VIU Student Pulse: April 19, 2023
Exam period is on now until April 26 for academic programs. Good luck to all students writing exams over the next week – you’ve got this!
Also in this issue:
Creating a safe space to learn and thrive
Sarah McClelland dreams of being “that” teacher. The one that students remember long after they graduate. The one that provides a safe place to study and whose classroom is also a fun lunchtime hangout spot.
VIU’s Inclusive Theatre Collective presents The Fear of Missing Out
The Inclusive Theatre Collective is presenting The Fear of Missing Out by Canadian playwright Michaela di Cesare this April.
The play tells the story of Olive, a high school student who wants to research and write about a string of assaults and disappearances at bus stops in her neighbourhood for the school paper. She spends most of her time working in her parents’ deli under their supervision. Her friend Vincent, an aspiring forensic scientist on the autism spectrum, helps Olive with her research. Meanwhile, her best friend T-Star starts to pull away from the friendship.
From mature student to a thriving career in management
Liette Masse graduated from the Bachelor of Tourism Management program in 2019. She came back as a mature student because she wanted an undergraduate degree on her resumé to complement her extensive work experience. She now works as Manager of Donor and Alumni Relations at VIU.
Exam stress, school-life balance and AI in the classroom
VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier sat down with CKNW Radio host Jas Johal recently to talk about what it’s like to be a university student these days. Here are her answers to Johal’s questions.
Semester end celebrations coming up 🎉
CREATE, the University’s largest student knowledge sharing event, is just finishing up.
How does music affect the mind?
When Mikaila Tombe began her post-secondary career, she was initially unsure what to do with her degree. Now, she’s combining her interests and talents into a new study for her undergraduate thesis.
A fourth-year VIU Psychology honours student and a musician, Mikaila has always been interested in the reasons behind why people respond the way they do to certain types of music.
The Long Night Against Procrastination 🍕
In this issue of the Student Pulse newsletter:
- Participate in CREATE
- Long Night Against Procrastination
- Transgender Day of Visibility: call for submissions
Need to know
CREATE conference 🔬
The largest on-campus showcase of student research and creative activity starts April 3! How to participate:
How honeybees are harmed by climate change
Fourth-year VIU Geography honours student Sierra De Buysscher-Nailor has taken a special interest in understanding climate change.
An aspiring beekeeper, Sierra wants to develop a better understanding of the risks she will be facing in upcoming years as she starts her beekeeping journey. She is researching the impacts of climate change on the health and habitat of the western honeybee.
Using climate modelling data, Sierra is looking at how increasing temperatures will impact honeybees.
Harnessing her people skills to engage alumni
Taryn Walker graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Hospitality Management. After working in various positions in the hospitality and tourism industries, she is now VIU’s Alumni Relations Coordinator.
This blog series shares the stories of VIU alumni to help inspire the next generation of learners. In this blog, Taryn tells me more about her career path and what skills she has acquired over the years that have come in handy in other positions.