My CBU Story: Meet Gunika Setia

While scanning Canadian provinces for her next great adventure, Gunika Setia was drawn to Nova Scotia and from there, discovered Cape Breton University. “I wasn’t just searching for a program; I was searching for a place that felt right, that felt like home,” she says. “With its rolling hills, ocean air and a peaceful charm, Cape Breton whispered to me in a way no place had before.”

Coming to the Island from Ludhiana, Punjab, Gunika says the blended approach to the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management curriculum impressed her immensely. Following her detailed research into the program, says she got a sense that she would leave CBU not only prepared for a job, but prepared to make real, positive change. 

“What I enjoyed most about the program is how alive it is. You need to think on your feet, adapt, respond and grow quickly,” Gunika begins. “If you’re someone who craves change or wishes to escape the dull rhythm of routine, this program keeps you on your toes.” 

Karen Butterworth, Program Coordinator and Instructor in Occupational Health and Safety Management, taught two courses that left a particularly lasting impact on Gunika – Occupational Health and Safety Management I and II. Gunika says these courses went beyond simply identifying hazards and legislation, to teaching her what it means to embody the role of a safety professional.

“I remember walking out of every class feeling not just educated but elevated,” she says. “Karen has this remarkable way of making you feel seen, capable and responsible and that to me is the mark of a truly extraordinary professor.”

A major highlight of Gunika’s journey was running in the CBU Students’ Union General Election, which allowed her to connect with a wide range of students and put herself out there as an advocate for change. She says the experience helped her grow and reminded her of the power of a single voice. She also had an internship with the Government of Nova Scotia, which reshaped the way she saw how her efforts could directly impact workplace safety. 

As Gunika prepares to celebrate her graduation, she says her mother has been her biggest support system throughout her program. “Even from miles away, her presence has never felt distant,” she says. “She’s been the prayer behind every success, the calm in every storm and the reason I never stop believing in myself.”

CBU has shaped Gunika both personally and professionally. She says the University has been like a launchpad that has taught her to think critically, lead ethically and approach every situation with empathy and resilience. Now, she feels she can walk forward with a toolkit full of knowledge and a heart filled with purpose. “CBU filled the gaps within who I was and who I was meant to become,” she shares. 

“I will greatly miss the sense of community, the genuine warmth, the shared experiences and the people who made CBU feel like a second home,” shares Gunika. “I’ll miss the buzz of campus life, the nervous excitement before presentations and even the peacefully quiet library. But most of all, I’ll miss belonging to a place that believed in me from the very beginning.”

To all those crossing the stage during the Spring 2025 convocation ceremonies, Gunika shares her congratulations. “We made it! We didn’t just survive, we thrived,” she shares. “We’ve come so far, and each one of us has a story worth celebrating. May we walk forward not just with credentials, but with character. Let’s not wait for the world to give us a stage; let’s build it. Go out there, shake it up and don’t forget where you started.”

Congratulations to Gunika and the entire Spring 2025 Graduating Class!