Student Accomplishment

A new way to learn and lead: UFV launches the Social Innovation Certificate

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A new way to learn and lead: UFV launches the Social Innovation Certificate

How do we prepare students not only for today’s challenges, but for a world that’s changing faster than ever before? At the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), that question sparked the creation of a bold, interdisciplinary credential launching in Fall 2025: the Social Innovation Certificate.

This new certificate is designed for students, professionals, and community members who want to lead change in their workplaces, communities, and beyond. Through four core INNV (Innovation) courses and 15 interdisciplinary elective credits, participants will explore systems thinking and social innovation in real-world contexts. From scenario-based learning to community-engaged projects, this program empowers learners to not just understand complex problems, but actively work toward creative, sustainable solutions.

Two dedicated faculty members helped shape the certificate from the ground up: Dr. Linda Pardy and Dr. Anna Griffith. For today’s blog story, the College of Arts is interviewing them to learn more about the vision, values, and real-world impact of the Social Innovation Certificate.

But, first, a brief introduction:

Dr. Linda Pardy is an Associate Professor in Arts and Integrated Studies. After recently concluding her tenure as Associate Dean of Students in the College of Arts, she’s now focused on research and teaching that focus on social innovation, workplace learning, and career development. Having supported thousands of Liberal Arts students in navigating their transition from education to employment, Dr. Pardy’s impact has been recognized with the UFV Teaching Excellence Award.

Dr. Anna Griffith is an Associate Professor in the School of Creative Arts and UFV’s Changemaker Curriculum Developer. Known for designing high-impact, transformative learning experiences, Dr. Griffith works with faculty across disciplines to embed changemaking, sustainability, and social innovation into their pedagogy, turning classrooms into platforms for real-world action.

Now, let’s jump to the interview!

College of Arts: What inspired the creation of the Social Innovation Certificate?

Dr. Anna Griffith: We wanted to create a certificate that prepares students to enter the workforce with the skills they need to innovate and make a difference in their field. These skills include systems and design thinking, social entrepreneurship, adaptive leadership, and working with AI.

The four core INNV courses are designed to scaffold these capacities. By the 300- and 400-level courses, students are out in the community, working with employers and partner organizations, leading real innovation projects and gaining critical work experiences. Work-integrated learning is infused throughout the entire certificate because we didn’t want students to just learn about social innovation; we wanted them to actually do it.

This certificate responds to a world that urgently needs us to do things differently. It’s a certificate of possibility and action.

College of Arts: How does this program support students in building future-ready careers?

Dr. Linda Pardy: Every industry is being disrupted in some way. Employers are no longer just looking for just technical skills—they’re seeking creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, and ethical leaders. The Social Innovation Certificate is designed to build precisely these skills.

We’ve embedded essential employment literacies—like understanding the role of technology, data literacy, cultural agility—and linked them with systems thinking and creative leadership. These are the skills that won’t be replaced by AI or automation.

Whether students are preparing for their first job or navigating career change, this certificate prepares them to lead in times of uncertainty.

College of Arts: How is the certificate aligned with UFV’s House of Transformation and changemaking values?

Dr. Anna Griffith: UFV’s motto, Íyáqáwtxw, means “House of Transformation” in Halq’eméylem. The certificate reflects this spirit by cultivating not just skills, but mindsets that allow students to see themselves as agents of change in their communities and disciplines.

Students learn in dynamic, collaborative environments where experimentation and iteration are part of the process. They work on real challenges and develop the confidence to take risks and adapt when things don’t go as planned. These are key attributes of innovative thinkers and leaders in any field.

This kind of learning opens doors. Students leave with a strong portfolio of experience as well as a professional network. They will be equipped with the innovative mindsets and leadership skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

College of Arts: Who is this program for?

Dr. Linda Pardy: I hate to respond so generally, but honestly, this credential is designed to be meaningful for people at all stages of their academic or professional/career journey. Whether you’re starting your first job, seeking career growth, or leading change in your organization, the certificate gives you tools and experiences that are immediately applicable.

It’s also easy to integrate into most UFV degrees—many of the electives are courses students are already taking. It’s flexible and student-centred.

College of Arts: How does the program engage with real-world challenges?

