Lethbridge Polytechnic announces Honouring Excellence award winners

“Our alumni community is truly one-of-a-kind, and each year’s Honouring Excellence award winners remind us of the remarkable impact we can have in the world. Lethbridge Polytechnic alumni are leading the charge locally and globally in so many exciting fields,” says Sassa.

The Honouring Excellence award winners will be celebrated at a banquet at the Lethbridge Polytechnic Garden Court Dining Room on April 3, 2025.

More details on the recipients have been provided by Lethbridge Polytechnic below:

Distinguished Alumni: Theresa Yauck (Interior Design and Merchandising 2002)

Theresa Yauck has always had a deep connection to her surroundings. Born and raised in Lethbridge, she graduated from Lethbridge Polytechnic in 2002 with a diploma in Interior Design and Merchandising before beginning her career in Braman Furniture’s engineering department, where she specialized in drafting and designing furniture for hospitality and senior living spaces. In 2005, Yauck became the first interior designer on staff at FWBA Architects.

Today, with more than 20 years of experience, Yauck is the lead interior designer at FWBA Architects. She is certified by the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications and is one of three pioneering partners in the firm’s 96-year history. As the first female and first interior designer to hold this role, she has helped shape FWBA, a respected mid-sized firm with offices in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Calgary. Yauck has also served on the Lethbridge Construction Association Board of Directors and Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Architectural Animation Technology Advisory Committee and Interior Design Technology Advisory Committee.

Yauck is a leader in workplace culture, business development and mentorship. An empath and strong communicator, she thrives in collaborative environments, always prioritizing the human experience in her designs. Her deep awareness of space – how it makes people feel, how they interact with it, and how every element, from layout and finishes to lighting and acoustics, contributes to comfort – has defined her approach. Yauck’s background in dance and yoga has further enhanced this sensitivity, strengthening her ability to create environments that foster both movement and stillness.

Throughout her career, Yauck has built a diverse and inspiring portfolio, bringing vibrant energy to schools, senior living communities and civic projects. She remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of designers, championing holistic project execution and expanding FWBA’s reach through thoughtful business development. With a wealth of knowledge and an innovative mindset, Yauck continues to transform spaces that enhance the way people live, work and connect.

Career Virtuoso: Chad Nilson (Criminal Justice – Policing 1999)

Chad Nilson grew up in the Nisbet Forest near Prince Albert, Sask. He is the founder and lead strategist at the Living Skies Centre for Social Inquiry. Since 2007, he has supported human service organizations, Indigenous communities and various governments by aligning science with practice – resulting in social innovation and capacity for improved community outcomes. Nilson has developed evidence-based models in the areas of violence, criminality, extremism, homelessness, gangs and poverty. His success lies in meaningful community engagements and primary data collection that provide valuable insights and perspectives on social issues.

Over the past decade, Nilson has inspired human service improvements through over 200 presentations and workshops, secured $60 million in social innovation funding for service organizations and has directly worked in over 80 communities nation-wide. His single motivation through these efforts is to help service providers transition from a multi-billion dollar focus on crisis response toward upstream solutions targeting risk and vulnerability. Nilson’s work has been recognized in trade publications, government reports and the Senate of Canada.

Nilson utilizes tools of science and knowledge transfer to lead paradigm shifts in human service delivery that directly benefit thousands of practitioners across Canada. As a result of these efforts, Nilson has gained national recognition for helping human service providers develop the collaboration, competence and advancement required to deliver measurable results in both prevention and intervention. His work has shaped government policy and investment in nearly all provinces and territories. Notable contributions include development of the Hub/Situation Table Model, First Nations Family Prevention Model, Circles of Care Advancing Jordan’s Principle, and Community Safety and Well-Being.

Nilson graduated from Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Criminal Justice – Policing diploma program in 1999. He continued his education to earn a bachelor’s degree in Montana, a master’s degree in Virginia, and a doctoral degree in Louisiana. Nilson conducted his field research in Venezuela, the United States, Austria and the Netherlands.

Nilson is sought after by service organizations because of his ability to effectively communicate academic-rooted concepts to front-line professionals. He brings data-driven evidence to organizations in consumable ways that yield great utility for practitioners who are working hard to help individuals and families at their greatest time of need. He attributes much of this skill to his practitioner-focused education and training at Lethbridge Polytechnic.

Community Leader: Jordan Schellenberg (Criminal Justice – Policing 2009)

Jordan Schellenberg has always had a deep passion for seeing the potential in others and helping them grow into their strengths. His journey into youth work started early, shaped by the example of his parents, who instilled in him a love for serving the community and mentoring young people. In 1994, his family moved to Lethbridge when his father became a children’s and family pastor at a large local church, reinforcing the values of leadership, service and care for children and youth.

Growing up, Schellenberg naturally stepped into leadership roles – whether at summer camps, youth clubs or mentoring younger kids. His passion for working with youth and building preventative, supportive programs only grew when he graduated from the polytechnic’s Criminal Justice – Policing program in 2009. Seeing firsthand the gaps in support for teens facing barriers, he began to dream of a place where all youth, regardless of their circumstances, could find mentorship, practical help and life-changing support without financial barriers standing in the way.

That dream became a reality in 2014 when he founded Youth One, a youth and family centre that has since become a cornerstone of the community. What started as a small initiative has grown into a thriving organization, serving nearly 500 youth each week through mentorship-based programs, meals and support services. Completely community funded, Youth One now raises more than $650,000 annually to support families in need, proving that when a community comes together, amazing things can happen and lives can be transformed. Since launching Youth One, Schellenberg has also helped numerous non-profit startups across Alberta, expanding impact beyond his local community.

Beyond Youth One, Schellenberg is passionate about helping others step into their purpose, guiding people to recognize their gifts and use them to make an impact. He believes leadership is about empowering others and carries that philosophy into everything he does.

Outside of his work, Schellenberg is an avid ultra-runner who finds clarity and renewal on the trails. Each year, he takes on challenging endurance races – sometimes attempting runs up to 160 kilometres – pushing his limits and embracing the lessons of perseverance and determination.

Above all, Schellenberg’s greatest joy is his family. He and his wife, Jodi – a dedicated registered nurse – are raising three incredible kids: Asa, Clover and Saylor. Whether at home, in the community or out in the mountains, Schellenberg lives by a simple but powerful belief: every person has immeasurable worth and potential and with the right support they can thrive.

by David Opinko

Lethbridge Polytechnic announces Honouring Excellence award winners

What's Happening