doug

King takes his learning abroad to Scotland field school

2013-06-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

Looking to take your learning to a whole new country? Consider going on one of our fields schools next spring!

When King Albaña attended the Douglas College Scotland field school, in Edinburgh, he discovered that sometimes the best places to learn are outside the classroom. He studied geography on top of the majestic summit of Arthur’s Seat, learned about performing and fine arts through visits to theatres, museums, galleries and castles, and studied creative writing in the city where J.K. Rowling wrote her Harry Potter series. He even visited the café where Rowling first began writing the novels.

“The trip was an awe-inspiring experience that had a motivational effect on my life,” King says. “It changed my perspective of education for the better, broadened my horizons both academically and culturally, and taught me invaluable lessons that I could never get from a textbook.”

To find out more about our field schools, visit Student Planet on our website.

Expand your horizons - take courses in social work!

2013-06-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

By Lawrence Becker, Community Social Service Work instructor

Interested in taking courses in social work? For the second year running, the Community Social Service Work (CSSW) Program is offering two courses to all Douglas students (so you can take them even if you are not a CSSW student). This is a terrific way for you to get acquainted with the field of social work and earn university transfer credits at the same time.

Introduction to Social Welfare (CSSW 1200) will be offered in Fall 2013, and Introduction to Social Work Practice (CSSW 1100) will be offered in Winter 2014. Both courses are hybrids, which means you get the flexibility of continuing your studies while keeping up with other commitments, such as work and family. You’ll spend half the time on campus as you would with a traditional class. The rest of the time is yours - you can work on quizzes, chat room discussions, multimedia presentations and other assignments at your convenience.

Introduction to Social Welfare deals with income security measures in Canada, while Introduction to Social Work Practice provides an overview of social work as a profession. Social Work Practice covers issues such as homelessness, poverty, immigration, aboriginal issues, mental health and other topics relevant to the profession.

“These courses provided me with an interesting look at the past and current developments of social work over time,” says Jennifer, a recent student.

“I had no idea of the relationship between political movements and the development of social programs that seem just a part of our lives,” says Tom, a current grad.

The courses require no prerequisites, and credits earned can be transferred to most Bachelor of Social Work Programs offered in British Columbia, including those at UVic, UBC, UNBC and other institutions.

David, a grad who is already employed in the field of social services, says these hybrid courses allowed him to work full time and still complete what he needed to further his career in social work.

“I’ve been working at an agency for a while now, but having these courses gives me more security in my position and allows me to pursue more schooling down the road,” David says.

Linda, an Arts and Humanities student, says she likes the hybrid format because it required her to stay on top of her studies.

“There is more responsibility on students for outside learning and studying. I felt more prepared for class, and the discussions had more depth to them because we were required to keep up on the material.”

Find out more about the Community Social Service Work Program on our website.

Doing what they love: Douglas College valedictorians

2013-06-13T11:34:00.001-07:00

Graduation. It’s not an ending, but a beginning. At Douglas, we’re proud to be a part of so many amazing beginnings, like those we celebrated this week at our Summer 2013 Graduation ceremonies.

We know that every student has a great story, so we’d like share those of some of our valedictorians as they head off to do what they love.

Shayna Dolan
Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation

After trying her hand at various disciplines, taking post-secondary courses and volunteering at community-based organizations, Shayna Dolan found her calling. “I quickly realized I was passionate about working with people at the community level,” she says.

Shayna found her way to the Therapeutic Recreation program at Douglas and quickly distinguished herself as a model student and citizen. In addition to the work she put in for her degree, she took part in the 2012 Uganda Project, completing a 10-week practicum in Masaka. “Seeing the empowering relationships Douglas College has helped to facilitate reinforced the importance of responsible and sustainable community development,” she says.

After finishing her degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Shayna decided to continue her studies at the University of Northern British Columbia, where she will pursue a master’s degree in Community Health Sciences. She plans to focus on health policy, education and research in rural, remote and First Nations communities. “It’s a dream come true," Shayna says.

Maria Gigliotti
Diploma in Hospitality Management

She finishes her diploma in Hospitality Management this week and also holds a full-time job as a manager at a Burnaby restaurant. But valedictorian Maria Gigliotti has plenty of big dreams. “I hope to one day become the general manager of a location,” she says. “And possibly a regional manager once I gain the experience.”

Maria’s hard work, leadership skills and friendly attitude endeared her to her classmates and instructors. “Maria actively sought out leadership roles in many HOSP events, which she executed admirably,” says Hospitality Management Program Chair Mark Elliott. “Her energy level and professional demeanour were always appreciated by her peers and the faculty.”

Maria chose the Hospitality Management program because it was her passion, and she leaves it today as valedictorian. “I knew that Douglas College could help me by providing the education I needed to succeed in my future career,” she says. “My last two years at Douglas were one great big memory.”

Mea Jyn
Diploma in Sport Science - specialization in Kinesiology

When Mea Jyn first came to Douglas, she didn’t believe in herself one hundred percent. Now she is living proof of Douglas’s motto: “Do what you love. Be good at it.” "I wasn't confident in my ability to succeed in math and science courses," she says. "But every step of the way I met a teacher who inspired me to challenge my own preconceptions and perceived limitations."

Mea isn't leaving Douglas just yet. She's been accepted into the third year of the Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching program. Her goal is to teach, inspire, learn, grow and support others in their journey to do the same. "The best way I can do that is through living by example," she says, "If I can be true to myself, I can help others be true to themselves."

"Shocked" at being chosen as valedictorian, Mea says she is grateful for each and every moment that has brought her to this point. "I am a firm believer that you are the creator of your own destiny and that your thoughts and beliefs shape your relationship with yourself and others," she says. "If you stay present and are truly grateful for the rewards and the obstacles that cross your path, you will find value and opportunity to grow in every experience."

Sanjin Ramovic
Degree in Psychiatric Nursing

Sanjin Ramovic was a second-year Psychology student at Douglas when he was accepted into the honours programs at UBC and SFU. But he chose to stay at Douglas to finish his Bachelor of Psychology degree. “I realized Douglas was where I wanted to be,” San says. “I loved the instructors and the program. They were awesome.”

After graduating, he decided to go on to get a degree in Psychiatric Nursing. Choosing the institution was a no-brainer. “Douglas was my only choice,” San says. “It was the only place I applied to, and it was the only program I wanted to take. As I understand it, Douglas has the best psychiatric nursing program in Western Canada. So really there was no other choice.”

