Keeping a Good Thing Going on the Communications and Public Engagement Team

We are saying “goodbye for now” to Janina Stajic, VIU's Director of Communications and Public Engagement, who is taking a one-year leave through the University's deferred salary plan. In her place, we are pleased to welcome back Dan Hurley who is leading the Communications and Public Engagement team until Janina returns.

Some of you may remember Dan from when he led VIU’s University Relations department from 2012 to 2016. During his time here, he was involved with starting up the youth-in-care tuition waiver program and Indigenous Speakers Series, as well as securing government funding for the University's recently-completed capital projects.

Dan and his family recently moved back to Gabriola Island after spending the past two years at the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific where Dan served as Vice-President, Advancement and External Relations. Pearson College, as it is informally known, is Canada's United World College located near Metchosin, BC.

Dan has many years of experience and in-depth expertise in both communications and public engagement. Aside from his time at VIU, he was previously AVP External Affairs at The University of Winnipeg, and was a senior political advisor and broadcast journalist in Ottawa. He is a graduate of both the University of Winnipeg and Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communication, and an accredited public relations professional. He also serves on the board of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance.

Dan's background and expertise, as well as his knowledge of VIU, will be valuable during the coming year. You can reach Dan here.

While we are going to miss Janina dearly, we are all assured the Communications and Public Engagement team is in good hands while she enjoys a well-earned year away.