VIU Presidential search, campaign progress and Nanaimo in 2086
This week we’re celebrating reaching the halfway mark in our campaign to remove financial barriers for students in need, offering a unique opportunity for future politicians and looking into views on restorative justice.
VIU News
Ripples of Change fundraising campaign reaches halfway mark
We're halfway there!
Thanks to the incredible support of our community, our Ripples of Change campaign has raised more than $1 million so far to remove financial barriers for students. For Harold Chandra, that support means a second chance and a future focused on helping others.
“People do not need perfection to change their lives,” he says. “They need opportunity, support and someone to believe in them.”
The goal is to raise $2 million for scholarships, awards, bursaries and the Access Fund by Spring 2027, so we're not slowing down!
Learn more about Ripples of Change
Researching restorative justice
Criminology student Maddy Reetham-Clayton is exploring public perceptions of restorative justice through a research project developed with the Community Circles Restorative Justice Society. Driven by academic and personal interest, her work aims to better understand community perspectives on this approach.
Read about what she's discovered
VIU is searching for it's next president
What qualities and characteristics do you believe VIU needs in its next president? The Presidential Search Advisory Committee is looking for community feedback on criteria the university should be using to look for its next president. Anyone can contribute by completing a short survey or sharing your thoughts to presidentialsearch@viu.ca.
Futures Fair explores Nanaimo in 2086
How will Nanaimo evolve in the coming decades and what could the city look like 60 years from now? That was the question a group of Political Studies students at VIU sought to answer recently during the Futures Fair. The event was the end result of a semester-long project that blended city planning, politics and simulation-based learning. Students started with the same city and made different planning decisions to see how it would evolve.
Happening at VIU
Convocation 2026
Next month we’re celebrating more than a thousand graduating students at four convocation ceremonies on June 8 and 9 as well as Semelshun Indigenous Graduation Recognition Ceremony on June 11. Email Jenn.McGarrigle@viu.ca to get a media pass to the events.
Institute for Future Legislators
Are you thinking of running for elected office in a local, Indigenous, provincial or federal government? Or maybe you are simply curious about how our political systems work? The Institute for Future Legislators is a three-weekend program for people with political aspirations or those who wish to deepen their understanding of the political system. Learn from veteran political leaders, journalists and professional communicators. Engage in simulation exercises. Program alumni have run for and hold municipal and provincial office, serve as political staffers, work on electoral campaigns, and apply the skills and perspectives gained to advance their teaching, advocacy and public service efforts.
The program is held at three separate locations: Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus (August 15 to 16), the University of British Columbia (August 22 to 23) and Simon Fraser University (August 29 to 30). Chat with Dr. Michael MacKenzie, VIU’s Jarislowski Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, about the program.
VIU in the News
The presidential search process begins, better financial days, the impact of financial awards and VIU’s Indigenous speaker on national airwaves.
Read about how VIU experts are showing up in the news this month:
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