Connections 2026
Tuesday, August 18 and Wednesday, August 19
Connections is an annual conference organized by employees for employees. It is about connecting face-to-face with colleagues from different departments and campuses, and celebrating the strengths and diversity of the people who work here through interactive social activities and fun informative workshops.
Join your colleagues on either Aug. 18 or 19 at Okanagan College's 21st Annual Employee Learning Conference. Join the opening session, check out some workshops and round off the day at the social.
Student Foodbank Fundraiser
Each year Okanagan College students access a range of resources and supports through the VSAOC (Vernon Students’ Association OC) and OCSU (Okanagan College Students’ Union) including the Pantry, which provides students with a range of non-perishable food items and basic hygiene and toiletry items.
Connections will be collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations to support these valuable student supports. During morning registration, please bring your donation to the check in table.
Prefer to donate online? Click the button below, select "Student Food Security" and type "Connections" in the private message box.
Schedule of the day's events
Schedule subject to change. Stay tuned for the updated schedule in the coming weeks.
| 8:15 - 9 a.m. | Registration at the Kelowna campus |
| 9 - 10:15 a.m. | Opening Session and Keynote Speaker |
| 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Learning Session #1 |
| 11:45 - 12:30 | Lunch |
| 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | Learning Session #2 |
| 2 - 3 p.m. | Drag Bingo (day 1) / Drag Trivia (day 2) |
| 3 - 4:30 p.m. | Connections Social |
2026 Session Descriptions
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Learning Session 1 descriptions
Presented by: Colin Wallace, Erin Lea, Melinda Dewsbury
Audience: Instructional
Description: In this workshop, we will discuss evidence-informed strategies to support students returning to academic life after a concussion that fit naturally into your teaching and administrative workflows. This workshop demystifies the return‑to‑learn process and equips you with practical tools to reduce stress, foster inclusion, and promote academic recovery.
THIS SESSION WILL RUN FROM 10:30-11:30 AND CARRY ON AFTER LUNCH FROM 12:45-1:45
Presented by: Howard Hisdal
Audience: General
Description: Why was unexploded ordnance (UXO), military mortar and artillery shells created in the Vernon area? Where is it? Is it still dangerous? Yes, nine civilians have died. History professor Howard Hisdal has completed four years of historical research for the Federal Department of Justice and the Okanagan Indian Band and will share his findings.
Presented by: Alex Kortzman
Audience: General
Description: Understanding body mechanics, awkward postures, and repetitive motions. Operating sub-consciously. Listening to your body, understanding discomfort.
Presented by: David Williams
Audience: General
Description: Generative AI has been in our lives for nearly four years. Some people use it every day, some have intentionally opted out, and most are somewhere in between. In this session we'll look at where the technology is today so you can decide what, if anything, is worth doing.
Presented by: Jasmine Korčok
Audience: General
Description: Join Jasmine on a birding walk to Fascieux Creek wetland, a natural gem that’s a mere 12-minute walk from OC. We will search for a few species that frequent the wetland, including handsome wood ducks, dashing red-winged blackbirds, and the ubiquitous Northern flicker. Participants will also learn tips on using and choosing binoculars, and see handy apps that enhance the birding experience. BYOB – bring your own binoculars! Note: Should the AQHI rating be high (above 7), this will turn into a classroom session on bird identification for beginners.
Presented by: Caitlin Hartigan
Audience: General
Description: This interactive workshop explores how confidence is not something you’re born with—it's something you build. Drawing on concepts from skilled trades and leadership practice, participants will learn practical, repeatable techniques to strengthen their confidence, communicate effectively, and show up with presence.
Presented by: Carlyn Young, Ginger Albrecht
Audience: General
Description: Event planning is basically controlled chaos in the best way! Let's chat about: registration, opening remarks, budget reality checks, sponsorships, AV logistics (which always ends up being more complicated than you think), and contingency plans because something will more than likely go sideways. We'll also share our new events checklist that was created for use by internal event organizers at OC.
Presented by: Carolina Galaz
Audience: General
Description: Atrapa la Palabra: Bingo en Español transforms traditional bingo into an energetic, communicative experience for A1 learners. Through interactive clues, movement, and friendly competition, students actively build vocabulary, strengthen listening skills, and gain confidence using Spanish in a fun, low-pressure environment. Learning becomes dynamic, engaging, and unforgettable.
Presented by: Tiana Langedyk
Audience: General
Description: Curious about what makes your LinkedIn profile stand out? This is just the session for you! We will get hands-on, revamping our LinkedIn profiles, picking the perfect photos, writing professional articles for LinkedIn, building an online community and leveraging opportunities. Whether you are looking to advance your career, connect with your industry peers, build a personal brand or share your academic work online, this workshop will give you the opportunity to build a LinkedIn profile you can be proud of.
Brightspace: Getting Started (Essentials for Instructors)
Presented by: Education Technology
Audience: Instructional
Description: With Okanagan College’s launch of Brightspace approaching in Fall 2026, the Teaching & Learning Innovations team is offering this introductory workshop to help educators get comfortable with the new Learning Management System. We’ll walk through the Brightspace interface, course navigation, and the core tools used to build and manage your course. You’ll learn how to add and organize content, communicate with students, and manage assignments and grades so you’re ready for the upcoming launch.
