Niagara College is continuing its new Speaker Series, designed to support students as they navigate academic life, personal growth and the transition into the next phase of their careers. Launched earlier this term by the Student Engagement team, the series brings students together with guest speakers who share real-world insight on leadership, resilience, and professional growth. Each session gives students the chance to engage directly, ask questions, and reflect on their own passions and career paths in a supportive setting.
The next event, Building the Brand – From Passion Project to Full-Time Business, will feature NC alumna and former Student Development Coordinator Sarah Singleton, founder and lead content creator of Hype Gal Media. The session will take place on Tuesday, February 25, at 5:30 p.m. in Room N018 at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Building your career while following your passions
In this session, Singleton will offer a candid discussion about navigating a non-linear career path, balancing multiple passions, and creating opportunities from unexpected places. She will reflect on her experiences as an NC student and staff member, highlighting the lessons, skills, and mindset that helped her transition from working at the College to launching her own business.
“I hope to give students clarity on the journey they’re on, and reinforce their decisions on investing in themselves right now while it can seem heavy balancing it all,” she says. “It’s a stage of life that is exciting and sometimes we forget to live in it versus survive it. Mindset work is so important.”
Students attending can expect practical insights and takeaways they can apply to their own paths, whether exploring side projects, creative passions, or early business ideas.
From NC to Entrepreneurship
Singleton is no stranger to NC. A graduate of the Event Management program, she went on to spend 10 years working within Student Engagement, most recently as Student Development Coordinator. Over the years, she held roles in Peer Mentoring and Peer Tutoring, supporting students in building the very skills she now draws on as an entrepreneur.
“The work I loved doing for our students became my biggest strength as an entrepreneur,” she said.
In March 2025, Singleton stepped away from her full-time role to focus on growing her business, Hype Gal Media – a digital media agency specializing in content creation for brands, businesses, weddings and events. What began as a side hustle in day-of wedding coordination evolved into social media management and wedding content creation, eventually becoming her full-time career.
“I had no intentions of leaving my full-time job when I started,” she shared. “You don’t have to be only one thing.”
For Singleton, returning to campus is both nostalgic and exciting.
“I love hearing about what people are wanting to do and supporting them to get there,” she said. “The feeling of being on campus is next to none, it’s a buzz no one forgets.”
Through her story, she hopes to encourage students to embrace the long game, recognize their skill sets and show up authentically in every aspect of their lives.
Developing skills and leaning into your passion
During her Speaker Series session, Singleton will reflect on her journey from student to staff member to entrepreneur, highlighting how developing soft skills alongside her academic knowledge helped shape her career.
Students can expect a candid conversation about:
- Building confidence
- Developing transferable skills
- Creating an unconventional dream career
- Balancing a side project or creative pursuit while in school
- Adopting a growth mindset for long-term success
Singleton hopes attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of their own strengths and the confidence to invest in themselves.
“A lot of people see success and think it happened overnight,” she says. “But it was really ten years in the making.”
She will also speak directly to students who may feel overwhelmed balancing academics, work and personal passion projects, reminding them that this time in their life is filled with possibility and opportunity.
Students can register for the February 25 Speaker Series event through NC Engage here.
Upcoming Speaker Series events
- An etiquette-focused dining experience hosted by Sarah Scott, NC Event Specialist with the Community Relations and Events (CRE) team, NC alumna, and hospitality leader. The event includes a full meal at NC’s Benchmark Restaurant.
- March 18 at 6:00 p.m. – Benchmark Restaurant, Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
- Registration link coming soon.
- Student Panel: Featuring a group of NC graduates who will share their experiences and insights on transitioning from college into their careers.
- April 1 at 5:30 p.m. – Welland Campus (Room TBD).
- Registration link coming soon.
Stay tuned to InsideNC and the NC Engage App for all future Speaker Series event details and registration information.
