The Alumni Awards Program celebrates the remarkable achievements, leadership, and community impact of Keyano College graduates and supporters. Each year, we proudly recognize individuals who embody excellence in their careers and make meaningful contributions to their communities and to the College.

Nominations for the 2026 Alumni Awards will be accepted from March 15 to May 15, 2026. We invite you to explore the award categories and submit a nomination to help us recognize the outstanding members of our alumni community.

Award Categories

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes the accomplishments of a Keyano College graduate who brings a legacy of excellence to college. This esteemed honour recognizes former students who have influenced their communities, excelled in their professional fields, and positively impacted the lives of others.

This award represents a Keyano graduate who embodies the following:

  • Career Achievements/Accomplishments: To what degree does this nominee appear to be passionate about his/her career or profession? How much have they achieved professionally over the period?
  • Academic Achievements: To what extent has the nominee excelled academically post studies at Keyano College. What other accreditations /certifications were achieved by this person. 
  • Community Contributions: To what extent does the nominee encourage and/or model good citizenship and community involvement.
  • Continued Support for Keyano College: What is the level of support to Keyano College? Has this person demonstrated passion for the college? Do they take personal interest in advancing the goal of achieving students’ success.  

The Rising Star Award recognizes a Keyano College graduate under the age of 40 who has demonstrated leadership and significant contributions to an area of expertise early in their profession or other endeavours. The recipient will have shown significant success at an early age or in a new industry.

This award represents a Keyano graduate who embodies the following:

  • Career Achievements/Accomplishments: To what degree does this nominee appear to be passionate about his/her career or profession? How much have they achieved professionally over the period
  • Academic Achievements: To what extent has the nominee excelled academically post studies at Keyano College. What other accreditations /certifications were achieved by this person.
  • Professional Leadership: How has the nominee demonstrated leadership and significant contribution to an area of expertise
  • Continued Support for Keyano College: What is the level of support to Keyano College? Has this person demonstrated passion for the college? Do they take personal interest in advancing the goal of achieving students’ success

The Volunteer Service Award recognizes a Keyano College graduate who has demonstrated a spirit of volunteerism and community service through active, unpaid involvement in and contributions to his or her community and/or at Keyano College.

This award represents a Keyano graduate who embodies the following:

  • Community Contributions: To what extent does the nominee encourage and/or model good citizenship and community involvement.
  • Continued Support for Keyano College: What is the level of support to Keyano College? Has this person demonstrated passion for the college? Do they take personal interest in advancing the goal of achieving students’ success.  

The Future Alumni Award recognizes the leadership, service and potential of a current Keyano College student who has completed a minimum of 15 course credits at Keyano College. The recipient of this award will have demonstrated academic excellence and substantial contributions to his or her community or career while balancing the demands of student life.

This award represents a Keyano graduate who embodies the following:

  • Career Excellence: To what extent has the nominee excelled academically at Keyano College. What other accreditations /certifications were achieved by this person.
  • Academic Achievements/Accomplishments: To what degree does this nominee appear to be   passionate about his/her career or profession? How much have they achieved professionally over the period?
  • Community Contributions: To what extent does the nominee encourage and/or model good citizenship and community involvement.
  • Continued Support for Keyano College: What is the level of support to Keyano College? Has this person demonstrated passion for the college? Do they take personal interest in advancing the goal of achieving students’ success.  

Please Note: Nominations for this award will only be accepted from Keyano staff/faculty/CUPE/SAKC.

The Honorary Alumnus Award: This category encompasses non-alumni. Keyano may recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to the Keyano community.

This award represents a Keyano graduate who embodies the following:

  • Community Contributions: To what extent does the nominee encourage and/or model good citizenship and community involvement.
  • Continued Support for Keyano College: What is the level of support to Keyano College? Has this person demonstrated passion for the college? Do they take personal interest in advancing the goal of achieving students’ success.

Please Note: Nominations for this award will only be accepted from Keyano staff/faculty/CUPE/SAKC.

Receiving the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award is a meaningful piece of recognition to me for my lengthy efforts towards serving community and developing professional capacity. Keyano College is an important contributor to my success and I'm thankful for the ability to receive a high quality education, at home, and to leverage those skills to improve the way families experience Wood Buffalo. My achievements have been shaped by the opportunities made possible by Keyano College, and for that I celebrate being an alumni.

- Chelsi (Ryan) King, 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

Who Is Eligible for Nomination?

  • Must have completed a program at Keyano College
  • Must be a student or past/present staff at Keyano College to be eligible for internal awards
  • Current members of the Alumni Committee are not eligible for nomination

What Happens After I Nominate Someone?

  • The Selection Committee will review the nominations
  • Winners will be selected and contacted
  • Winners will be advised of next steps post selection

How Will Our Winners Be Celebrated?

  • Photo shoot and video interview
  • Social media story
  • Profile added to the alumni website
  • Presentation of a physical award at the Award ceremony