2025: A year of change and growth at UFV 

A presidential transition wasn’t the only milestone shaping the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) in 2025. Across its campuses, the university flexed its research strength by securing major national funding and earned recognition for changemaking and One Health initiatives — while also welcoming Dr. James Mandigo as its seventh President and Vice-Chancellor. 

After seven years leading the university, Dr. Joanne MacLean retired in June, capping more than four decades in post-secondary education. 

“I feel now is the time to hand over the reins to new leadership with new ideas,” she said. “Our board of governors is well-positioned, and we have great leadership across the institution as a whole.”   

With Joanne’s retirement, James started in his new role in July, and the transition was finalized at an installation ceremony on Friday, Oct. 24.  As he spoke about his vision for UFV, family proved to be a strong central theme. 

“Family is not just a group bound by blood or proximity, but by a spirit of unity that comes from celebrating and embracing our differences, welcoming every unique gift every member brings, and forming the bonds that make us stronger together,” he said. “Just as no two families are the same, so too are no two people identical. Each person enriches our university with their perspectives, experiences, and talents.”  

Research and innovation are also key pillars for James, and UFV continued to establish itself as a leader in practical, community-based study. 

 

Check out our Year in Review photo album

 

In September, UFV was designated as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, joining a global network of institutions reimagining the role of post-secondary education in driving social innovation, equity, and systems-level change. The multi-year process to obtain the designation was championed by James, and other academic and administrative leaders, and led by Dr. Martha Dow, director of UFV’s Community Health and Social Innovation Hub (CHASI) and UFV’s Senior Advisor for Changemaking. 

“Educating for political, social, and economic citizenship is the core responsibility of any university,” Martha noted. “In this time when the relevance of universities is being challenged, the Ashoka U designation cements that responsibility in all that we undertake.”  

“This is not about achieving a title — it’s about deepening our accountability. Being recognized by Ashoka isn’t the end of the journey. It’s a signal to continue building systems that work better for more people, starting right here in the Fraser Valley.” 

Changemaking happens every day at UFV, with research as a driving force. 

Led by Dr. Lenore Newman, UFV’s Food and Agriculture Institute (FAI) embarked on a major national project this year, aimed at addressing the growing issue of food insecurity. The university has partnered with several Canadian post-secondary institutions and agriculture industry partners on the Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C) Platform. UFV is sharing in $16.2 million in federal funding over the next five years to help create a national agrifood innovation and entrepreneurship program, with Lenore as one of two national directors. 

Dr. Jelena Brcic launched two significant studies this year. With a crewed mission to Mars on the not-too-distant horizon, Jelena received $1.5 million in funding from the Canadian Space Agency to study the mental health of astronauts on long-term space missions. Backed by a grant from Public Safety Canada’s Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund, she’s also exploring the experiences of women in search and rescue. 

And, for the first time, UFV placed five people in the 2025 Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list, a global ranking of the world’s most influential researchers.  

“This recognition places UFV among Canada’s most dynamic academic institutions and demonstrates the university’s ability to compete with top-tier research universities internationally,” said Garry Fehr, Associate Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies. “UFV is strengthening its position as a university where teaching excellence and research leadership go hand in hand.”    

UFV’s many research centres advanced impactful work in 2025, including the Community Health and Social Innovation Hub, the Esposito Family Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Centre for Education & Research on Aging, the Luminescence Dating Lab, the Peace and Reconciliation Centre, the Centre for High Pressure Research, the Centre for Justice, Equity, and Sustainable Action, the Centre for Philosophy and Children, the BMO Collaboratorium, the BERRI Lab, the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research, the Food and Agriculture Institute (FAI), and the South Asian Studies Institute. 

Much of this wouldn’t be possible without support from community partners, and the university recognized that  support at the third annual St’elt’elawtexw: a Celebration of Community, which was held at the newly renovated Mission campus in September. More than 250 friends and partners gathered for an evening of food and fun. The program showcased several community-engaged UFV initiatives, many chronicled in this year’s St’elt’elawtexw Community Report. Students, faculty, staff, and community partners hosted a range of immersive showcases, offering attendees a window into the impactful work that’s being done at the university in deep collaboration with community.    

“The stories from 2025 reflect the ways valued members of UFV and the broader community are rising to meet the moment, from bold community-driven research and student success to social innovation and leadership,” said Susan Mide Kiss, Vice-President, Community Engagement. “It’s a collaborative approach that responds to the complex needs of our world and embodies the kind of leadership our communities require. 

“With your support, we continue moving in a direction that’s rooted in equity, education, and action.”  

