Their work, what their award means to them and what they hope to do next
This year, 13 VIU graduate students were rewarded for their hard work and compelling research topics with awards from the provincial and federal governments. The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship, BC Graduate Scholarship and Indigenous Scholars Awards are merit-based and intended to help encourage Canada’s next generation of leaders, scholars and researchers.
Eight of this year’s recipients share more about their work, what the award means to them and what they hope to do next.
Anna Irwin-Borg (BC Graduate Scholarship)
Why VIU?
I love Nanaimo and was excited to stay in this beautiful place where I have found a welcoming community.
What does winning this award mean to you?
It feels like recognition for all of the hard work and dedication I put into my undergraduate degree and my first year of the program. It also literally means I won’t have to pick up as many shifts at the restaurant I work at to make ends meet.
What are your future academic aspirations?
Currently, I am just excited to work on my thesis and suck up every bit of knowledge I can from everyone I am working on projects with. There may be a PhD in my future because I love to be in school and don’t think I will be able to stay away for the rest of my life.
Anything else you would like to add?
I suck up every bit of knowledge I can from everyone I am working on projects with.
Brittany Salmon (Indigenous Scholars Award)
Why VIU?
I love Nanaimo and didn't want to have to move to further my education. I also love the small campus size and homey feel that VIU provides.
What does winning this award mean to you?
Winning this award means everything to me. It gives me confidence in my abilities and makes me feel like my education and research is important.
What are your future academic aspirations?
My current academic goal is to work diligently on my thesis, as it holds great importance to me. While my future aspirations are still taking shape, I am a firm believer that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Anything else you would like to add?
I am honoured to be a recipient of the Indigenous Scholars Award. As a mature student, I always tell people it’s never too late to go back to school. When someone thinks it will be too hard, I share the advice of a good friend: you don’t have to be smart to do well in school, you just need to work hard. I firmly believe that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Holly Faithfull (BC Graduate Scholarship)
Why VIU?
I chose to pursue my studies at VIU with a love for the Island and a passion for what my program offers. Living on Vancouver Island and having endless opportunities to do so many outdoor recreational activities and still find most of what you need from a medium-sized city is ideal and the university offers many resources. The program itself offered a practical learning approach to community planning that I believe will be useful in my career and life.
What does winning this award mean to you?
I worked hard during my first year of the program and am glad it is being recognized and my research is being acknowledged as something worth funding. I’m excited to continue working hard and finish my degree with this scholarship. I appreciate the opportunity wholeheartedly!
What are your future academic aspirations?
I hope to dive into my research and find some interesting results about urban park design, user experience and how urban parks are helping communities build more climate resiliency. After that, I hope to defend my thesis next April and graduate next summer. Maybe even publish my research in the future but for now, I am focusing on the present.
Amanda Van Hulsen (BC Graduate Scholarship)
Why VIU?
I chose VIU for the amazing opportunity to attend such a well-rounded planning program while living on Vancouver Island.
What does winning this award mean to you?
This award is a big opportunity for me to pursue my future endeavours and reassures me that I am on the right path for myself.
What are your future academic aspirations?
In the far future after I graduate and hopefully have a planning career, I want to give back to my profession as did the many amazing professors I had while attending VIU.
Anything else you would like to add?
Thank you to my friends and family for the support along the way.
John Christoffersen (Indigenous Scholars Award)
Why VIU?
I chose to continue my studies at VIU for a few key reasons, and my previous experience as a BBA student was a major factor. The quality of the education, the positive learning environment, and the familiarity of the campus and faculty all contributed to my decision. The great instructors at VIU are a significant draw. Throughout my BBA, I found the faculty to be not only knowledgeable and experienced in their fields, but also genuinely invested in their students’ success. The small class sizes and emphasis on student-faculty interaction create a personalized and supportive learning environment that I value greatly. The campus’s beautiful setting and its proximity to both nature and the community also make it a fantastic place to study. Finally, I am already familiar with the university’s academic culture and standards. This continuity provides a smooth transition into my graduate studies, allowing me to build on the foundation I’ve already established and focus on my academic goals without the added stress of adapting to a new institution.
What does winning this award mean to you?
Winning the Indigenous Scholars Award is a deeply meaningful accomplishment. It’s a powerful form of recognition for the dedication and hard work I’ve invested in my education. This award tells me that the time and effort I’ve put into my studies are valued and that my academic journey is being supported. It validates the importance and relevance of my work, and gives me the confidence to continue pursuing my academic goals and to contribute to my field with purpose and passion.
What are your future academic aspirations?
