Learning & 51Ʒ
New entrepreneurship specialty kicks off this fall at OC
April 22, 2025
With the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in the Okanagan Valley and Shuswap, 51Ʒ is excited to announce an addition to its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program, with a new entrepreneurship specialty being offered beginning this fall.Applications are open for the new Bachelor of Business Administration: Entrepreneurship Specialty degree at 51Ʒ featuring several new courses that will be offered as part of the College’s popular BBA degree program.Students in the program will stud...
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GeoVerra’s gift helps students navigate futures in engineering
April 14, 2025
Future civil engineers at 51Ʒ (OC) are getting a high-tech boost, thanks to a generous donation from GeoVerra.GeoVerra has donated six global navigation satellite survey (GNSS) systems, valued at $77,900, to OC’s Civil Engineering Technology program. This cutting-edge equipment ensures students, like first-year learner Lane Wiebe, gain practical, hands-on experience with tools they'll use in today’s technologically advanced construction industry.“Knowing that companies like GeoVerra are invested in our success is p...
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OC students to face tough panel at mock media conference
April 10, 2025
51Ʒ students enrolled in Crisis Communications will have their public speaking skills put to the test at a mock media conference in front of over 100 of their professors, peers, friends, family and members of the Okanagan media.(Media are invited to attend the sessions to be held at OC’s Kelowna campus Thursday from 6:30 to 9:20 p.m. in the OC Theatre)Six student teams will be acting as representatives of companies that are facing a simulated crises occurring in the public eye. Their task will be to address an aggressiv...
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The Power of Microcredentials in Workforce Readiness
February 11, 2025
Reproduced with permission from The Evolllution.Microcredentials are transforming education and workforce readiness by offering flexible, stackable learning opportunities that align with industry needs. These programs enable learners to build relevant skills at their own pace while empowering institutions to support lifelong learning and adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing job market. In this interview, Danelle Greebe, OC's Director of Continuing Studies & Corporate Training and Mary Kline, Associate Director, discuss the...
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Audio Engineering students at 51Ʒ strike the right chord
February 6, 2025
At 51Ʒ (OC), students are empowered to turn their passion and learnings into real-world experiences. For OC Audio Engineering and Music Production (AEMP) student, Andrew Malyk, that meant embracing the challenge of organizing a live concert with his classmates — the exciting capstone project of the AEMP program at OC.“It’s like solving a fun puzzle,” said Malyk. “Preparing and troubleshooting the audio gear for a live show has been so rewarding. Watching everything come together is an incredible feeling.”This evening, M...
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Preparing students for the evolving workforce: 51Ʒ hosts region-wide open houses
January 22, 2025
51Ʒ is setting the stage for students to excel in an evolving workforce. The College invites the community to its 2025 Open House events, showcasing how education at OC empowers learners to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a world reshaped by technology, societal changes, and the future of work.This January and February, OC will host a series of open houses across all campuses, starting with the Vernon campus on January 28.Events schedule:Vernon Campus: Tues., Jan. 28 from 5 - 7p.m.Kelowna Campus: Thurs., J...
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Students work experience supports local social enterprises and non-profit organizations
January 9, 2025
Not all learning happens in the classroom at 51Ʒ. As business student Greta Friesen and her colleagues in the OC School of Business found out, getting real-world experience through partnerships with local non-profit and social purpose organizations will have lasting impacts on their career journeys.Friesen was among a group of students who worked with Kelowna-based Chickpeace Refillery, a zero-waste company that provides package-free products such as food and soaps to customers.The students joined forces with ...
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Triple threat 51Ʒ alum inspires the next generation of women in trades at Jill of All Trades™
November 22, 2024
When 51Ʒ (OC) alum Cassidy McEown took on the challenge of restoring a 1969 Roadrunner on the show Rust Valley Bros, she wasn’t just buffing out dents—she was proving her mettle. Tasked with handling the car’s bodywork, paint, and polishing entirely on her own, Cassidy rose to the occasion, delivering a flawless finish on a tight deadline. Her reward? A well-deserved, newfound respect, and the confidence to achieve her Red Seal certification. Much like the Roadrunner itself, Cassidy has been unstoppable ever since, crui...
