From Classroom to Career: Canadore Game Design Students Make Industry Connections at Level Up
May 7, 2026
In April 2024, Canadore College’s Game Design and Development program took an exciting step forward - participating in the Level Up Student Showcase in Toronto for the very first time.
For our students, the experience went far beyond showcasing their work. It was an opportunity to connect - with industry professionals, fellow developers, and a broader creative community from across Ontario. And it didn’t take long to see just how powerful those connections could be.
A Conversation That Changed Everything
During the showcase, students Mathew Gauthier (then in his third year, from Michipicoten) and Amy Noah (then in her first year, from Attawapiskat) connected with Indigenous Game Devs - a group dedicated to supporting and amplifying Indigenous voices in the gaming industry.
That introduction led to a meeting with Jeremy Nelson, founder of Little Buffalo Studios.
What started as a conversation quickly turned into opportunity.
Turning Opportunity into Careers
By summer 2024, both Mathew and Amy had joined Little Buffalo Studios - Mathew in a Quality Assurance role and Amy in Game Art.
From there, Mathew’s journey accelerated. He transitioned into a Junior Game Designer role and has since advanced to Associate Producer - an incredible achievement so early in his career.
Amy returned to Canadore to complete her studies, bringing with her real-world industry experience that continues to shape her work. Now approaching graduation, she’s building on that momentum as she prepares for the next step in her career.
Mentorship, Connection, and What Comes Next
Mathew and Amy exemplify the talent, creativity, and determination within Canadore’s student community. Their story highlights the power of mentorship, meaningful connections, and real-world experience in shaping career pathways.
These are the moments that matter: when classroom learning meets industry opportunity.
We’re proud to share that Mathew continues to stay connected with Canadore, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Little Buffalo Studios to campus this fall to speak with current students - closing the loop and opening new doors for the next generation.
Where It All Starts
At Canadore, we believe opportunities often begin with a single connection.
For Mathew and Amy, that connection happened at Level Up.
For our current and future students, we’re committed to creating more of those moments - where talent meets opportunity, and careers begin.