Student Spotlight - Neil Alexander

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Neil Alexander student spotlight

“I enjoyed helping other students,” said Neil Alexander, a 2020 Social Service Worker graduate, who worked as a peer mentor with Indigenous Affairs during his time at Assiniboine.

“I’d try to make them feel comfortable at the college if they were going through struggles,” he said.

Neil reflects on his time at Assiniboine and his work as a peer mentor as positive, but not without challenges. While attending Assiniboine and living in Brandon, Neil travelled back to his hometown of Emerson, where his wife and three kids were still living, each weekend. On top of this, he ran a business, Emerson Taxi, which was expanding when he heard he’d been accepted into college.

“The biggest challenge that I had going through school was being away from my family.”

His passion for his community is what saw him through this emotional challenge.

“I chose [Assiniboine] because it offered the program I needed to be able to make changes in my reserve,” said Neil. “The Social Service Worker program offered the resources I needed to help my community."

Part of this vision for change is creating a charitable foundation with the goal of rebuilding the arena in Roseau River First Nation to house a program where people of all ages can play hockey.

Volunteering to support community and volunteering to support his fellow students, Neil also benefited from a sense of belonging at Assiniboine.

“I went to the Cultural Centre through tough times because it gave a nice safe vibe. It was a good environment and it kind of revived you.”

“I met a lot of great people. It’s a good experience. For sure you’re going to go through some challenges, but if you hold on tight and just push through it, you’ll make it.”