Continuing Studies News
National Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day
National Indigenous History Month is a time to recognize, learn about and celebrate the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
Read MoreWelcome to our Pulse On Pro-D newsletter!
Welcome to the first edition of our Pulse On Pro-D (POP) newsletter! Our aim with POP is to keep you informed about the latest trends, strategies and opportunities in the realm of professional development.
Read MoreMeet the Student Services Team
Your first point of contact with Continuing Studies at UVic is the Student Services Team. From their friendly voices on the phone to their welcoming smiles in person, they're here to help you. So stop by and say hi!
Read MoreIn memory: Dr. Larry Devlin
We are sad to announce the passing of Dr. Larry Devlin on June 3, 2023. Dr. Devlin was the first director of the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS), starting back in 1969.
Read MoreNational Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day
National Indigenous History Month is a time to recognize, learn about and celebrate the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
Read MoreIn memory: Richard Mimick
We are sad to share about the sudden passing of our friend and colleague Richard Mimick on March 9, 2023. Richard served as the Director of Business Programs in Continuing Studies since 2003.
Read MoreRemembering Kim Carver
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Kim Carver, a beloved Program Assistant in the Business Management Programs.
Read MoreOur new website navigation menu has taken off!
We're excited to announce the launch of our redesigned website navigation menu. This new menu makes it quicker and easier to find all the information and resources you're looking for.
Read MoreDelayed opening due to winter conditions
February 28, 2023: Due to winter conditions, the opening of campus will be delayed until noon today. Snowfall has varied across the region and BC Transit is reporting that their operations are significantly affected at this time.
Read MoreLeading today’s workforce
A recent study by the Harvard Business Review shows that "quiet quitting" is not about the work ethic of individual employees, but a response to the relationship (or lack thereof) with their employers. Leaders in today's workplaces must work harder than ever to maintain an engaged team, and traditional leadership skills are no longer enough.
Read MoreHoping for the bus: language lets us see the world differently
For instructor Annie Poirier, travelling is also about connecting with new people, something that learning a language has the power to unlock. When I travel, I can talk with everybody. In French, in English [or] in Spanish. This ability, she says, makes it easier for her to make friends.
Read MoreA journey of gratitude
Human behaviour has always fascinated instructor Dr. Jason Cressey. In high school, he would visit the shopping mall food court at lunch just to watch people. It was the perfect arena, he laughs. You can sit at the edge of a food court without buying anything and watch people have conversations.
Read MoreThe bright side of the digital world
The thought of pursuing digital communication stood out to instructor Liz Pittman like a rainbow glowing in the sky after a heavy rainfall. Social media can be a great community building tool, she says.
Read MoreFinding confidence and success in the business world
The performing arts are Janis Dunning's pride and passion, but learning the foundations of business was an important catalyst for achieving her goal to support the arts. Everyone benefits from learning business skills; it will support you in your line of work, says Janis, a graduate of the Certificate in Business Administration (CBA) and a 2021 Order of Canada appointee.
Read MoreUpgrade your team's skills, upgrade your company's success
Providing employees with opportunities to update and upgrade their skills is an effective strategy to decrease turnover and increase your team's productivity. Continuing Studies can create a customized program to fit your needs, budget and timeframe.
Read MoreOrange Shirt Day 2022
Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are invited to attend campus Orange Shirt Day events on Sept. 29 in the quad. You are welcome to drop in and stay for as long as you are able.
Read MoreCampus to close Sept. 19 for national day of mourning
On Sept. 13, 2022, the Government of Canada announced it will mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II with a national day of mourning on Monday, Sept. 19.
Read MoreHealth and safety plans
At the Division of Continuing Studies, we continue to adhere to and implement all public health orders and safety measures recommended by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), which have kept our campus a low-risk setting for COVID-19 transmission.
Read MoreBeing fearless: fulfilling an appetite for learning
Don't give up if it's in your heart. It's exciting what can happen when you just try, advises Continuing Studies alumna Janis Dunning. She believes that there is no expiration date to learn something new.
Read MoreDrawing from a new perspective
Just steps away from Jeannette Sirois' house on Salt Spring Island is her art studio—her home away, but not too far from home. Art is always on my mind; I can't go a day without making art of some kind, says Jeannette, an art instructor with Continuing Studies at UVic.
Read MoreAccepting the possibility of the impossible
There is no doubt that concepts of metaphysics and quantum mechanics are complex for the average person, but Goksenin brings these ideas back to earth. She strives to show that quantum physics is relevant to our everyday lives when correctly understood.
