Student Stories

Monica Webb knows first-hand the difference medical professionals can make in someone’s life.

When she was just a year old, she accidentally spilled two bowls of hot soup on herself, suffering second- and third-degree burns to her chin, left hand and chest as a result. Her parents brought her to the hospital, where she was then transferred to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver to undergo further treatment.

Demitria Rae Rounis is graduating this June with a Bachelor of Tourism Management, Major in Recreation. She also has a diploma in Tourism Studies and a Certificate in Event Management. Aside from representing her peers in the Faculty of Management at convocation, she will also represent Canada at the Royal International Miss Pageant in Orlando this summer.

Exploring the issue of crowding in public parks and how it specifically affects people with mobility-related disabilities is at the centre of VIU Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management (MASLM) student Hannah Dudney’s research.

She recently received a scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to continue her work.

Whether you are missing prerequisites, want to finish high school or need to prepare for success in an academic program, VIU's Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation (ACP) has many programs to help you come back to school and get started on a path that helps you get where you want to go.

The programs are designed to offer a starting point that is right for all types of learners. Students receive dedicated attention and support from instructors who care about their success, gaining confidence and know-how along the way.

A newly revamped Hospital Unit Coordinator (HUC) program at Vancouver Island University (VIU) is proving to be a success, as the first cohort of students to come through the program in two years prepare to graduate this spring.

The program, formerly a six-month, part-time program was paused at the onset of COVID-19, due to challenges associated with conducting it solely online.

Culinary Arts students at VIU Cowichan recently served up a multitude of soups with a side of community spirit.

It was all a part of the program’s Soup Challenge – a two-day event that brings together flavour, creativity and skill to give back to the community in a unique way.

Growing up with a brother who has non-verbal autism, Brant Cartwright recalls “always feeling off” about the limited representation of people living with disabilities that he saw in both media and the fashion industry.

The fifth-year VIU Bachelor of Education student felt compelled to search out companies with inclusive employment and representation practices.

“It is shocking how little has been done,” Brant says.

As the guest services manager at Pacific Shores Resort & Spa in Nanoose Bay, Omar Almolla’s duties vary widely and involve numerous aspects to help ensure the continued smooth operation of the resort.

From shift scheduling to security, overseeing resort amenities to departmental objectives, it’s a given that no two days on the job are the same.

The best way to find out if you are truly passionate about something is to try it out for a while.

That’s just what fourth-year Computer Science student Nina Gill did with her recent co-operative education experience. After taking a course on cyber security, the 25-year-old wanted to explore whether a career in this area was for her.

Advocating for families and supporting them in a variety of capacities are the best parts of Taylor LeBrun’s job.

Taylor graduated from VIU’s Child and Youth Care degree program last summer, and found employment almost right away, signing on as a support worker at Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Nanaimo this past September.