College honours Brooks with Distinguished Service Award
July 20, 2020
One of Okanagan College’s longest-serving employees, Dr. Jayne Brooks, will be recognized by the College with the Distinguished Service Award. “Jayne’s leadership, dedication and commitment to excellence helped to cement the national reputation of the Okanagan School of Business,” says Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “Her work to grow partnerships with the business community and other institutions locally, nationally and internationally created a tremendous increase in access and opportunity for students. Furthermore, her...
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Outdoor play is critical: OC’s Dietze and other experts contribute to new recommendations by Lawson Foundation
July 16, 2020
Outdoor play is good for kids and good for our communities. A new statement released on July 13 by the Lawson Foundation highlights why opportunities for children to play outside are critical to their development and learning – both during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement also outlines the role of outdoor play in mitigating COVID-19 exposure risk for children in a variety of settings, from childcare facilities to schools. Read the full statement online. It was prepared with the input of advisors from public health ...
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College names Pamela and Wilfred Barnes, Robert Foord, Louis Thomas and Don Turri as 2020 Honorary Fellows
July 15, 2020
Okanagan College is bestowing its highest honour on five notable residents of the region, each of whom has made unique and meaningful contributions through education, public service, mentorship and philanthropy. Pamela and Wilfred “Grouse” Barnes, Robert Foord, Louis Thomas and Don Turri have been selected by the College as its 2020 Honorary Fellows. “It would be impossible to quantify or to adequately put into words the positive impact this year’s Honorary Fellows have had in their communities,” said Okanagan College President J...
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New accessibility initiative launched to support OC students facing co-op barriers
July 14, 2020
Co-op has long been a staple of the Okanagan College experience, offering students from a variety of study areas the chance to gain job experience and practical training in the workplace. But what happens when a student faces accessibility barriers in finding work? Okanagan College’s Accessibility Initiative and survey, run by members of the College’s Student Services team, seeks to break down those barriers. The project received funding from the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training for work integrated learning ...
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Splatsin Band celebrates the success of two of their students, now OC graduates
July 9, 2020
Representatives of the Splatsin Band and Okanagan College recently came together to honour and celebrate the success of two of their students with a special graduation event. Two years ago, Alicia Dominick and Tina William began upgrading their education with the Adult Academic and Career Preparation (also known as Adult Upgrading) program at Okanagan College in Salmon Arm. They continued their educational journey with the Early Childhood Educator Certificate and Early Childhood Educator Infant Toddler Specialty training. And...
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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 Okanagan College Students’ Union (OCSU) and Sysco, Okanagan College’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...
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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 Okanagan College 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...
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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. Okanagan College 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...
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OC Education 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 Okanagan College 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. Education Assistants (EAs) are trained to help students be successful in ...
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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 Okanagan College 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...
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