Now an intake nurse at Surrey Mental Health, San’s found his place: working in the community. “It’s my passion,” he says. “It’s where I feel I fit in the best and can do the most.”

Lisa Sarginson
Certificate in Office Administration - Medical Office Assistant

Lisa Sarginson spent more than two decades working as an insurance agent and a flight attendant, but found she wanted a new career that would allow her to spend more time at home while helping others. So at 41, she went to college for the first time, as a student in the Medical Office Assistant program. “I quickly noticed faculty and students were friendly and positive with everyone,” she says. “It makes for a great learning environment.”

Lisa worked hard and achieved an impressive 4.10 GPA. Her excellent grades combined with her sunny disposition made her the valedictorian for her class this year. “I was very privileged to have Lisa in my classes, she was a delight to work with,” says one of her instructors. “She took pride in her work and always went above what was required.”

Shortly after finishing her classes, Lisa found full-time work in her field, completing her certificate and making a quick transition to a career with a future. “Douglas and the MOA program have prepared me for my new career,” she says. “Since this is my first time attending college, I have a new sense of confidence and have proven to myself that I could really do it.”

Jeff Solis
Diploma in Performing Arts - Music

It’s been a long climb for Jeff Solis, a self-taught musician who began his studies at Douglas in Basic Musicianship before moving into the Music program. But it’s all been worth it. “It was always my passion to study music,” he says. “Even though I was self-taught for many years, the Basic Musicianship program gave me the option to begin a formal study in music.”

Jeff originally chose Douglas because it was local and he’s a long-time resident of New Westminster but stayed because he knew he’d found his calling. “I always knew my life would involve music, somehow,” he says. “It wasn’t until my rebellious teenage years when I began to write my own songs.”

Jeff is now planning to move to another institution to complete his degree, with the ultimate goal of becoming a music teacher. “Douglas College’s Music department’s faculty and staff were a major part of taking what was once a hobby and turning it into a lifelong career,” he says.

Rachel Tomson
Bachelor of Arts - Child and Youth Care

If Rachel Tomson had to narrow down her most memorable experiences at Douglas, they would be participating in the 2009 Uganda Project, where she did a 10-week practicum in Uganda, and being selected as valedictorian. "Both opportunities have completely blown me away," she says. "Before beginning my educational career at Douglas, I never thought I was worthy of the type of success which would present me with these types of opportunities."

Rachel says studying at Douglas and being part of its "supportive academic community" has taught her to believe in herself and always strive for new levels of greatness. "The small class sizes, wise and experienced instructors, and unique opportunities to experience learning in a real and practical way has helped me to succeed," she says.

Now that she's graduated, Rachel is looking forward to working in social services and getting a masters of counselling psychology degree. Her goal is to work in the area of child and youth mental health. "I absolutely believe in and embrace Douglas's motto, 'Do what you love, be good at it,' she says. "I think this motto inspires people to follow their dreams and believe in themselves - at least it did for me!"

First Bachelor of Performing Arts cohort graduates this week

2013-06-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

Bachelor of Performing Arts graduating class — Top Row: Reg Tupper, Linzi Voth, Sean Hewlett, Glenn Crossley, Lisa Goebel, Corwin Ferguson. Upper Middle Row: Ria Manansala, Brahm Taylor, Sigourney McAuley, Javia Selina, Chris Lam, Leala Selina. Bottom Middle Row: Heather Cornick, Sam Bis-Calihoo, Chris Fader, Sarah Szloboda, Natalia Pardalis, Aouda Yen. Bottom Row: Damon Jang, Ryan Scramstad, Tiffany Anderson, Jeff McMahan, Manuel Cuevas, Corey Haas

The first cohort of the Bachelor of Performing Arts Degree program graduated Monday at Capilano University. Offered jointly by Douglas College, Capilano, Langara and Vancouver Community College, the BPA is a nine-month degree-completion program for fourth-year students. The program was designed for students and working professionals with a significant background in dance, music, film arts, stagecraft, theatre, arts and entertainment management, musical theatre or digital media, and focuses on collaboration, entrepreneurship and creative development.

Read more about the program in a story by the North Shore News, or visit our website.

Douglas College awards highest honour to Peter Legge

2013-06-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

Douglas College will award business and community leader Peter Legge with the College’s highest distinction today – Honorary Fellowship.

Legge is CEO of Canada Wide Media, Western Canada’s biggest independent publishing company. He is an honorary member of the Douglas College Foundation Board, a donor to the college and has lent his name, expertise and influence to the Peter Legge International Institute for Sales Excellence at Douglas College.

“To receive the highest recognition from a much respected college that has two campuses – one in the town I was raised in, and the second, in the community I live in – is an absolutely huge honour,” Legge says. “I am humbled by this recognition.”

Legge has raised millions of dollars for a variety of community causes, particularly through his work with Variety – The Children’s Charity. He has been a director of the Variety Club Telethon for 20 years and co-host for 35 years. He is also Variety’s International Vice-President.

“My father once told me to give back to the community infinitely more than you take out,” Legge says. “This could be your time, talent and sometimes your money. Personally, I can raise more money than I could ever possibly give.”

As an inspirational speaker, Legge is renowned in North America and is the only Canadian in the prestigious Speakers Roundtable. He has won numerous awards for his inspirational and motivational talks.

“Mr. Legge is a warm, engaging family man who believes strongly in mentoring and supporting youth, particularly through education,” says Scott McAlpine, President of Douglas College. “He inspires people to hone their unique talents and do what they love.”

“Mr. Legge is a natural fit for Honorary Fellow,” says Paul Wates, Chair of the Douglas College Board. “He is a highly successful businessman who believes in helping others and giving back to his community. He is someone we can all look up to.”

Legge accepts his award today during a summer graduation ceremony at the New Westminster Campus.

Frank Giustra honoured as Distinguished Alumnus by Douglas College

2013-06-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

Douglas College will honour entrepreneur philanthropist Frank Giustra tomorrow as one of the College’s most distinguished alumni.

Giustra graduated from Douglas College in 1979. He began at Douglas in the Music program before switching to business and finance. He has since become a successful stockbroker, mining financier and Founder of Lions Gate Entertainment. Currently, Giustra is President and CEO of Fiore Financial Corporation.

