WELCOME

The Centre for Experiential Learning & Student Engagement supports the Student Affairs strategic plan goals of enhancing life-enriching and career building opportunities. All of our programs pursue the desire to exemplify and demonstrate VIU’s core values of understanding, connection, and commitment

The programs, services, and learning opportunities provided through the CEL are inherently linked to VIU’s Strategic Retention Model, which focuses on student progression, including retention and graduation Strategies in the model are based on the belief that three motivational factors significantly affect students’ perspectives in reaching their goals, which include self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and perceptions of curriculum The CEL connects and engages with learners via meaningful learning opportunities through in and out-of-classroom experiences that help build on those motivational factors. It is an absolute privilege that we all get to do this type of work as we journey with students.

This report will highlight some of the metrics and milestones to inform the narrative of the activity associated with Goal 3 of the VIU Student Affairs Foundational Plan called: Enter with Curiosity; Leave with Confidence 2022-2027: Amplify VIU’s Work-integrated Learning & Career Exploration

“We will build on and improve experiential learning, career exploration, and skill development opportunities to position you (the student) to successfully launch and sustain a satisfying and successful career.”

It has been another full and exciting year, with change and growth by adding new team members across all CEL Departments We have seen an increase of students in 2022 participating in WIL experiences through internships and co-ops, a return to some international work-integrated learning experiences and a steady return to in-person experiences

The Office of Co-curricular Engagement & Learning (OCCEL) brought back the Vancouver Island Leadership Conference in person The theme this past year was Leading the Future Together The conference included 11 different speakers from diverse backgrounds, including Olympic athlete Lanni Marchant, author and TEDx speaker Nelson Soh, and Paul Underhill, founder of Rumble Supershake It also included a career expo and numerous activities students could get involved in, including yoga, meditation, journaling, foraging, dragon boating and a visit to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) for a guided cultural tour and a traditional cedar workshop. There were 125 students registered for the conference.

In 2021 the CEL announced that we received a one-time contribution of funding, which concluded in August 2022 as part of Phase 2 of the Co-op and WIL Initiative from the Provincial Government This allowed us to support student and employer engagement and provide career services with the launch of the VIU Career Studio and Career Peer Facilitator Program which has created some buzz on campus You can find the Career Studio in Building 255 The Career Studio opened in August 2022 and had an official grand opening during Career Month kicking off the Career Connections week with employers and students.

With Gratitude:

I extend my sincerest gratitude to all our partners, both on campus through different programs, faculties, departments, and with industry in the community. Thank you for building connections that allow our students to work towards launching into a meaningful career If you want to get connected, involved and pursue partnership opportunities, please email cel@viu ca, and we will connect with you

Director, Centre for Experiential Learning & Student Engagement

Career Studio | Work-Integrated Learning | Co-curricular Engagement & Learning | Peer Supported Learning