Dr. Anna Griffith: Our INNV courses equip students to work in complex environments and workplaces. In INNV 100, for example, students are immersed in a scenario-based game that simulates the interconnected and unpredictable world and the very complex, systemic challenges we face. Instead of working on case studies, this experience challenges students to think on their feet, navigate uncertainty, and respond to unfolding crises. They design responses and innovative solutions in real time. It’s a space to practice adaptability, systems thinking, and ethical leadership.

This kind of learning prepares students to tackle big challenges, apply creative problem-solving, and develop the skills needed to deliver solutions. It’s social innovation within education itself.

College of Arts:  What kinds of career paths could this certificate support?

Dr. Linda Pardy: The Social Innovation Certificate prepares students to thrive in diverse industry sectors—business, health, education, science, government, arts and culture, sustainability, and more.

It equips students with a changemaking lens they can apply wherever they go. Whether you want to work in areas such as tech ethics, policy, community engagement, health administration, manufacturing, design, or environmental protection, this certificate helps you stand out and lead change.

College of Arts: What do you hope students will take away from the experience?

Dr. Anna Griffith: I hope students leave confident in their ability to meaningfully contribute to any industry sector or community organization.  This certificate offers not just skill-building, but also an opportunity to develop their leadership abilities and a sense of agency.

Students will leave with an advanced way of thinking, relating, problem-solving, and acting.  By the end of the certificate, they will be equipped to lead and help build a sustainable future.

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Are you ready to become a changemaker? You might already be closer than you think to earning this certificate. Check your MyGrad Plan or connect with an Academic Advisor to map out how the Social Innovation Certificate can fit into your degree.

The Social Innovation Certificate launches in Fall 2025 at UFV. Open to students across all disciplines, working professionals, and lifelong learners, this flexible credential is your pathway to leading meaningful change.

Start with INNV 100 and learn more at ufv.ca/arts/programs/social-innovation.

116 ways to say Hello: Stephanie’s passion for the language of belonging

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Stephanie Ohlmann's picture

116 ways to say Hello: Stephanie’s passion for the language of belonging

Stephanie Ohlmann's pictureAbbotsford is a diverse place, shaped by many cultures, nationalities, and backgrounds. But how often do we pause to truly recognize just how diverse this city is? Would it surprise you to learn that over 116 different languages are spoken in Abbotsford today?

For Stephanie Ohlmann, a UFV student, that surprising fact became the heart of a journey she never imagined.

Stephanie is no stranger to hard work. As an Educational Assistant for over a decade, she has supported students with diverse learning needs while pursuing not just one but two degrees and a certificate at UFV — a Bachelor of Arts in English, an Indigenous Studies Certificate, and a Bachelor of Integrated Studies focusing on Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI), and Multiculturalism.

After beginning her university journey years ago, Stephanie stepped away to focus on working directly with children and families. But when life presented a crossroads, she made a courageous choice: to return to UFV and finish what she started. Not only that, but she expanded her academic ambitions to address the gaps she saw — particularly around Indigenous knowledge and multicultural education.

And then came the project that changed everything.

From class assignment to community engagement

Stephanie’s passion project, “It Starts With Hello”, was born from a children’s literature assignment in an English class on Diversity and Accessibility. The task: find a way to make a children’s story more inclusive and accessible. Drawing from her experiences with students, Stephanie decided to explore the simple power of greeting someone in their own language.

She began by asking: How many languages are actually spoken in Abbotsford? What she uncovered blew her away — not 20, not 50, but 116 languages. This discovery sparked a mission: to learn how to say “hello” in every single one.

Her work evolved quickly. From recording multilingual greetings on interactive buttons for a class display to securing a UFV Student Research Grant, Stephanie’s project took on a life of its own. She became a City of Abbotsford Ambassador, presented to the Community Belonging Collaborative Abbotsford (CBCA), and even launched dedicated social media platforms to share her journey. But Stephanie didn’t stop there.

A Book to celebrate every child’s voice

Recognizing how few children’s books reflect the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of her community, Stephanie set out to create her own. Her soon-to-be-published children’s book, “Hello Abbotsford”, will introduce young readers to the many ways people greet one another across cultures.

“Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated,” Stephanie says. “When we learn to say hello in someone’s home language, it’s more than a word — it’s an act of recognition and inclusion.”

With the support of UFV faculty like Dr. Michelle Superle and advisors like Dr. Wade Deisman, Associate Dean of Social Sciences at UFV, Stephanie is turning her research into a powerful educational tool — one that she hopes will foster empathy, belonging, and intercultural understanding among the next generation.

