on lessons learned, why they love what they do, the people who helped them get here and their very bright futures.

MICHAEL BLACK
Bachelor of Commerce, Management

I grew up in Brownfield, Alberta, where my graduating class was 30 students, so MacEwan’s smaller class sizes were important to me. So was the fact that the School of Business had a co-op program. I knew I wanted to get experience in the real world and combine it with my learning in the classroom. My co-op experience was probably the most beneficial in helping me secure my current full-time job with the Ford Motor Company of Canada. 

I interned with Ford during the summer of 2023 and got a call in October to return full time. Today, I’m a parts, service and customer experience manager working with dealerships in Manitoba. 

I love the human aspects of management and marketing, probably because people are the most exciting subject – no one is ever the same. And there were so many people that made a difference during my studies at MacEwan. I was lucky to have amazing professors who were beyond helpful, challenged me to do better and – most of all – helped me learn. 

I plan to take that human-centric perspective into my work and life. As long as I work with people in the future, I am more than happy!

HOUDA CHOUKAIR
Bachelor of Commerce, Legal Studies in Business

There are a few reasons why I’m passionate about law, but I think it began with my uncle’s tragic murder when I was seven years old. As a first-gen daughter of Lebanese immigrants, I was always aware of representation – or the lack of it. I didn’t see a lot of young Arab girls wanting to pursue higher education when I was growing up. As I got older, I started to notice a lack of Arab representation in the legal field – we are not even statistically considered when listing ethnic minorities practicing law. Even though there was no question that I wanted to study law, it wasn’t an easy path. 

I was rejected when I first applied to MacEwan for the paralegal studies program. That shattered me. But instead of letting the experience define me, I took it as a sign that I needed to do whatever it took to get the highest grades possible so that I would be accepted to law school. Professors like Brian Keller, Dr. Dan Wilson, Arlan Delisle and Dr. McKay White made me look forward to coming to class and made a world of difference to my experience. And I couldn’t imagine myself succeeding without the support of the amazing friends I’ve made here. Ultimately, I excelled academically and achieved a 4.0 GPA in my last two years.

I’ll use the knowledge I gained from this degree in the Juris Doctor program at the University of Alberta next fall. I’m so proud to be one of the lucky students selected to join the class of 2027.

EVAN CURTIS ENG
Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting
Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence

I like how versatile accounting is – it’s the backbone of any business and there’s always something to learn.

During my last two years at MacEwan, I was a Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Alberta campus ambassador, sharing advice on school, recruitment and the CPA program with other students. Being an ambassador and the work experiences I’ve had through the co-op program left a real impression on me. I like how the community at MacEwan spills into the workplace. Whenever I meet a MacEwan alum, they open up about how to approach school, my career and life. 

Accounting isn’t the only thing I learned at MacEwan. When I felt uncomfortable about an experience in another class, I reached out to Michelle Malin, an associate professor in my program. She listened to me and encouraged me to do the right thing. That experience greatly impacted how I live my life and make decisions. It showed me how important it is to lead with empathy and do the right thing for others, even when there’s no benefit in it for you.  

In the long term, I’d like to pursue further education and find a position that makes an impact outside of work. I’m excited to be starting the CPA program and working at Deloitte (one of the four biggest accounting firms in the world) this fall. My fiancée and I recently got engaged (we’ve been together since Grade 8!), so focusing on maintaining strong relationships with her, my family and my friends is also at the top of my mind.

ANETT FERENCZI
Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing

After high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to study, so I took a year off and worked as a retail assistant manager. Doing so much merchandising and creating marketing materials sparked my interest in consumer behaviour. I enjoyed every single one of my marketing courses and am now using what I learned in the real world. 

I am forever grateful for my time in the co-op program. Over three semesters of work, I learned about myself, worked with many entrepreneurs, gained invaluable experience and determined what I am looking for in a future career. My last placement even ended with a two-year contract!  

Today, I’m a marketing manager with a utility company, working on their branding, public relations, communication and marketing efforts. I hope to make a difference in the future of this company and others. I don’t think I’d be here without my time at MacEwan and the opportunities I had.  

I met so many people with different experiences and backgrounds, and they all brought something new into my life. Some of my favourite memories come from chatting with my friends after a big project and laughing to deal with the stress. Sometimes we were up until 2 a.m. trying to finalize a presentation for later the same day. I might not have then, but now I think about those times with fondness. Each one of these moments had a certain beauty.

IVY PHUONG HO
Bachelor of Commerce, Human Resource Management

My story is nothing out of the ordinary, but I think that makes it all the more special. At MacEwan, I met amazing people, learned from amazing professors, experienced personal challenges and overcame academic ones. This chapter of my life changed me and was worth all the ups and downs. 

My family is my biggest inspiration – I’m a first-generation Canadian to parents who immigrated from Vietnam and risked everything for a better life. They always taught my older brother and me that education could expand our opportunities and take us to places we could never imagine. I want to make my family proud and to show them their sacrifices were worth it. 

Hearing how much my brother loved his time at MacEwan really impacted me. I still have the MacEwan pencil and pin I got at a post-secondary fair in Grade 10, and I’ll be wearing the pin to honour the goals and dreams I accomplished here. 

I love talking to people and connecting with others, and Human Resources allows me to do that in the workplace and share empathy and care with the people around me. We spend so much time at work that it’s important to have people who care about you and are there for you when you need it.  

My current job is in marketing, but my human resources education greatly impacts my work. I don’t have an exact, detailed plan of what to do next, but I’m okay with going with the flow, finding what speaks to me and knowing my worth.

