VIU Media Highlights: June 7, 2021

A bi-weekly roundup of VIU students and employees in the news. 

News Stories

Top Performing article for the last two weeks:

• Black Press: Former Vancouver Island Junior Hockey Star Focused on Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis. Article features Max Creighton, a VIU Business student. Reach: 283,000 people due to pick-up by 17 Black Press outlets.

Other stories

• Cowichan Valley Citizen: Non-profits groups monitor for sunscreen contamination in Cowichan watershed. Non-profit is working with VIU’s Chemistry Department and Environmental Research Lab on project.
• Hiddencompass.net: A River of Unknowns. Dr. Bill Floyd, VIU Geology Professor and Director of the Coastal Hydrology Research Lab, shares insights into his research.
•  Nanwakolas Council: A Family of Graduates. A profile of students in VIU’s First Nations Stewardship Technician Training program. This is a follow-up story to Guardians in Training: Connected, Cultural, Caring and Committed.
• Interior News: Muheim School in Smithers to Have Change in Leadership. VIU Master of Education alum Dwayne Anderson is the new principal of Muheim Elementary School.
• MyCoastNow.com: Milner Gardens Celebrates 20 Years of Natural Beauty. Based on VIU News Release.
• Kimberley Bulletin: Two Former Dynamiters Receive KIJHL Bursary. Noah Danforth will play with the VIU Mariners this fall.
• Nanaimo Bulletin: Nanaimo Innovation Academy Founder Recognized with BC Child Care Award. Keely Freeman partners with VIU to offer practicums to ECEC students.
• Nanaimo Bulletin: VIU Partners with Mosaic Forest Management on Indigenous Internship Program.
• Nanaimo Magazine: VIU’s Milner Gardens Marks 20 Years as a Public Garden. Reprint of VIU News Release.
• Nanaimo Bulletin: Coco Café in Cedar Celebrates 10th Anniversary. VIU Culinary Arts grad Melanie Atwell is the general manager and VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier is quoted in the article.
• Nanaimo Magazine: VIU’s Milner Gardens Marks 20 Years as a Public Garden. Reprint of VIU News Release.
• Parksville-Qualicum Beach News: Former Oceanside Generals Hockey Player Raises Funds for Cystic Fibrosis Research. Article features Max Creighton, a VIU Business student.
• Prince George Citizen: Former Spruce King Captain Epp Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. A story about VIU Kinesiology student Braiden Epp.
• Saanich News: Island Corridor Foundation Refreshes Board with Five New Members. VIU Chancellor Judith Sayers is a long-time member of the board.
• Squamish Chief: About a Squamish Graduate. Story about Jocelyn Harry, who will be attending VIU’s Bachelor of Science program starting in January.
• The Nelson Daily: Leafs, Rebels Players Earn Neil Murdoch Bursary Awards. Colby Winia is coming to play with the VIU Mariners this fall.
• The Tyee: The Big Melt. Dr. Bill Floyd, VIU Geology Professor and Director of the Coastal Hydrology Research Lab, shares research into how the cryosphere is changing.
• VIU Blog: Finding Creativity in Cooking. Annie Lehky, a VIU Culinary Arts graduate, shares her story.
• VIU Blog: Student Pulse News: June 2, 2021.
• VIU Blog: When Do I Need to Commit to a Major in University?
• VIU News Release: VIU Counselling Team’s Mental Health and Wellness Training Program Adapted into Open Education Resource. Story picked up by Education News Canada.
• VIU News Release: VIU Welcomes New General Counsel and University Secretary. Story picked up by Education News Canada.

Top-performing Broadcast Story

• Chek News Our Native Land podcast: Episode 28: Jamming with Keanu Ianco. Keanu is a VIU Jazz Studies graduate. Reach: 21,000 people.

Videos

• As noted below - our video of our grads opening their grad boxes was the top performing video the last two weeks on Instagram and has now been put on YouTube. 
• This is VIU - 5,000 views in eight months. 
• Steps to becoming a VIU Student - 500 views this past month. 

VIU Student Pulse

• VIU Student Pulse: June 2, 2021 Edition: 65.7% open rate
  • Most-clicked link: Financial Aid & Awards’ student loans and grants page.

Social Media

• Top Tweet: We shared the exciting news that VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier is participating in the Indigenous Women in Leadership virtual event on June 17, which reached 4,448 people.

• Top Facebook post: A statement by VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier on the 215 Indigenous children who were killed at the Kamloops residential school reached 5,363 people.

• Top Instagram post: Our video promoting the 2021 Graduation Celebration boxes received 2,660 views.