At its heart, Stephanie’s work is about more than just words. It’s about reshaping how we understand belonging.

“We all deserve to be welcomed as we are,” she explains. “So many people feel they have to change parts of themselves — even their names — to fit in. I want to help change that. I want people to feel proud of their languages, cultures, and identities.”

By bringing awareness to the diversity that already exists within Abbotsford, Stephanie hopes to spark a broader community conversation — one that starts, simply, with hello.

As she looks ahead to graduating with her BA and Indigenous Studies Certificate in 2026 and completing her BIS by 2028, Stephanie knows her journey is far from over. Whether in classrooms, community events, or the pages of her children’s book, she continues to remind us that inclusion, respect, and celebration begin with the smallest of gestures. It also could start with “hello”.

From an English Major to a Curatorial Practicum: Kellyn Leclerc’s launch into uncharted territory

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Kellyn picture -credits for Skylar Janzen

From an English Major to a Curatorial Practicum: Kellyn Leclerc’s launch into uncharted territory

Kellyn picture -credits for Skylar Janzen
credits: Skylar Janzen

When we think of curators, we often imagine individuals with backgrounds in Visual Arts or Art History, meticulously assembling exhibitions with years of specialized training. But what happens when a storyteller, a writer with a passion for community engagement, steps into the role?

Meet Kellyn Leclerc, a Bachelor of Arts student whose love for storytelling carved an unexpected path into curation. Kellyn’s journey twisted with the unpredictability of a well-spun tale, leading him to The Reach Gallery, where he transformed words into visual narratives and sparked conversations through art.

From a young age, Kellyn was drawn to the art of storytelling. While initially planning to pursue Social Work, he found himself captivated by the world of literature, eventually transitioning into full-time English studies.

Taking a leap into the unknown

Despite not having a background in Visual Arts, Kellyn saw an open position for UFV’s student curatorial role at The Reach Gallery. This is a competitive eight-month internship that is typically offered to UFV’s BFA and VA students.  Instead of doubting his qualifications, he took a leap of faith:

“When I first got the email invitation to apply for the position, it was one of those moments in my life where I figured, why not? I don’t have a background in Visual Art or Art History, but I do have a passion for community engagement and discussion.”

What Kellyn discovered was that curation wasn’t just about art—it was about storytelling. His experiences in Social Work courses and his time as a concert promoter in the local punk music scene helped shape his ability to organize events with a strong thematic narrative.

“As a curator, it’s critically important to have a nuanced understanding of the type of community you’re working in, and how the works you select for presentation might connect to said environment. Years ago, when I organized all-ages punk shows, I thought not just about the bands, but about how their identities created a larger story through the night. That same mindset helped me as a curator, crafting a visual art experience that could inspire meaningful, reflective discussion.”

After months of preparation, Kellyn’s curated exhibition debuted at The Reach Gallery. It was a night to remember for the audience and for all those who had taken a chance on him.

“What I witnessed during the intro to the exhibit you curated at The Reach was nothing short of magical. You were so in tune with the artist’s work and intentions. It has been a pleasure to watch you tap into your creative passions and talents over the past year. Despite any personal obstacles, you have only demonstrated resilience and professionalism—without compromising who you are.” – Tamara Courage, Arts External Liaison Coordinator at UFV – College of Arts.

“When I was a child, my family was told I might not graduate high school due to my diagnosed learning disability. So, now it feels incredibly surreal to be this far into my degree.”

Looking to the future

So, what’s next for Kellyn?

He is currently weaving his first horror novel into existence: a Lynchian-inspired ghost story set at an evangelical Christian summer camp. Writing remains his deepest passion, but his love for community arts continues to grow, shaping a future where storytelling extends beyond the page and into the heart of the world around him.

When asked what advice he would give to students considering a practicum, Kellyn doesn’t hold back:

“How do you expect to find a job post-graduation if you haven’t built a network of contacts or a portfolio of real-world experience? Do you think you’ll just be handed a degree and land a job instantly? Practicums are the key to unlocking doors—they let you prove your skills to the very people who can shape your future.”

For those considering English as a major, Kellyn’s advice is just as bold:

“Keep an open mind. Say yes to opportunities—even when they seem outside your comfort zone. An English degree isn’t a limitation; it’s a launching pad. Whether you go into journalism, publishing, editing, community programming, or teaching, the only limit is how wide you’re willing to open the door.”

