Alumni Advisory Board

Laurel Muldoon, BA Hons '15, MESc '19

President

Laurel graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Art’s Honours specialization in Environmental Geography. She also obtained two certificates from Nipissing in Geomatics and Environmental Planning. Laurel's love for the environment, and Nipissing University, led her to pursue a Master’s in Environmental Science and she graduated in 2019. Laurel has lived in North Bay for almost 13 years and has made it her home. Laurel decided to join the Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board (NUAAB) to be an advocate for Nipissing's graduate programs and the opportunities that arise when attending a small school. She hopes to provide a voice for our students and assist NUAAB to make positive steps forward with outreach and involvement for and with students. She is honoured to be an active member of the Nipissing University community and to be a part of the NUAAB. She looks forward to continuing to work closely with administration, faculty, staff, students and graduates to highlight what NUAAB can offer.  

Melissa MacNabb, BA '99

Vice President

Melissa's family has a long history in the North Bay and surrounding area. She graduated from Nipissing University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. With this degree she then moved to the United States to work and travel. Melissa returned to Ontario in 2009 to start a career in the financial services industry. In 2016 she was able to move back to North Bay with a progression in her career to management. She is currently the Branch Manager at TD Canada Trust. Melissa is passionate about wellness and mental health. She became a yoga instructor in 2016 to share this passion with others. Since then, she has been teaching yoga classes at the University and supporting with developing the Nipissing University women's volleyball team. She joined the Alumni Advisory Board in 2021 to increase her connection with the University and to increase engagement with other alumni.

Robyn Jones, MESC '20

Robyn completed a Honours B.Sc. in Water Resource Science and a Certificate in Geomatics from Lakehead University in 2016. She continued her education at Nipissing University through the Masters of Environmental Science program and graduated in 2020. She hopes that her time on the alumni advisory committee will help bring positive changes to the Nipissing community. Currently, she works for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. 

Eric Yung, BBA '07, BEd '09

Eric is a graduate of the Bachelor of Business Administration program with a Bachelor of Education in intermediate and senior divisions. Eric has also completed additional qualifications for Special Education Part 1. Born in Hong Kong, Eric came to Canada with his family at the age of 6 residing in Toronto until 1994 when his family made the move to Mattawa, Ontario to open a family business. Eric eventually made the move to North Bay in 2002. During his years at Nipissing he was a member of the Men's Volleyball team as well as the Men's Soccer Team and was recognized as the Al Carfagnini Male Athlete of the Year in 2006 and 2007. Upon graduation, Eric began his career as an educator at local schools and began volunteering his time to athletic programs as a Head Coach within the Near North District School Board. In 2010, Eric became the Head Coach here at Nipissing University and in 2013 led the team to Nipissing's first and only National Championship win. In 2017, he was selected, along with three of his varsity student-athletes to represent Canada as Nipissing Lakers at the World Universiade Games (FISU) games in Tai Pai, Taiwan. He is currently the Head Coach for the Nipissing University Men's Volleyball program. He is also an instructor within the Physical and Health Education program here at Nipissing University. In addition, he is the Owner of Yung Gunz Academy, focused on developing local athletes through Soccer and Volleyball. Eric is also an active member of the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame board. Eric continues to play a vital part in the growth and development of student-athletes both on and off the court and prioritizes community and alumni relations.

Jason Bramburger, BA Hons '11

Jason Bramburger grew up in Pembroke, Ontario and received a Bachelors of Arts specializing in mathematics and computer science from Nipissing University in 2011. After graduating from Nipissing he went to on to receive an MSc and PhD in applied mathematics from the University of Ottawa in 2013 and 2017, respectively. He is currently an assistant professor of mathematics at Concordia University with research that focuses on pattern formation in models that arise in ecology, combustion, crystallization, plasma physics, and chemical reactions. Prior to his current position he has held prestigious fellowships at Brown University and the University of Victoria. For the 2021-2022 academic year he has been named a fellow of the Institute of Advanced Study in Guildford, UK. He also has a strong enthusiasm for teaching mathematics and mentoring students of all academic levels and over a diverse range of backgrounds.

Roxanne Martin-Pitchenese, BEd '15

Roxanne Martin-Pitchenese (Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation) is a Anishinaabe Educator, Community Justice Coordinator, Visual Artist and Cultural Activist. A graduate from the Cambrian College Theatre Arts Production, an honours graduate from the Bachelor of Fine Arts/minor in Anishinaabemowin studies from Algoma/Shingwauk University and Bachelor of Education from the Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University, Martin-Pitchenese inspires her community to work with visual interpretations, storytelling and oral history of her surrounding lands and waters of Lake Huron and Superior.

She’s an award recipient for the Ashoka Changemaker Innovative approaches for First Nations people and received the Michaelle Jean Foundation Youth Solidarity Project Recognition at the Art Gallery of Ontario. She is listed on the Wikipedia website for her accomplishments and has established a small home business providing Ojibwe language revitalization resources.

Growing up in Toronto and Northern Ontario, allowed Martin-Pitchenese to have a better understanding of her own self identity and the cultural loss she experienced as a child. Teaching in a northern community allows Roxanne the ability to speak her own language with students and peers, collaborate with community members and have a sense of belonging to better the future for many more generations to come. 

Joe Burt, BEd, BA, ’14

Joe is a graduate of the Concurrent Education program, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Education in junior/intermediate division, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English Studies, with a minor in History. During his time at Nipissing, Joe was heavily involved in campus life. He was a floor representative, a frosh leader, a Residence Don and Community Advisor. Joe’s passion for the Nipissing experience and campus involvement led to him being awarded the Dave Marshall Leadership Award in 2014. His passion for Nipissing has not wavered which is why he is now working on the Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board. Joe currently works as an Instructional Designer for the Government of Canada, creating training and learning initiatives on the subjects of diversity, equity and inclusion. In his personal time, you can find him walking his two miniature schnauzers, Ella and Louis, in the Ottawa area. 

Guy Degagné, MEd’15

Guy graduated in 2015 with a Master of Education.  Guy retired in 2022 as the Assistant Deputy Fire Marshal responsible for the Ontario Fire College (Principal) and Academic Standards and Evaluation Section (ASE) of the Office of the Fire Marshal.  Guy is an advocate for lifelong learning and has been instrumental in the Province of Ontario’s adoption of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Professional Qualifications Standards as part of the Professionalization Model of the Ontario Fire Service in 2013.  Guy also contributed to the adoption of the Firefighter Certification regulation in 2022, made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.

Guy has joined the Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board acknowledging the benefits gained from his experience with the school and its enrichment for its student community, especially the university’s support to adult learners and promotion of continuing education.