Life
Meet Jordan Boultbee, Kinesiology student
February 9, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: Penticton, British Columbia. Q: How did you end up at ? A: I first began at , back in 2013 the year following my graduation. I was playing junior hockey for the Penticton Vees, but wanted to keep my mind sharp, so I enrolled in a few college-level courses. I returned to around 2015 in the Trades program, before finally realizing my passion and enrolling in the Human Kinetics program in 2018...
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Meet Ty Sideroff, Kinesiology student
February 9, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: I was born and raised in Summerland. Q: How did you end up at ? A: Exiting high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to do. I felt that the in Penticton was a low-risk, high-reward option. Staying local was important to me, but it was also hard to argue with small class sizes, hands-on labs and affordable tuition. Q: How did you choose your program? A: I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and ...
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Meet Pamela Rouse, Practical Nursing instructor
January 4, 2021
What is your education and experience? I was born in Vancouver and lived there until I moved to the Okanagan with my husband and two teenage children in 2010. I attended UBC and achieved my BScN and then specialized in orthopedics and adolescent medical/surgical care at B.C. Children’s Hospital. I worked there for 20 years prior to starting my teaching career in the Practical Nursing program at Vancouver Community College. I began working at on a term instructor ba...
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Meet Marty Paradine, SBT Professor
December 9, 2020
Q: What is your education and background? A: My education is as follows: B.Sci. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Manitoba) M.Sci. in Renewable Energy (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany) MBA (Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden) Certified Energy Manager (Association of Energy Engineers) Professional Engineer (APEGBC) I have worked in the mining, oil and gas industries as an engineer and operations manager, before moving into my ...
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Meet Brian Rippy, SBT Professor
December 9, 2020
Q: What is your education and background? A: Undergrad in Civil Engineering and Bio Resources, and a Master's in Sustainable Design. Q: What is your area of interest? A: Beautiful, healthy and regenerative buildings. Q: When did you know you had found your discipline? A: When I discovered the impact that the built environment has on our planet, social fabric, health and wellness. Q: Why did you choose to work at ? A: It presented an opportun...
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Meet Roger Wheeler, Business Professor
November 26, 2020
Q: What is your education and background? A: I am a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) with bachelor’s degrees in physical and health education, and physics, as well as master’s degrees in science (biomechanics) and business administration. Prior to teaching here at , I worked mostly in the public sector, first in government, then in health care, acting in a variety of consultant, manager and director roles. Q: What is your area of interest? A:...
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Meet Cemone Bredeson, Plumbing and Pipefitting instructor
November 25, 2020
Q: What is your education and background? A: I completed my trades training at BCIT to obtain my Red Seal certificate in the steamfitting and pipefitting trade. I’ve got a B Gas ticket for the Province of British Columbia. I’m also Red Seal-certified in Plumbing and am currently working on obtaining my Provincial Instructors Diploma at VCC. Q: What is your area of interest? A: I am intrigued by how the brain works to process information. I want to know more ab...
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Pizza over procrastination: students power through deadlines together during annual event
November 19, 2020
Long Night Against Procrastination is back – even with the pizza – and all from the comfort of home. An rite of passage, Long Night Against Procrastination has helped countless students kick procrastination to the curb and get assignments in on time. In recent years, the popular Penticton event had spread to multiple campuses, as students converged on campus for a late-night cram session, surrounded by faculty, librarians and Success Centre coordinators who would help with final assignments, papers and projects du...
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Celebrating diversity with virtual Diwali and International Education Week
November 10, 2020
Cooking, dancing, photography and crafts: world cultures will be in the spotlight starting Friday, as celebrates its diverse cultural makeup. students are invited to take part in the Virtual Celebration of Diwali on Nov. 13, followed by online International Education Week activities from Nov. 16 to 20. International Education Week is an annual celebration of the importance of international education and exchange programs. Celebrated by over 100 countries, community members and students share intercultural e...
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Meet Mary Hanlon, Sociology Professor
October 1, 2020
Q: What is your education? A: I have a PhD in Sociology from the University of Edinburgh, a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Athabasca University, a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and Spanish from Dalhousie University, and a Diploma in Textile Arts from Capilano University, back when it was a college. Q: What is your area of interest? A: I am interested in the global fashion and apparel industry, and in understanding how and ...
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’s 12th Annual Youth Exhibition Powwow goes virtual this year
September 29, 2020
When the pandemic struck, organizers of the popular Youth Exhibition Powwow at in Kelowna knew they would have to adapt. Each year, for the past 11 years, the event has drawn crowds of hundreds – sometimes more than a thousand – to ’s courtyard for a day of celebrating, learning about and engaging with Indigenous knowledge and culture. Over the course of a fun-filled day, dancers and accompanying drummers from across the B.C. interior perform in a variety of dance categories including grass, fancy, chicken, jing...
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Popular Wellness Wednesdays expands online offerings to all students this fall
September 22, 2020
recognizes that this academic year, taking time for student mental health is more important than ever. That’s why a popular wellness resource for students is expanding its offerings for students at all campuses. Wellness Wednesday online workshops are happening once a month this fall semester, with a special focus on strategies to help students cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is part of the Flourish Wellness Project, which started at the Penticton campus three years ago, and is expanding this ye...
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College community rallies together with COVID cookbook for students
September 9, 2020
In a time of self isolation and work-from-home existence for many, ’s Library Services team is creatively cooking up a way for the community to engage their culinary senses for a good cause. Entries are now open for What We Cooked: A Compilation of Recipes During COVID Times cookbook. Organizers are inviting employees, students, alumni and the community to submit the recipes that have proven to be staples throughout the pandemic. Submissions will be accepted until September 30 and the finalized recipes will be r...
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Physically distanced but still fun: College Orientation serves up info, activities and prizes
September 2, 2020
will welcome back students with a range of virtual and in-person physically-distanced, curbside Orientation Day activities next week – all geared toward making them feel connected and starting their post-secondary experience off on a positive note. “ is about people – our students, and employees coming together in a truly supportive community,” said Meri Kim Oliver, ’s Vice President Students. “As much as COVID-19 has changed how we connect, all campuses are committed developing the best studen...
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grad seeks to inspire those around him
July 6, 2020
For Ajeet Paul, completing his diploma in Environmental Studies at Okanagan proved to be a journey of learning and personal growth, capped off with a whirlwind final semester as he and his classmates overcame the unexpected challenge of graduating in a pandemic. Paul is one of more than 2,000 students who will graduate from this year, and although his credential is on its way to him by mail, he’ll need to wait a little while longer to be able to don his cap and gown. Earlier this spring, after surveying graduating...
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College offers virtual info sessions, online summer sessions, $5K tuition giveaway to help ease stress for potential students
May 4, 2020
Physically distant but with a personal touch: is here to help. That’s the message for students and parents who have found the COVID-19 pandemic has an extra layer of anxiety around what life will mean after high school. “Picking a post-secondary path can be challenging at the best of times, without the added stresses of COVID-19 in the mix, so we want to ensure students know that we’re here to help,” says Andrew Hay, interim Provost and Vice President Academic at . “While our physical offices are ...
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