MAJIDA MAKKI
Paralegal Studies Diploma

I’ve always been torn about what to study. On the one hand, I wanted to work in crime and law, but on the other hand, I didn’t want to spend a long time in school. I always struggled between what I wanted and what I had to do to get it. No matter what I ended up doing, I knew my priority would be helping people and making a difference in their lives. 

I learned that, as a paralegal, I can still do that and offer help in every area of law. I’ve met some great people during my time at MacEwan. We’ve bonded over frustration about our courses, shared life goals and kept each other going during three-hour criminal law classes. I'll always look back with fondness at the laughs we shared and the solace we provided for one another. 

I currently work in a law firm and every client we help is a relief to my heart. I plan to stay here – I’m learning so much every day and plan to prioritize that. But ever since I was 15, I’ve wanted to join a police force. I always pushed the idea down for one reason or another, but the more I work in and learn about other areas of law, the more I realize criminal law is my true calling. I know the end of my road will eventually lead to a career with the RCMP.

SUSANNA MACNEIL
Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing

In my first year at MacEwan, during a class with Dr. Andrea Wagner, she told us that one of the only things nobody could take away from us was our education and that she was proud of us for choosing to further our education. I consistently referenced that throughout the rest of my degree.       

As I walk across the stage at Convocation to receive my degree, my one-year-old son will be watching. I want him to know that no goal is too high and that I’ll always support him and do my best to help him achieve whatever he wants. I hope he sees that hard work does pay off. I dedicate my success to him. 

I've known since high school that I wanted to go into marketing. I grew up playing sports, so I dreamed of landing a job with a sports team back then. It’s still something I’d love to pursue one day, but I also love working in the car industry. Today, I'm the marketing coordinator at a car dealership. I get to spend my days working with and meeting talented and educated people from different walks of life. I love that it lets me be creative and regularly challenges me.

RAEANN-MARIE PICOC
Bachelor of Commerce, Human Resource Management

I came to MacEwan right out of high school, intending to major in accounting. But after my first human resources management class, my mind changed. I was captivated by how human resources encompasses the employee experience at work and how every organization can reach its goals by fostering different ways to support workers.

Without a doubt, my parents and siblings have been my inspiration during my time as a student. My parents, who immigrated from the Philippines and gave their all to support our family, are the epitome of what it is to be a hard worker who refuses to give up. When I bumped into obstacles during my academic journey, my family was always there to help me keep going. No matter how many times I fell, they met me where I was and continued walking the path with me.

In the future, I want to get a CPHR designation and become a human resources professional who positively impacts the workforce I support. And I’m already on my way. I've been fortunate to begin this next chapter and recently started an HR intern position in the public sector.

MAKENNA SCHUTTLER
Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting

Playing university hockey has always been a dream of mine, so it was exciting to be part of MacEwan’s first season as part of Canada West during the 2021/21 season. My family was at every one of my hockey games and supported me throughout my entire university experience, so it was really special to play my last-ever hockey game with my family in the stands. 

My family joined me on the ice in a small ceremony before the game. That moment was the first time I realized that my time at MacEwan was ending. As I finished my last midterm, presentation and final group projects, those small moments made me reflect on my university experience and see how far I have come.

I’ve always been interested in how businesses operate, and I enjoy math, problem-solving and group projects, so studying business made sense for me. I was fortunate to have many inspiring professors and make great friends who’ve given me everlasting memories and taught me a lot about working in a team.

I will be joining MNP Calgary in the fall as a CPA articling accountant, and I’ll also be pursuing a Chartered Professional Accountant designation. I am looking forward to this opportunity and am excited to start my career in this field.

HARKARAN KAUR SINGH
Bachelor of Commerce, Legal Studies in Business

I always loved social studies, so I started at MacEwan, thinking I wanted to study history. As I took economics and business courses in my first year, I enjoyed learning about the complexity of the business world. I found myself leaning toward a Bachelor of Commerce instead. I could have transferred to a different university, but the community at MacEwan kept me here. Everyone I had the pleasure of meeting – from students to faculty and staff – was kind, understanding and overall wonderful to be around.

I love asking questions, so majoring in legal studies made sense. I got to ask (and answer) many questions: Why do we have certain laws in place? What led to them? Does that way of thinking still apply today? And there were even more questions to be answered, so I decided to pursue a minor in journalism. 

I plan to get some work experience and pay off my student loan, but when the time is right, I want to further my education and pursue an MBA or master’s degree.

WESLEY TANG
Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting/Legal Studies in Business

I am obsessed with the logic behind everyday numbers, so accounting made sense when I decided to try going to university again after working as a retail manager in the telecommunications industry for nearly three years. Taking a business law course (which also happened to be one of the required courses I dreaded most) made me see how similar the logic behind law is to accounting: the imperfection, the constant adaptation and the impact on society. Those are the things I’m passionate about. 

I must thank my professor, Lorrie Adams, for showing me that law is more than just lawyers in white wigs screaming at each other in court (I grew up watching many Hong Kong television dramas). I’m fascinated that the law is full of never-ending conundrums that it perpetually attempts to resolve. I also have to thank my mom, without whom I would not be where I am now; her sacrifices and unwavering love and support have enabled me to develop my passion and pursue my dreams.

The journey hasn’t always been easy. I’m a mature student who withdrew from university twice. I believed that I was the odd one out and less able than my younger peers, but I’ve learned that there isn’t one right way to pursue education. Everyone’s journey is different. 

The next step in my educational journey is law school. This fall, I’ll be relocating to Vancouver for the Juris Doctor program at the University of British Columbia. I am beyond excited to turn the knowledge I have gained at MacEwan into something more and hopefully give back to my communities in every small way I can.