VIU Students at Beach

Future Students

Finding her dream job in sports management

Submitted by Jenn McGarrigle on June 18, 2023 - 6:46am

It took Emily McComb half a year to find her fit at Vancouver Island University. After spending a semester exploring a nursing career, she made the switch to tourism management – a decision she’s never regretted now that she’s thriving as a sports management professional. Emily graduated from VIU in 2021 with a Bachelor of Tourism Management degree, as well as a diploma in Sports and Recreation Management and a certificate in Event Management.

Artist raising awareness about colonization’s impact on Indigenous women

Submitted by Rachel Stern on June 14, 2023 - 10:22am

Atticus Mercredi doesn’t remember his mother. 

What he knows, he learned from his siblings. His mother Glenda Faye Ledoux, from the Mistawasis Cree First Nation, was a resilient woman. She was tough, tenacious and wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself. She was a residential school Survivor and struggled with addiction because of colonial trauma. Her 12 children were taken from her by social services, and she fought to get them back up until her death in 1999. She died from complications of stomach cancer at 41.

Seafood Business Accelerator a stepping stone for Indigenous business owner

Submitted by Rachel Stern on June 6, 2023 - 10:18am

Natasha Marshall Gallic from c̓išaaʔatḥ, Tseshaht First Nation, wants to create connections and support her community members, whether they live at home or away from the community. Traditional foods are an important part of that connection, which is why she created miʔaat Community Supported Fisheries.

Gaining confidence and finding her crew

Submitted by Jenn McGarrigle on June 2, 2023 - 8:32am

At the start of her university journey, Bachelor of Education student Sherry Wessel was very shy. So shy, she shook when she had to talk in front of the class. As her program progressed, she became more confident in herself and as a teacher. Fast forward to today and she’s representing the Class of 2023 as a valedictorian at convocation. Sherry shares more about her VIU journey and some advice for students following the same path. 

A story of perseverance and hard work

Submitted by Jenn McGarrigle on May 30, 2023 - 12:18pm

As a first-generation university student, Teagan Howden felt lost when she first started in VIU’s Digital Media Studies program in 2018. Fast forward to today and she is gearing up for the next step on her journey towards becoming a corporate lawyer – a master’s degree. She shares highlights of her time at VIU and her best advice for current students.

Creating accessible computer science courses

Submitted by Rachel Stern on May 24, 2023 - 12:49pm

Everyone deserves equal access to education, yet barriers remain for some learners.

Amber Thomas ran into challenges when she wanted to take a computer science course at her university in Alberta. The accessibility tools available there would not work for her computer science course because it needed specialized tools. Amber is blind and uses a screen reader to complete her courses. 

Tips to write a focused statement of purpose

Submitted by Jenn McGarrigle on May 20, 2023 - 5:39pm

Are you ready to take the next step in your academic career? The statement of purpose (also called a letter of introduction or letter of intent, amongst other names) is a crucial part of the graduate school application process. This blog shares tips to help you write a focused and compelling statement that showcases your unique qualities and increases your chances of securing a spot at the grad school of your choice.

Gaining skills through getting involved

Submitted by Jenn McGarrigle on May 16, 2023 - 2:36pm

Fernando Jesus Medina Moreno’s university experience was so much more than what he learned in the classroom. The Bachelor of Business Administration student from Mexico City got involved in many different aspects of university life. Throughout these experiences, he picked up many important soft skills as well as the knowledge he gained from his courses. He graduates this June and hopes to work for a marketing agency on Vancouver Island. 

A community-based approach to post-secondary education

Submitted by Eric Zimmer on April 24, 2023 - 4:35pm

Preparing for your first year of university can be stressful. Choosing the right courses, fitting them into a schedule that works – it’s a lot. And the thought of being alone in a crowd of strangers in an unfamiliar place can be overwhelming. A new approach to learning at VIU’s Cowichan campus in Duncan is ready to help you not only manage but thrive in your post-secondary career. Here’s what it’s all about.