Charting a New Course: Pretty Philip鈥檚 CBU Story
When students walk into the Student Affairs office, Pretty Philip knows exactly how to help them find their footing. When she first arrived at Cape Breton University, she experienced it all herself.
鈥淲hen students come in asking for support, they鈥檙e often anxious, frustrated or unsure, but after getting the help they need, you can really see the change,鈥� Pretty says. 鈥淚 know how it feels to think you鈥檙e alone in your journey because I鈥檝e been there myself.鈥�
Now, at the end of her studies at CBU, she prepares to cross the graduation stage to receive her Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Human Resources. Pretty finds herself reflecting on how far she has come to reach this milestone. Long before she was a Student Navigator guiding others, she was trying to find her own way back to shore.
A Tide of Change
鈥淲hen COVID-19 hit, I was on board a ship, where I typically work on six-month contracts,鈥� Pretty says. 鈥淒ue to global shutdowns, I was unable to sign off and remained on board for nearly nine months,鈥� Pretty said. 鈥淭hat prolonged period of isolation took a significant toll on my mental health, and I was also dealing with a personal loss at the same time. That phase of my life made me pause and reflect deeply on my well-being and future.鈥�
Seeking a change of pace, she turned to education as a means to heal and refocus. Her sister, who was studying in Toronto, recognized that a bustling metropolis would likely not fit Pretty鈥檚 needs and pointed her toward the East Coast.
鈥淚 spent several months grieving and focusing on my mental health, including seeking therapy. During this time, all I wanted was a positive distraction,鈥� says Pretty. 鈥淜nowing my strong connection to the sea, she suggested looking into Canada鈥檚 Maritime provinces. That鈥檚 what led me to Cape Breton University. Its location, 福利免费在线看 environment and proximity to the ocean made it feel like the perfect place for my positive distraction.鈥�
Arriving on campus, however, brought a different set of difficulties. Dealing with anxieties around returning to academia after so long at sea felt like an insurmountable challenge for Pretty. Leaving her established maritime career behind to sit in a classroom tested her resolve and made her second-guess her decisions.
鈥淎fter graduating from maritime university in 2013 and working in the Merchant Navy, returning to full-time studies after a nine-year gap felt overwhelming. I lacked confidence and wasn鈥檛 sure of myself,鈥� Pretty admits. 鈥淭here were times when personal challenges or self-doubt made me think about discontinuing my studies and going back home.鈥�
Turning Point
The momentum shifted for Pretty when a 福利免费在线看, built from the University’s staff, fellow students and local 福利免费在线看 members, stepped in to anchor her experience and keep her on the right course.
鈥淎 major turning point in my journey was meeting my Academic Advisor, Eli Quirk. Eli really took the time to understand me and support me. What started as academic advising gradually turned into mentorship and coaching, which is why I still refer to Eli as my 鈥榗oach,鈥欌�� Pretty says. 鈥淢y manager at CBU, Jennifer Billard, has been amazing at helping me balance my studies with my Student Navigator responsibilities. Jen constantly reminds me that I am a student first and checks to make sure I鈥檓 not overwhelmed.鈥�
Even off-campus, her landlady, affectionately known as her 鈥淐anada mom,鈥� ensured she was cared for on her busiest days. Armed with this foundation, Pretty’s perspective was shifted.
鈥淭wo of the most valuable lessons I鈥檝e learned at CBU are learning to ask for help and the power of perseverance,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e realized that when you ask, you usually receive the support you need. All the doors at CBU are the right doors to knock on,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 started to understand that I鈥檓 not the only one invested in my journey. Many people believe in me, and I couldn鈥檛 let them or myself down. That realization gave me the strength to keep going and persevere.鈥�
Full Steam Ahead
With her degree secured, her next steps are clear. Pretty plans to use her specialized training in human resources to help local organizations build stronger teams.
鈥淢y professional goal is to achieve my Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and build a career in the Human Resources field,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 am interested in gaining experience across different sectors, such as construction, healthcare and education, to develop a broad understanding of HR practices and make a meaningful impact in the workplace鈥�.
Reflecting on her transition from the Navy to CBU and her journey from orientation to convocation, Pretty鈥檚 path has been marked by a deep commitment to her values, shown most poignantly by her receipt of the 2025 Mary Keating Award for Academic Integrity. Her arrival on Cape Breton Island began as a temporary anchor, but the connections she forged gave her the confidence to chart a whole new course for her life.
Congratulations to Pretty Philip and the entire Spring 2026 graduating class!