Sharon Carry

Carry was born on March 31, 1950 in Calgary, Alberta. She completed her bachelor of arts in political science.[1]

Carry began her career at Mount Royal College in 1972. Between 1983 and 1997, Carry held positions at Olds College, including registrar and, later, vice president of student and support services.[1] From 1997 to 2016, Carry served as president and chief executive officer of Bow Valley College from 1997 to 2016, where she led the school through a transition from provincial administration to a public governance model. Her administration doubled enrollment and expanded programs and facilities.[2][3]

Carry is also the owner of a marketing and communications business and consults for private and public sector organizations. She has served on the boards of Council of Postsecondary President of Alberta, the Calgary Homelessness Foundation, the Calgary Community Land Trust and is a member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Calgary Chamber of Commerce Women’s Executive Network, the Canadian Club of Calgary, the International Women's Forum, and the Petroleum Club.[1]

• Alberta Order of Excellence (2014)
• Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (2013)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• City of Calgary's Award for Education (2010)
• Alberta Centennial Medal (2005)

She has honorary degrees from Olds College and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.[1]

In 2015, she was given the honorary title and a Blackfoot name, Niipaitapi [nee-bah-tah-pee] Askinimatstohki [es-ksee-nee-maht-stooh-kee], which translates to Lifelong Educator.[4]