For artist Jessie Somers, creativity has never been just about making art — it is about helping others discover they can make it too.  The University of the Fraser Valley alumna has been selected as the 2026 featured artist for the alumni wine program, with two of her paintings — Misty Island and Golden Sunset…

Growing up as an only child, Angelina Joseph loved school — not just for the learning, but because it was where her social battery came to recharge.  “I've always loved school,” she says. “I hated when the last bell rang because it meant I had to leave my friends. School was my happy place.”   …

In 2013, Dr. Evan Wiens received the University of the Fraser Valley’s Young Distinguished Alumni Award, and Dr. Ethan Wiens is this year’s recipient, recognized for the same commitment to giving back through community service.  “Oral health is crucial to a community’s overall health, and I think it’s important to be involved in the community…

Every morning while putting on his uniform, Dean Duthie of the Saanich Police Department pauses with his badge in his hand. He looks at the “Chief Constable” title engraved on it and engraves those words in his mind.  "I look at it every day to remind myself of my purpose," Chief Duthie says. "It reminds…

For Kristine Lawson, living life to the fullest has always involved a bit of fear, a bit of risk, and a bit of imposter syndrome. Overcoming those barriers has led her to the thrills of playing a lead role on stage, rolling down rapids thousands of times on more than 50 rivers as a rafting…

For many alumni, some of the strongest memories of university aren't just lectures or exams — they're the friendships, mentors, and experiences that helped shape who they became. While convocation marks the end of one chapter, it also marks the beginning of another. As alumni, UFV graduates remain part of a community that now includes…

Jaspal Singh’s connection to UFV did not end when he graduated.  A UFV alumnus and Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Jaspal has stayed connected to the university’s accounting community through mentorship, professional networking, and support for students preparing to enter the field. Whether he is encouraging students to attend CPA Fraser Valley events, making introductions, or sharing what he has learned from…

Community Engagement Perspectives, by Susan Mide Kiss, Vice-President, UFV Community Engagement Over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to participate in a number of conversations across British Columbia, including UFV's Grounded Innovation 3.0 Summit, the RBC Community Partner Event in Vancouver, and the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade's Education for…

It started small. As in, selling Entertainment coupon books to keep afloat financially. It started with heart. As in, a small group of proud graduates from UFV (in its Fraser Valley College and University College of the Fraser Valley incarnations) assembled and worked together to achieve the goal of giving back and formalizing a relationship…

If you want a deep dive into the history of Black Vancouver, Shayla Bird is the guide for you. Recently designated as an experiences host by Airbnb , Shayla specializes in tours of Hogan’s Alley, the original Black community in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood where she now lives. Much of the Hogan’s Alley neighbourhood, was destroyed…

Conversations flowed across the room. Alumni shared insights, students took notes, and ideas moved quickly in all directions. This wasn’t a lecture or a panel. It was something different.  The Afternoon Exchange, hosted by UFV Alumni Engagement, brought accomplished  alumni back to campus for an informal event designed to put students and recent grads face-to-face with people who had once been in their shoes. The format resembled speed mentoring with short, rotating…

Tempted by the promise of a trade in which he’d always be inside and dry, UFV alumnus Martin Mwariga (Cert ’16) set his sights on being an electrician after high school. While that promise didn’t always hold true (he’s found himself working outside in the rain more than once), he found a rewarding career path.…