Giustra says receiving the award was a bit of a surprise.

“It’s probably the last thing I would have expected, but I’m honoured,” he says. “I certainly couldn’t have imagined this back when I graduated.”

A prominent philanthropist, Giustra donates a substantial percentage of his profits to charity. As Founder and Chair of the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, he works with former U.S. president Bill Clinton to create social and economic programs to combat poverty in developing countries.

“That’s been my biggest project and will continue to be,” Mr. Giustra says. “It’s the one that defines my greatest passion.”

Closer to home, Giustra is the Director of Streetohome Foundation, whose mission is to end homelessness in Vancouver by providing secure, affordable housing to chronically homeless people. He also mentors disadvantaged kids through a group called The Boys Club.

“Few people in the world could be said to better reflect our college motto, ‘Do what you love. Be good at it,’ more than Frank Giustra,” says Scott McAlpine, President of Douglas College. “Mr. Giustra has embraced this philosophy his whole life and he has truly embodied the spirit of Douglas.”

Giustra says the recipe for a successful and happy life contains two ingredients: passion and conviction.

“I think Steve Jobs said it best in his commencement speech at Stanford some years ago, when he talked about finding the passion in your life,” Giustra says. “He said never stop looking until you find the thing you are passionate about. And follow it through.”

Giustra also says he has no regrets about any of the decisions he’s made throughout his career – good or bad.

“I look at my life today, at this very moment in time, and I ask myself a question: Am I at peace with where I am right now? And the answer is yes. It means everything I’ve done that’s led me to this point has been the right move – including the mistakes.”

Giustra’s schedule did not permit him to be present at tomorrow’s graduation ceremony. However, he was able to provide a video address to students. Check it out on the Douglas College YouTube channel.

Comics and the Multimodal World conference takes interactive approach to engage wider audience

2013-05-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

From left: Douglas instructors and comics fans Peter Wilkins, David N. Wright and Brenna Clarke Gray have created a conference with a twist.

By Tamara Letkeman, doug Editor

Presenting a dry academic paper while an audience passively listens is so passé.

Yes, the scholarly conference is evolving, and three Douglas College instructors – Brenna Clarke Gray, David N. Wright and Peter Wilkins – have found the perfect platform on which to build a new-school style conference that is both interactive and has wide appeal to a broad audience: comics.

From June 13-16 Douglas College will host Comics and the Multimodal World, an event that will see scholars from a variety of disciplines from around the globe come together to discuss their research on comics and digital culture.

The conference will include interactive seminars where the audience – the public is welcome and encouraged to attend – will be invited to participate in making, testing and using comics, while the first day of the conference has been designated Student Day and will feature roundtable conversations, a hands-on seminar/teach-in, film screenings and a special forum.

Wright says this approach falls in line with what’s happening with scholarly conferences nowadays.

“They’re becoming un-conferences,” he says. “Paper presentation is part of it, but conferences are opening up to include seminars and workshops, for example. They’re becoming more interactive.”

Clarke Gray says one of the things this conference aims to do is bring together the academic side of comics and the actual practice of making comics in one space.

“Sarah Leavitt, who’s giving our keynote, is doing a whole workshop session on creating comics from memoir, so you actually get to sit down with her and work through the process,” she says.

Conventional paper sessions – which will be more academic – will have their place at this conference. But Wilkins says it doesn’t matter if you’re a comics scholar or just a huge comics fan; it’s easy to find common ground.

“I was at a big comics conference in Spain,” he recalls, “where everybody was talking highfalutin theory about abstraction in comics and things like that. But at the end, they were all talking about X-Men.”

Comics and the Multimodal World runs June 13-16 at Douglas College’s New Westminster Campus, 700 Royal Ave. For more information or to register, visit the conference website.

Douglas hosts comics conference June 13-16 - and you're invited!

2013-05-28T12:24:00.003-07:00

Do you love comics? Are you interested in digital culture?

Then get set to get your geek on at Comics and the Multimodal World, a conference that will see scholars from around the globe converge at Douglas College for four days of forums, interactive workshops, seminars and film screenings on everything from how female superheroes are portrayed differently in Japanese and American comics, to indigenous mythology in The Incredible Hulk, to the future of the printed book in the age of mobile and digital technology. And much, much more!

June 13-16

New West Campus

Free registration for Douglas students

Register now!

The first three days feature interactive workshops that invite the audience to participate in making, testing and using comics.

Thursday, June 13, is Student Day, which features roundtable conversations, a hands-on seminar/teach-in, film screenings and a special forum: "Comics, Computers, and the Future of the Humanities," 5:30-7pm, room 2201.

Don't miss the keynote speakers:

Sarah Leavitt, Vancouver author and cartoonist, whose graphic memoir, Tangles, is about her experience with her mother’s Alzheimer’s
Bart Beaty, renowned comics scholar and head of the English Department at the University of Calgary

There will also be an exhibit at the Amelia Douglas Gallery (till June 28, free) called "Sequential Investigations: The New Comics," featuring drawings, comics, and installations from an international group of comics artists.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the conference. Douglas students can register for free, and discount rates are available for Douglas faculty and other post-secondary students in the Lower Mainland. See the list of conference fees.

View the full program or read more about the conference. Register now!

*Come back to this blog tomorrow for an in-depth interview with Douglas College conference organizers/comics experts Brenna Clarke Gray, Peter Wilkins and David N. Wright on why you'll love this event, and the changing nature of academic conferences.

EVENT garners nominations for literary awards

2013-05-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

EVENT, Douglas College's literary journal, has some pretty cool stuff to boast about! Check out the awards and accolades garnered by recent stories and poems featured in EVENT:

Doretta Lau's story "How Does a Single Blade of Grass Thank the Sun" (first published in EVENT 41/1) has been selected to appear in the forthcoming Journey Prize Stories 25 and is in the running for the $10,000 Writers' Trust of Canada/McClelland; Stewart Journey Prize.
Libby Zeleke was voted winner of the 2013 CNFC Readers' Choice Award for her non-fiction story "We Were Punk Rockers" (first published in EVENT 41/3, and a winner of EVENT's 2012 Non-Fiction Contest).
EVENT magazine again came up big in the National Magazine Awards this year: Craig Davidson's story "Friday Night Goon Squad" (first published in EVENT 41/2) is a Finalist in the Fiction Category, and Sina Queyras's long poem "The Dead Ones" (first published in EVENT 41/3) is a Finalist in the Poetry Category. Winners will be announced in Toronto on June 7. Keep your fingers crossed!