Presented by: Alison Roberts
Audience: General
Description: Join this fun and creative session to learn about acrylic pour painting and try a couple of flow art techniques to create a masterpiece for your home or workspace! No prior painting experience is required.
Presented by: Catie Whibley
Audience: General
Description: This session will introduce you to crochet with an easy-to-make coaster. Both introductory and intermediate crocheters are welcome!
Presented by: James Wood
Audience: General
Description: Maybe you've told yourself you can't draw. It ain't true. In this hands-on session, you'll learn some simple techniques to help you express your ideas visually.
Presented by: Julian Buck, Sean White
Audience: General
Description: Whether you're completely new to craft beer or a seasoned brewery hopper, walking into a craft brewery can be a disorienting experience. There's so many names, numbers, and styles! Join as as we help you decode it all and learn about the history, process, and culture of craft beer as we go.
Presented by: Mystery Presenters
Audience: General
12:45 - 1:45 p.m. Learning Session 2 descriptions
Presented by: Kessia Rush (Cherry Pi/Cherry 3.14)
Audience: General
Description: With over a decade of dance training and six years of burlesque performance experience, Cherry 3.14 brings both artistic and historical perspective to this exploration of burlesque as a dynamic performance art form.
Rooted in 19th-century parody theatre, burlesque has evolved into a contemporary art practice centered on character development, theatrical storytelling, and embodied presence. This interactive educational session examines the cultural history of burlesque, the symbolism of costume and stagecraft, and the role of agency in artistic expression.
The session includes a brief, optional movement component focused on posture, stage presence, and embodied confidence — transferable skills applicable to public speaking and leadership contexts.
No dance or burlesque experience is required.
Comfortable attire is recommended; optional accessories such as heels or gloves may be incorporated for those interested.
Presented by: Corinna Chong
Audience: General
Description: Design thinking is a creative approach to problem-solving, typically used by designers, that is being increasingly adopted across other disciplines and workplaces to promote innovation and collaboration. In this session, we will experiment with some mini design challenges that give insight into how problem-solving can transform from a daunting and dread-inducing set of tasks to an energizing and illuminating creative process.
Presented by: Alex Kortzman, Leanne Mallory
Audience: General
Description: Have you ever wanted to create a costume for a character from your favourite movie, television show, novel, game or other media? Cosplay and costuming have become more popular in past decade. It is a fun and enjoyable hobby which draws on artistic and technical skills.
Presented by: Kaylen Lesko, Abby Marks
Audience: General
Description: This session will explore how Okanagan College employees can play a role in connecting students to support when academic, personal, or well-being concerns arise. Facilitated by the Coordinated Support Services (CSS) team, it will cover having supportive conversations with students, how to make referrals using the Care System and other referral options, and how CSS works with students to provide coordinated support. The session will offer an opportunity to learn more about collaborating with CSS and how employees can help students access the support available to them.
Presented by: Kate Sidlar
Audience: General
Description: Some glow in the dark, some can control an insect’s body, and some can even have an effect on the weather. They are under your feet in every step you take and without them we wouldn’t have Legos or chocolate or even forests. Join this fun and interactive session to learn about the fascinating world of fungi – you’ll never look at a mushroom the same way again!
Presented by: David Castro Alves Vilela
Audience: General
Description: David will describe some studies about how the vibration of the songs and rhythms can be an essential tool to reduce the stress and contribute with our mental health. There will be a practical activity in the classroom.
Presented by: Vivian Moretti
Audience: Instructional
Description: What do Camp OC, Sampler programs, Experience OC, Student for a Day, Try a Trade and Dual Credit courses have in common? They are all domino tiles in a student’s journey to our programs. In this interactive session, you will explore how early engagement create momentum, reduce barriers and build clearer pathways to post-secondary program enrolment. Through a fun domino challenge and interactive activities, we’ll explore how small early experiences lead to big enrollment wins. Come ready to play, discover, and maybe knock a few things over (on purpose!).
Presented by: Vicki Pannell
Audience: Support
Description: This session will help administrative and operations staff understand their Budget to Actual variances, navigate using the Fast System and understand how to forecast financial results.
This session applies to individuals who have budget responsibility, use Fast Finance or Fast Budget and who are responsible for financial data within their department or portfolio.
Presented by: Education Technology
Audience: Instructional
Description: As the Fall 2026 launch of Brightspace approaches, the Teaching & Learning Innovations team is offering this session to highlight a range of helpful tools and features within Brightspace. We’ll share practical tips for working in the platform and explore ways educators are using it to organize course materials and support student learning. The session will also include time for questions and open discussion.
Presented by: Marlo Edwards
Audience: General
Description: What if the most powerful communication tool isn't a pdf — it's a story? In this hands-on session, Communications prof Marlo Edwards will introduce her research project with BC Cancer, where patients will co-create digital stories to be embedded directly in cancer care information systems. Session participants will experience a digital story, explore the research behind narrative-based communication, and brainstorm how storytelling could transform information delivery in their own work.
Presented by: Mystery Presenters
Audience: General