Terrace, B.C. - During her time at Coast Mountain College (CMTN), Alishia Grace Benson-McCarthy is guided by a code of self-determination, diligence, and consistency that steers her career path to a future she knows she wants and isn't hesitant to work towards. This code of conduct is why, even beyond her decade of business experience, Grace continues making impactful changes as a student representative on the Board of Governors while pursuing a diploma in Business Administration, with a concentration in Human Resources.
Grace, who has always worked in advocacy roles, describes her ideal environment as working with people. "I'm a people person. I'm a person who works with bodies of people and has no problem leading or working independently."
In her previous career as a job coach with the Aboriginal Mining Training Association, Grace guided and motivated others to pursue jobs that fulfilled their potential, even though it was difficult at times to persuade the trainees that they could achieve their dreams. She came to realize that, to pursue a career in people-oriented work, she had to pivot to more managerial positions, but, even after a decade of experience, she found it difficult to find a position in her chosen field. This caused her to focus on her goals more strongly and to advocate for herself as much as she would for those around her.
When Grace began her studies at CMTN, she focused on being her best academic self. Despite personal trials, including her husband being diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin's Lymphoma and the loss of her first cousin, Grace knew she must carry on and handle her journey one step at a time. She says, "At 44, I can't stop because I'm not doing this for me…. I'm doing this for my children, my nieces, my nephews, my aunts, and my ancestors who could not do this."
Moving forward, Grace saw most of her barriers as a part of her learning journey. One of these barriers was the need to re-establish foundational subjects, something she would typically advise others to do in her previous advisory roles. Alisha praises CMTN for providing resources, such as the Adult Upgrading courses, at crucial points to better equip her for her upcoming studies.
Time management was another barrier she learned to overcome when taking Upgrading courses. "I used to be a huge procrastinator,” Grace says as she describes adding study blocks to her calendar. “That was a barrier for me, [but] I knew if I studied five hours a week in a subject, then I could do it."
The concern about classroom sizes and cultural differences was also initially a barrier that, in time, became an asset. Through exposure to the many walks of life and cultures, all different from her Northwest beginnings, Grace saw true benefit in listening to and finding common ground within the threads of everyone's stories.
Her years of professional experience, combined with the lessons she has learned at CMTN and her cultural responsibilities and duties within her home community of Kitwanga, have prepared her to excel in the role of student representative on the Board of Governors. Grace was already familiar with governance from serving as a member of the First Nations Council and the Education Council at CMTN in the past; however, she felt her responsibility to present the stories and experiences of her classmates and colleagues could be better served on the Board of Governors. This role allows her to advocate for student concerns and bring attention to areas of improvement at CMTN. She describes the experience as a professional development opportunity, emphasizing that it continues her preparation for future duties to her community.
Grace’s story demonstrates her commitment to her pillars of self-determination, diligence, and consistency. She embodies this work ethic in her lessons and her dedication to representing others. Her time at CMTN has been more than an academic journey—it has been a platform for personal growth and advocacy. As she looks toward the future, Grace hopes her impact on the community and CMTN will inspire others to pursue their goals and embrace leadership opportunities.
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Media Contact:
Heather Bastin
Executive Director, External Relations
hbastin@coastmountaincollege.ca