Read MoreSpecial advisory: Police incident off-campus
Updated: June 28 at 7 p.m. Saanich police have lifted the shelter in place advisory for an area near Shelbourne Street. Saanich police are providing updates on Twitter at @SaanichPolice.
Read MoreHave you completed a micro-credential in Canada since 2020?
Researchers at the University of Regina are evaluating students' expectations and experiences of micro-credentials since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic at Canadian Universities and Colleges. Share your input and enter to win 1 of 10 $50 (CAD) Amazon gift cards!
Read MoreSummer construction at Continuing Studies
Summer and construction seem to go hand-in-hand and Continuing Studies at UVic is no exception. Here's a recap of construction projects that are planned or underway in our building this summer.
Read MoreUVic's continuing studies prove popular with seniors
Popularity of online courses has increased since start of pandemic. Some people would be intimidated by trying something new – especially in the midst of a pandemic – but that wasn't the case for senior students at the University of Victoria's continuing studies division, where a majority of students are over 55 years old.
Read MoreReconstructing Holocaust histories through visual narratives
"Imagine saying to a Holocaust survivor: 'We'd like to do a comic about your life," chuckles Charlotte Schallié, professor of Germanic Studies and chair of UVic's Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies. It seems, at the surface, like an absurd request.
Read MoreShifting perspectives on gardening
"Gardening is verk!" At least that is what horticulturalist and Continuing Studies instructor Jeff DeJong grew up hearing from his Dutch immigrant parents.
Read MoreA full circle education
From student to teacher to programming administrator, and now back to student, Susana Inés Torres Herrera's experiences in the education world have come full circle. It’s no surprise that Susy works in education as she’s been surrounded by it her whole life.
Read MoreIs "normal" on the horizon?
With infection rates decreasing weekly and vaccination rates on the rise, it seems a post-pandemic world is on the horizon. While for many this is a welcome prospect, mental health experts are reminding us that it is also to be expected that we may feel anxiety and apprehension about a return to normal.
Read MoreMeet the Student Services Team 2021
This article was published in 2021. Since then we've had many new faces join the team. Please view our updated article: Meet the Student Services Team 2023.
Read MoreOur musical minds
Few things stimulate the brain as much as music does. Whether playing an instrument or simply listening to a favourite song, music activates many different parts of the brain.
Read MoreLet events change you
Canadian designer and innovator Bruce Mau wrote a manifesto for growth in 1998 that starts with four simple words: Let events change you. These words have never been more relevant than over the past 18 months.
Read MoreUniversity to re-open Tuesday after heat closure
The University of Victoria will be closed Monday, June 28 due to extreme temperatures.
Read More5 lessons gained from a turbulent year
The theme for this issue of the calendar is "explore changing perspectives". Although that phrase would have been meaningful at any time in our history, it's taken on new meaning this year. I would even say that it's become our mantra at the Division of Continuing Studies.
Read MoreStudent support in a time of uncertainty
So even facing a shifting mass of circumstances—a patchwork of new travel restrictions, evolving rules for campus gatherings to share information, and the overall looming uncertainty of how much COVID-19 would turn the world upside-down—they adapted by focusing on their principal shared priority: supporting the needs of the students.
Read MoreGiving Tuesday
On Dec. 1, the Giving Tuesday sprinkles are coming back to campus as UVic celebrates this global day of philanthropy.
Read MoreWhen a crisis catches you by surprise
“WHAT TO DO IF A METEOR LANDS ON OUR BUILDING.” Of all the emergency preparedness plans I have encountered, this one stands out as most memorable.
Read MoreAn ethical return to work
How do corporate communicators, working on communicating the transition back to work, ensure we are being ethical in our communication to colleagues while meeting our obligations to our employers?
Read MoreAny time. Any place. Anyone.
Get the education you want, from anywhere in the world, on a schedule that suits your life. The benefits of an online education are plenty: flexibility, convenience, joining a global community, and that's just to name a few.
Read MorePhysically distanced yet still connected
For a destination university that prides itself on experiential learning, I applaud our students, faculty and staff for jumping into the world of online learning and remote working with both feet. It is truly amazing to see how quickly we've adopted new technology and found ways to connect online. "Let's Zoom" has become the mantra that defines us!
Read MoreShifting perspectives during times of crisis
We awoke to a new world in spring 2020. A new viral strain caused the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic. Suddenly aspects of our lives changed—our professional lives changed, our personal lives changed, and our educational lives changed.