This follows on the heels of EVENT's back-to-back Gold and Silver Award wins at both the 2012 and 2011 National Magazine Awards, and our 2012 and 2010 wins in the Fiction Category at the Western Magazine Awards! EVENT can now boast it brings its readers the very best in contemporary Canadian fiction.

Douglas College Concert Band ups student's music skills

2013-05-21T14:53:00.001-07:00

By Julie Wright

For the past year, I have been playing as a community member with the Douglas College Concert Band and I've been having a great time. I think this is a fantastic opportunity for young people like me and I want to get the word out.

I didn't think that Douglas would take a high school student as a community member, but when my band teacher at NWSS, Ms. Proznick, recommended that I do it, I really wanted to give it a try.

As a community member, I attend the rehearsals each Wednesday evening, and play all the concerts. I play clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor sax and violin. That sounds like a lot of instruments, but the first three are very closely related so it's fairly easy to go between them.

I thought it would be a good chance to play clarinet in a more advanced band because, like most high school bands, the students who are not really into music get distracted easily. That is really annoying! Plus any college band would be playing at a higher level.

One thing I noticed when I first began attending rehearsals was that rehearsals were much more efficient - everyone works hard and plays hard. I improved because the music was more challenging and that forced me to practise more. Outside of the band rehearsals, I also began to listen to a wider ranger of music as the college band repertoire exposed me to more styles than what I normally play at high school.

I've definitely learned more about my instrument and become more confident. I made some new friends as well and I am really looking forward to coming back to the DC band again next year.

Julie Wright is a Grade 11 student at New Westminster Senior Secondary. DC Concert Band and Jazz Band can be taken for credit by non-music students at Douglas, or you may join as a community member. Advanced high school students may join as community members on the recommendation of their band director and approval of their parents. Email John Van Deursen or call 604 562 7553 for more information.

Creative Writing instructor's book short listed for literary prize

2013-05-17T11:26:00.001-07:00

Bull Head, the first collection of short stories by John Vigna, Douglas College Creative Writing and Print Futures instructor, has made the short list for the 2012 Danuta Gleed Literary Award.

The award recognizes the best first English-language collection of short fiction by a Canadian author published in 2012. The award consists of cash prizes for the three best first collections, with a first prize of $10,000 and two additional prizes of $500.

The winners will be announced June 11.

Zambia interns step into the unknown with Global Leadership Program

2013-05-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

Off to Zambia: from left: Mia Rushton, Iloradanon Efimoff, Jessie Visser, Amy Bunnage, Sarah Khan, Ann Wilson, Bruce Biro, Ferron Shea, Rachel Halldorson, Katherine Yu.

By Eliot Dix James

Ilorandanon Efimoff has wanted to “go somewhere and build a school” for a long time. Now, the ESL tutor, who studies Psychology and Gender Relations, will teach at a community school in Zambia.

She is one of 10 students participating in Douglife’s Global Leadership Program. The students headed to Africa last week after finishing their pre-departure training.

They were primed with cultural information and coping skills. And yet they didn’t know exactly what they would be doing, or how they would do it, until after they got there.

“If I was tutoring someone in Canada, I’d feel prepared, but it’s going to be a completely different cultural experience,” said Ilorandanon before the trip. “You need to listen to the students and understand where they’re coming from before you can go in and teach.”

Stepping into the unknown is part of what makes the program so powerful for students.

“The goal is that the students get immersed in a very different world that challenges their values and beliefs,” says Scott Fraser-Dauphinee, Campus Life Coordinator. “It’s not meant to be easy. We throw them into these internships where it’s not all clear.”

The interns have to navigate a whole new set of cultural values in order to get things done, says Fraser-Dauphinee.

Bruce Biro also felt like he was jumping in at the deep end. He just graduated from the Sport Science program and is interning with the Ministry of Youth and Sport Development in Zambia. He’s working with kids and coaches, which he’s used to. But he’s also taking an administrative role — which is way out of his comfort zone.

“I want to be challenged and I want to be given responsibility,” Bruce said. “I feel by doing this I might gain some perspective on what I want to do and who I am on a very personal level.”

The students, who are placed with local organizations according to their skills and interests, have support. Upon arriving, they have an orientation, and then work with supervisors and the program coordinators during their internships. They also have in-service training after one month.

The students contribute to grassroots organizations with few resources. Their goal is to develop something — for example, a tutoring program — that will have a lasting impact after they leave.

Bruce, who plans on becoming a phys ed teacher, says he thinks his internship will open up career opportunities in program development. Ilorandanon hopes to decide if she will pursue gender issues on an international level.

Students who take the program sometimes come away with a completely new idea about what they want to do with their lives, Fraser-Dauphinee says. But he feels the most significant changes happen on a personal level.

“When they come back they’ve experienced the world in another person’s shoes,” says Fraser-Dauphinee. “Inevitably that causes a lot of changes in how these people see the world — in the development of patience, tolerance and empathy.”

Follow the students as they blog about their experiences in Zambia.

Douglas College students create new community group for writers in Richmond

2013-05-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

By Jerrie Lynn Morrison

Sometimes you just have to do things yourself, and that’s not such a bad thing.

Faced with a social media project for our Public Relations Writing course, a few Print Futures: Professional Writing classmates and I chose to promote a grassroots writers' group in Richmond. The problem we faced was that the writers' groups listed on the city’s community Arts, Culture and Heritage webpage were inactive. It’s hard to promote a group that doesn’t exist.

So we created our own and formed Richmond Writes Out Loud! an open mic for creative writers.

We created a plan to promote the new group using social media and traditional media, setting up a website, as well as a Twitter account and a Facebook page.

We distributed a press release to announce the launch of the new group, and a media alert to remind the press a few days prior to the first event.

Our public relations campaign was a success, and we generated coverage in the Richmond Review and the Richmond News.

We had a nice turnout for the launch of our inaugural open mic event at the Richmond Public Library in March. The open mic featured a diverse group of speakers, representing all generations, a variety of cultural backgrounds and an assortment of literary genres.

