In and beyond the classroom, Lakeland College's 2023 Lloydminster campus President's Medal recipient found ways to excel.
Raisa Tabusalla, a business administration general business major graduate, received her diploma during the Lloydminster campus Convocation Ceremony on May 26 but walked away with so much more.
At the beginning of her two years at Lakeland, Tabusalla competed for Lakeland at the Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition. She says this experience kickstarted a desire to be a part of more things at and for the college.
She represented Lakeland as a student ambassador; supported students as a director and vice chair of the Students' Association of Lakeland College; provided a student perspective on the business department's advisory committee; and participated in Synergy Speakers Corner, earning her green pin and facilitating the sessions during the fall semester in 2022.
“Another highlight was competing in the Finding the U in Business Pitch Series with my fiancé. Since we are both business students, we thought we could do this together. It was a shock when we won first place!”
Tabusalla added that being able to moderate at the Inspiring Women Conference by KT and Company opened doors for her to get to know the community. She adds she was thrilled about the opportunity to gear up as Rowdy, the Lakeland Rustlers' mascot, during events.
“I don't think there wasn't an opportunity open to me that I didn't go for. Lakeland gives so many opportunities for students to connect with the community,” she says.
Tabusalla's involvement in academics and leadership in student activities earned her Lakeland's most prestigious award, the President's Medal. It's awarded to a graduating student at each campus who has demonstrated academic excellence and leadership in student activities.
She credits her instructors and peers for guiding her to receive the award.
“I've had great mentors from my instructors and my peers. I feel like that's one of the reasons why I got this award. They all guided me throughout my student life. I'm very grateful that I'm the recipient of this. I think it just shows how much I wanted to serve the students who are to be part of this college and its culture.”
As a flight attendant for Philippine Airlines, Tabusalla was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With air travel grounded, she found the opportunity to rethink the course of her life and decided to move to Canada for a fresh start with her fiancé.
“A friend of mine was a student at Lakeland and told us about the business programs. She knew that we were both business graduates back in the Philippines, and she told us it would be a good opportunity to study in Canada to open opportunities for us to reside there,” Tabusalla explains.
Ahead of graduation, Tabusalla officially started working for the college's international department as an administrative assistant on April 11.
Photos: Top-Tabusalla with her 2023 President's Medal. Middle-Raisa Tabusalla and Myles Nubla won first place in the Finding the U in Business Pitch Series. Bottom-Tabusalla and a classmate participate in a marketing photoshoot.