Read MoreOnline Learning Quiz
Are you new to online learning? Take this short quiz and get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Read MoreChasing a virus
Never before has this much data been at the fingertips of epidemiology and geography. This article gives a quick survey of three interesting ways COVID-19 is being dealt with in an epidemiological and geographic context.
Read MoreNew online learning opportunities
All existing online programs and courses will continue to run as usual. The Division of Continuing Studies is working quickly to transition additional courses to an online platform, and will be launching some exciting new online programming this spring.
Read MoreInformation for the UVic community on the Coronavirus
UVic has created a website in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation. This website will provide the university community with the most up-to-date information about COVID-19, including tips for staying healthy, information for travellers, and other resources for students, faculty and staff.
Read MoreEducational Wanderlust
Considering that most of us spend eight hours per day, roughly 250 days per year, at work, the old adage that "variety is the very spice of life" begins to ring true. Luckily for Misty Cozac, variety is a big part of her job: "I love that I never have an average day."
Read MoreLet's Talk: Volunteering at the Learning Centre
Each day he helps anywhere between 15 and 20 volunteers connect with 60 to 95 international students who come to the Learning Centre to hone their English language skills. Discover what it's all about.
Read MoreReflecting on 50 years of ELC
The year 2020 marks the UVic English Language Centre's (ELC) 50th anniversary. ELC Director Jackie Prowse describes how the ELC has changed over the years.
Read MoreDiscovery: it's in our nature
with instructor James Clowater By Therese Eley, Marketing Services We all grew up with nature shows showing animals from Africa and other countries, but so little do people realise what’s right here," says James C
Read MoreJourneying together
with instructor Mary Byrne By Therese Eley, Marketing Services Mary Byrne was at home with her four month old son when she got a phone call from Continuing Studies at UVic asking if she would be interested in teaching a course on
Read MoreA life lived learning
with student Rena Hayes By Therese Eley, Marketing Services "A good education is the key that will open many doors to a good career and a bright future.
Read MorePhilosophically speaking, it's a way of life
with instructor Doug Hutchinson By Therese Eley, Marketing Services Since his early 20s, Doug Hutchinson has been living a life of philosophy and scholarship.
Read MoreHow to create a welcoming campus environment for intensive English language program learners
International students are choosing Canada because of academic reputation and quality of the learning combined with the opportunity to study and live in a safe, tolerant society, according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
Read MoreTravel the world without leaving home
By Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke, Dean, Continuing Studies When Joanne and Mike Rada retired, they weren't quite ready for a quiet home and settled life.
Read MoreBlossoming in a new life
with instructor Jaerang Lee By Therese Eley, Marketing Services For Jaerang Lee, Continuing Studies at UVic is like a home. "It's the first place, when I came to Canada, that welcomed me.
Read MoreHello, how can we help you?
(L-R) Sheila, Nykita, Angel, Katie, Alesha and Christa Your first point of contact at Continuing Studies is our Student Services team.
Read MoreWeaving a life of passion
To the average PR professional, the word "spin" does not have a positive connotation. But Michelle Mitchell, a graduate of the Public Relations diploma program at Continuing Studies, is not your average PR professional. She loves to spin!
Read MoreBringing value to business education
Richard Mimick has been in the "Business" business a long time. With a distinguished career spanning several decades, across multiple industries, he brings a wealth of connections, experience and knowledge to the Business and Management programs at Continuing Studies.
Read MoreThe long journey from head to heart
Olav Krigolson is a neuroscientist and UVic professor, and one of our most popular instructors at Continuing Studies. In the four years he's been teaching with us, he's taught 22 courses with over 880 registrations.
Read MoreSurfing through a happy life
Lauren joined the Division of Continuing Studies a year ago as our French and World Languages Program Coordinator, and when asked what she's enjoyed most about her job, she said "It's difficult to pick just one thing… I work with such smart, innovative people and good souls in the division, and right from the start I really felt like the leadership team, staff and instructors were on my side.
Read MoreIt's time to get serious about leisure
Meet John Meldrum. New to Continuing Studies, John will be teaching his first course with us, More Than Money: Making the Most of Retirement, this fall.
Read MoreA dimensional perspective on health and wellness
Community course offerings are a core function of the Division of Continuing Studies. Through creating sessions based on leading research and knowledge, we respond to our students’ enthusiasm for life-long learning. A key topic area of our community offerings is the diverse field of health and wellness.
