Austin Janz is the first SAIT student to cross the stage at convocation with an Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Certificate of Recognition
When SAIT reaches out to Austin Janz, he’s in his happy place: the great outdoors. He’s working at a campground in Radium, B.C. as a visitor services attendant for the summer. But this week — at SAIT’s Spring 2025 Convocation — Austin will trade his Parks Canada uniform for a uniform of a different sort: the regalia of a SAIT grad, complete with a stole, cap and gown.
How does someone who loves the outdoors the way Austin does find themselves at SAIT’s Main Campus in the heart of Calgary, with a view of the downtown skyline ahead and 16th Avenue NW behind? And, once here, how does that person carve out space for their first love, the wild?
That story is uniquely Austin’s to tell.
Austin’s post-secondary experience started with Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD), a government-funded program that helps eligible adults plan, coordinate and access services to live as independently as they can in their community. PDD presented him with an education program, and Austin agreed to participate.
Only … Austin found his placement program wasn’t hands-on enough. He wasn’t having a great classroom experience, getting to meet peers or form bonds with instructors. But, while the program itself didn’t excite him, the idea of higher education did. That’s when Austin turned to the Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) Society of Alberta.
The IPSE Society of Alberta is a non-profit organization that supports adults with developmental disabilities in their academic journey and transition to employment. By working directly with individuals and their families, they help learners set goals, practice employment skills and develop community through its partners, the University of Calgary and St. Mary’s University.
“I heard the IPSE program was really inclusive and that I’d be able to interact with the other students,” Austin recalls. “I was quite excited. IPSE helped me get started in Open Studies at the University of Calgary, and I was there for five years. Before I moved on from education, IPSE expanded.”
In 2022, the SAIT School of Business opened its doors to the IPSE program, welcoming learners with developmental disabilities to campus.
During his time at the University of Calgary, Austin gravitated towards history and political science courses.
“Business,” Austin reflects, “is a whole field on its own. It’s adjusting your thinking to how to think as a business leader. I didn’t really have any experience with case studies. I’d done more papers about theory.”
Austin took to it quickly, and a big part of that experience was his SAIT community. Immediately, he remembers his instructors’ advice — helpful tips such as, sit in on events when you can — but, equally, he remembers personal things, like funny stories they shared and their interactions outside of class.
“All the instructors very much cared about their students and wanted them to succeed. They were constantly asking me, ‘How can I help? Any changes I can make?’ It was just super supportive. It was surprising to me how teachers would chat with you in the hallway and just say ‘hi.’”
When asked what his biggest takeaway from his classes is, Austin unhesitatingly says leadership skills — and, in this case, the proof can be found in the club he created.
To make the most of his experience on campus, Austin signed up for SAIT’s Peer Mentorship Program. He was placed with a mentor from Saitsa, SAIT’s student association.
What better club to create than one that speaks loudly to your interests? For Austin, that meant answering the call of the wild.
“I started spending time outdoors when I was very young, like two years old. Sleeping in tents, hanging out outdoors, seeing the way wildlife spend time,” Austin shares, illustrating why his current Parks Canada placement is a perfect fit. “With some help from my peer mentor, I created the Parks Exploration and Recreation Society.”
The Parks Exploration and Recreation Society spends time hiking and having picnics. But it’s not just about appreciating the outdoors, it’s about sustaining it too —the club hosted an event with Run Calgary to raise money for wildlife preservation.
Austin with other members of the Parks Exploration and Recreation Society on an outing to Carburn Park in Calgary.
Through the hard work of Austin and the rest of the club’s executive, the society now has around 500 SAIT student members. He also recruited Kristene Coller, Academic Chair, School of Business, who taught Austin’s Organizational Behaviour class, as his club’s advisor.
“It was quite amazing to see how many people joined,” Austin says. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
Austin’s club experience shaped his time at SAIT significantly. To other students —through IPSE or otherwise — Austin’s advice is this: “Get involved with clubs right away. They’re a great place to meet other people from different cultures, and clubs can be a great way to build leadership skills or network.”
Congratulations Austin! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.