I am passionate about Indigenous land management and economic development. I hope to dedicate my studies and future career to working with Indigenous communities to bridge the gap between traditional Indigenous conservation practices and Western or colonial approaches. I want to learn how to create and implement models of land management and economic development that honour and integrate Indigenous knowledge, values and governance. I hope to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future where Indigenous communities have the tools and resources to manage their lands in a way that aligns with their cultural beliefs and long-term goals. My goal is to help build a future where we move beyond simply acknowledging Indigenous ways of knowing and actively use them to improve our relationship with the land for the benefit of all.
Anything else you would like to add?
Beyond the classroom, I've gained friendships that I know will last long after the program has ended. These relationships are invaluable, providing me with a network of peers who share my passion for community planning and who I can rely on for support and collaboration in my future career.
Sharan Gill (BC Graduate Scholar)
Why VIU?
Working closely with young children, I quickly realized that every child learns differently and may have unique learning needs. This experience sparked my desire to deepen my understanding of inclusive education and push myself further both academically and professionally. Vancouver Island University stood out to me as one of the few institutions offering a specialized graduate program in Special Education that aligns with my passion for supporting diverse learners. I was also drawn to the opportunity to conduct research and explore current issues in education more deeply. I lived in Surrey for the past few years and felt it was the right time for a change, both personally and academically. Moving to a new city and experiencing the community on Vancouver Island was a chance to grow, explore and gain new perspectives in a supportive and enriching environment!
What does winning this award mean to you?
Winning the BC Graduate Scholarship is an incredible achievement, something I never imagined possible for myself. It truly feels like a dream come true, and I’m filled with immense gratitude for the teachers, mentors and the selection committee who have supported my learning journey and believed in my potential. As a first-generation university student from a working-class immigrant family, this scholarship is more than financial support, it’s a recognition of the challenges I’ve overcome and the resilience it took to navigate higher education across three different countries. It honours my family’s sacrifices and the cultural and academic transitions I’ve experienced along the way. By reducing financial barriers, this award empowers me to focus more fully on my research and advocacy work. It motivates me to continue pushing for inclusive and equitable education for students with learning differences, especially those who, like me, may not have had access to the resources or recognition they deserve.
What are your future academic aspirations?
My goal is to begin my teaching journey here in Canada by obtaining my BC teaching certificate. I also want to complete my PhD in Education with a focus on inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogy. I hope to contribute meaningfully to the field of special education as both a practitioner and a researcher. My aim is to advocate for early, evidence-based interventions for students with learning differences, particularly dyslexia. This builds on my current research, which explores how structured literacy approaches can be thoughtfully integrated into play-based Canadian classrooms.
Ann Woodward (BC Graduate Scholar)
Why VIU?
I have graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies and my Education Assistant and Community Support Certificate at VIU. I currently work as a Co-Lead of arc: Art Research Community Institute at VIU as well. It seems a natural progression to continue my Master of Education studies at VIU.
What does winning this award mean to you?
I am deeply appreciative to be the recipient of this graduate student award at VIU. This generous support allows me the opportunity to pursue the Master of Education in Educational Leadership. Without this award, I wouldn’t be able to advance my education to the next level.
What are your future academic aspirations?
In future I hope to advance the place of Indigenous perspectives at the heart of education and research. In pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, I hope to strengthen my ability to influence systems so that Indigenous worldviews are not treated as supplementary, but foundational to meaningful teaching, scholarship and research. I have participated as a research assistant, actor and arc Research Centre Coordinator in the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) research project Scenes from the Nanaimo Indian Hospital: Reawakening Hul’q’umin’um, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwak’wala Languages Through Applied Theatre. This project highlights the importance of sharing Indigenous languages and the lived experience of survivors of the largely unknown segregated hospital system in Canada. I continue this work at VIU as a Co-Lead of arc: Art Research Community Institute.
Alex Peabody (Canada Graduate Research Scholarship)
Why VIU?
I chose to study at VIU because I grew up on the Island and have always loved the area. Since completing my undergrad, I have developed many amazing relationships with VIU faculty members and I’m very excited about being able to work with them through my master’s degree.
What does winning this award mean to you?
It means a lot. It is essentially the only reason I can pursue my master’s, which is the next logical step in my educational and career goals. This award will allow me to pursue those goals sooner than I had imagined, which is amazing.
What are your future academic aspirations?
I aspire to finish my master’s and look for work in the education field. Through my time working at VIU and through my various other teaching experiences, my goal is to find a career in outdoor or leisure education and this degree will open that door for me. If this path presents itself, I may also be open to pursuing a PhD.