Popular Wellness Wednesdays expands online offerings to all Okanagan College students this fall
September 22, 2020
Okanagan College recognizes that this academic year, taking time for student mental health is more important than ever. That’s why a popular wellness resource for students is expanding its offerings for students at all campuses. Wellness Wednesday online workshops are happening once a month this fall semester, with a special focus on strategies to help students cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is part of the Flourish Wellness Project, which started at the Penticton campus three years ago, and is expanding this ye...
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OC alumnus attempts World Record, doubles fundraising goal
September 15, 2020
While debilitating chafing sunk OC alumnus Nick Pelletier’s hopes of breaking the Guinness World Record for fastest swim of Lake Okanagan from Vernon to Penticton, it didn’t stop him from more than doubling his fundraising goal. In addition to the swim being a personal challenge, Pelletier was also raising funds to help support BrainTrust Canada’s Youth Concussion Clinic which provides youth aged five to 25 years old who struggle with concussions and cannot afford any services or resources to support their recovery. “This cause is...
Read more...Health Care Assistants thankful for bursary support
September 14, 2020
Twenty-three-year-old Shoshanna Fremont works the night shift as a Care Aide at a local long-term care home, a shift she loves as it gives her an opportunity to provide precious one-on-one time with residents who are up during the night. “When you get them a glass of water and take the time to hold their hand, especially when they can’t have many visitors, their entire mood changes,” says Fremont. “When I go home I take comfort that I took care of people today, I made them smile, or helped in whatever way I could.” Fremont is o...
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Hospitality training in Okanagan leads to tourism jobs
September 14, 2020
Published on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. See original release here. Up to 40 eligible British Columbians will be able to tap into a unique online training program at Okanagan College and gain work experience to prepare them for jobs in the hospitality industry, thanks to more than $611,000 in funding from the provincial government. “The tourism sector is resilient. We’re seeing evidence of that in the Okanagan and Shuswap as businesses begin to reopen,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of S...
Read more...Advisors from across BC post-secondary institutions unite to engage and support Indigenous students
September 10, 2020
Strengthening Connections, an Indigenous recruitment initiative for post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, will have a whole new look and feel this fall. As post-secondary institutions across the province have geared up for remote or alternative delivery for fall semester, recruiters have also made the switch to a virtual world, notes Jewell Gillies, who currently serves as Executive Board Chair for Strengthening Connections and works in Indigenous Services and Student, Grad and Co-op Employment at Okanagan College. “Str...
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College community rallies together with COVID cookbook for students
September 9, 2020
In a time of self isolation and work-from-home existence for many, Okanagan College’s Library Services team is creatively cooking up a way for the community to engage their culinary senses for a good cause. Entries are now open for What We Cooked: A Compilation of Recipes During COVID Times cookbook. Organizers are inviting OC employees, students, alumni and the community to submit the recipes that have proven to be staples throughout the pandemic. Submissions will be accepted until September 30 and the finalized recipes will be r...
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College Perianesthesia Nursing grad juggles family and school, puts her skills to work on the frontline
September 8, 2020
For Kayley Herman, the last couple of years have been busy ones as she navigated going back to school at Okanagan College for advanced perianesthesia (PAR) training and welcoming a new baby. Herman, who worked as a PAR nurse in Saskatchewan before moving to B.C., needed to gain proper certification for PAR work in the province. She applied for and received educational funding through Interior Health to complete that training at OC. “My journey with the training was unique because I completed the theory portion of the course while...
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OC brings new counselling initiative online to support students
September 3, 2020
For students navigating stepping into a new semester amid a time of uncertainty and anxiety around COVID, Okanagan College’s Counselling Services team is creating a new opportunity to connect and build resilience. GROW @ OC is the College’s newest counselling initiative, an online drop-in group to learn practical tools and strategies to become a more proactive student. Designed directly for OC students by OC counsellors, the six workshops offered throughout the fall semester focus on setting students up for success amid a semester...
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OC alumnus takes on Guinness World Record
September 3, 2020
On Sept. 4, 2020, OC alumnus, Nick Pelletier will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for fastest swim of Lake Okanagan, 106 km, from Vernon, B.C. to Penticton, B.C. In addition to the swim being a personal challenge, Pelletier is also raising funds to help support BrainTrust Canada, a non-profit dedicated to meeting the unique needs of people affected by acquired brain injury by providing evidence-based approaches to rehabilitation and recovery. We caught up ...
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Physically distanced but still fun: College Orientation serves up info, activities and prizes
September 2, 2020
Okanagan College will welcome back students with a range of virtual and in-person physically-distanced, curbside Orientation Day activities next week – all geared toward making them feel connected and starting their post-secondary experience off on a positive note. “Okanagan College is about people – our students, and employees coming together in a truly supportive community,” said Meri Kim Oliver, OC’s Vice President Students. “As much as COVID-19 has changed how we connect, all OC campuses are committed developing the best studen...
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