MBA Student Named Greater Sudbury’s "Newcomer of the Year"

July 20, 2026 – Laurentian University celebrates Master of Business Administration student Fengyi Guo (preferred nickname Felice), who was named “Newcomer of the Year” at the Greater Sudbury Canada Day celebrations. The award recognizes Guo’s deep commitment to community volunteerism, cultural preservation, and her rapid impact on the local community since arriving from China.

Originally from Jilin City, Guo chose Laurentian for the flexibility of its accelerated Master of Business Administration program. She quickly immersed herself in Sudbury’s civic life, starting as a library assistant at Laurentian University's front desk within her first two weeks and earning the "Best Volunteer" award at Cinefest Sudbury. This summer, she transitioned into the archives at the university's J.N. Desmarais Library.

Guo’s passion for history inspired her to launch the Sudbury Chinese Community Oral History Project. The documentary project bridges generations of local Chinese immigrants—tracing histories from early 20th-century businesses to modern professionals arriving under regional immigration pilot programs.

"When I heard the news that I won, I felt a deep sense of relief because I was balancing a full-time job, three courses, and filmmaking," said Guo. "It is a beautiful sign that my work is being seen. I used to feel like an outcast juggling so many worlds, but this award taught me that it’s okay to feel that way as long as you know where you are going."

Beyond her summer archival work, Guo serves as President of the Northern Light Naginata Club (a Japanese martial arts club practicing in Bell Park) and is an active member of the Chinese Association of Greater Sudbury.

When asked what advice she has for fellow international students, Guo emphasized unity and open-mindedness: "Everyone shares the same starting line when they arrive. Try your best to let go of past prejudices, stay extraordinarily positive, and immerse yourself in volunteering and learning new cultures."

Looking ahead, Guo hopes to leverage her Master of Business Administration and creative drive to build a long-term career in Greater Sudbury centred on multiculturalism and regional storytelling.