Nichole Neubauer named 2024 Honorary Applied Degree winner
Medicine Hat College (MHC) is pleased to announce Nichole Neubauer as the recipient of its 2024 honorary applied baccalaureate degree, recognizing her commitment to agriculture, education and community.
“Nichole has been described as a true visionary leader who is willing to roll up her sleeves and get the job done,” says Sarah MacKenzie, chair of MHC’s Board of Governors. “She has proven to be a champion for education and agriculture in Southeast Alberta and we are pleased to recognize her with our institution’s highest honour.”
Neubauer’s roots run deep in southern Alberta. The Neubauer farm was established north of Irvine in 1910 and has been owned and operated by a member of the family ever since. As a passionate advocate for agriculture and education in our region, she not only runs her own business, but also grows access to learning opportunities that teach students about food production, farm operations management, and entrepreneurship alongside valuable problem solving, teamwork and adaptability skills.
Combining her early learning education from Medicine Hat College, where she attended from 1996-1998, with her agricultural background, Neubauer’s work has brought farm life to the forefront for more than 22,000 student visitors from across Southeast Alberta.
Her influence and impact on education continued to grow with her involvement in the creation and coordination of the Irvine Agricultural Discovery Centre with Prairie Rose Public Schools, providing students with an opportunity to manage their own farm in a school environment.
Neubauer’s service and contributions at local, regional and provincial levels have been recognized with various awards over the years. In addition to being named the 2023 Medicine Hat News Newsmaker of the Year, she has also received:
- the 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal,
- the 2020 Women In Business Inspire Award,
- the 2017 Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award,
- the 2016 Cypress County Farm Family of the Year Award, and the
- 2016 Bank of Montreal Century Farm Award
She has played a key role in the formation of the Agricultural Committee at the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce, advocated for the farm industry to provincial leaders, and presented at countless events to further education in agriculture. Neubauer is also collaborating with MHC to develop a suite of courses through its Extended Learning department, growing new educational opportunities in ag for Southeast Alberta.
“I am profoundly honoured to receive the 2024 Medicine Hat College Honorary Baccalaureate Degree,” says Neubauer.
“For the past 20 years, thanks to the incredible support of my community, I have been empowered to fulfil my life’s purpose of teaching children where their food comes from and that agriculture is the fundamental connection to life. I dedicate this recognition with those who have supported and believed in me along this amazing journey.”