NAIT Alumni

If you have a desk job, you might be all too familiar with the stiffness, tightness, and tension that can come with sitting for long periods of time. But that constant discomfort you feel doesn’t have to be your norm! Check out the below tip from Dr. Cody Sieben (Entrepreneurship & Innovation ‘08), a chiropractor at 4 Points Health and Wellness, for improving circulation and reducing stiffness. ⬇️

❌ The myth? Occasional stretching sessions are enough to counteract prolonged sitting.

✅ The truth? Stretching once a week won’t undo 8 hours of work each day at a desk. The body responds most strongly to what it experiences consistently every day. Sitting for hours at a time while only stretching once or twice a week usually does not provide enough movement variability to offset repetitive postural stress. This is why many folks with desk jobs continue feeling stiff despite occasionally exercising or stretching.

💡 His tip? Incorporate short movement breaks throughout the day to help improve circulation and reduce stiffness. Stand up frequently, walk between meetings (get outside and enjoy the summer weather! ☀️), perform quick mobility exercises, or take a timed stretching break – even five minutes of daily stretching can make a huge difference.

✨The goal? Be consistent. Short movement breaks throughout the day often provide more benefit than one long stretching session at the end of the week. Building small sustainable daily habits is often more effective long-term than relying on occasional aggressive stretching or “fixes.”

When stiffness, tightness, or recurring discomfort persists despite these habits, it often signals that mobility alone isn’t addressing the full picture. Joint restriction, muscle imbalances, and postural loading patterns can keep the same areas under constant strain. This is where chiropractic care can help, by assessing how your spine and extremities are moving, identifying restrictions, and restoring more efficient mechanics so your daily movement and exercises actually “stick.”

Looking for more helpful tips? Follow Dr Cody Sieben, D.C.!

Being a NAIT grad has its perks! ✨ Alumni receive access to competitive rates on term dental, life, and health insurance through our affinity program partner, Manulife. Learn more and request a quote: nait.ca/alumni/benefits

After nearly 40 years working in Indigenous relations, Peter Knight (Professional Meat Cutting and Merchandising '26) wasn’t ready to retire. He was ready to start something new.

At 59, he returned to school at NAIT to become a butcher, inspired in part by culture and community. Growing up in Fort Chipewyan, he saw food as something that brings people together — something to share, to teach, and to pass down.

Now, as he prepares to cross the convocation stage, it’s not just about a new career. It’s about what he represents. Peter will be part of the first group of Indigenous graduates at NAIT to wear the stole. A symbol of identity, pride and the journey that brought him here.

For Peter, that visibility matters. He hopes it shows others, especially young people, that it’s never too late to follow a new path: “You follow your dreams, and you can make stuff happen.”

Read more. ⬇️

Indigenous cultural stoles designed for NAIT convocation Indigenous graduates offered cultural stoles to wear at NAIT convocation

We're celebrating our Class of 2026 at Convocation later this month, and we can't wait to welcome these new grads to our alumni community! 🥳

Join in on the celebration by commenting:
✨ Your words of congratulations
✨ Photos from your graduation
✨ Advice you have for our Class of 2026

We're proud to share that Daniel Yeung, NAIT alumnus (Dental Laboratory Technology '81) and our 2026 Distinguished Friend of the Institute, was highlighted in Edify Edmonton's "6 Who Inspire" feature this June!

Learn how fate guided him to become a defining force in Edmonton’s dental technology community—and how his craft, guidance, and efforts have helped create a community of innovators that will propel the city forward. ⬇️

“I Realized I Could Help People Gain Confidence” – Daniel W. Yeung | Edify. Ingenuity and hard work grew into his passion for mentoring others and for building a community of innovators

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jeffrey (Construction Engineering Technology '11) and Kevin Lapes, the co-owners of Pemco Construction Ltd. Pemco, a second-generation family-owned business that’s been around for over 35 years, is a commercial contractor specializing in interior renovations, primarily in the Edmonton region. Learn more about Pemco, Jeffrey's time at NAIT, and their entrepreneurial journey. ⬇️

Check out these photos from Convocation in 1988. 🎓 For decades, we've come together to celebrate the achievements of graduates, warmly welcoming them to our alumni family, and we can't wait to continue this tradition with our Class of 2026 in under a month. 🎉

Michelle Harris (Biological Sciences Technology – Renewable Resources ’11) recently published “Explore the Green Side of Edmonton,” a book that covers destinations, resources, and other ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Michelle has grown her career as an environmental educator in Edmonton, working with clients like the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance. While she felt the industry had an eye on aspects of accessibility to enjoying nature, such as financial barriers or even unpaved paths, she wasn’t convinced it did enough to simply extend an invitation to participate.

Helping people take the first step was a constant issue that no one was addressing, so the self-described “tree hugger” decided to address it herself. What started with a single notebook grew into 340 pages of expert guidance to exploring the incredible bounty and beauty of the natural world in and around Edmonton.

Learn more about the book. ⬇️

techlifetoday.nait.ca

Attention NAIT alumni: We need your help to make Convocation a success! 🎓

NAIT’s Convocation will take place from Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June 25 at the Edmonton Convention Centre and we're seeking volunteers to help us create a smooth, organized, celebratory convocation ceremony. We’re especially in need of volunteers on Thursday, June 25!

Roles available include:
✨ Info Desk
✨ Guest Tickets / Grad Gifts
✨ Stage Marshall
✨ Graduate Line-Up

Learn more and sign up for shifts: https://bit.ly/4u5HMyY

Planning a trip this summer? Don’t forget to consider travel insurance!

As a NAIT grad, you get access to preferred insurance rates on travel, home, and auto insurance with our affinity program partner, TD Insurance.

Learn more and get a quote: tdinsurance.com/affinity/naitalumni