VIU Alumni Adapt to New Realities of COVID-19 Pandemic
May 1, 2020
During #GivingTuesdayNow on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, VIU is highlighting stories of alumni who are making a difference and supporting communities in a time of crisis. March 2020 will go down in history as the month many of us had our lives drastically altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from the swift shuttering of many businesses, to a mass transition to working and learning from home, to... Read more
Alum of the Month: Sarah Dmytruk
February 28, 2020
At just 16 years old, Sarah Dmytruk’s passion for welding inspired her to enroll in VIU’s Welding certificate program as a dual-credit student, which means she earned credits to complete high school while getting her basic training to become a welder. Now two years later, having also recently earned her Welding Level B ticket, the 18-year-old is enjoying her career with B&F Manufacturing Ltd... Read more
Alum of the Month: Braedan Zimmer
February 12, 2020
Have you ever wondered what life is like after a Liberal Studies degree? Shortly after graduating from VIU in May 2019, Braedan Zimmer found himself travelling around western Canada and the United States as a representative with independent academic publisher Broadview Press, using skills he learned as a Liberal Studies student. Here’s his best advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps... Read more
Alum of the Month: Hannah McSorley
January 14, 2020
It’s been a few years since Hannah McSorley graduated from Vancouver Island University, but her connections to the institution remain strong. Thanks to a research background in environmental analytical chemistry which she gained while still a student at VIU, as well as significant field experience in hydrology, McSorley is working for the university’s Coastal Hydrology Research Lab as an analyst... Read more
Alum of the Month: Jason Lloyd
December 6, 2019
Food and cooking have always interested Jason Lloyd. Growing up, family dinners were an important part of his life; after completing the Professional Cook Training/Culinary Arts program at VIU (then Malaspina College) in 1993, Lloyd’s eyes were opened to the wide range of opportunities the industry offers. Before returning to teach at his alma mater in 2011, Lloyd’s career included working in... Read more
Alum of the Month: Chris Bergen
September 9, 2019
Chris Bergen believes that anyone can excel when they are set up to succeed – a responsibility he says falls to the leader of a group or organization. Through his blog, he writes articles that help people “be the manager you wish you had” and inspire employees to reach their full potential. Now Operations Supervisor with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Bergen credits his VIU... Read more
Alum of the Month: Jonathan Bauer
July 23, 2019
Moving to New Orleans gave multi-talented trumpeter and composer Jonathan Bauer the chance to hit the ground running after graduating from Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies program in 2014. Since then, he’s gotten a master’s degree, toured parts of the world, started playing with the infamous New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and recorded his own album. His secret?... Read more
Baking Alum Rise to the Challenge of Starting their own Companies
July 23, 2019
Three Vancouver Island University alumni open up about the trials and tribulations of starting their own businesses in Nanaimo. Kara Shedden has always wanted to own her own ice cream shop, and now that her dream has come true, life is pretty sweet. After graduating from Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Baking and Pastry Arts foundation program in 2016, she started her own business... Read more
Alum of the Month: Ebony Logins
June 8, 2019
As a young female politician, Ebony Logins is very conscious of the fact that women are not well-represented in the political sphere. To encourage more young women to enter politics, Logins, who on top of her duties as a Councillor with the District of Sooke Council is also a photographer and community school co-ordinator, is launching a women in politics photo project. The VIU Recreation &... Read more
VIU Grad Pursues Planning Dreams with City of Nanaimo
May 31, 2019
After conducting research that took her around the world, Master of Community Planning alum Lainy Nowak is working as a Planning Assistant in the City of Nanaimo’s Community Development Department. As a Planning Assistant with the City of Nanaimo, there is no such thing as a typical day for Lainy Nowak. The Vancouver Island University (VIU) Master of Community Planning alumna, who started work... Read more