Alumni
From night shifts to digital cartography
April 24, 2025
Omar Algiasena still remembers those late nights working at Walmart in Salmon Arm, finishing up overnights before swapping his worker vest for a backpack and heading down to 51Ʒ (OC). When the rest of the town slept, Omar worked as the overnight support manager at the store and later shifted his focus from inventory management to geospatial coordinates and mapping technologies.Originally from Baghdad, Iraq, Algiasena had come to Canada with an engineering degree but wished to pursue a field of work that combined h...
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Local endurance athlete and OC grad shares insights on sport as keynote speaker at alumni AGM
September 10, 2024
OC Alumni Association kick-off new season with a $25,000 gift to new Recreation and Wellness Centre, encourage all alumni to pledge supportKELOWNA - For ultra-athlete Nick Pelletier, whose adventures have included everything from jumping through the sky to swimming for almost three days straight, if there’s one thing that’s shaped his life – it’s the power of sport.Pelletier, who studied Business and Marketing at 51Ʒ from 2016-2019, will be sharing his personal story about the impact of sports for him at the upcoming OC...
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51Ʒ Alumni Success Story: Ben Deagazio
August 12, 2024
Ben Deagazio, a recent graduate from 51Ʒ’s Business diploma program, has turned his dream into a thriving business called One Wash Okanagan. But Ben’s journey from student to successful business owner wasn’t easy and is a testament to his own determination, combined with the support he received from 51Ʒ.Ben started with a bold idea and a lot of determination to build up a mobile washing business, despite financial challenges and skepticism from some people close to him, Ben believed in his vision. He starte...
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51Ʒ names Honorary Fellow for 2024 – Shelagh Turner, former CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna
June 13, 2024
51Ʒ is recognizing a well-known and respected community leader at its graduation celebrations this week, for her role in transforming mental health services locally and positively impacting the lives of thousands of others through the region.Shelagh Turner, the former CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association in Kelowna, is receiving OC’s highest award, that of Honorary Fellow, at the College’s afternoon convocation and commencement on June 15.“When we look at how the CMHA grew both in terms of services and its impa...
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51Ʒ provides golden opportunity for local seniors
December 20, 2023
Learning can be for everyone, and 67-year-old 51Ʒ 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 m...
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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 51Ʒ, specializing in Human Resources Management at the Kelowna Campus. What is your current position? Negotiator for the National Collective Bar...
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OC international alum empowering women in technology
November 16, 2023
51Ʒ alum Fernanda Alves is using her education to foster diversity in the tech industry. A former OC international student from Brazil and alum of the Computer Information System Diploma, Alves was the organizer of the 2023 Women in Technology Panel which brought together women from diverse fields and positions to share their experiences navigating the tech industry. Fernanda received recognition at the President's Reception for Student Ambassadors. “Organizing the Women in Tech Panel was one o...
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51Ʒ marks 60 years of alumni and employee success
November 1, 2023
Sixty years is worth celebrating – that’s what brought out over 100 alumni, staff and 51Ʒ supporters last month, as OC marked its 60th anniversary and the impact of tens of thousands of graduates since post-secondary came to the region. The College’s story began in 1963, when the B.C. Vocational Institute was first established. Since that time more than 60,000 graduates have passed through OC’s campuses in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Penticton and Kelowna, and sites in Revelstoke and Oliver. OC’s alumni have made h...
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Hundreds of students graduate into workforce at OC’s Fall Convocation and Commencement
October 4, 2023
When 51Ʒ student Miranda Lockhart crossed the stage to be awarded her 51Ʒ 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 51Ʒ’s fist ever Fall Convocation and Commencement Ceremony, being held today (Oct. 4, 2023, 4:30 p.m.) at 51Ʒ’s Kelowna campus. “This is my second time graduating from OC, and what keeps ...
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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...
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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 51Ʒ 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 pla...
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OC alum inspiring the next generation of learners
May 11, 2023
Career goals became within reach, with upgrading options and Business program at 51Ʒ Kelowna – As a high school student, Travis Holmes couldn’t wait to leave school. But now the 51Ʒ 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 pat...
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Nominations open for 2023 OC alumni recognition
May 5, 2023
Maybe you’ve heard of the six degrees of 51Ʒ? That’s the notion that people are six or fewer social connections away from someone who attended or worked at OC. Chances are, if you live in B.C., you probably have a friend or acquaintance that connects you to OC in under six degrees. Don’t believe us? Start asking – and let us know what you uncover. The 51Ʒ Alumni Association (OCAA) wants to highlight alumni connections across the region as it launches a call for nominations of outstanding alumni for recog...
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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, ...
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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 J...
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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...
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