Some highlights from our first event:

our youngest speaker was only 15 years old!
topics included relationships, local history, language, pop culture, politics and more
at least three types of poetry were presented: traditional, slam and mash-up

We also heard short stories, as well as excerpts from longer works of fiction and non-fiction.

Our second open mic in April attracted even more creative writers who live in Richmond, and community enthusiasm for continuing the group is strong.

Richmond Writes Out Loud! is for novice, emerging and experienced creative writers, with an emphasis on sharing creative works via the spoken word. The group was founded by part-time Print Futures students Eric Wilkins (president), Jill Neumann (event coordinator), Jerrie Lynn Morrison (membership coordinator), and by recent Print Futures: Professional Writing graduate Avalon Doyle (media relations coordinator), who completed the Douglas College program as a full-time student.

BBA grad one of top Chartered Accountant students in Canada

2013-05-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

Kent Kallberg Photography

She passed her chartered accountancy UFE exam with flying colours, earning her a place among the top 50 CA students in Canada, and on B.C.’s UFE honour roll. What’s more, the Douglas College alum is the only student on the honour roll who did not graduate from a research university. But there’s more to Erin Reimer than just numbers.

Education
Chartered Accounting designation, CA School of Business, 2013
Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting, Douglas College, 2010

Currently
Senior Accountant, Assurance & Advisory, Deloitte

The secret to my success
“I worked my butt off! It actually wasn’t even on my radar to finish that well on the UFE. But I had a good study partner and we worked really hard. Also, my family has been really supportive. Last summer while I was studying it was really important for me to take weekends off so that I didn’t burn out. So my husband sat down and planned stuff for us to do pretty much every weekend so that I wouldn’t be tempted to study.”

My job is more than digits
“It’s not just sitting there and punching numbers. I deal with a wide range of clients and industries. I’m not in the office that often. I’m usually out at a client site working there for a couple of weeks at a time and then moving onto the next one. So I get to meet a lot of different people.”

Creative outlet
“I have a food blog. I enjoy cooking and baking, and it’s kind of been a stress relief thing for me. Going through as much school as I have, I needed an outlet. So that was something I found that I really enjoyed doing and seemed to have a knack for.”

Taking it on the road
“I wouldn’t mind doing a secondment in another country. I know that Deloitte offers that opportunity to their employees. That would involve transitioning to another office for a period of maybe six weeks to two years. A lot of people from Deloitte end up going to Australia. I have a co-worker who is actually in the Cayman Islands right now.”

The Douglas advantage
“The small class sizes were really beneficial because you could build one-on-one relationships with your instructors. The work experience component of the program – I had to work while I was in school – also really helped, because once you start the CA School Business you are working full time and taking really demanding courses. So having that experience of balancing work and school and life at Douglas really helped me successfully transition to working at Deloitte and studying to get my CA designation.”

'Stinks and Bangs' brings game show science to Douglas May 17

2013-05-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

If you've ever wondered what it looks like to see the brightest scientific minds at Douglas College on stage for one show, you'd better not miss Stinks and Bangs: Game Show Science.

See, hear and feel the wonders of science with the instructors from our Faculty of Science and Technology executing magical colour changes, firing off exploding balloons, having fun with food and more.

This is a chance for you to experience the lighter side of science and learn a thing or two about what can happen when you mix intelligence and fun into a beaker of showmanship.

"Many young students aren’t aware of some of the potential career paths that are available to them in science & technology," said Brian Chapell, Associate Dean of the Science and Technology faculty at the College. "Stinks and Bangs gives them a chance to discover the lighter side of science while getting a great introduction to what Douglas College can offer them."

The free show gets going at 1:30 on May 17 in the New Westminster Campus theatre. For more information, contact Brian Chapell at chapellb@douglascollege.ca.

We also offer information sessions to help you get to know the programs in our Science and Technology faculty. Register today!

New West Campus holds lockdown drill mid-May

2013-04-30T11:37:00.002-07:00

What if there were a violent intruder on campus? Would you know what to do?

In mid-May we’re holding a lockdown drill at the New West Campus to show you how to stay safe in such a situation.

What will the lockdown drill look like?

On the day of the drill there will be signs at campus entry points and extra security guards on site. Prior to the drill there will be an announcement over the PA system to let you know the drill process is about to begin.

Then:

About one minute later, a lockdown alert will be announced over the PA system and sent via DC Alerts, the College’s emergency communication system.
Upon hearing the lockdown alert, you will be instructed to go to the nearest room and lock the door. There will be personnel in open spaces, such as the cafeteria and concourse, to direct you.
When the drill is over, you will receive an-all clear message.

We’ll advise you of the specific date of the drill closer to the event.

What can I do to prepare?

Watch our Lockdown Instructional Video on the Douglas College website.

Check out the Lockdown Procedures posted in all classrooms and meeting rooms.

Sign up for DC Alerts.

If you have any questions, contact Nancy Constable, Director, Safety, Security & Risk Management, at 604 527 5828.

Opinion: CIDA should not be merged with Foreign Affairs

2013-04-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

By Kristopher Schmitz

The upcoming federal budget is proposing a seismic shift of combining the Canadian International Development Agency with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. For many Canadians this may seem like a small change. Both agencies deal with Canada’s interests abroad, so why not combine them to increase efficiency and streamline objectives?

Part of the objective of combining these agencies is to continue towards a model of Canadian development assistance that is more closely aligned to the private sector. This is part of a trend in many development circles that argue older styles of aid are broken, and that the efficiency of the private sector could help aid initiatives be better implemented.

Waste is something that plagues some larger aid organizations. Therefore, a new approach revolving around the efficient mechanisms often applied in business would be most welcome. However, a worrisome development is the equating of these mechanisms and closer private sector partnerships. They are not necessarily the same. An important question that must be asked is what happens when the shine of investment wears off? For me, working in South Sudan, the answer is a matter of life and death.

I am currently living and working in Jonglei, South Sudan, with a small NGO that operates a health facility. It is a challenging environment. The area of the country where we work is flooded from May to December, meaning the only movement is by air. Currently we are in the dry season and face small bouts of insecurity and cattle rustling as we continue to do our work. As South Sudan has the highest rate of infant mortality in the world, a major focus of our clinic is maternal health. Usually deaths of infants and mothers are due to complications during birth combined with the inaccessibility of surgical services to perform Caesarian sections.