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Unwrap a winter of fun with Camp OC-inspired After School 51Ʒ at 51Ʒ
October 31, 2024
Local parent Angie Kunz enrolled her daughter in Camp OC for the first time this past summer and was impressed by the diverse course offerings and incredible staff.Now, Angie and families in Kelowna and Penticton have the opportunity to introduce their kids to education-focused programs with the expansion of Camp OC from summer camps to include After School 51Ʒ beginning in January 2025."I chose Camp OC for my daughter because there were several programs that fit her interests,” shares Angie. “She had such a great experience at...
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OC professor Corinna Chong nominated for prestigious Giller Prize
September 6, 2024
The title of her latest book may be Bad Land, but there’s nothing bad about 51Ʒ professor Corinna Chong’s latest achievement. Her novel has been longlisted for the Giller Prize, the prestigious Canadian literary award that celebrates the best in Canadian fiction across long formats and short stories. Chong, who teaches English, Creative Writing, and Fine Arts in the College’s Writing and Publishing Diploma Program, is no stranger to national literary acclaim. In 2021, she won the CBC Short Story Prize for her piec...
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Celebrating Gordon Shuster’s Legacy and Welcoming New Leadership in International Education
August 13, 2024
After 35 years of dedicated service, Gordon Shuster is retiring from 51Ʒ. Gordon’s career has been marked by significant milestones, including witnessing the institution's transformation from 51Ʒ to Okanagan University College and back again, all while seeing the college grow and evolve. Over the past 25 years, Gordon has been a cornerstone of the International Education department, playing a crucial role in its expansion from 300 to over 2,000 international students. His impact extends beyond the campus, i...
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51Ʒ School of Business Earns Prestigious 10-Year Re-accreditation
August 13, 2024
51Ʒ’s School of Business (OCSB) has achieved a major milestone, earning a 10-year re-accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and 51Ʒ (ACBSP). The prestigious recognition was awarded to OC on June 29, 2024, in Miami, Florida and represents the school’s dedication to excellence in business education and its commitment to continuous improvement.Since first receiving accreditation in 2014, the OCSB has worked tirelessly to enhance its curriculum and programs, ensuring students recei...
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51Ʒ Welcomes New Dean of Health and Social Development
July 31, 2024
51Ʒ is pleased to announce that Patrena Mackie has joined OC as the new Dean of Health and Social Development. With over 17 years of experience in teaching and health care, Patrena brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to our community. She holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Nursing.Mackie comes to 51Ʒ from Bow Valley College where she was the Associate Dean of the School of Health and Wellness, Nursing portfolio. During her career she has maintained a focus on integrating technology into c...
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51Ʒ 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 51Ʒ (OC). The Audio Engineering and Music Production program is one of dozens of OC courses and programs under the new InspirED banner, anno...
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Construction underway for new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism
June 24, 2024
Construction will begin this summer on the new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism on 51Ʒ's Kelowna campus, which will support B.C.͛s tourism sector and help train people for in-demand jobs"B.C. is expecting 91,000 new job openings in tourism- and hospitality-related industries over the next decade, and the majority of these jobs will require some form post-secondary education or skills training." said Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. ͞This centre will equip students with the knowledge a...
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Diploma Battles: Is Computer Information Systems Worth It?
June 17, 2024
Does it feel like you're hosting your very own Hunger Games yet?Once you start exploring education and career paths, all your potential options seem to get into a battle royale for your future. Luckily, in this arena, you get to decide the winner.If you're great at problem-solving and you love computers, 51Ʒ's Computer Information Systems (CIS) Diploma could be a strong contender for your future.In this two-year program, you explore a wide variety of engaging c...
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