Keeping in Touch
Spring 2010

Carol Abbott, Office Careers Cert ’86 — has been employed by UFV since completion of her Office Careers certificate in 1986. She has been a full-time employee since 1991.

Laranna Androsoff, BA ’06 — received her diploma in special needs education in 2002 and then a diploma in infant toddler education in 2003 from UFV. After completing her BA in Child and Youth Care, Laranna now runs the infant-toddler program for the Sunshine Valley Child Care Society in Grand Forks, BC, a non profit organization and registered charity. She is happy to announce her recent engagement.

Herbie Atwal, BA ’07 — has been coordinating the SPARK education program for five years. The program is designed for disengaged youth to begin post secondary while still in high school. He is currently enrolled in the MEd in counselling psychology program at SFU.

Russ Bailie

Aman Bring

Nirmal Chandi

Bobbi Dombrowski

Laranna Androsoff

Jessica Smith

Darcy Wakelyn

Peter Skrzynairz and Whitney Fordham

Russ Bailie, Dip ’85 — completed his Business Studies diploma and went on to become a well respected Chilliwack realtor and top Canadian Re/Max agent since 1987. Russ says his success is a direct result of his UCFV studies.

Dawn Beebe, BA ’06 — While working for the Correctional Service of Canada, Dawn went to university to finish her degree. She now works as a parole officer providing case management services for male inmates at a local correctional facility.

Aman Bring, BBA ’08 — After completing his Business Administration degree, Aman was hired by Farm Credit Canada, Canada’s largest provider of business and financial services to farms and agribusiness. Aman’s BBA at UFV has expanded his knowledge about the business world and taught him how to build a solid reputation for future success. He is honoured to have had the UFV experience.

Nirmal Chandi, BKin ’05 — After completing his Bachelor of Kinesiology, Nirmal attained his Bachelor of Education and has recently finished an MA of Arts in Education with a concentration on sport leadership and coaching. He is currently teaching in the Burnaby school district.

Bobbi Dombrowski, BA ’09 — Upon completion of her BA majoring in psychology, Bobbi was accepted to the Adler School of Professional Psychology and is presently working towards a master’s degree in clinical counselling.

Domingo Guarenas, BCIS ’04 — has been analyzing, developing, and maintaining technology projects for the UFV International Education department. 

Jen Estrada, BKin ’07— After graduating with a degree in kinesiology, Jen decided on a career change and became a mortgage broker and owner of a Dominion Lending Centre franchise. Along with two partners she recently opened a shop. Their head office is in Chilliwack, and they have offices in Surrey and the Sunshine Coast.

Stacey (Becotte) Hesjedal, BA ’02 — After obtaining her degree in criminal justice Stacey started her career as a corrections officer in a Saskatchewan women’s provincial jail and since 2003 has been a probation officer in Alberta. Stacey is married with one child.

Wim Kerkhoff, BCIS ’06 — After completing his Bachelor of Computer Information Systems degree, Wim started his own information technology consulting business in Chilliwack. The business has expanded to include other BCIS grads.

Bruce Hutchinson, Dip ’08, BGS ’09 — worked for 20 years as a paramedic with the BC Ambulance Service and six years as an instructor and program coordinator at the Justice Institute of BC. Bruce then completed a master’s degree in leadership and training from Royal Roads University. Bruce returned to UFV and completed his BGS (focus on adult education/facilitating adult learning) last year. Since October he has worked for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as part of a team providing training for over 5,000 games security screening staff. Future plans include continuing work in the adult education field.

Shantell Kovacic, BBA Aviation ’06 — has been working as a pilot and flight instructor across Canada, building her hours and experience to one day work for an airline.

Lorraine Depow, BSc ’07 — has worked as a registered nurse for 30 years this coming February. She currently works with the geriatric mental health team at the Chilliwack Mental Health Clinic. Lorraine went back to school at UFV and graduated the same week she turned 50. Lorraine’s daughter and son are now at UFV and her husband is a sessional instructor in the Social Work department. They are very happy to have UCFV, now UFV, as a part of their growing community!

Nadine Sinnen, BKin ’04 — works for a healthcare centre in Abbotsford as a certified exercise physiologist, offering a multitude of testing and exercise prescription for people with chronic conditions. Nadine credits UFV for providing her with the clinical skills needed to find a satisfying career. For Nadine, universitywas a positive, hands-on, life-changing experience.

Stephan Pawloski, BA ’07 — After completing a BA in Criminal Justice, Stephen married alumna Bre Ashley (Assoc. Arts ‘07) and the two have settled in South Langley. He owns a small home renovation and construction business and finds great satisfaction in improving people’s living spaces.

Victoria Pearson, Dip ’92 — Since acquiring a diploma in fine arts with graphic arts option, Victoria has worked in various art fields and subcontracts. She is presently working at Michael’s craft store using her knowledge of fine art and craft supplies to help others get started on their own masterpieces.

Sean Beatty, BSc ’08 — was active in the biology department and was the first president of the Biology and Chemistry Student Association. Currently he is a PhD candidate in the McGill Human Genetics department, studying the genetics of the host response to typhoid fever.

Jessica Smith, BKin ’05  — is a registered holistic nutritionist. She provides seminars, one-on-one consulting, and group talks on health and fitness. Her articles have been published in Bambino, a local parenting magazine. This winter Jessica taught a continuing studies course at UFV on whole foods nutrition and hosted a showing of the film Food Matters.

Stuart Slaven, BGS ’05 — worked as an analyst for an investment consulting firm. He realized that it wasn’t the career he wanted long-term, so he returned to UFV to complete a BA in history in 2009, and is now working on his MA in history at SFU.

Grietha van Gameren, BA ’99 — completed the PDP program at SFU. Since then she has been teaching in the Chilliwack area. Currently she is enrolled in a Therapist diploma program majoring in speech and language.

Christa Van Klei, BSc ’07 — After completing her degree with a major in biology from UFV, Christa attended SFU and received a Bachelor of Education. She now teaches math, science and AVID at Chilliwack Secondary.

Joanne Vanderaegen, Career Development Practitioner Cert ’01 — has worked as an employment counsellor in Port Coquitlam assisting clients applying for income assistance, then as placement coordinator with Job Wave. In 2006, she joined IAM Cares Society as a facilitator assisting clients with disabilities or chronic illness find employment.

Janet Vickers, BA ’06 — has recently moved to Gabriola Island with her husband and two children. Janet works as the administrative support for social responsibility with a non profit society and she publishes poetry chapbooks.
 
Darcy Wakelyn, BBA ’96 — has spent the last 14 years in the investment management industry, the last 10 as a regional vice president for a Toronto-based asset management firm. In 2008 he earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is now an investment advisor with TD Bank in the Fraser Valley.

Whitney Fordham, BBA ’09 — Since graduation Whitney has been working at UFV as a programmer in the Student Life department. Peter Skrzynairz, BBA ’04, her fiancé, is both a builder and a real estate agent.