Betty Peters has been hired as UFV’s Indigenous Student Transition Coordinator for a term position of one year.
As the coordinator, Betty will work with new Indigenous students to support their transition into, retention in, and successful completion of UFV programs. She looks forward to working with students to ensure they get the academic and support services they need to be successful in their studies. In addition to supporting new students, she will develop a mentorship program that will provide training to third- and fourth-year Indigenous students so they can mentor others.
For the past six years, Betty has worked in the Indigenous Student Centre providing support to Aboriginal students, UFV Elders, and others from the UFV community and the communities it serves. Betty is familiar with high school students and their needs through her past work with the Chilliwack School District Aboriginal program. There, she supported and mentored high school students, working with their families to ensure students’ success.
Betty is a member of the Stó:lō community who has strong relationships with First Nations communities and school districts. She says it has been rewarding to meet former high school students who transition to UFV and then successfully complete their studies.
Betty knows what it is like to attend university as an Indigenous learner because she herself will soon complete her BBA at UFV. She has used and will continue to use her personal experiences and what she has learned from other Indigenous students to guide her as she makes connections with and provide support to students throughout their academic journeys.
In her spare time, Betty is a master Salish weaver who embraces her culture and loves to work with various materials from cedar to wool to create wearable items for cultural celebrations.
Betty’s office is located in the Indigenous Student Centre in Chilliwack; however, she also will spend time in the Indigenous Student Centre in the Student Union Building on the Abbotsford campus and visit the Mission campus and the Hope Centre, as needed.
UFV is grateful for the Ministry of Advanced Education’s one year funding contribution that makes this position possible.
09/30/2016