It’s in that spirit of connection that UFV looks forward. The Office of Community Engagement, together with a network of university and community partners, has begun a journey to co-create UFV’s first Community Engagement Framework. This framework will guide UFV’s efforts to deepen relationships, foster trust, and work collaboratively to make a meaningful, lasting impact. 

“As we build community 50 years forward, we do so with purpose: guided by a new framework, grounded in community, and inspired by the changemaking spirit that permeates our campuses,” Susan said. “We’re embedding that spirit in everything we do — with, and for, the people we serve and lead.” 

At the community celebration, the university also presented four awards recognizing community service and outstanding leadership.  

Greg Elford led efforts to revitalize a historic building in downtown Mission, turning it into a vibrant community-oriented space. In the process, he helped breathe new life into the heart of the city. Greg received the 2025 Betty Urquhart Award, given to a person or collective who has made an extraordinary contribution to a community in the Fraser Valley.  

Kam Sandhu’s impactful work using business acumen to empower Indigenous communities earned him the Distinguished Alumni Award, and Sam Varing’s ongoing efforts to encourage young entrepreneurs earned her the Young Distinguished Alumni Award.  

Ashley McDougall received the Outstanding Student Leadership Award, in recognition of her efforts and the results she achieved advocating for UFV students.  

The university also recognized FortisBC and BC Hydro as Ripplemakers, presenting each organization with Lifetime Paddle Awards for cumulative lifetime giving.   

UFV welcomed 6,000 guests to six convocation ceremonies in June, and they watched with pride as 1,601 graduates crossed the stage. This year saw 3,152 students earning credentials. They started their academic journeys at a university committed to providing a student-ready experience with everything — policies and practices; pedagogies and approaches to student learning; physical and virtual environments; student supports and services; and so on – is focused on student success and on removing barriers to that success. 

Convocation was a celebration of their journeys completed, with the skills and knowledge acquired at UFV equipping them for success in their chosen fields.  

UFV’s top academic learners were recognized with Governor General’s medals, which are awarded to students with the highest grade-point average.  

The Governor General’s Gold Medal, for top student in a graduate degree program, went to Eleanor Deacon, who graduated with a Master of Education degree. The Governor General’s Silver Medal recipient was Thea Bramer, who earned a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care degree. The Governor General’s Bronze Medal went to Jael Penner, who graduated with a Computer Information Systems diploma. 

The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal is awarded to a student who has made outstanding contributions in support of inclusion, democracy, or reconciliation. This year’s recipient was Roxy Granikovas, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

Seven students were selected as Dean’s medalists for outstanding academic achievement in their respective faculty. Dean’s medalists for 2025 were Debra Bartraw (Education, Community, and Human Development), Komal Dhaliwal (Health Sciences), Cameron Dykstra (Applied and Technical Studies), Hannah Lord (Humanities), Mayu Ochi (Social Sciences), Mason Paquette (Computing and Business), and Hannon Read (Science).

UFV presented six leaders with honorary degrees at its convocation ceremonies, including  Clarence ‘Kat’ Pennier, Gary Teichrob, Gwen Point, John Anderson, Susannah Pierce, and Dr. Jane Buxton. 

Faculty and staff excellence was also recognized at a ceremony in May. Recipients were Amea Wilbur for Faculty Service Excellence, Christine Jones for Staff Excellence, and the School of Education’s Vandy Britton, Chuck Charles, Judy Larsen, Joanne Robertson, Jas Uppal, and Nikki Yee for Indigenization and Reconciliation. 

Christine Nehring earned both the Teaching Excellence and Inspirational Leadership awards, marking the first time one person received two awards. Two groups, UFV Athletics and Enrolment and Records were recognized with Teamwork Excellence awards. 

Through the first four months of the year, UFV closed out its 50th anniversary celebrations. Community programs and events began in 2024 and continued through April 2025. Exactly 51 years after Fraser Valley College was announced by provincial education minister Eileen Dailly in 1974, the university welcomed hundreds of visitors for Alumni & Friends Weekend. 

Activities at the Abbotsford campus provided a wide range of fun and education with exhibits, lectures, gatherings, and performances showcasing UFV’s growth over the last five decades. The Chilliwack campus hosted a celebration of campus radio with the screening of the documentary Counterculture: 20 Years of CIVL Radio in the Fraser Valley. 

UFV presented Legacy Awards to 50 people who played key roles in building the institution over the decades, and the celebration ended with the university community, past and present, filling the Abbotsford Centre for UFV Night with the Abbotsford Canucks.  

This year was full of inspiring moments, and the promise of continuing success for UFV’s students, faculty, staff, and the communities it serves. In the year to come, the work continues as the university engages learners, transforms live, and builds community.