Education Council Byelection - Faculty Representative
Term: April 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026
1 Position Available - Foundational Faculty
- Gather all supporting documents
- Download and complete three nomination forms
- Attach completed forms to the online application as part of step 3
- Submit an online application (form is open during the nomination period, see below for dates)
2026 Byelection Dates for Education Council - Faculty Representative
Nomination Period:
Feb. 26 – Mar. 11, 2026
Election Dates:
Mar. 26 – Apr 2, 2026
Candidates Names Published:
Mar 12, 2026
Announcement of Results:
Apr 7, 2026
Campaign Period:
Mar. 12 – Mar. 25, 2026
Appeal Deadline:
Apr 9, 2026
Education Council Byelection - Faculty - Health & Social Development Representative (Elected by Acclamation)
Andrea Thiessen
I have been involved in post-secondary education for over 15 years, and I feel strongly connected to our work here at OC. In my current role as the ECE Chair, I support students from the intake through practicum completion process, working closely with colleagues across departments to keep processes organized, responsive, and centred on student success. I care deeply about creating clear systems and open communication with integrity, so students and instructors feel supported.
With additional experience within non-profit organizations, as well as in administration (Principal) within the BC K-12 Independent Schools sector, I have developed a strong foundation in governance, strategic planning, policy development, and collaborative decision-making. I have worked closely with boards and leadership teams, which helped me understand how thoughtful governance strengthens programs, supports long-term sustainability, and provides accountability check points.
I would value the opportunity to contribute to the OC EDCO because I believe collaborative cross-departmental oversight matters in shaping academic direction and policy. I bring practical experience and an understanding of the relevance of accountable systems. Most importantly, I bring a genuine commitment to the quality and integrity of our programs and to ensuring decisions reflect the needs of both students and instructors.
Elections Procedure
To submit your application:
Gather all supporting documents
- Download and complete three nomination forms
- Attach completed forms to the online application as part of step 3
- Submit an online application (form is open during the nomination period only, see election schedule above this section)
Information Regarding Elections and Campaigns
Elections for positions on Okanagan College Board of Governors and Education Council are conducted by the Registrar’s Office.
Questions may be emailed to elections@okanagan.bc.ca.
To obtain further details about the regulations governing the election, please click on the button below.
To access further details about the guidelines governing the campaign process, please click the button provided below.
Eligibility Requirements
Faculty/Instructor
Faculty/Instructor member means any faculty member or vocational instructor employed by Okanagan College who is a member of the Okanagan College Faculty Association or BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (Vocational Instructors).
Any faculty member or vocational instructor shall be deemed eligible to stand for election if they in good standing with their representative group and have an employment contract or a reasonable expectation of a contract that covers the period of the term of office.
Support staff
Support staff member means any individual employed by Okanagan College who is a member of BC Government and Service Employees’ Union Support Staff or covered by the Terms and Conditions for Administrators or Excluded Staff and is not in a position excluded under Appendix A.
Any support staff member shall be deemed eligible to stand for election if they in good standing with their representative group and have an employment contract or a reasonable expectation of a contract that covers the period of the term of office.
Student
Student means any person enrolled as a student at Okanagan College in a program approved by Education Council.
Eligibility to stand for election and to hold office.
Be deemed to be in good standing by the Registrar. Any Student is eligible be nominated to be a Student elected member with the following exception: that a Student candidate may not be employed by the College as a Support Staff, Faculty or Educational Administrator except when the employment falls under one of the following: Letter of Understanding #1 - Student Employees, Letter of Understanding #2 – Co-operative Education Students and Letter of Understanding #3 – Research Projects as part of the Collective Agreement between Okanagan College (Support Staff) and the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (2014-2019 and as renegotiated). Be considered a Student on the day the election is held.
Appeal committee
- The Registrar/Associate Vice President who will chair the Committee and be non-voting;
- A student (President of the Okanagan College Student Union or designate in odd years, the President of the Vernon Students’ Association Okanagan College or designate in even years);
- A representative from the Faculty/Instructor representative groups (Chair of the BCGEU (Vocational Instructors) or designate in odd years and the Chair of the Okanagan College Faculty Association or designate in even years); and
- A representative from Support Staff/Administrator representative groups (Chair of BCGEU Support Staff union or designate in odd years and the Chair of the Administrators Association or designate in even years).
Note: OCFA & BCGEU Vocational and OCSU & VSAOC agreed to serve on alternate years.