Sammatha Hegyi
Hometown: Regina, SK
Band: Cowessess First Nation
Program: Business diploma
Sammatha first learned about Sask Polytech online, but it’s the small class sizes and hands-on learning that encouraged her to enrol as a mature student in the Business diploma program, with a focus in human resources and management, at Moose Jaw campus.
“The atmosphere at Sask Polytech is geared towards student success,” says the First Nations woman. “Everyone helps each other and encourages each other in their studies.”
Attending Sask Polytech was a big commitment for Sammatha, who is also a single mom of two young children. “I had financial obstacles and commuted every day from Regina to Moose Jaw to attend my classes. It was worth it for Sask Polytech’s small class sizes and supportive instructors.”
Sammatha took advantage of several Sask Polytech services including visiting an Indigenous student advisor, Library Services and Learning Services. She also got involved on campus as a student representative on the Moose Jaw campus Indigenous Strategy Committee. “The instructors and staff are so welcoming, I feel like I belong.”
Sammatha’s advice for her peers? “Never give up, keep trying. It’s not a race, it’s a journey. It doesn’t matter when you finish, it matters that you finish.”