Kellyn’s journey—from horror writer to gallery curator—proves that storytelling isn’t confined to books. It lives in art, music, conversation, and the spaces between words, shaping the world in ways we least expect. Whether through literature or curating, his ability to craft meaningful narratives has opened doors that once seemed out of reach.

And sometimes, the biggest opportunities come from simply asking yourself: ‘Why not?’

A journey of passion, persistence, and creativity

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A journey of passion, persistence, and creativity

In the halls of UFV’s School of Creative Arts, where passion and creativity thrive, Hannah Bricknell, a first-year Bachelor of Media Arts student, is carving her own artistic path. Since childhood, art has been more than just a passion—it has been a way of making sense of the world. Drawing since the age of five, Hannah found that art provided both a sense of calm and a means of communication, especially as she navigated the challenges of a learning disability that affected her verbal expression.

“Over time, drawing became the best way for me to communicate my ideas and thoughts,” she shares.

Now, as she steps into the next phase of her journey, UFV’s Bachelor of Media Arts program is providing the space for her to refine her skills, explore new mediums, and discover where her artistic talents can take her. At UFV, she can experiment with different creative disciplines before deciding on a specific career path. Also, she is excited to apply for a co-op program, which provides hands-on experience, helping students explore professional opportunities related to their studies. But Hannah already knows her superpower: “Creativity and imagination are probably the most important skills to keep. They’re key in critical problem-solving.”

An artist getting ready to shine.

In January 2025, Hannah received formal recognition for her art for the first time when she won the Emerging Artist Award at the 20th Annual Arty Awards, organized by the Abbotsford Arts Council. It was a moment that reinforced her belief in her work and solidified her confidence as an artist.

The pieces that she exhibited reflected her artistic journey and individual experiences. One of her most meaningful works is a painting titled “How I Process”, which is about her learning disability, using an analogy she often shares with others.

“On one side, there’s a messy room, symbolizing my brain. On the other side, there’s a tidy room, representing how other people’s brains work.”

Through her art, Hannah translates personal challenges into visual storytelling, offering a perspective that is both intimate and universal.

Recently, she was given the opportunity to contribute to an anthology comic, collaborating with experienced comic artists—some of whom previously helped her create her first comic book – a project she created during Grade 11 called “Two Faces”.

As she continues to grow as an artist, her story serves as an inspiration to those forging their own creative paths. Hannah Bricknell’s journey is just beginning—but with her talent, dedication, and ever-evolving skills, the possibilities ahead are limitless.

Voicing Social Justice through Visual Arts – A story about Faria Firoz: BFA grad student and the recipient of the 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal

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Faria Firoz holding the award certificate and the 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal
Faria Firoz holding the award certificate and the 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal.

Faria Firoz is a BFA graduate student who has been living in Canada since she left her homeland of Bangladesh in 2016.

She has always been fascinated by art and studied art during her high school back in Bangladesh—but she wanted more. Faria combined her high-level skill set and passion for arts and social justice to raise awareness about important ongoing social, cultural, and political issues.

One of her most recent works was generated within the Black Lives Matter creative social justice art project, where according to Shelley Stefan, Visual Arts Associate Professor and Art Mentor for this project:

“Faria’s participation in the Black Lives Matter creative social justice art project displays her commitment to the essential collaboration and unifying efforts needed to bring people together through creativity to support inclusion, diversity, reparation, poetic justice, and civic engagement. Her role in this project, alongside other Black, Indigenous, Mixed Race, and People of Colour, is a prime example of the type of bravery and leadership artists can embody toward the advancement of human rights in our communities.”

In recognition of her extraordinary work, Faria was the recipient of the 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal: an award granted for standout students whose work promotes and integrates diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. As stated by Faria: “It is a very unexpected honour. To be recognized and appreciated at such a high level is something I never would have imagined. I am so grateful.”

Read Faria’s full story at UFV Today.

Students win 3rd prize at Singing Contest

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On November 16, Hanna Młotkowska and Constance de Bruin from the Modern Languages Institute represented UFV Arts and won third prize in the final round of Chinese Bridge BC – Mandarin Singing Contest held at the UBC School of Music.

Student contestants (individuals/groups) from 9 universities and colleges in BC performed 22 shows in total. Only one spot was assigned to the first, second, and third prizes respectively.

Read moreStudents win 3rd prize at Singing Contest