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
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