WIL and Experiential Awards at VIU
In 2024, the Career Studio launched VIU's WIL Awards to recognize outstanding students and industry partners who have made an impact and demonstrated excellence in work-integrated learning (WIL) at VIU.
This year we added three new awards to recognize students who have excelled in co-curricular experiential learning, including work-op, student volunteering, and student leadership.
All winners will be recognized at our WIL and Experiential Learning Awards Ceremony in April 2026.
WIL Awards
- WIL Student of the Year Two recipients each receive a $500 cash award
- WIL Student of the Year - Honourable Mention Three recipients are recognized
- WIL Industry Partner of the Year One recipient is recognized and receives a free table to our Spring Career Fair
- WIL Industry Partner of the Year - Honourable Mention Four recipients are recognized
Eligible WIL award recipients are also nominated for provincial and national awards.
Experiential Learning Awards
- Student Volunteer of the Year One recipient receives a $200 cash award
- Student Leader of the Year One recipient receives a $200 cash award
- Student Work-op of the Year One recipient receives a $200 cash award
2025 WIL Award winners
A national and provincial win for VIU Psychology student!
Laci Schulenborg
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Honours
CEWIL Canada and Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Award, 2025
ACE-WIL BC Student of the Year Award, 2025
VIU WIL Student of the Year Award, 2025
We are thrilled to announce that VIU WIL Student of the Year winner, Laci Schulenborg, has also been selected for both provincial and national WIL awards this year. Learn more about Laci's inspiring work-integrated learning journey in her video interview below.
2025 provincial WIL award winners
Jennifer Awan
Bachelor of Education Post Bacclaureate
ACE-WIL BC Student of the Year, Honourable Mention, University WIL, 2025
VIU Student of the Year Honourable Mention, 2025
"During my Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) experience, I completed my formative practicum in a Grade 4 classroom at Aspen Park Elementary, where I supported a diverse group of learners with complex academic and social-emotional needs. Through detailed planning grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and differentiation, I created accessible, engaging lessons that helped every student experience success. My practicum planning has since been recognized by VIU faculty and peers as an exemplar of instructional design." Jen Awan
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
Clinical Nurse Educators
ACE-WIL BC Industry Partner of the Year, University WIL, 2025
VIU WIL Industry Partner of the Year, Honourable Mention, 2025
"Each year, more than 400 VIU Nursing students complete clinical placements at NRGH, making it our largest and most significant industry partner in practice education. The CNE team plays a critical role in supporting students' professional and competency development throughout the full four-year program. Students are intentionally integrated into all areas of hospital life, beginning with orientation and hospital tours in Year One and progressing to complex, patient-centred care on specialized units by Year Four. This approach ensures meaningful learning experiences that align with students' evolving scope of practice." Ciara Mitenko, Practicum Coordinator
Milestone Equipment Contracting
Justine Davidson
ACE-WIL BC Industry Partner of the Year, Honourable Mention, University WIL, 2025
VIU Industry Partner of the Year, Honourable Mention, 2025
"The Milestone team, particularly Justine Davidson, has been consistently and actively engaged in supporting VIU’s Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program Throughout the last 10 years. The Milestone Team regularly meets with each student cohort, taking time to connect directly with students, share practical industry insights, introduce them to the company, and foster open, meaningful discussion. Despite busy operational schedules, Milestone frequently brings experienced team members and supervisors to campus, or to our site, often stepping away from day-to-day responsibilities to support student learning." Kevin Levins, Instructor, HEO
2025 VIU WIL Student of the Year winners
Aviva Fialkow
Master of Sustainable Leadership Management
VIU WIL Student of the Year, 2025
Aviva had the honour of working with Mountain Biking BC and Vancouver Island University on their Community Trail Impact Study. During her work integrated learning experience, she gained valuable insight into the challenges facing non-profit trail stewardship organizations and the critical role Destination Marketing Organizations play in building capacity for trail stewardship organizations in their communities. Through coordinating data collection and outreach with trail associations, Aviva developed strong project management and leadership skills. Highlights of her term included conducting focus groups with trail managers and travelling across the province to survey trail users. These experiences deepened her commitment to fostering collaboration and sustainability within BC’s outdoor recreation sector.
Cyrill Rohr
Master of Business Administration
VIU WIL Student of the Year, Honourable Mention, 2025
Cyrill Rohr is a proud graduate of Vancouver Island University’s Master of Business Administration program. For his Work-Integrated Learning placement, he led the organization of the Nourishing Minds Conference, a campus-wide event uniting students, faculty, and community partners to address food insecurity at VIU. Cyrill coordinated every stage of the project, from logistics, food, the presentations, to marketing, and website design, creating a lasting platform for dialogue and collaboration. The experience strengthened his leadership, communication, and stakeholder-engagement skills while showing him the impact that well-planned events can have in inspiring collective action. It also sparked his passion for connecting people and ideas through meaningful projects.
