Continuing Studies News

The First Peoples House at the University of Victoria. Pictured: Xwa Lack Tun

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.

Welcome 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.

Group photo of the student services team

Meet 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!

In 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.

An image of a group of individuals showcasing Indigenous culture.

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.

In 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.

Remembering Kim Carver

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Kim Carver, a beloved Program Assistant in the Business Management Programs.

Illustration of rocket launching above the clouds

Our 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.

Delayed 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.

Illustration of a person leading a crowd

Leading 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.

Illustration of a bus along with the title of the article.

Hoping 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.

Illustration of a hiker on top of a mountain in front of the sun.

A 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.

The 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.

Illustration of woman juggling geometric shapes.

Finding 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.

Upgrade 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.

Orange 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.

Campus 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.

Health 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.

Being 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.

Drawing 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.

Accepting 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.

Special 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.

Have 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!

Summer 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.

UVic'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.

Reconstructing 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.

Shifting 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.

A 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.

Is "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.

Meet 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.

Illustration of person listing to music through headphones.

Our 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.

Let 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.

University to re-open Tuesday after heat closure

The University of Victoria will be closed Monday, June 28 due to extreme temperatures.

5 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.

Student 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.

Giving Tuesday

On Dec. 1, the Giving Tuesday sprinkles are coming back to campus as UVic celebrates this global day of philanthropy.

When 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.

An 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?

Any 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.

Physically 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!

Shifting 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.

Online Learning Quiz

Are you new to online learning? Take this short quiz and get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

Chasing 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.

New 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.

Information 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.

Educational 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."

Let'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.

Reflecting 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.

Discovery: 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

Journeying 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

A 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.

Philosophically 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.

How 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.

Travel 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.

Blossoming 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.

Hello, 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.

Weaving 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!

Bringing 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.

The 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.

Surfing 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.

It'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.

A 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.

Teaching 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.

Making 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.

Listen 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.

A 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.

Playing 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."

BC 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.

Finding 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.

The heart within the bones

Learn more about our instructor Stephanie Calce and her fascinating field of expertise: forensic anthropology.

Leaning 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.

Broadening 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.

Integrative 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.

Culture 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.

Dr. 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.

Getting 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."

CBC 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.

Take 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!

Campus parking changes coming this summer

Starting in June 2017, UVic will be implementing changes to the way parking services are delivered on campus.

Exciting 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.

Celebration 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.

Congratulations 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

Why 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.

The 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.

Awaiting 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.

Effecting 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.

A 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.

Teaching 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."

Following 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.

Your 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.

Experiential 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 ...

Living 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.

A 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.

Off 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.

Full 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,”

At 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.

A 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.

A 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.