Not far from our health facility, there used to be another hospital that assisted us immensely. It was run as part of a corporate social responsibility project of the oil company ASCOM, based in Moldovia. It had all the relevant maternal health services available, including a fully functional surgical ward. Being only 30 minutes away by vehicle, it served as our referral hospital when we had a mother who was facing complications.

However, a year and a half ago it shut down. It was abandoned during insecurity in the region and now sits as a ghost hospital. Eerily, the surgical instruments still sit on tables, boxes of ripped open drugs lay in the store rooms and equipment such as microscopes and sterilizers sit unused. The company had decided that it was not worth the investment to keep the clinic operating.

What this means for us, and all mothers living within 200 square kilometres of our clinic, is that the closest referral hospital is now a six-hour drive away over some of the most undesirable roads in the world. During the rainy season these roads are impassable, meaning that even if we can determine that a birth is going to have complications, we have to rely on expensive airlifts or hope we will be able to handle the birth with the facilities and personnel on hand.

Whenever I visit this abandoned ASCOM hospital it makes me rethink the private sector debate. While the approach that CIDA has taken over the years in alleviating poverty may have been flawed, we need to proceed with caution when embracing a strategy based around private sector investments. Although some companies may include poverty alleviation as a caveat to their overall strategy in a country, we must ask what happens when investment situations change. How long are their commitments for? What happens when there is insecurity, political unrest, clashes with the local community or the mine is no longer producing? No one would fault a company for leaving in most of these cases. If the investment environment is no longer friendly, it is not the company’s responsibility to stay. However, the problem is children still need to learn, people still get sick and mothers still have complications.

Alleviating poverty is not something that shifts with emerging markets. It is something that needs to be addressed with long-term plans, sustainable goals and strong partnerships with committed local partners. While many companies enjoy including the word "sustainable" in the social responsibility sections of their websites, if they are not forced to implement lasting solutions, in the end, the bottom line will always win.

Kristopher Schmitz first went to Africa through a joint program between Douglas College and CIDA. He received his MA from Simon Fraser University’s School for International Studies. He lives and works in South Sudan with the John Dau Foundation. Visit his website and blog at kristopherschmitz.com.

Opinions expressed in this story are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Douglas College. Want to write a piece for doug? See our writer's guidelines.

Students honoured for leadership, volunteerism and more at Student Engagement Awards

2013-04-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

James Bytelaar, winner of the 2013 Campus Engagement Award. Pictured with Blaine Jensen, VP Educational Services

By Naomi Ambrose

“It is great to see that my involvement on campus is making such a recognizable difference in the Douglas community,” said James Bytelaar, a second-year student in the Environmental Science program and the recipient of the 2013 Douglas College Campus Engagement Award.

James, along with several other students, were honoured at the second annual Douglas College Student Engagement Awards banquet April 9 at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam. Students were recognized for their contributions and achievements in co-curricular volunteerism, campus engagement and leadership that shaped a year full of meaningful change for the College and its community.

James played a key role in the 2012 New Student Orientation and the inaugural Mature Student Orientation. He was also a Frosh Leader for Douglife’s new student event in September. In addition, James led the creation of the Haunted House event last Halloween, where over 200 students participated. Finally, he was one of the coordinators for the inaugural talent show Dougie’s Got Talent, where Douglas College students showcased their talent to the College community.

Jenelle Davies, a second-year History student and the winner of the Leader of the Year Award, had some inspirational words to share with other students.

Jenelle Davies, winner of the Leader of the Year Award. Pictured with Scott McAlpine, President of Douglas College

“Students should be strong in their convictions and never stop moving forward. They should surround themselves with the best, and always be willing to learn and teach others.”

Jenelle illustrated her willingness to teach during her role as the Women’s Liaison with the Douglas Students’ Union. During her stint, Jenelle co-facilitated a series of large events on campus, including the Sisters in Spirit candle vigil, the National Day of Action Against Violence Against Women and International Women’s Day. Jenelle was also an inspirational and supportive leader for her peers during her Wales Field School experience.

The Dalai Lama said that “with realization of one’s potential and self-confidence in one’s
ability, one can build a better world” – a better world filled with positive, innovative and vibrant changes.

James, Jenelle and all of the outstanding students who contribute endless hours of work to create a better Douglas College community are the catalysts of change. They are the change that help make Douglas College what it is today; a progressive, more vibrant and innovative college.

BBA grad reveals secret to her success

2013-04-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

David Denofreo photo

Ruby Lu is what you might call an accounting superstar. Of the 5,000 students pursuing their Certified General Accounting designation in 2011-12, Ruby was one of 104 that made CGA-BC’s honour list. If that weren’t enough, she also finished first in B.C. on her FN2 (Advanced Corporate Finance) exam in 2012. What makes her tick? Read on to meet Ruby and find out.

Currently
Senior Accountant, Webtech Wireless

Education
Certified General Accounting designation, ongoing
Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting, Douglas College, 2012
Accounting Management Diploma, Douglas College, 2008

Career goals
“In the short term, to become a Certified General Accountant. For the long term, to work as a well-rounded controller in the high-tech sector.”

My dance card is full
“A typical day for me involves eight hours of work, two hours of commuting, two hours of chatting, playing and reading with my son, and four hours of studying.”

Juggling act
“To balance work and the rest of my life I make a detailed plan. I do a self-check each week to see where I’m at. It’s become habit for me. Even when I plan a social outing, I say, ‘OK, I need to do this and this and this.’ My friends say, ‘Ruby, come on. Stop. It’s just lunch.’”

Best thing about Douglas
“My great professors. They were knowledgeable, resourceful, helpful, supportive, sympathetic and approachable. They made me fully understand the old saying: ‘no pain, no gain.’

Most memorable time at college
“I received my acceptance letter from Douglas and found out I was pregnant at the same time. I thought, ‘Should I not go to school?’ But my husband was very supportive and pointed out I could do both. I completed my Accounting II final exam 12 hours before welcoming my son into the world. Now he is seven years old.”

Advice for success
“Get your family’s support. You have to make a lot of sacrifices, so make sure they understand the situation and how to help you. Be proactive: start your day early, manage your time wisely and revise your schedule accordingly to changes. Interview CGA students who have passed the course. Work hard, use all the resources available to you and practise, practise and practise.”

