Articles tagged "OC Alumni Association"
![Mike Grewe at the controls in the OC Audio Engineering studio](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2024-07/mike_grewe_at_the_controls_in_the_oc_audio_engineering_studio_2.jpg?h=71976bb4&itok=9kIVhrZb)
ʪƵ introduces InspirED with new, career-focused programs
July 3, 2024
When Mike Grewe looked to further his education, he was unsure whether the pursuit of traditional post-secondary education was truly for him. With a deep passion for music, Mike was looking for a program that would support his musical interests and position him for career opportunities in the industry. What he found was the Audio Engineering and Music Production Certificate at ʪƵ (OC). The Audio Engineering and Music Production program is one of dozens of OC courses and programs under the new InspirED banner, announced by...
Read more...![Photo of Denise Dickson sitting in a chair.](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-12/img_8215.jpg?h=67be5a9c&itok=NVN8nEhX)
ʪƵ provides golden opportunity for local seniors
December 20, 2023
Learning can be for everyone, and 67-year-old ʪƵ graduate Denise Dickson is living proof. At 67 years young, Denise's decision to pursue post-secondary education was motivated by a desire to stay mentally and socially active. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Denise felt the pinch of social isolation. Additionally, she wanted to upgrade her skills while enjoying the challenge of learning something new. "Learning keeps one younger. It keeps your mind active and engaged,” she said. “I’ve found formal learning has made my mind more...
Read more...![OC alum Jessica Skerlec](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-12/jessica_skerlec.jpg?h=f44f1f05&itok=jS1Oz60I)
Meet Jessica Skerlec
December 8, 2023
What is your name? Jessica Skerlec What are your pronouns? She/her Where is your hometown and where are you located now? Raised in Kelowna and still currently living in Kelowna. What did you take at OC? What campus did you attend? I took my Bachelor’s of Business Administration at ʪƵ, specializing in Human Resources Management at the Kelowna Campus. What is your current position? Negotiator for the National Collective Bargaining ...
Read more...![Students gather for a convocation photograph at OC Kelowna.](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-10/52989341048_5386752d67_c.jpg?h=38cdfe16&itok=7zOZmFXh)
Hundreds of students graduate into workforce at OC’s Fall Convocation and Commencement
October 4, 2023
When ʪƵ student Miranda Lockhart crossed the stage to be awarded her ʪƵ certificate as a health care assistant today, it will be with amazing memories and a solid career path in front of her. Miranda, along with more than 100 peers are graduating from a variety of programs and courses in ʪƵ’s fist ever Fall Convocation and Commencement Ceremony, being held today (Oct. 4, 2023, 4:30 p.m.) at ʪƵ’s Kelowna campus. “This is my second time graduating from OC, and what keeps me comin...
Read more...![Himrose Bajaj](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-08/dj_hammy_.jpg?h=d307f7ad&itok=HefgBxiK)
OC alum turns passion for music into a career in DJing
August 16, 2023
Set to release six original songs next month on Apple Music and Spotify, Himrose Bajaj’s career as DJ Hamy Shah is hitting new high notes. As a child, Himrose Baja felt an instant connection to the Punjabi music his mom played in their home. Now thanks to a unique music production course at OC he’s creating his own songs blending Punjabi language and hip-hop beats. Himrose, who came to OC as an international student and is now a Canadian permanent resident living in Kelowna, is set to release six original songs this su...
Read more...![Kayla Caruana](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-06/KaylaCaruana_OC.jpg?h=a73c56ce&itok=n5ZBKwii)
OC alum empowers seniors with financial planning expertise
June 29, 2023
OC alum Kayla Caruana was the youngest Certified Financial Planner (CFP) in Canada when she received her designation in January 2019, just 18 months after completing her program at the Okanagan School of Business. She credits her professors at ʪƵ for the training and encouragement that led her to explore the CFP designation. And Caruana was just getting started. Following the completion of her Bachelor of Business Administration from OC, during her last semester of studies she went on to found her own financial planning bu...
Read more...![OC Alum Travis Holmes](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-05/web.travis_holmes.jpg?h=27c7caa9&itok=i0DNtE1W)
OC alum inspiring the next generation of learners
May 11, 2023
Career goals became within reach, with upgrading options and Business program at ʪƵ Kelowna – As a high school student, Travis Holmes couldn’t wait to leave school. But now the ʪƵ alum has brought his education full circle and is back in the classroom, encouraging secondary high school students as a careers and entrepreneurship teacher at Rutland Secondary School. Holmes, who completed his Bachelor of Business Administration from OC in 2020, says his journey to finding the right career path has ta...
Read more...![OC alum Milanne Desfosses at her workplace](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-04/milanne_desfosses.jpg?h=9855f42d&itok=I_MIq1y1)
Meet Milanne Desfosses
April 20, 2023
Q: What is your name? A: Milanne Desfosses Q: What are your pronouns? A: She/her/hers Q: Where is your hometown and where are you located now? A: I’m from Fort St. John, B.C., and now I live in Calgary. Q: What did you take at OC? When did you graduate? A: I completed a Bachelor of Business Administration program, with a specialty in finance in 2019. Q: What got you interested in Business? A: I wasn’t always sure I’d go to college. Throughout my school years, I studie...
