Hands-on education powers confident, job-ready graduates across Saskatchewan
June 16, 2026 – More than 660 students are celebrating a major milestone as they graduate from Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
The convocation ceremony celebrates the Prince Albert campus class of 2026 and honours outstanding award recipients. Sask Polytech graduates are equipped to step into their fields and help drive the province’s growing economy. Through hands-on, applied learning, they have developed the skills, judgment and accountability to act with confidence, adapt to complexity and make a meaningful difference on the job from day one.
“It is an honour to celebrate our Prince Albert Campus graduating class of 2026, each of them leaders in their own way” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “Leadership in today’s world is about contribution. It’s about using what you have to make a tangible difference and it shows up in how you work, in the standards you maintain when no one is checking, and in the results that others can trust. Employers can count on our polytech graduates to show up as leaders.”
Congratulations to the Prince Albert campus award recipients.
DeAnna Bendig, a graduate of the Practical Nursing program, received the Outstanding Citizenship Award. Bendig defines leadership through connection, understanding and creating space for others. On campus and in clinical settings, she consistently exceeds expectations, supporting peers and patients while fostering a culturally safe, inclusive environment. Her commitment to patient dignity, community service and leadership, both on clinical rotations and through volunteer roles, exemplifies Sask Polytech’s values.
Emily Davies-Arnason, a Hairstylist graduate and Muskan Kaur, an Early Childhood Education graduate, both received Reconciliation in Action Awards.
Davies-Arnason, a proud Métis woman, demonstrates leadership through integrity, dedication and a deep commitment to reconciliation, shaped by her journey of reclaiming her identity. She supports and mentors peers while maintaining academic excellence, achieving a grade point average above 85 per cent, and helps remove barriers for others while making a lasting impact on Sask Polytech’s community.
Kaur demonstrates a strong commitment to reconciliation through inclusive, culturally responsive teaching practices in her work at Nipawin Daycare Co-operative. Through her practicum and daily interactions, she fosters a welcoming environment where Indigenous and non-Indigenous children alike felt a strong sense of belonging.
Nathan Netemegesic is the recipient of the Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal for the highest average in the Prince Albert campus Adult 12 program.
Kelsey Mcilmoyl, a graduate of the Hairstylist program, is the recipient of the Governor General’s Academic Collegiate Bronze Medal for the highest average for a diploma at the Prince Albert campus.
Sask Polytech awarded an honorary degree in Applied Studies to Mitchell Holash, K.C., partner at Novus Law Group. For decades, Holash has helped shape this community through vision, generosity and a commitment to building something better for future generations.
More than 5,230 students are eligible to graduate across all four campuses this spring. Sask Polytech prepares work-ready graduates to meet Saskatchewan’s labour market demands. Sask Polytech currently has a 93 per cent graduate employment rate and 90 per cent Indigenous graduate employment rate.
The convocation ceremonies are broadcast live so graduates, family, friends and the polytechnic community who are unable to attend in-person can celebrate. To view the livestream or previously recorded video please visit www.saskpolytech.ca/convocation.