Interested in studying accounting or getting your Bachelor of Business Administration at Douglas? See our website for details or come to an info session May 14 or 16.

This week at Douglas: Final exams, a new art show and more!

2013-04-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

Here's what's happening at Douglas College April 15-21:

Monday, April 15-Tuesday, April 23

Winter final exams
See the schedule here.

Wednesday, April 17

Audio Engineering info session
New West Campus, room 3220
5:30-6pm
Free information session about the Audio Engineering Program at the Douglas College Community Music School. More info: call 604 527 5469,email or visit our website.

Friday, April 19

Opening night - Struggle: works by Bert Monterona
New West Campus, Amelia Douglas Gallery
3:30pm
Bert Monterona - artist, educator, cultural worker and peace builder - explores societies' struggles for peace, justice, human rights and gender equality through murals, paintings and tapestries. Live music by Biology instructor Rob McGregor's Little Mountain Trio bluegrass band. Refreshments provided. Everyone is welcome. Show runs till June 7. More info: gallery website

Got an event you want listed? See douglascollege.ca/events.

See more upcoming Douglas College events in the Douglas College Events Calendar.

Want more timely updates? Join Douglas College on Facebook!

Douglas College students partner with Fraser River Discovery Centre to help educate public

2013-04-10T10:38:00.001-07:00

(front to back) Geography students Leon Yee, Ruab Waraich, Anastasiya Shults, Anastassiya Smirnova, Jessica Caharel, Taryn Matich, Jonathan Law are researching pollution and other threats to the Fraser River. Pictured with Shannon King, Education Coordinator at the Fraser River Discovery Centre, and Mike McPhee, Geography Chair at Douglas.

By Tamara Letkeman, doug Editor

It was only recently that Leon Yee, a Douglas College Geography student, learned that fresh water could be in such high demand that "wars could be fought over it" in the future.

"If we don't make changes soon, this valuable resource could become so scarce that not only people living in arid conditions would have to worry about how to get it, but those of us living close to large bodies of water would have to as well," he says.

Leon is interested in discovering the different ways in which our waters are polluted, and he wants to help educate the public to help create positive change.

Now, along with six other Geography students, Leon has his chance.

As part of their course work, Leon and classmates Jessica Caharel, Jonathan Law, Taryn Matich, Anastasiya Shults, Ruab Waraich and Anastassiya Smirnova are doing research on storm water run-off and other contaminants to update the Fraser River Discovery Centre's information about the effects of non-point source pollution on the Fraser River.

The students' research papers will be used by the Discovery Centre to update their volunteer training materials so that interpreters can provide current examples for visitors when they are using the pollution model.

The pollution model is a large, interactive physical model of the Lower Mainland where visitors can place toy cars, houses and animals to create their city. They can then sprinkle various "pollutants" on the city and make it "rain" to discover the pathways and environmental effects pollution has on the Fraser.

"It is fun to play with the toys and water at the pollution model," says Shannon King, Education Coordinator at the Fraser River Discovery Centre. "But our enviro-savvy visitors also want to know what the real deal is, and I am grateful that these students are helping update our training resources."

Mike McPhee, Chair of the Geography Department at Douglas College and the students' instructor, says this type of experiential learning is invaluable to students in that it allows them to make the connection between their studies and real life.

"It's fine to read about these things in textbooks or hear about them in lectures, but now the students are actually seeing how they work, and they have the chance to help prepare educational materials," says McPhee. "It's also a chance for students to give back to the community, as opposed to just turning in a term paper."

Taryn Matich, one of the student researchers, says what excites her about this project is that the work is going to be "actually used to educate others."

"This kind of real-world experience is important because it gives students a reason to work harder and produce a better paper," she adds.

Douglas College students discuss their research at Student Research Day

2013-04-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

On Student Research Day (March 25), doug spoke with a few students to get the lowdown on their projects. And we've got video to prove it. Check out these short segments, and see what else is happening on Douglas College's YouTube channel.

Leyla Khosrovpour, Katelyn Dyck and Pooja Sharma discuss the hidden cost of chocolate, and why buying fair trade is better.

Environmental Science students Graeme Lees, Mark Trousdell and Alia Romhanyi discuss their research project, Marine Benthic Diatoms: Comparing Biodiversity between Urban and Pristine Environments.

Psychiatric Nursing students Feleku Tadesse, Aklil Biza and Huda Nooh talk about the link between genetics and suicide.

Jennifer Pook discusses her research project, The Big Move: The Impact of Moving into Residential Care.

Douglas College badminton player RuiLin Huang a star on and off the court

2013-04-08T12:25:00.003-07:00

Royals badminton star RuiLin Huang wraps up her college career with 209 wins and one loss. Photo: Douglas College Royals Athletics

By Eliot Dix James

She has a list of victories as long as a badminton racket. A five-time provincial and national women's singles champion, a US Open Champion in women’s doubles and a China Cup Champion in women's singles, to name a few.

And then there are the accolades. She was named, for the fifth year in a row, Pacific Western Athletic Association Player of the Year, Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association All-Canadian and Douglas College Female Athlete of the Year. And there are more.

If you aren’t yet impressed by Royals badminton player RuiLin Huang, there is something else you should know. She accomplished all this while studying full time and learning English.

RuiLin hails from Hunan, China. She started playing badminton, which is hugely popular there, professionally, by the age of 10. It was when she neared retirement from the provincial team at 18 that RuiLin was recruited by Royals Head Coach Al Mawani. For her it was the perfect opportunity to keep playing the sport she loved and to study abroad.

When she moved to Burnaby, she had a bigger challenge than smashing a shuttle over the net: She didn’t speak English. “It was difficult. It was the biggest challenge for me,” says Huang. But she completed the ESL program at Douglas and went on to a business diploma.

“I find it gets easier and easier over the years, because I use English more,” she says. “And at the same time, my coach and teammates have helped me all the way.”

RuiLin says that the badminton program at Douglas also made her a better student. “Our coach is very good,” she says. “He always gets me to study for my classes first, and then think about training. That has helped me a lot.”

As proof, she’s just been accepted into the Bachelor of Business Administration program at Douglas. While finishing her studies she plans to stay on with her team as an assistant coach — this was her final year of eligibility to play.

