Mint Smartwash scholarship supports sustainability and student achievement
When Kali McGougan received her scholarship letter, she sighed with relief knowing her post-secondary education just became significantly more sustainable then she initially imagined.
As an independent student, she had accepted the fact that loans and grants were going to be the primary source of funding for her education. That was until she received the $5,000 Mint Smartwash scholarship through Medicine Hat College (MHC). As one of the inaugural members of the sustainable innovation program, McGougan was thrilled to have been selected for the award through the MHC annual awards application.
With sustainability and reduction of environmental impact at its core, Mint Smartwash provides an eco-friendly vehicle washing experience, boasting a state-of-the-art water reclaim system that collects, filters, treats, and recycles 80% of the water used throughout the wash process.
Their mission aligns seamlessly with the focus of MHC’s sustainable innovation diploma – a future-focused program that encourages learners to broaden their perspective and create new products and process that develop long-term solutions and address the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
McGougan says she was surprised when she first learned about Mint Smartwash’s sustainability processes through an in-class presentation made by an employee of the organization.
“I had no idea they were anything like that – that they were conserving so much water. When you think of a car wash, you don’t really think about their processes behind the scenes and usually all I would think of where is all that wastewater going? It’s very cool to know that they use eco-friendly soaps and products and reuse majority of their water.”
It’s examples of businesses employing innovative strategies like these that attracted McGougan to the program and the industry in the first place, as she too currently works at an organization that focuses on environmental conservation and reducing waste.
“I knew I wanted to take some sort of education where I could learn to not only do business, because I know I want to start my own business one day, but also understand how to do it sustainably. When I found the sustainable innovation program, I knew it was the answer to what I’d been looking for.”
McGougan says she’s always been a “greener person” and passionate about the subject of saving the environment. Her professional goal is to make a difference in Alberta specifically, where she feels like the concept of sustainability is a growing area of interest.
As for her experience as one of the first students in the program, McGougan credits her passionate instructors for developing a curriculum that encapsulates the importance of sustainable practices and solution-driven thinking, while simultaneously providing the tools and business knowledge to make an impact in the industry.
“What we’ve learned in the program thus far has been very much applicable to the real-world. I have gained a thorough understanding of the foundation of the industry and the environmental issues society is currently facing, as well as the skills needed to succeed as a business-owner. I’m glad I chose to pursue my interests and enroll in a program aligned with my passions.”
For more information on the sustainable innovation program or to partner with MHC, visit www.mhc.ab.ca.