VIU Grad Pursues Planning Dreams with City of Nanaimo
May 31, 2019
After conducting research that took her around the world, Master of Community Planning alum Lainy Nowak is working as a Planning Assistant in the City of Nanaimo’s Community Development Department. As a Planning Assistant with the City of Nanaimo, there is no such thing as a typical day for Lainy Nowak. The Vancouver Island University (VIU) Master of Community Planning alumna, who started work... Read more
Starting Your Journey at VIU
April 9, 2019
When people think of becoming a doctor or lawyer, Vancouver Island University (VIU) may not be the obvious choice of study, but as a Nanaimo law firm proves, the institute is a great transition to higher post-secondary education. Out of the six lawyers at Johnston, Franklin, Bishop, five of them started their post-secondary journey at VIU. “VIU offered a broad range of course selection and due... Read more
Alum of the Month: Matt Lerner
April 3, 2019
Matt Lerner has always wanted to travel the world. Growing up in Crofton, he dreamed of jumping on a plane and seeing how other people live their lives. He got his wish after graduating from VIU with a Bachelor of Arts, Major in History, Minor in Political Studies, in January 2014. His first stop was teaching English in Georgia. Then he returned to Canada to do a master’s degree in European,... Read more
Alum of the month: Annie Hepp
February 19, 2019
It may take Vancouver Island University (VIU) Biology graduate Annie Hepp a little while to get used to living and working in one of the largest southern United States, where she has landed a position with Texas Parks & Wildlife. “Living in Texas has definitely changed the way I view long distances and road trips! “We have six regions in Texas State Parks and I cover Central Texas to the... Read more
Alum of the Month: Shane Strom
February 5, 2019
Shane Strom’s entrepreneurial journey began when he enrolled in the Bachelor of Hospitality and Management program at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Shortly after graduating in 2015, Strom created his first start-up, GoCampers, with business partner, Scott Mitchell. GoCampers has converted basic cargo vans and transformed them into stylish and functional mobile hotels for travelers to tour... Read more
VIU Honours Lawyer for Helping Shape Canada's Legal History
January 23, 2019
Marvin Storrow believes that even though something is law doesn’t always mean it is just or right. An accomplished lawyer with 55 years’ experience, Storrow has challenged the law numerous times, and due to his determination and courage he has steered the course of legal history in Canada. Storrow’s legal contribution towards getting formal recognition of Indigenous rights and title through the... Read more
Alum of the Month: Daniel Gardiner
January 21, 2019
Vancouver Island University (VIU) Bachelor of Business Administration graduate Daniel Gardiner’s hard work has added up to a successful career at an international accounting firm and, recently, a rare accolade – earning a spot on the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada’s 2018 National Honour Roll. Gardiner, who graduated from VIU in 2016 and is now a Senior Accountant with KPMG Canada in... Read more
Alum of the Month: Denise Tierney, Gem Chang-Kue and Nan Goodship
January 3, 2019
Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Visual Art program is the catalyst for a new, all-alumni, collaborative exhibit taking place at the University’s on-campus art gallery, The View Gallery. Denise Tierney (graduated in 2017), Gem Chang-Kue (graduated in 2013) and Nan Goodship (graduated in 2012), who are all now working full-time as artists, met through VIU – Gem befriending both Denise and Nan... Read more
Alum of the Month: Erin Catherall
December 13, 2018
Erin Catherall refuses to choose between science and art. After finishing a Fine Arts degree from the University of British Columbia at 25, she wasn’t sure what to do next. In the end, inspiration came to her from a project she participated in during her fourth year at UBC. Working with a medical student named Samantha whose undergraduate degree combined Visual Arts and Science, Catherall helped... Read more
VIU Alumna Leads Women In Social And Economic Innovation
December 12, 2018
Poised but relaxed with a broad, beaming smile, Sarah Gilks sits in front of an expansive ocean view in her Lantzville home. Brown curls cascade over defined shoulders, showing she clearly lives the values she coaches to the 1,400 women she leads in her lifestyle program called Healthy Role Models, which she created to transform lives and build a healthy, full-of-possibilities community. It’s... Read more