While she’s sad to leave the court, she’s certainly ending on a high note. She helped her conference to a team championship — for the fifth year in a row — and then went on to reclaim the women’s singles title at the nationals in Ontario this year. She wraps up her college career with 209 wins and one loss overall.

RuiLin has also been an Alberta Open Champion in women's singles and doubles (where she defeated the No.1 ranked Canadian and Olympian Anna Rice), and a BC Open Champion and a two-time Seattle Open Champion in women's singles.

She has been recognized as a four-time CCAA Badminton Athlete of the Year and a CCAA Athlete of the Year across all sports.

While she credits her coach and the Royals program for much of her success on and off the court, she also recognizes her own hard work.

“Obviously, training is the first thing that makes you good,” she says.

This week at Douglas: an evening of jazz, a forum on the 2013-14 budget and more!

2013-04-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

Here's what's happening at Douglas College April 8-14:

Monday, April 8

HPV Clinic
New West Campus, room 2212
9am-5pm
Are you a woman born 1991-1993? If so, you are eligible for a limited, one-time free HPV vaccine. Presented by the Douglas Students' Union. Administered by Safeway pharmacists. Please bring your BC Care Card. NOTE: the HPV vaccine requires three doses. At this clinic first and second doses are available. Interested in attending? Email Deepa at the DSU with your full name, email address, phone number, preferred appt. time and whether this is your first or second HPV vaccination.

An Evening of Jazz
New West Campus, Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre
7:30-8:30pm
Big Band Jazz from the Douglas College Night Band and Dues Band, directed by Blair Fisher and John Van Deursen. General admission $10, $5 seniors, students free. Tickets available at the door. More info: Arts Events

Tuesday, April 9

Royals softball
Softball City (map)
1-5pm
The Royals take on Everett. More info: Royals Athletics

Second Annual Student Engagement Awards
Executive Plaza Inn, Coquitlam
6:30-8:30pm
The evening will honour and recognize student leaders who have made significant contributions to our campus and to the community. By invitation only. More info: Douglife

Wednesday, April 10

Friday, April 12

College-wide forum on 2013-14 Budget
New West Campus, room 4920
Coquitlam Campus, room B3011 (video conference)
1:30-3pm
We'll be holding a forum to present our draft 2013/14 College budget to you, our students. Your feedback is important, and we encourage you to attend! More info: doug blog

Student Composition Concert
Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre
7:30-9:30pm
An exciting evening of new compositions written and performed by Douglas College Music Students, directed by Doug Smith. Admission is free. More info: 604 527 5723

Ongoing

Formed Earth, Earth Formed: works by Judy Weeden and Ronald T. Crawford
New West Campus, Amelia Douglas Gallery
Till April 12
Judy Weeden explores form through clay, producing works which are both functional and decorative. Ronald T. Crawford creates fictional landscapes inspired by the ocean and aerial views of earth. More info: gallery website

Got an event you want listed? See douglascollege.ca/events.

See more upcoming Douglas College events in the Douglas College Events Calendar.

Want more timely updates? Join Douglas College on Facebook!

Apathy is boring - so vote in the upcoming B.C. provincial election!

2013-04-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

Who will be the next premier of B.C.? - and who will be your next MLA? Have your say in the 40th British Columbia general election May 14.

First-time voters can register to vote on the BC Elections website. You'll be asked to enter your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, your driver's licence number or last six digits of your Social Insurance Number, and your address. Registered voters can also update their information on this site.

That's pretty much it! It only takes a few minutes, and then you'll be ready to flex your democratic muscles.

To register as a voter, visit the BC Elections website.

doug

King takes his learning abroad to Scotland field school

Expand your horizons - take courses in social work!

By Lawrence Becker, Community Social Service Work instructor

Doing what they love: Douglas College valedictorians

Shayna Dolan Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation

Maria GigliottiDiploma in Hospitality Management

Mea JynDiploma in Sport Science - specialization in Kinesiology

Sanjin RamovicDegree in Psychiatric Nursing

Lisa SarginsonCertificate in Office Administration - Medical Office Assistant

Jeff SolisDiploma in Performing Arts - Music

Rachel TomsonBachelor of Arts - Child and Youth Care

First Bachelor of Performing Arts cohort graduates this week

Douglas College awards highest honour to Peter Legge

Frank Giustra honoured as Distinguished Alumnus by Douglas College

Comics and the Multimodal World conference takes interactive approach to engage wider audience

By Tamara Letkeman, doug Editor

Douglas hosts comics conference June 13-16 - and you're invited!

EVENT garners nominations for literary awards

Douglas College Concert Band ups student's music skills

By Julie Wright

Creative Writing instructor's book short listed for literary prize

Zambia interns step into the unknown with Global Leadership Program

By Eliot Dix James

Douglas College students create new community group for writers in Richmond

By Jerrie Lynn Morrison

BBA grad one of top Chartered Accountant students in Canada

'Stinks and Bangs' brings game show science to Douglas May 17

New West Campus holds lockdown drill mid-May

What will the lockdown drill look like?

What can I do to prepare?

Opinion: CIDA should not be merged with Foreign Affairs

By Kristopher Schmitz

Students honoured for leadership, volunteerism and more at Student Engagement Awards

By Naomi Ambrose

BBA grad reveals secret to her success

This week at Douglas: Final exams, a new art show and more!

Here's what's happening at Douglas College April 15-21:

Monday, April 15-Tuesday, April 23

Wednesday, April 17

Friday, April 19

Douglas College students partner with Fraser River Discovery Centre to help educate public

By Tamara Letkeman, doug Editor

Douglas College students discuss their research at Student Research Day

Douglas College badminton player RuiLin Huang a star on and off the court

By Eliot Dix James

This week at Douglas: an evening of jazz, a forum on the 2013-14 budget and more!

Here's what's happening at Douglas College April 8-14:

Monday, April 8

Tuesday, April 9

Wednesday, April 10

Friday, April 12

Ongoing

Apathy is boring - so vote in the upcoming B.C. provincial election!

Shayna Dolan
Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation

Maria Gigliotti
Diploma in Hospitality Management

Mea Jyn
Diploma in Sport Science - specialization in Kinesiology

Sanjin Ramovic
Degree in Psychiatric Nursing

Lisa Sarginson
Certificate in Office Administration - Medical Office Assistant

Jeff Solis
Diploma in Performing Arts - Music

Rachel Tomson
Bachelor of Arts - Child and Youth Care