Alum of the Month: Kim Clark
January 22, 2018
When Kim Clark returned to school at Vancouver Island University (VIU), she had been diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis and was dealing with four kids at home, an (almost) terminally ill husband and a disintegrating marriage. She says her time in VIU’s Creative Writing program helped to energize her and credits her professors with giving her the consideration and confidence to keep... Read more
Alumni Indigenous Artists' Work on Display at View Gallery
September 12, 2017
Show explores identity of three major Indigenous language groups on Vancouver Island Vancouver Island University is pleased to host TimberWest’s First Nation Cultural Art Showcase Program at the View Gallery on the Nanaimo campus in building 330. The program recognizes and supports three First Nation artists representing their major language group on Vancouver Island. The artists were... Read more
From Myanmar with Love: VIU Alum Takes Her Degree on the Road
July 31, 2017
Shantel Beute’s year of travel and training opportunities started with a VIU Global Studies internship Vancouver Island University (VIU) alumnus Shantel Beute has travelled around the world following her passions this year. Beute has sat in Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Sheila Malcolmson’s seat in Parliament, studied rural women’s groups in Belize and she’s now in Myanmar working as a gender advisor for... Read more
From Struggling Student to Empowered Change Maker
July 26, 2017
How Tasha Brooks found her passion through VIU’s MBA Program and is making a difference in her community Ten years ago, Tasha Brooks found herself begging Santa Claus for a C+ in accounting so she could continue in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Bachelor of Business Administration program. Fast forward to today, and Brooks has just finished her dual Master of Business Administration and... Read more
Shaping a Career Out of Making People Feel Beautiful: VIU Esthetics Grads Speak Out
June 28, 2017
Employment prospects look good for graduates of the eight-month Professional Esthetics program, held at VIU’s Parksville-Qualicum campus After spending her 20s working as a bartender, Lindsay Jacobson was tired of the late nights and ready to find her forever career. The 34-year-old had taken a makeup course when she was 19 and loved the creativity and freedom of the profession, so she decided... Read more
VIU Power Engineering Grads Nab Top Spots in National Competition
June 28, 2017
Tim Ryper and Fred Hillyer took first and third place in PanGlobal Training Systems’ 2017 Student Achievement Awards Two former Vancouver Island University (VIU) Power Engineering students are not only top of their class – they have surged to the top of the list in Canada as well. Tim Ryper and Fred Hillyer won first and third place respectively in the national Power Engineering Outstanding... Read more
VIU Bachelor of Arts Graduates Share their Success Stories
February 28, 2017
VIU celebrates 25 years of granting BAs with a look at the rewarding careers alumni pursued with their degree From the Liberal Party of Canada’s videographer, who spends much of his time filming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; to a member of Team Canada’s national volleyball team who travels the world pursuing her passion; to a PhD student working in neuroscience research, Vancouver Island... Read more
VIU Cowichan Practical Nursing Student Recognized for Citizenship
August 15, 2016
Dilbert Garcia is new to Canada, and he’s already deeply involved in the community VIU Cowichan alumnus Dilbert Garcia immigrated to Canada just four years ago from the Philippines, and he’s already made significant contributions to both his community and his school. For his excellent grades and community involvement, he graduated in May with both the Mike Coleman Award for Citizenship and the... Read more
Mentors are everything to award-winning Nanaimo entrepreneur
February 15, 2016
Trevor Styan (Welding ’04) isn’t the kind of boss who shows up on his company’s remote, northern BC work site wearing awhite hard hat and shiny steel-toed boots fresh out of the box. He’s not there for a quick check-in, with handshakes and a pep-talk for the work crew tasked with completing a complex infrastructure build for the province’s energy sector. It’s just not his style. Instead, the 29-... Read more
VIU Child And Youth Care Alumni Share Experiences At 2nd Annual Meet And Greet
February 2, 2016
It was set up like an evening of speed dating. At first the almost 100 people attending milled around not sure where to go - but Child and Youth Care Alumni Meet and Greet organizer, Sara Marshall, eventually managed to get everyone into groups and on their way. The Jan. 28 event brought current Vancouver Island University (VIU) students, high school students and members of the public together... Read more