Nova Scotia Community College - NSCC

Please note, NSCC Shelburne Campus is closed for the day (Tuesday, June 9) due to a power outage. Power is expected to be restored around 6 pm. For the latest closure info, visit

Up-to-date campus closures and delayed openings | NSCC If any of our NSCC campuses is set to close for any reason outside of normal business hours, that closure will be posted here. Please check back often.

“It's fascinating… and a little intimidating—in a good way.” ⚓ From the classroom to the shipyard, NSCC student Keighan is gaining hands-on experience preparing for a career in Nova Scotia’s growing marine sector.

Through the Irving Shipbuilding Marine Trades Initiative, students are building real-world skills, reducing financial barriers and opening doors to opportunities that support Canada’s defence industry right here at home in Nova Scotia.

➡️ Read Keighan’s story:

From classroom to shipyard: Building Nova Scotia’s marine trades | NSCC Discover how the Irving Shipbuilding Marine Trades Initiative, delivered by NSCC, prepares students for shipbuilding and marine trades careers in Nova Scotia.

If you’re starting or returning to NSCC this fall, now’s the time to apply for financial support through student awards, scholarships and bursaries. Apply today: http://nscc.ca/awards

“I’m a Deaf person who uses cochlear implants daily. After graduating from NSCC’s American Sign Language (ASL) Studies and ASL/English Interpretation programs, I began working as a freelance interpreter.

If it weren’t for my NSCC experience, I wouldn’t have the career that I have now. I love interpreting because every day is different. I’ve worked in post‑secondary and K–12 education, walking tours, conventions, theatre and live music, and business settings.

As a Deaf person and having a mother who works as an ASL Interpreter, I’ve been exposed to this world ever since I was young. I didn’t become fluent in ASL until after high school, when I had no clear plan and my mother encouraged me to apply to NSCC.

Outside of interpreting, one of my biggest passions is drag. I’ve been a drag queen for three years, starting while I was at NSCC. Drag helped me discover a love for sewing, fashion, crafting, makeup, wig styling, and performing.

My NSCC experience shaped both my career and my identity. I built connections with working interpreters who mentored and supported me during and after school. Personally, I learned a lot about my Deaf identity.

I often felt not Deaf enough for the Deaf community or hearing enough for the hearing community, but I came to understand that Deafness exists on a spectrum and there’s no single way to be Deaf.

Being inclusive of Deaf people starts with understanding accessibility—hiring interpreters, providing accurate captions, and asking individuals what they need rather than assuming.

Interpreters aren’t there to “help” Deaf people; they provide equal access to communication and ensure information isn’t missed. Conversations should always be person‑to‑person, with the interpreter simply interpreting.”
- Parker MacDougall (ASL Studies '22, ASL/English Interpretation '24)

You shared your favourite tunes, and we listened! Here’s our Class of 2026 playlist, curated by our newest grads 🎶🎧: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1JwxsoJfMJMPC6XJDzN2wj?si=DumpnFWKSwG4ryYaX0vfdg

Celebrating the Class of 2026 Playlist · NSCC · 91 items

“I’m from Trinidad and Tobago, and I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as a diploma in disability supports and services. My journey in community inclusion began when I was 7 and befriended a neighbour who has autism.

Driven by curiosity, I went to the library to learn more about disability and what community inclusion could look like. At the time, disability was often viewed as taboo in my community, and many people believed that if a child had a disability, there must be something wrong with the parents.

Before moving to Canada, my understanding of community inclusion was not as broad as it is today. While I was passionate about supporting others, it was here that I gained a deeper appreciation for inclusion, accessibility and belonging.

During my time at NSCC, I gained the foundation I needed to see how broad and impactful community inclusion is. I originally planned to pursue counselling in psychology, but I realized my passion was working directly in the community, supporting people to live meaningful and self-directed lives.

Today, I work as a coordinator at Support Services Group, managing a caseload of 11 members and overseeing 25 staff. Through a person-centred approach of ‘do it with you, not for you’, we support people with disabilities in building independence and living the lives they choose.

Too often, people are defined by their diagnosis rather than recognized for their strengths and contributions. In many cases, it is not disability itself that creates barriers, but a lack of inclusion and accessibility.

In the future, I hope to advocate for disability support, inclusion, mental health, and wellness through public speaking and education, while contributing to programs such as NSCC’s Achieve program."
— Kizzy Browne (Disability Supports and Services ’24)