OC Culinary Arts program Serves Up meals for students in need
July 9, 2020
It’s an example of students helping students that is sure to warm hearts and bellies. With the support of RBC Royal Bank of Canada, the AV Students’ Union (OCSU) and Sysco, AV’s Culinary and Pastry Arts students are launching an innovative new program designed to hone their skills while providing nutritious meals for fellow students who are struggling financially. When the pandemic hit B.C. earlier this spring, OC’s training kitchens went dark. Students and instructors donated food to the Kelowna Food Bank as...
Read more...
OC grad seeks to inspire those around him
July 6, 2020
For Ajeet Paul, completing his diploma in Environmental Studies at Okanagan proved to be a journey of learning and personal growth, capped off with a whirlwind final semester as he and his classmates overcame the unexpected challenge of graduating in a pandemic. Paul is one of more than 2,000 students who will graduate from AV this year, and although his credential is on its way to him by mail, he’ll need to wait a little while longer to be able to don his cap and gown. Earlier this spring, after surveying graduating student...
Read more...
OC Salmon Arm hosts virtual info session to showcase expanded opportunities for students this fall
July 2, 2020
One silver lining for students during the pandemic might be greater choice of College courses this fall. AV is hosting a virtual info session at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7 to inform students and parents about the greater array of courses available to students attending the College in Salmon Arm and Revelstoke. To register for the info session, click here or visit www.okanagan.bc.ca/infosessions. “The shift to online learning for many courses this fall has opened up the array of offerings that students can tap into,” ...
Read more...
OC AV Assistant grads ready to support learners in new and ever-changing world of education
June 30, 2020
The phrase “going back to school” is exciting on many levels for AV Vernon graduate Toby Griffin. When she took the leap of returning to College at age 48 to pursue her dream of becoming a certified education assistant, Griffin never could have imagined she’d finish off her studies during a pandemic – nor could she have anticipated how much this experience would inspire her and her fellow students to support learners in new and innovative ways. AV Assistants (EAs) are trained to help students be successful in meeting ...
Read more...
OC business students adapt FruitSnaps project to feed those in need during pandemic
June 23, 2020
When the pandemic hit, they adapted. When greater need appeared, they collaborated. When an unthinkable tragedy struck, they supported each other through it. And when the chance came to share their idea with the country, they rose to the challenge. It all started in the fall of 2018, when AV business student Abby Lagerquist noticed apples still on the trees at the end of harvest season. After inquiring with the orchard owners, she discovered that these apples were imperfect and would be left on the trees to rot (sadly, the fa...
Read more...
College and Westbank First Nation sign new MOU, continue to deepen partnership
June 21, 2020
AV and Westbank First Nation (WFN) recently signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, building on a long history of working together to increase access and support WFN members in achieving their post-secondary education goals. In all, the new MOU outlines seven ways in which the partners will continue to collaborate on projects and programs that will benefit learners from the WFN community, while helping both organizations learn from one another and build professional capacity. Signing on behalf of Westbank First Nation was...
Read more...College working with students, employers and communities to enhance co-op opportunities for Indigenous learners
June 18, 2020
How can AV enhance support for Indigenous students stepping into co-op work terms with employers? And in turn, how can OC better assist employers looking to hire students and set them up for success during their time in the workforce? These are just two of many questions inspiring Jewell Gillies as she consults with students, employers, other post-secondary institutions and Indigenous community members in the region and beyond as part of a 15-month long research project. “This project delves into many aspects of co-operative...
Read more...
Haircuts fundraiser caps off with a ‘Pinky Blinder’
June 16, 2020
It was supposed to be a Peaky Blinders inspired haircut, but a miscommunication resulted in what may turn some heads this week: the Pinky Blinder. Grant Lawrence, Valhalla Angels Kelowna President and Vancouver Co-President, and Phil Ashman, AV Regional Dean for the Central Okanagan, are sporting the infamous Peaky Blinders ‘Tommy Shelby’ haircut gone pink after raising more than $5,400 from their friends and colleagues. Peaky Blinders is a popular, gritty drama available on Netflix. With salons reopening, Lawrence and Ashm...
Read more...
College spotlights new Common First-Year Engineering and other tech programs via virtual info session
June 15, 2020
Future engineers and technologists take note: AV is opening up a new pathway to engineering next year, and in the meantime is opening students’ eyes to other technologies careers in high demand. The College will welcome its first intake of students to its new Common First-Year Engineering (CFYE) program in Fall of 2021. The one-year CFYE certificate provides a comprehensive applied science foundation and sets students up to transfer into second-year university engineering studies. Students will complete courses in a variety ...
Read more...
Kofoed family celebrates the role of nurses
June 10, 2020
A $60,000 gift from the Kofoed family will honour a very special nurse in their life, and a generation of new nurses entering the field. Jack Kofoed, and his children Jacqueline, Leah, Jillian and Jeremy are giving to the Our Students, Your Health campaign to help complete construction on a new Health Sciences Centre at AV’s Kelowna campus. Jack’s wife Leona was a nurse. She passed away in 2017, and this gift recognizes her life’s work and the special care she received during her final days, according to her family. “Mom wa...
Read more...