Great Plains College student awarded $5,000 Colleges and Institutes Canada bursary
Great Plains College is proud to announce Miguel Powell, a first year Practical Nursing student at the Biggar Program Centre, as the recipient of a Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary. The Charette family established this national bursary program in hopes to make a difference in students’ lives.
The $5,000 bursary is awarded annually to students that demonstrate financial need and face significant challenges or barriers to participating in and completing their post-secondary education. Each post-secondary institution with a CICan membership could submit one eligible student to be considered by the CICan national committee for this bursary.
“As we read through all the submissions from Great Plains College students, we were deeply moved by Powell’s story and the perseverance he’s shown,” said Carrie Voysey, director of communications and development. “Powell, who is a father of 3, including a three-month old baby, left his career in construction to pursue his passion for nursing; a passion that was uncovered through two life-altering circumstances including his sister’s terminal cancer diagnosis and a 2-week neonatal intensive care unit stay with his newborn son. He began his education journey in the Grade 12 Adult Basic Education program and was subsequently accepted to the highly-competitive Practical Nursing program where he has been thriving, despite the many demands on his plate. We’re proud to have Powell as a student and thrilled he was selected for a CICan Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary.”
Powell commutes 236 km round trip daily from his hometown of Warman to Biggar where he attends classes and labs. The $5,000 bursary will help Powell cover the costs of his commute, while also allowing him to reduce the hours he works at his weekend job to spend more time on his studies, be with his family, volunteer with the Warman Evacuation Centre and support Warman Minor Soccer.
“Receiving this bursary will have a profound impact on my ability to complete my courses by alleviating the financial strain my family has been experiencing, and giving me more free time for my family and my community,” said Powell. “I am so grateful to Paul and Gerri Charette for providing this bursary opportunity to students like me.”
To learn more about the CIC Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary, visit https://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/our-members/cican-bursaries/cican-paul-and-gerri-charette-bursary-program/.
