My CBU Story: Lindsay Marshall

Coming from the community of Potlotek, Unama’ki (Cape Breton), Lindsay Marshall will be crossing the CBU stage this week as he officially graduates with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Community Economic Development (CED), with the First Nations Option.

This won’t be Lindsay’s first trip across the stage, as his journey has consisted of being a CBU student and an employee, before beginning an impressive career serving his community. “I was a student then an employee at CBU, hired as the Director of Mi’kmaq College Institute, the precursor to Unama’ki College, before overseeing its Inception on July 10, 2010, as Principal of Unama’ki College,” says Lindsay. “I was an employee and Graduate Student for five years before I went back to my community to serve as Chief Executive Officer.”

Knowing he will someday join his ancestors as he moves to the Skitekamujewey Awti, Lindsay is looking to leave a lasting impact before he goes. “What I enjoyed most about the MBA program is that it expanded my knowledge and understanding of matters I have used in my work and personal life,” says Lindsay. “I have grown here as a person whose own ambition is to leave the world a better place; CBU has given me some of the tools to do exactly that.”

Some memories Lindsay will look back on fondly were the opportunities to meet the President of Ireland and the Governor General of Canada. While he is excited to graduate, there is plenty he will miss about being a student too. “ I already miss a whole bunch of people who used to work at CBU,” Lindsay admits. “But, there are always new friends to be made and new students to meet!”

Following his graduation, Lindsay has some big plans and ideas for how he can give back to CBU. “I intend to give back to the institution as a Supervisor for another CBU MBA student,” Lindsay begins. “I will also continue to advise on various areas, such as helping supervise a Ph.D. student at the University of New Brunswick.”

As his time as a student nears its end, Lindsay wants to thank his wife, Florence Sutherland, for being his rock throughout this journey. “This degree has been built by blood, sweat and tears. Without her, there would be no degree, no walk across the stage,” says Lindsay. “Luckily for me, she is here by my side. My message to her would be ‘We Did It!’.”

As a final message, Lindsay has some advice to share with his fellow grads. “Share what you have learned; your knowledge, your hopes and your dreams; share what you will learn in the future,” he says. “Do these things, and you will truly make the world better.”

Congratulations to Lindsay and the entire Spring 2024 graduating class!