Biographies - Faculty in the Advising Centre - Nanaimo

Lorna Millard has a BA (Honours English) from UBC and an MA (Education) from SFU.  Most of her work has been in the field of professional career and educational counselling.  Lorna has worked at VIU since 1995, first in Continuing Education/Contract Training, then in the Campus Career Centre as well as teaching in Hospitality Management.  Lorna has worked in Advising since August 2006 and is currently Coordinator for the Advising Centre.  An avid reader and writer, Lorna has published nonfiction in two anthologies and keeps intending to get back to writing for pleasure "someday."  Meantime, she enjoys reading fiction, planning the perfect garden, and weeding the imperfect one.  After many years farming "in her spare time" in Errington, Lorna now lives in Duncan with her husband, two cats, and two giant dogs named Gracie and Dante. 

Corey Blades worked for nearly 20 seasons managing all aspects of resort operations and guest services at his family’s business near Banff. During this period he earned undergraduate degrees in General Studies (‘78) and Interpersonal Development (‘84). Corey holds a Master's in School Counselling (UVIC '87)

Prior to accepting a counsellor position at Northern Lights College (1989), Corey taught 4th year courses and coordinated the Qualitative Research Consortium at UVIC.  Since 1998 he has worked as an Education Counsellor at the VIU.

Corey's academic interests include the transition of rural students from secondary to post-secondary education, moral development and interpretive approaches to lived experience. Corey is passionate about working with current and prospective VIU students and enjoys playing the guitar, reading, and is nutty about ocean kayaking.

Sharon Kelly attended UBC for a couple of years and then finished a BA at the University of Alberta in 1986.  She earned her MA in 1988 (U of A).  Sharon has worked as a life guard, recreation program specialist, paddling guide and cook/bottle washer, child care counsellor, recreation therapist and college instructor, University College Professor and currently is  part time faculty in the department of Recreation and Tourism and an Educational Counsellor in the Advising Center at VIU’s Student Support Services.  Sharon has worked at VIU since 1989. 

Sharon believes in the value of career and educational planning to meet personal goals.  Current leisure pursuits include: reading, playing the piano, and watching her 3 children play their various youth sport. She thinks she will take up running or kayaking or rock climbing again, one day soon.

Rod MacDonald completed his BA at the University of Alberta and earned his MA at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. In 1996 Rod moved to Nanaimo from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan where he taught for 7 years at SIAST.  Over the years Rod has worked in a variety of positions ranging from carpentry to consulting. He has worked in Aboriginal Communities from New Brunswick to Yellowknife, NWT delivering a variety of courses & workshops.  Since 1998 he has worked for VIU at the Parksville-Qualicum Center and in 2008 he moved to the Nanaimo Campus. 

Throughout his career, Rod has returned to education as one way of fulfilling his personal and career goals.  “Although returning to post secondary education has, at times, been frightening, it has always been a rewarding experience and has served me well in my career”.  To relax and enjoy the splendor of the west coast he enjoys time on the ocean, sailing.

Jennifer Merner’s academic training includes a Bachelor of Arts in Leisure Service Administration from University of Victoria, a Masters of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University and a Certified Professional Coaching designation from the Coaches Training Institute.  Jennifer has 15 years experience in Municipal Recreation Departments where she developed numerous courses, trained many leaders and served on multiple community projects. She has had her own coaching company for eight years where she coaches individuals and groups as well as provides training.  Most recently, she has been working at VIU in the Centre for Continuing Studies managing a portfolio of work including development in the areas of  Science and Technology and Trades and Applied Technology. She strives to build relationships and partnerships with students, professionals and the community in an effort to bring them what they need.

In her spare time she can be found running, playing basketball or scrapbooking.