MaKami College Announces First General Hillier Valour and Service Veterans and Military Families Scholarship Recipients

MaKami College is pleased to announce the first recipients of the General Hillier Valour and Service Veterans and Military Families Scholarship.

Master Corporal (Ret’d) Michael Waterhouse, CD, is a student in the Applied Politics and Public Affairs program and a 23-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Sana Javed, an Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy student, is a proud spouse of an actively serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“MaKami College is pleased to honour this year’s General Hillier Valour and Service Veterans and Military Families scholarship recipients – a dedicated and supportive spouse, and a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi, President of MaKami College “Their experiences remind us that service to our nation takes many forms, and we at MaKami College are proud to support both those who wore the uniform and those who stood steadfastly beside them.”

Master Corporal (Ret’d) Michael Waterhouse, CD, served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Supply Technician from 1984 to 2007.  Since enrolling at MaKami College, he has brought his decades of discipline, dedication, and leadership experience to his academic pursuits. Now in the final months of his first year in the two-year Applied Politics and Public Affairs program, he has quickly distinguished himself through both academic excellence and his strong commitment to supporting fellow students.

“Michael, a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces, exemplifies the courage, strength and dedication of those who have worn a uniform in service to our country, while Sana, the wife of a currently serving member, is the true embodiment of the quiet strength and sacrifice made by families in support of Canada’s military,” said General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier, Chair of the scholarship committee and former Chief of the Defence Staff. “Their commitment to Canada reminds us why it is so important to support those who defend our freedom and way of life, and those who stand beside them with unwavering support.”

Sana Javed has proudly supported the service of her husband, Muhammad Azam, throughout the eight years they have been together. Upon completing the Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy program, she hopes to become a Registered Massage Therapist and focus her practice on veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members and their families, and caregivers. She also aims to partner with Veterans Affairs Canada and Canadian Armed Forces Family Support Centres to integrate advanced massage therapy into broader rehabilitation programs.

Established in 2025, the General Hillier Valour and Service Veterans and Military Families Scholarship (VSS) reflects MaKami College’s shared commitment to recognizing the sacrifices and service of Canadian veterans, active military members, and their families. Michael and Sana represent the scholarship’s values of courage, service, and community—values that are at the heart of MaKami College’s mission and everyday work.