Open for Alberta
For more than 50 years, Athabasca University (AU) has empowered students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to pursue a high-quality post-secondary education.
What makes AU different from other universities is that we’re online—and open—to anyone with a desire and commitment to learn. Anyone can study at AU without disrupting their home, work, or family life.
This means our students can pursue their dreams from anywhere, including every corner of Alberta—from urban centres to rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
AU alumni are leaders from the financial world, health care, oil and gas, the arts, non-profits, First Nations, community policing, and more. Their lives tell a much bigger story about AU and about our impact on this province.
This is Open for Alberta.
MBA grad grows as leader, community builder
Master of Business Administration grad Laurie Wang used the pandemic as an opportunity to advance her education while juggling career and family.
Treating health inequity in a remote Indigenous community
Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner grad Kayla Milley chose to work in a remote northern Alberta community because she felt she could make a difference in the health and lives of the area’s Indigenous People.
Nursing grad advocates for equity in health care
After encountering racism in health care, Kimberley Jones wants to be an advocate for change.
Construction entrepreneur unearths new skills through online MBA
Through hard work and will, Bob Willows helped grow his family’s company to the point he wanted greater comfort on the accounting side of the business.
Athabasca University provides launchpad for career in science
A career in science was almost a lost dream for Natasha Donahue as life complications got in the way. Thanks to Athabasca University, her life and career are following a different trajectory.
‘Doing more’ for rural health care
Registered nurse Chantelle Gray of Grande Prairie chose AU’s Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner program because she wants to “do more” for the health of her patients and community.
From small-town pharmacist to cannabis king
Family has been a foundation for success for Athabasca University MBA grad and serial entrepreneur Vickram Minhas from Grande Prairie.
Why an Alberta Mountie is ‘a little bit addicted’ to Athabasca University
Alberta Mountie Staff Sgt. Shiloh Fragomeni is taking her career to the next level with Athabasca University.
How Athabasca University helped a trucker go from highways to boardrooms
Jim Little traded the open road for an MBA and roles in management, consulting, and mentorship.
AU a ‘perfect’ fit for Indigenous, remote communities, says grad
“Education can come to you,” says MBA grad Carter Yellowbird from Samson Cree Nation.
Athabasca University a career ‘catalyst’ for banking CEO
Curtis Stange, president and CEO of ATB Financial, used his MBA to go from middle-management to the C-suite.
Building business acumen in service to community
MBA grad Denise Blair goes from class assignment to signing corporate partnerships to help at-risk youth in Calgary.
AU grad devotes career to improving health care for Indigenous Peoples
AU grad Dr. Wayne Clark uplifts Indigenous cultural safety in health care through his role at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Never too late to earn a degree
Age isn’t a barrier to pursuing education dreams, says grad Laverne Wells of Blood Tribe First Nation.