Samuel Wynans
Bachelor of Tourism Management
VIU WIL Student of the Year, Honourable Mention, 2025
"I am a third year Recreation and Tourism student here at VIU and have been lucky to experience a wide range of opportunities both through and for school. The most valuable lessons I learned during my work experience with Express Camp Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) were patience, the realization that money doesn’t matter when creating meaningful experiences, and the importance of being unapologetically engaging, or “being embarrassing.” Patience was critical when working with 11- to 14-year-olds with diverse abilities and interests, especially on days when plans changed unexpectedly, like during smoke-related cancellations. Knowing that they might be stressed out with the changes just as I am, helps me to keep a cool and level head, treating campers equitably to ensure success." Samuel Wynans
2025 VIU WIL Industry Partner of the Year Winners
Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort
VIU WIL Industry Partner of the Year, 2025
"The team at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort under Jim Hykaway’s leadership has been an exceptional and longstanding supporter of work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students enrolled in Vancouver Island University’s hospitality-related programs. For over 25 years, the resort has demonstrated leadership and commitment to higher education by consistently providing high-quality, meaningful learning experiences that go well beyond minimum work integrated learning requirements.
Tigh-Na-Mara has facilitated over 75 summer work integrated learning placements for VIU students over the years, many of which have transitioned into part-time roles during the academic year. Also, several former work integrated learning students continue to be employed at the resort and have progressed into supervisory and management positions." Jean-Guy Robichaud, Chair, Hospitality Management
Tremain Media
Leah Tremain, CEO
VIU WIL Industry Partner of the Year, Honourable Mention, 2025
"Tremain has been an active and consistent partner with VIU well beyond traditional hiring practices. Their contributions to Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning have included serving as a featured speaker and volunteer judge, mentoring students as real-world clients within the curriculum, and providing onsite field mentorship in high-pressure professional environments. Notably, they have participated as a speaker during VIU’s MarkitUP Week on the topic of Personal Branding, served as a judge for the Strategic Marketing Challenge, and acted as a MARK 460 client, mentoring students through strategy development and professional pitch presentations. Their regular attendance at VIU Experiential Learning and PMI Business Mixers further reflects a genuine commitment to student engagement and community building." Alexis Beaubier, Instructor, Graphic Design
Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre
Nicole Pankratz, Program Coordinator
VIU WIL Industry Partner of the Year, Honorable Mention
"My relationship with Tillicum Lelum spans nearly my entire life, moving from a youth finding refuge in their ‘Neutral Zone’ programs to now completing my professional practicum as a Community Mental Health Worker (CMHW) student. This lifelong connection provided me with a unique lens to witness their unwavering commitment to community wellness and student mentorship.
During my placement, the quality of mentorship I received from program coordinator Nicole Pankratz, alongside Elders Wayne Johnny and former Snuneymuxw Chief John Wesley, was transformative. They did not treat me as a temporary student, but as a future peer. Under the guidance of Dan Poulin, I was given the autonomy to lead youth interactions and spearhead cultural activities, such as teaching youth to cook traditional fried bread during community seafood cooks. These experiences were not mere ‘tasks’; they were professional development opportunities that allowed me to blend my personal heritage with clinical practice." Trevor Fraser, Community Mental Health Worker Student
VIU wins four provincial WIL awards in 2024
Vancouver Island University students and industry partners won four provincial WIL awards in 2024 through the Association of Co-operative Education and Work-integrated Learning (ACE-WIL BC).
- University Student WIL Award and Honourable Mention
- Industry Partner of the Year Award - WIL and Honourable Mention
Loretta Hanson | ACE-WIL University Student of the Year
Loretta Hanson is an Early Childhood Education and Care student who completed her practicum at the Tla'amin Child Development and Resource Center. As a mature, indigenous student raising her grandchildren, Loretta overcame significant personal challenges to return to school and success in her studies.
Keeley Freeman, Nanaimo Innovation Academy | ACE-WIL University Industry Partner of the Year
Nanaimo Innovation Academy (NIA) received the 2024 ACE-WIL Industry Partner of the Year Award for their work mentoring dozens of VIU Early Childhood Education and Care students. Pictured here is NIA's Executive Director, Keely Freeman, receiving the award from VIU's Coordinator of WIL Initiatives, Karolien Soylu.
