UFV on top again as one of BC’s Top Employers 

Once again, the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) has received the honour of being one of  BC’s Top Employers. This year’s designation marks the university’s 12th year in a row on Mediacorp’s list of industry-leading employers with outstanding workplaces.  

It comes as no surprise to Christine Nehring, an associate professor of 15 years who is also the Applied Business Technology (ABT) program head. While UFV’s work flexibility and professional development opportunities have made an impact on her career, it’s the collegiality among her fellow employees that sets this workplace apart. 

“I frankly enjoy the people I work with. So they’re not just colleagues, but many are friends as well,” she says. “I’ve stayed with an employer where my work has meaning to me, and I can see that it’s meaningful to the people I work with — that we all value the work that we do. I find it so rewarding to know that it’s not just me in isolation doing my job, that there are people around me with their various areas of expertise who will do what they can to support each other.” 

UFV’s reasons for inclusion in the 2026 list of BC’s Top Employers include the following:  

• UFV recently increased the mental health benefits available for eligible employees (to $1,250) and helps employees balance their work and personal lives with up to seven paid special leave days off annually. 

• UFV maintains a professional development fund for activities that help develop job-related skills, expertise in subjects related to the university’s curriculum, and knowledge or skills in the teaching and learning process. The fund covers events such as conferences, tuition, professional memberships, resource materials and related expenses. 

• UFV encourages employees to adopt healthy lifestyles through a number of initiatives, including monthly health awareness campaigns, fitness classes, weight- loss programs, and subsidized memberships to its fitness facilities, which offer drop-in sports, personal training and a range of fitness classes. 

UFV’s array of employee benefits gave Christine the opportunity to take a sabbatical year, which supported her academic research into the transfer and application of disciplinary theory and applied skills in post-graduation contexts. For Christine, UFV’s holistic attitude toward caring for its employees really makes a difference. 

“Because I’m so highly relational, I need to work somewhere where I feel there’s a more holistic approach to each of us, and we aren’t just robotically doing our work and producing results. We’re all seen as unique people, as individuals with hopes and dreams and aspirations and interests.”  

In 2025, Christine received both the Teaching Excellence award and the Inspirational Leadership award for employee excellence, and her passion for teaching and mentoring is rewarded every year at convocation, where the students she’s supported take their next steps into the world.   

“We talk about UFV being a transformational experience for students, and that is played out in ABT all the time. I love being involved in a program where I can so clearly see that transformational process for them, and where I can see their successes in the workplace, as we stay very closely connected to our grads after they’re done the program.” 

“We are honoured to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers for the 12th straight year,” says Jackie Hogan, UFV’s VP Administration. “This achievement reflects our commitment to fostering a workplace where inclusivity, excellence, integrity, and community truly thrive. Thank you to all who contribute to making this achievement possible, and I look forward to continuing our journey of success together.”   

More information about BC’s Top Employers for 2026 can be found here.