Student Success

Genevieve van der Voort examines insect samples with a microscope.

VIU Undergraduate Student Publishes Research Paper in Peer-Reviewed Journal

June 9, 2021

Genevieve van der Voort was the lead author of the published research – a rare accomplishment for an undergraduate student. Genevieve van der Voort is graduating from Vancouver Island University (VIU) with a significant accomplishment under her belt – she is lead author on a research paper published in The Canadian Entomologist. “I still haven’t quite got my head wrapped around it,” says the ... Read more


Felicia Fischer sitting on stairs

VIU Graduate Student Joins National Advisory Committee

January 28, 2021

Master of Community Planning student Felicia Fischer will advise on initiatives that aim to advance sustainability and access at institutions across the country. ­­ A Vancouver Island University (VIU) student will have the chance to weigh in on collaborative sustainable development initiatives taking place at institutions across Canada and make sure students are involved in them. Felicia Fischer... Read more


VIU Students Strengthen Environmental Education in Ghana

June 4, 2020

Tourism and Recreation students receive research awards for their work strengthening environmental programming for junior high schools in Ghana, West Africa. Vancouver Island University (VIU) Tourism and Recreation students are helping junior high schools in Ghana, West Africa strengthen their environmental programming so youth in the region can gain knowledge to help protect sensitive ecosystems... Read more


Vancouver Island Leadership Conference organizers Kayla and Seth

VIU Students Host Virtual Leadership Conference

June 3, 2020

VIU students take annual leadership conference online to support mental health and well-being. A longstanding leadership conference led by Vancouver Island University (VIU) students will go forward as planned with one key difference this year – it will be held completely online. The 12th annual Vancouver Island Leadership Conference (VILC) will run for the entire month of June and features... Read more


Showing Students VIU Cares

April 15, 2020

Students living in residence and in homestay placements throughout Nanaimo are away from their families and may have limited connections to them right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To show these students they are not alone during this period of physical distancing, VIU’s Student Wellness Promoters, in partnership with various departments on campus, have put together care packages that will... Read more


Janelle Minoza, VIU Bachelor of Social Work student

The Power of Persistence: A Story of Success and Resilience

January 13, 2020

Janelle Minoza has overcome a number of obstacles standing in the way of her post-secondary education since becoming a student at Vancouver Island University last year. Janelle Minoza is living proof that hard work and determination can help you achieve your dreams. The third-year Bachelor of Social Work student at Vancouver Island University (VIU), from the Deh Gah Gotie Dene First Nations in... Read more


Carpentry shop in VIU Trades Discovery Centre

Trades Discovery Centre Builds Foundation for Future Workforce

August 1, 2019

Students and employees are enjoying the new learning space, which opened in fall 2018. ­­ When Jason Winchester came back to Vancouver Island University (VIU) in February for his carpentry apprenticeship training, he was excited to work in the new space. The Carpentry program is now located in the new Trades Discovery Centre, which opened in fall 2018 thanks to generous support from the federal... Read more


VIU student Eric Evans path to education and journey of healing

Rewriting The Story You Are Born Into

July 10, 2019

We don’t get to choose the life we begin with. Some of us are born into privilege while others are not. One opportunity or disadvantage can vastly change our entire life story. “At the orchard I work at, my boss’s son has dyslexia and his mother fought tirelessly for him to ensure he got the proper supports in school,” says Eric Evans. “I wonder sometimes how my life would be different if I had... Read more


Kerri Gwilt upgrades her courses at VIU in order to pursue her long-term goal of becoming a nurse.

Changing Lives Through Education

July 9, 2019

Vancouver Island University’s Adult Basic Education program is supporting students to pursue their dreams.  “Everyone who is here has struggled at some point and this is our second chance to build a better life,” says Julianne McCullough, Adult Basic Education (ABE) student at Vancouver Island University (VIU).  McCullough is one of many students at VIU’s Cowichan Campus who are rewriting their... Read more


Kimberley Barrett, VIU Bachelor of Science - Biology graduate

VIU Biology Graduate Sets her Sights on Protecting the Environment

May 27, 2019

Inspired by the environmental research she was able to participate in at VIU Kimberley Barrett is excited to enter into the world of research following graduation. ­­ Biology graduate Kimberley Barrett isn’t going to medical school like she originally planned five years ago when she first started her degree at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Partway into her journey she discovered helping... Read more