Lac La Biche, AB – Portage College is proud to recognize Business student Sheldon Close, who recently received an Honourable Mention in the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) & Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Awards. The national awards celebrate students from across Canada who demonstrate excellence in work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences.
This year, hundreds of students were nominated from over 90 institutions. From these, four students were selected as winners, and a select few, including Sheldon, received Honourable Mentions, reflecting the strength and impact of their work. Sheldon was nominated by Brian Thorne, supervisor, for his WIL project, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to both the Portage College business program and the local business community.
Throughout 2025, Sheldon participated in several Work-Integrated Learning experiences that allowed him to apply business concepts to real-world challenges. One of his most significant projects involved a summer consulting engagement with Lisa Roper Outdoors, where he worked alongside fellow student Nicole Bukhman and advisor Dylan Craig, an alumnus of Portage College, to analyze business growth opportunities.
The consulting project focused on helping the female-led outdoor media brand develop strategies to strengthen financial sustainability while continuing its mission of promoting outdoor education and empowerment. As part of the project, the student consulting team developed a digital growth strategy centred on a YouTube-focused model designed to increase audience reach and provide measurable value to sponsors.
The engagement required extensive research, client interviews, analysis, and the development of practical recommendations. Sheldon and his team contributed more than 100 hours to the project, meeting regularly to evaluate progress and deliver a final report and presentation to the client.
Sheldon’s WIL experiences also extended to regional business consulting and academic competitions. As a member of Portage College’s business case team, he worked with several local businesses in northern Alberta to analyze market challenges and propose strategic solutions. This preparation helped lead the Portage College team to a first-place finish at the Alberta Deans Business Case Competition, where they presented a strategy addressing market demand challenges for the Fort McMurray International Airport.
Brian Thorne, Sheldon’s WIL supervisor and project advisor, said, “Sheldon has consistently gone above and beyond in his business training. His dedication, research skills, and ability to apply data-driven solutions have made a real impact on the businesses he has worked with. Students like Sheldon strengthen our program’s reputation and demonstrate the value of work-integrated learning to the broader community.”
For Sheldon, WIL has played an important role in shaping his academic direction and career goals.
“My WIL experiences allowed me to apply what I learned in the classroom to real business challenges,” said Sheldon. “Working directly with organizations and local businesses helped strengthen my interest in strategy and consulting while building confidence in my ability to contribute to meaningful solutions.”
Through consulting projects, community partnerships, and applied classroom learning, Portage College continues to expand opportunities for students to engage with employers and gain practical experience before graduation.
Sheldon will be formally recognized by CEWIL Canada with a certificate later this month during National Co-op and Work-Integrated Learning Month.