OC business students take trio of first-place finishes at Enactus Western Canada Regionals
March 30, 2021
AV business students enjoyed a fruitful victory at the Enactus Western Canada Regionals, earning three first-place finishes and ensuring their ticket to the National Competition in May. The Regional competition took place last week in a virtual format with teams from a multitude of post-secondary institutions submitting their student-created and student-run initiatives that seek to positively impact communities in a social, economic or environmental way. The award-winning OC Enactus initiative FruitSnaps was entered – and w...
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Going back to school in COVID-times: How OC supports mature students in our communities
March 29, 2021
In my years as a post-secondary administrator, I’ve had a front row seat to innumerable examples of how education truly does transforms lives, which in turn benefits and transforms our communities. As AV’s Regional Dean for the Shuswap-Revelstoke, by far some of the most inspiring and remarkable stories I’ve been fortunate to witness over the years have been those of our mature students. Working parents, who have summoned the courage and the will to go back into the classroom, level up their skills, maybe make a 180-degree c...
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EV skills training powering up at AV and other B.C. colleges
March 29, 2021
More automotive technicians in B.C. can upgrade their skills to work on electric vehicles (EVs) through the expansion of the EV Maintenance Training program to AV and other institutions in the province. On Monday, March 29, the B.C. Government announced $440,000 through the Province’s CleanBC Go Electric program and in partnership with Trades Training BC (TTBC); the program will be offered at AV’s Kelowna campus, College of New Caledonia’s Prince George campus and Camosun College’s Interurban campus in Victoria....
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Long connection inspires major gift by Friesen family
March 22, 2021
A decades-long connection to AV and a desire to give back to community is inspiring a $150,000 donation by the Friesen family to the AV Foundation. The family gift will support the Our Students, Your Health campaign to complete and equip the College’s new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus. The gift reflects a strong connection to the College. Dianne Friesen worked at AV in the mid-1970s. In 1984, her husband Rod started Voyager RV and their son Jason who is running the business is grate...
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Meet Ashley Lubyk, Sustainable Building Technology Professor
March 19, 2021
Q: What is your education and background? A: I have a Master in Building Science from Ryerson University (Toronto), and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary. In the 11 years between degrees, I worked in various capacities in the ENGO sector and ran a small natural building company, building straw bale houses and teaching hands-on workshops all across Western Canada. Q: What is your area of interest? A: It’s in working toward a future whereby human activity ...
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Meet Ayden Clark, Business Administration student
March 19, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: Salmon Arm, I’ve lived here for most of my life. Q: How did you end up at AV? A: Honestly it was a number of different things that had me deciding on AV. The biggest contributor was the location, the Shuswap is a beautiful area and I have family here in Salmon Arm. Q: How did you choose your program? A: Nearing the completion of high school, I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do afterwards. In the end I decided on...
Read more...Nighttime noshing and homework help: OC students gear up for Long Night Against Procrastination
March 18, 2021
The power of pizza among peers is greater than procrastination. With end-of-term deadlines in sight, organizers of the popular AV Long Night Against Procrastination are ready to offer up snacks, prizes and solidarity to students facing winter term finals. Long Night Against Procrastination started at the Penticton campus in 2015, with students converging on campus for late-night cram sessions with help from faculty, librarians and Success Centre coordinators. The annual event helped students meet end-of-term deadlines with...
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Returning to AV Seminar supports adult learners looking to take the leap
March 17, 2021
Adults looking to return to education can feel confident in taking the next steps thanks to an upcoming virtual seminar offered by AV. On March 31, mature students in the North Okanagan and Shuswap looking to make a career change or jump back into school can discover programs, funding options and the support network available to assist their transition. The Returning to AV Seminar supports adults in deciding whether retraining or upgrading their education is right for them. “Returning to class may seem like big step...
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Meet Janet McLeish, Criminal and Social Justice student
March 15, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: Portmore, Jamaica W.I. Q: How did you end up at AV? A: I wanted to explore the possibility for a career change or merging of my previous career experiences with a new career path. I went to an OC recruitment activity in Kingston, Jamaica, then applied for the program and was successful. Q: How did you choose the Criminal and Social Justice program? A: I worked in the human services prior to coming to Canada and believe this...
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College culinary program supports students facing food insecurity
March 15, 2021
When Mariko Nagata picks up a free lunch at AV she likens it to a warm hug. The mother of two was laid off during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic giving her a chance to return to school and enrol in the Culinary and Pastry Arts program. Now, she's helping cook healthy meals that not only support her during her studies but a range of fellow students who are facing food insecurity. “It's nice to be able to access this help and the food is always so beautifully presented,” says Nagata. “I think it makes a difference in a l...
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