Coming to Lakeland College with the promise of a basketball scholarship, Alana Olson found that college could be more than a place to excel in athletics and academics – it’s where she’s found her voice and has been a voice for others.

Following her first year, where Olson says, “I pretty much went to class and practice,” she challenged herself to become more involved in student leadership activities. From working with the Students’ Association to advocate for students’ cost of living and improved campus life, to being the first student ever in Lakeland’s 100-plus history to chair the Academic Council, Olson’s goal has been to improve the student experience.

“It’s so much bigger than the outcome for me. It’s the outcome for all the other students that matters,” says Olson, Class of 2025 business administration diploma.

Olson was also part of the inaugural Saskatchewan Post Secondary Student Council, connecting with students from diverse programs across the province, and was a member of the Alberta Students’ Executive Council. In addition to those appointments, Olson was elected to Lakeland’s Board of Governors in 2024-25.

“Being part of something that makes the student experience better is important to me because this is a place that means a lot to me and I hope that for the rest of my life, I get to say that my Lakeland experience was amazing,” says Olson, who hails from Maidstone, Sask. “I hope that it’s even more amazing for everyone else.”

On the basketball court, Olson served her team as an award-winning co-captain. Together, the team won three ACAC gold medals, the 2022 CCAA bronze medal and the 2024 CCAA gold medal. Olson is the recipient of several athletic accolades too, including two CCAA Academic All-Canadian awards, a CCAA Nationals First-Team All-Star and five ACAC Academic Athletic Awards.

Olson’s academic achievements landed her on the President’s Honour Roll and the Dean’s List. She was also inducted into the President’s Circle prior to convocation for her campus leadership.

Balancing her time between academics, leadership extracurriculars and competitive basketball, Olson also ensured she had time to give back. From peer tutoring to coaching youth basketball, refereeing and working as a game-day staff for the Rustler Athletics, Olson thrives on staying engaged in many activities.

“Basketball, school and leadership opportunities – those are so important to me that I don’t feel like they are draining. Instead, they give me energy,” says Olson.

“There is this quote, ‘Depth is where the gold is buried.’ When I clued into that, that you are never going to feel connected and get anything out of an experience unless you immerse yourself into it, I was all in.”

During the Lloydminster convocation ceremony on May 30, Olson was awarded the President’s Medal in honour of her leadership and extensive involvement during her five years at Lakeland.

Prior to completing a business diploma at Lakeland, Olson completed bachelor of science through Lakeland’s university transfer program and Athabasca University. Her next post-secondary chapter will be at the University of Saskatchewan, where she’s transferred her Lakeland diploma credits to complete a bachelor of commerce and apply to medicine.