Instructor, Academic Upgrading, Steps to Opportunities, Academics & Readiness (SOAR) Raised in Burlington, Ontario, Maria completed her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees at Queen’s University in 2008. Spending the next couple of years traveling, she eventually landed in Vancouver where she began to work with individuals with diverse abilities in recreational settings (adaptive
"'Knowledge is power!' my mom always told me. I want to support and inspire others just as I have been supported and inspired throughout my own educational journey." — Jenn Lucke Jenn has been a passionate learner since her dad first inspired her love of nature and science as a wee lass. She has lived a life full of adventures, living in various locations around BC and Alaska. Initially getting a
With a background in mathematics and research, Kate brings a wealth of experience to her role in ensuring student success as department head of Student Access & Support. Kate's focus is on creating an environment where every student feels supported and empowered. In this role Kate ensures that essential services such as counseling, accessibility services for students with disabilities, and
Instructor, Academic Upgrading, Steps to Opportunities, Academics & Readiness (SOAR) Lisa qualified from Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland almost 20 years ago as a social care/service worker and subsequently worked in homeless services as a frontline case worker for people living with substance abuse, mental health and physical health issues. During a year spent in South America, Lisa
Karen Shoniker brings extensive experience and passion to her role as an instructor in the School of Academic Upgrading & Development at Selkirk College. While teaching and serving as the Math Department Head at a high school in Whistler, Karen developed an understanding of the British Columbia curriculum and the challenges faced by high school students. This background equips her to effectively
Nathaniel graduated with a degree in Viticulture from Charles Sturt University, in Wagga Wagga, Australia, in the early-2000s. After a few years making wine and pruning grapevines, he made a career change to teaching high school science. He has taught in schools in both Australia and Canada, and has been employed by Selkirk College's School of Academic Upgrading & Development since 2009. Nathaniel
Marita Harinen is a graduate of Biological Engineering at the University of Guelph. She is passionate about teaching and has more than 10 years of experience. She is an instructor in Academic Upgrading (mathematics and intake). In addition to teaching math at Selkirk College, Marita is a Student & Campus Life Programmer within the Athletics & Recreation Department. She is a certified personal
Andrea has been at Selkirk College since 1999 and has been working as an Adult Upgrading instructor at the Nakusp Learning Centre since 2008. Andrea grew up in Germany, and after finishing high school went to study at Selkirk College, where she completed a Liberal Arts and Science Diploma in 1996. She went on to the University of British Columbia and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English
Jessica grew up in Southwestern Ontario and comes from Ojibway, French Canadian and Polish ancestry. She is a graduate of the Human Services Diploma Program at Selkirk College (2013) and holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University (2018). In 2022, she completed the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program (PIDP) from Vancouver Community College. Jessica began working at Selkirk
I was born and raised in the beautiful Kootenays. After pursing my passion for traveling and completing my Business degree, I wanted to come back and be immersed in the Kootenay's mountain culture. Now that I’m back, I can’t imagine being anywhere else and I take every opportunity to continue to travel, play and explore the area. As a student recruiter, I’ve spent many years supporting prospective
Dr. Sarah-Patricia Breen is the BC Regional Innovation Chair (RIC) in Rural Economic Development at Selkirk Innovates, the applied research department of Selkirk College. Dr. Breen’s goal is to inform and support our rural region to thrive under conditions of rapid change. She works at every level, from community projects to national projects. Dr. Sarah-Patricia Breen’s work is guided by regional
Instructor, English & Creative Writing Renée Harper is a writer, artist, and English and Creative Writing instructor. She studied mixed media arts and creative writing at the Kootenay School of the Arts and holds a Ph.D. in Canadian Literature from York University. Renée's academic research is rooted in ecocriticism, focusing on the ongoing settler-colonial making and unmaking of place on unceded
Program Coordinator/Instructor, Pharmacy Technician Program I joined Selkirk College in January 2015 as a Pharmacology Instructor in the National Pharmacy Technician Program. Later that year, I began teaching Pharmacology in the Pharmacy Technician program as well. I graduated from Dalhousie University in 2005 with a BSc in Pharmacy and have been working in practice since then. I am a community