Alumni

Profile of Bianca van der Stoel in a greenhouse surrounded by plants

Alum of the Month: Bianca van der Stoel

July 8, 2022

After graduating from VIU’s Horticulture Technician program in 2019, Bianca van der Stoel has been busy growing her own Horticultural Therapy business, witnessing powerful moments of rehabilitation and joy as she helps people reconnect with nature. We caught up with Bianca to learn more about how... Read more


Kholoud sits behind the sandbox in her preschool

Alum of the Month: Kholoud Madi

May 21, 2022

A desire to contribute to the community in a meaningful way and make a difference in the lives of local children motivated Kholoud Madi, a VIU Early Childhood Education and Care program graduate, to open her own preschool in Nanaimo. Elm Preschool is a full-day preschool program for children aged... Read more


Portrait photo of Keanu Ienco

Alum of the Month: Keanu Ienco

April 30, 2022

Ever since he picked up a guitar at age eight, music has been a passion for Keanu Ienco, who graduated from VIU in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. Earlier this year, Ienco, who is Métis and part Havasupai Native American, released his debut album, Celestial Desire, which he describes... Read more


Katelyn Horsley

Alum of the Month: Katelyn Horsley

January 26, 2022

VIU Psychology alum Katelyn Horsley is pursuing a graduate science degree with an undergraduate degree in the arts. After graduating from Vancouver Island University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Psychology, she began a Master of Science degree at the University of Calgary. Horsley... Read more


Kevin Gourlay hikes through the backcountry.

Alum of the Month: Kevin Gourlay

December 20, 2021

On the last day of a week-long survey this summer in Strathcona Provincial Park, Vancouver Island University (VIU) alum Kevin Gourlay made a remarkable discovery – a new Vancouver Island marmot colony. The Vancouver Island marmot is Canada’s most endangered mammal. According to the Marmot Recovery... Read more


Man holding camera

VIU Media Highlights: November 15-29, 2021

November 29, 2021

A roundup of VIU students and employees in the news. Top-performing Broadcast Story VIU alumnus Wawmeesh Hamilton was the featured guest on the November 23 edition of the Our Native Land podcast on CHEK News. Reach: 42,000 people.  Top 10 News Stories Toronto Star (through local journalism... Read more