A Masterclass in Balance: Shawna Logan’s CBU Story

Finding time to focus on personal development can be difficult when your daily life is already dedicated to caring for others. As a mother of six and a full-time Continuing Care Assistant, Shawna Logan knows from experience what it takes to balance a demanding schedule. Now living in Kennetcook, Nova Scotia, Shauna, a Mi’kmaw woman originally from Millbrook First Nation learned, three years ago, that Cape Breton University was offering an In-Community Program cohort in partnership with the Millbrook band. This prompted her to add a university degree to her already busy agenda. 

In 2025, Shauna’s hard work was formally recognized when she received the Dr. Mary Keating Medal, awarded to students who embody the highest standards of academic integrity. Now, three years after starting that journey, Shauna’s preparing to cross the Kehoe Forum stage at CBU’s Fall 2026 Convocation to officially receive her Bachelor of Arts Community Studies.

​The opportunity to pursue higher education came directly through her community, giving Shawna the chance to maintain her demanding role as a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) for the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). The program’s structure also played a major role in her academic success.

​“With the cohort I was fortunate to be able to focus on one course at a time,” Shawna says. “I love learning and I am competitive with myself. I strive to do my best in everything I do.”

​That drive translated into incredibly impactful coursework. For their final group project, Shawna and her classmates brought their community together by organizing a potluck and compiling a community cookbook to share local recipes and memories.

​“It was a wonderful time organizing and planning for the event with a fabulous group of women,” Shawna remembers. “It was wonderful to see our group project come to fruition.”

​Overcoming the Odds

​Balancing academic rigour with a busy household and full-time healthcare career required strict discipline from Shawna. When she needed a mental break from her studies and her job, she turned to working in her gardens to stay grounded. However, staying on top of her coursework ultimately came down to careful time management.

​“Trying to get everything done was a challenge, between housework, meal prep, papers, readings and spending time with family,” she says. “I had to set times to study, read and start papers early.”

​Based on her own success, she encourages incoming In-Community students to make sure to utilize the wide array of resources offered by CBU, which often go unused by students studying off-campus.

​Looking Ahead

​As she prepares to officially receive her degree, Shawna is already putting her community studies education to use, as she is currently working as a women’s support worker in her local community. While Shawna was recently accepted into a Master of Health Administration program at Dalhousie University, she ultimately decided to pivot and is now considering pursuing a degree in social work to further her ambitions of advocacy.

​“Thanks to Millbrook and the Millbrook education department for the opportunity and to my classmates for the laughs and tears,” Shawna says. “Thanks to Shannon for the tech and moral support. Thanks to my family for having the patience while I completed my degree.”

​Congratulations to Shawna and the entire Fall 2026 graduating class!
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