Every story has chapters. Some unfold just as we planned while others surprise us, take us in a completely different direction, or even circle back to where we began. And whether we step into them ready to grow, or stumble into them unexpectedly, there is always an opportunity to learn.
I think it’s safe to say that over the course of our lives, we experience both the chapters we planned for and the ones we never saw coming.
Whether it’s my oldest child starting middle school (and all that comes with it – catching the bus, being home alone in the afternoons, getting a cell phone!) or changing jobs unexpectedly (I’m still getting used to this editor thing!), new chapters are unfolding every day.
As I was putting this message together, it struck me that while our fall issue doesn’t have an official “theme,” most of our features speak to the idea of reinvention, new beginnings and next chapters.
These chapters begin with opportunity – like the alumni in our feature story, “Beyond the Uniform” on p. 14, which highlights how Canadian Armed Forces veterans (and their families) are using education benefits to pursue second careers, passion projects or long-held goals. From mastering a new trade to leaning into their communication skills or embracing a lifelong call to public service, their journeys reflect the courage it takes to take that first step in a new direction.
For others, a new chapter may emerge from struggle. In “Safe, Seen, Supported” on p. 20, polytechnic student Christian Morin shares his recovery story and how he hopes to change lives on campus as leader of the peer support group Donuts and Discussions. His journey is one of vulnerability, resilience and connection, and it’s a reminder that healing can create space for others to do the same.
In our feature with Juno Award-winning musician David Usher, “The Human Future of AI” on p. 28, we explore how invention is reshaping the creative world. Well known for his music career, Usher has taken on a new role as tech entrepreneur – a shift that reflects his own evolving interests and a belief that creativity doesn’t stop at one discipline. His work invites us to see AI not as a threat, but as a tool to amplify what makes us human: curiosity, imagination and connection with others.
And change also happens in place. After decades of reinvention, The Barn – one of the oldest buildings on campus – has become the new home of the Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute (SACI). Once a roller rink and student pub, the much-loved space is entering a new chapter of its own as junior high and high school students settle in to explore career paths in trades, health care and agriculture. You can read more about The Barn’s transformation – and SACI – on p. 2.
At first glance, these stories may seem unrelated, but each speaks to something fundamental: shaping what’s next and using the past as a foundation. So, wherever you are in your story – or current chapter – I hope you find something in this issue that inspires your next page.
Happy reading!