Sitayesh Malik | Honourable Mention - ACE-WIL University Student of the Year
Sitayesh Malik is an MBA alumni who completed her internship at the Centre for Experiential Learning. An international student from Pakistan, Sitayesh developed a comprehensive onboarding Student Employee Handbook for student staff that is now used as a template for student hiring at VIU.
Corry Gervais, Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce | Honourable Mention - WIL University Industry Partner of the Year
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce received an Honourable Mention for the 2024 ACE-WIL Industry Partner of the Year Award for their mentorship of our graphic design and MBA students. They have also been consistent participants in VIU's Career Fairs and Industry Partner Roundtable events.
2024 VIU WIL Student of the Year Award winners
Adrienne Bender - Tourism Management
Adrienne is in her third year of the Bachelor of Tourism Management program at VIU. In 2023 and 2024, she had the opportunity to participate in a WIL experience with the BC Wildfire Service as a type 1 firefighter on an Initial Attack Crew in her hometown, Burns Lake. During this WIL, Adrienne aided in wildfire suppression, building valuable connections within the industry.
"This WIL experience helped me discover what I am passionate about and what kind of career path I plan to pursue." Adrienne Bender
Audrey Lamprecht - Early Childhood Education
Audrey spent twenty years teaching in South Africa. She taught at various elementary schools, a kindergarten, and a diverse abilities school. Audrey's sons chose to study in Canada after an invitation from their Canadian relatives. Following the pandemic, she decided to expand her studies, which led her to the ECEC Diploma at VIU. She completed practicums at several local childcare centres, including Jolly Giant (Selby) and Katie's Korner Childcare.
"The work-integrated learning has given me a higher level of comfort and competence within the practicum setting. It has been especially beneficial to me as I am a mature student who has not studied full-time for many years, and I am new to the early childhood setting in Canada." Audrey Lamprecht
Muskan Chadha - MBA
Muskan is a results-driven professional with an MBA from VIU, where she was honoured as the Top International Student for Semester 1 and earned a place on the Dean's List. Currently, she serves as a Sales Manager at Trane Technologies for the British Columbia region where she was kept on after completing her WIL experience in the summer of 2024. She is committed to continuous learning and professional growth in a dynamic business environment.
"Professionally, WIL has been a game-changer. My role at Trane Technologies strengthened my ability to develop and present HVAC and controls-based solutions, convery leards into opportunities, and manage long-term client partnerships." Muskan Chadha
Esteban LaPointe - WEST
From a young age, Esteban demonstrated a remarkable drive for independence and self-reliance. Esteban's academic journey brought him to VIU and its Workplace Essential Skills (WEST) program. Currently in his second year, Esteban has embraced the program's unique integration of classroom learning and practical work experiences. Through WIL, he has gained valuable skills that are directly supportive of his life goals.
"When I was young, I decided that I wanted to work so I didn't have to depend on my parents. Being in a program with WIL is a great career step for me. I have barriers and I still do. It does not mean I am less capable than any other person." Esteban LaPointe
Alison Kuenzig - Tourism Management
Alison is a wine enthusiast and a student currently completing her final year of a Bachelor of Tourism Management at VIU. Alison's experience at The Wine Works in Nanaimo has allowed her to build strong relationships with customers, develop excellent program-solving skills, and provide outstanding service in a dynamic environment.
"My WIL experience at The Wine Works has been a pivotal part of my academic journey. It has allowed me to develop practical skills, gain valuable business insights, and grow both professionally and personally." Alison Kuenzig
Loretta Hanson - Early Childhood Education
Loretta is a recent graduate of the Early Childhood Education program where she participated in a two-year WIL cohort in collaboration with her community, the Tla'Amin Nation. As a result of this experience, Loretta was promoted to an ECE II employee and given a full-time position at Tla-amin Child Development Resource Centre (CDRC). She is currently continuing her studies and obtaining her Infant toddler and Special Needs Educator status.
"I absolutely support and encourage VIU to keep partnering and offering these WIL programs that will create successful, certified employable individuals to be ready for the work force." Loretta Hanson
Sitayesh Malik - MBA
Sitayesh is the Administrative and Systems Associate at VIU's Centre for Experiential Learning and Student Engagement. As a Career Peer in the Career Studio, she supported students in their career readiness journeys. During her MBA internship, she developed a comprehensive onboarding Student Employee Handbook for student staff, collaborating with team members, graphic designers, and other stakeholders to ensure high-quality results.
"It wasn't until I embarked on my MBA journey at VIU that I began to truly uncover what I wanted to do in life. I was still searching for clarity - until I engaged in WIL opportunities that allowed me to reflect, grow, and finally uncover a clear direction for my career." Sitayesh Malik