Read MoreTeaching without borders
We live in a world where, thanks to the Internet, geographic location is no longer a restriction to accessing quality higher education. The trend towards online learning has been growing steadily in recent years and is opening up opportunities for professional development and lifelong learning to many people who might otherwise not have access to it.
Read MoreMaking connections
In September, Continuing Studies at UVic welcomed our new Dean, Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke, to the team. Since then, she has been busy settling into her new role and we have been enjoying getting to know her better.
Read MoreListen up: success through stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder engagement is defined as the process of involving "any group or individual who can affect or is affected by the achievement of the organization's objectives" (E. Freeman). It is a key component in the practice of Public Relations (PR), so much so that we offer a new PR elective course, Community and Stakeholder Relations, dedicated to it.
Read MoreA legacy of optimism
Known for his quick wit, and his love of language and music, Didier Bergeret was one of the kindest, most compassionate souls you would ever have the pleasure to meet. You couldn’t help but be drawn to his selfless nature and big boisterous personality, one that always seemed to fall on the side of optimism.
Read MorePlaying with passion
"My wife thought I was nuts!" laughs instructor Jan Randall, as he recalls all the research and work he put into preparing for the first course he taught with Continuing Studies three years ago. "But it was stuff I was really interested in and I didn’t even really care if people actually signed up for it or not."
Read MoreBC Museums Association elects new president Tania Muir
Congratulations to Continuing Studies staff member Tania Muir on her recent appointment of president within the BC Museums Association (BCMA). At the association’s AGM on Thursday, Oct. 19—after one year as a councilor and two years as vice president—Tania was nominated by the membership and voted in as president.
Read MoreFinding space
One of the brightest smiles and bubbliest personalities in our office belongs to Laura Vizina, our Director of Health Sciences and Public Relations Programs.
Read MoreThe heart within the bones
Learn more about our instructor Stephanie Calce and her fascinating field of expertise: forensic anthropology.
Read MoreLeaning into the discomfort
Instructor Colleen Kawaliak talks about going against the grain and how the adult education model brought her to the career she enjoys today.
Read MoreBroadening horizons
What is it that prompts someone to take a Continuing Studies course? Well it’s different for everyone of course, but for retired physician Dr. Heidi Martins it was to expand her perspective on the world.
Read MoreIntegrative business management
Program Director Richard Mimick talks about how our Certificate in Business Administration - Fast Track program uses integrative general management (IGM) to stay up to date in our fast-paced global marketplace.
Read MoreCulture in context
Program Coordinator Tusa Shea talks about the importance and diversity of culture and how our Cultural Resource Management Program supports communities and cultural development.
Read MoreDr. Jo-Anne Clarke appointed Dean of Continuing Studies
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke has accepted the appointment of Dean, Division of Continuing Studies effective Sept.18, 2017.
Read MoreGetting un-stuck
"I had taken a few community courses through Continuing Studies at UVic, just for pleasure, but the Computer Based Information Systems (CBIS) program was the first professional program that I took through Continuing Studies, outside of my degree at UVic," says graduate Carrie LePage, "It was helpful because I could work at the same time."
Read MoreCBC follows four Inuit women linked to CALR program
"My language, my heart" is a CBC news story about four Inuit women who are fighting to keep their language alive. Inuinnaqtun (pronounced ee-NOO-ee-NAHK-toon) is traditionally spoken in three Inuit communities in the Western Arctic: Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk and Ulukhaktok.
Read MoreTake your vacation!
I’m always astounded when I talk to people who have accumulated vast amounts of unused vacation time. While I realize it’s often difficult to make time to be away from your work, studies have proven that those of us who use our vacation time to travel are happier and healthier for it. And your break away doesn’t need to be a 3-week excursion to some distant land – although it couldn’t hurt!
Read MoreCampus parking changes coming this summer
Starting in June 2017, UVic will be implementing changes to the way parking services are delivered on campus.
Read MoreExciting new Pathway to a BBA option announced!
We have just announced an exciting new "Pathway to a BBA" option for students interested pursuing a career in Business Administration.
Read MoreCelebration of Lifelong Learning
We recently held a special event in recognition of some of our most passionate students and long-time instructors in the Division of Continuing Studies.
Read MoreCongratulations Ahmad!
Excerpts and photo from: The Ring PESA celebrates the contributions of UVic employees May 5, 2017 The celebration of this year's President's Extraordinary Service Award nominees and recipients, hosted by President Jamie Cas
Read MoreWhy we do what we do
Throughout our lives, many of us could say we’ve participated in formal and informal learning settings. Community enrichment, mindful practices and professional development opportunities touch us at different times in our lives. At the Division of Continuing Studies, we focus on the learner experience by creating diverse opportunities.