Read more...![Erum Ahmad and family](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-04/erum_ahmad_and_family_web_1.jpg?h=252f27fa&itok=HbAMoNra)
OC alum finds golden opportunity for unique jewelry business
April 17, 2023
OC alum Erum Ahmad polished up a business idea that lets her creativity shine. Now she is building that interest into a business that allows her to tap into her culture and draw from her Pakistani roots. Erum, who completed her Bachelor of Business Administration from OC in 2021, has been busy since graduating. Along with starting ERUM, her jewelry business, she works as an accountant and is studying for her CPA certification. In addition, she is head of finance with Bollywood Bang, a local fundraiser event benefiting the Vernon Jubilee H...
Read more...![Sasha Lewis-Parker](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-03/sasha_lp.jpg?h=f03650bb&itok=nznzZtNb)
Meet Sasha Lewis-Parker
March 29, 2023
Q: What is your name? A: Sasha Lewis-Parker Q: What are your pronouns? A: She/Her Q: Where is your hometown and where are you located now? A: Dunster, B.C. is where I grew up, living off the land with my sisters and parents and our pack of wolf dogs and horses. I currently live in Salmon Arm, B.C., a much more tame life with a rescue kitty and a corgi by my side. Q: What did you take at OC? When did you graduate? A: Human Service Work Diploma, I graduated in 2014. Q: What g...
Read more...![Elizabeth Cook](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2023-03/elizabeth_cook.jpg?h=f68f408c&itok=ejx0ABTB)
Meet Elizabeth Cook
March 17, 2023
Q: What is your name? A: Elizabeth (Lizzy) Cook Q: What are your pronouns? A: She/Her/Hers Q: Where is your hometown and where are you located now? A: Hometown is Conifer, Colorado. Currently located in Denver, Colorado. Q: What did you take at OC? When did you graduate? A: Bachelor of Business Administration and graduated in 2016. Q: What got you interested in your program A: I wasn’t sure what I “wanted to do with my life,” and the business program seemed like it would&n...
Read more...![Electronics engineering alum Emily Schatz sits at a computer desk by a window overlooking the mountain](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2022-12/schatz-emily_2994.jpg?h=790be497&itok=3obHN-oD)
Meet Emily Schatz, OC Electronics Engineering alum
December 13, 2022
Q: What years did you attend OC? A: 2015-2017 Q: How did you end up at ʪƵ? A: I chose ʪƵ specifically for the technologist program. Q: How did you choose your program? A: I wanted to become an engineer. I had heard that a common problem engineers face is not understanding how to design products for the people who are building them. I wanted to gain hands-on experience so I could be a well-rounded design engineer. The ELEN at Okanagan Col...
Read more...![ELEN graduate works remotely from home, sitting at his computer desk with multiple screens.](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2022-11/forrest-jed_2790_web.jpg?h=06ac0d8c&itok=Ba0jqfAf)
Meet Jedidiah Forrest, OC Electronics Engineering alum
November 29, 2022
Q: What years did you attend OC? A: 2014-2016 Q: How did you end up at ʪƵ? A: Engineering technology programs caught my eye. Needed a career path change. Q: How did you choose your program? A: I applied to all three engineering programs and Electronic Engineering Technology responded first. Q: What did you like most about the program? A: The immersion was incredible. Every day is a science whirlwind, and labs were fantastically engaging. The staff is made of ca...
Read more...![Grid of photos images from various OC campuses, clockwise from top left: Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Salmon Arm](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2020-09/Campus-grid.jpg?h=754df2af&itok=sajzUtEv)
Alumni engagement poll
November 21, 2022
The ʪƵ Alumni Association invites alumni to participate in a quick poll. It will help assess the current state of alumni engagement at ʪƵ and establish a baseline for future tracking. OCAA is hoping to engage current OC employees who are also alumni, who may not receive messages. The survey should take approximately 2-4 minutes. To ensure confidentiality, your responses to this survey will be anonymized and combined with those of other respondents. Complete the survey by Tuesday, Dec. 6. To participate, please...
Read more...![Danielle Walker](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2022-10/danielle_walker_oct_2022_web.jpeg?h=cdf08b7e&itok=Dl4q_8h3)
OC alum honoured for contributions to inclusion, democracy and reconciliation
October 17, 2022
Sorting through her mail on a recent trip to the mailbox, ʪƵ (OC) alum Danielle Walker received a surprise - the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. “The award was completely out of the blue,” says Walker. “I knew I had been nominated, but the timing was such a surprise. I just took it in for a minute at the mailbox and cried.” The award recognizes post-secondary students who make outstanding contributions in support of inclusion, democracy and reconciliation and is the culmination of Wal...
Read more...![Chef Rob Walker in the OC Kitchen](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2022-10/chef_rob_walker.jpg?h=c74750f6&itok=35zF5Cmi)
Meet Chef Rob Walker
October 12, 2022
Q: What is your name? A: Chef Robert Walker Q: What did you take at OC/OUC? What years did you attend? What campus did you attend? A: I graduate from the Culinary Arts Certificate program at Okanagan University College in 2001. Q: Why did you choose your program at OC? A: I grew up in the Kootenays not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. But I always loved food. In the back of my head was this question, “How do I become a chef?” I had my eye on the Okanagan Valle...
Read more...