David Jimmie has spent most of his life building bridges to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and businesses together. David, who will receive an honorary doctorate at UFV’s June 9 convocation ceremony, says that from a very young age he recognized the barriers that often existed between First Nations communities and the broader society around them. Those early observations helped shape his commitment to creating…

When 15-year-old Rick Hansen was thrown from the back of a pickup truck and left paralyzed from the waist down, dark times followed. There was a long time, he says, when he was overwhelmed by pain and fear, and hope for the future was in short supply.  In those moments, the teenager could never have guessed that…

The University of the Fraser Valley is supporting sustainable commuting for staff, students, and faculty with the creation of an active transportation hub on the Abbotsford campus.  The hub is located in Building F (the former home of University House), nestled between the library (Building G) and parking lot 10, near the new student housing…

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) supported Indigenous youth athletes as a co‑presenting sponsor of the 2026 Junior All Native Tournament (JANT), the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia and one of the largest basketball tournaments in Canada.  Held in Langley from March 15 to 20, 2026, the landmark 50th edition of…

As Nathan Speedie, UFV’s new director of student housing, looks up at Lá:léms Ye EverGreen, the brand-new six-storey, 398-bed building on UFV’s Abbotsford campus, he’s struck by the notion that he has returned to a university that has grown and changed in many ways since he was a student in 2003. And he’s changed too. …

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…

When early childhood education students from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) first toured a half-built childcare centre in steel-toed boots, it felt like just another class project. But for graduate Allison Russell, that assignment has quickly turned into a blueprint for her career.  Allison was one of several early childhood education students who…

A University of the Fraser Valley alumna is blazing a trail in a traditionally male-dominated field  and helping other women find their way.  Cassandra Shewchuk (BSc Honours Physical Geography, 2020) graduated from UFV just five years ago but is already viewed as a leader and role model. She was recently elected to the board of…

For the past two decades, one name has been associated more than any other with the South Asian Studies Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley. When you think of SASI, the institute’s founding director, Dr. Satwinder Bains, comes to mind pretty quickly. That changed on August 15 when Satwinder formally retired. She is…

Gwen Point had a thirst for learning from an early age. But like many Indigenous children, she faced barriers that made it difficult for her to thrive in the education system. She persevered, never giving up on her dream. Success followed, but not without struggle. She earned her bachelor’s degree. And her master’s degree. And…

Community building is at the heart of everything Amea Wilbur does. Whether collaborating with faculty on new initiatives, guiding students through their latest project, or partnering with a local non-profit, Amea is driven by a steadfast belief in social justice and making the world around her better.  “My grandfather was a member of parliament, and…

Before students even pick up a pen or crack open a textbook at the University of the Fraser Valley, their academic journey starts with enrolment. The staff from UFV’s Enrolment Services team offer a warm welcome to newcomers, setting the perfect tone for the exciting times to come.  They provide valuable frontline support, actively guiding…