Read MoreThe bright side of the road
For Elizabeth—or Liz, as she’s known around the office—one of the best parts of her job is meeting those members of the community who consider themselves to be lifelong learners. As a program coordinator within the Division of Continuing Studies’ Arts and Science unit, Liz coordinates the humanities courses, as well as the ever-popular Deans’ Lunchtime Lecture Series.
Read MoreAwaiting the unveiling
Many of us have had the experience of eagerly awaiting the unveiling of something special. For some, those memories might be rooted in a holiday gift, or a special meal we are preparing for someone, and for others it could be a performance of some sort that we are attending or participating in.
Read MoreEffecting change by murdering assumptions
What do you get when you mix a journalist with a track athlete, a forest-firefighter from the Yukon, a government civil servant, a philanthropist, a writer and a teacher together? Just a few lines of this man’s CV.
Read MoreA taste for travel
A question that Rosa Stewart admits she is quite used to hearing from her undergrad students in the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies at UVic. “But my Continuing Studies students are different,” she explains.
Read MoreTeaching from the heart
"The word 'education' has nothing to do with filling people up with knowledge. The root comes from the Latin 'educere' meaning to 'bring out'. That’s what true education is. If you can bring out belief, motivation, dignity, hope, purpose, you are bringing out core values on which they can build their life."
Read MoreFollowing your joy
When you love what you’re doing, balancing a career, family and school is easy. At least according to Kristin Wiens, who started her first class with Continuing Studies as a single mother of two pursuing a Diploma in Intercultural Education, while concurrently completing a degree in Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics at UVic.
Read MoreYour learning, your way
We often hear about the importance of lifelong learning - how we need to keep our skills current in this world of ever changing technology, demographics, social norms or political landscapes. Employers are seeking current, job-ready skills.
Read MoreExperiential learning
Experiential learning, in the most basic terms, means learning by doing and applying knowledge in a real-world context. Many professional programs at Continuing Studies offer a practicum or final project option toward the end of a student’s program ...
Read MoreLiving in the language
Ye “Dawn” Yuan has been teaching courses at Continuing Studies since January 2011. She has a real passion for teaching and sharing her language and culture.
Read MoreA life in the day of our registration staff
When you call Continuing Studies or send an email about registering in a course, you’ll connect with one of our Registration staff.
Read MoreOff the wall
Mary Jo Hughes is the director of UVic’s Legacy Art Galleries, which consists of some 19,000 art objects. She has yet to personally handle all of them.
Read MoreFull throttle through the arts
John Lucas describes himself as “an actor who happens to sing and dance.” Having had one foot in theatre and the other in academia all his life has made him feel like “the illegitimate offspring of Northrop Frye and Daffy Duck,”
Read MoreAt the edge of the comfort zone
with instructor Jason Cressey Jason Cressey, PhD (psychology), teaches leadership courses at the Justice Institute of BC when he is not teaching courses on topics like Emotional Intelligence for Continuing Studies.
Read MoreA long road to the next step
When Jaime Smith was five years old a favourite aunt asked him to consider whether he thought the earth went round the sun or the sun went round the earth each day.
Read MoreA short walk
Dr. Emily Gonzales is an Ecological Restoration Specialist at Parks Canada where she coordinates conservation programs, develops policy and provides scientific advice for ecological restoration projects in national parks. She has also worked for Environment Canada as a Biodiversity Analyst and was the Director of Science AL!VE, a non-profit organization for science education.
Read MoreA big green idea
Amanda Evans is originally from Toronto but came out to Victoria in 2003 to attend the University of Victoria. In 2012, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Geography, and a Diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems.
Read MoreSandra Richardson: Order of British Columbia
It’s always fun to see the names of our students and alumni pop up in the news from time to time, and it was particularly exciting this past week when we saw that one of our alumni, Sandra Richardson, is being awarded the Order of British C
Read MoreWishing you were here? Take a virtual tour
Ever wondered what life is like for our students on campus? Well now you can visit UVic from anywhere in the world, virtually. Experience our extraordinary academic environment from your desktop or mobile device.
Read MoreCheck out our new video
Watch our new video, featuring interviews with Dean Maureen MacDonald as well as some of our students, graduates and instructors. See what Continuing Studies at UVic is all about!
Read More