Okanagan College

How do you turn lived experience into meaningful work? For Julia Harley, it starts in her home studio — and in the classroom. The Okanagan College student is completing her Associate of Arts degree with a communications emphasis, using her art to explore complex social issues and challenge traditional spaces.

Her featured piece, Pour Your Heart Out, was shared at this year’s OC Student Showcase and reflects how her coursework, creative practice and personal insight come together in powerful ways. From Feminist Art Studies to communications courses that examine misinformation and online misogyny, Julia says her studies are helping her better understand the world — and her place in it.

“People see the word ‘arts’ and they think that they’re not going to get a job or it’s not going to be a real degree, and that’s just not true,” she says. “You learn so many important things in the arts courses, including the critical thinking skills that are so important to have in life and in your work.”

Read Julia Harley’s story and explore arts programs at OC: https://www.okanagancollege.ca/news/okanagan-college-student-pours-her-heart-out-and-into-her-work

We were proud to welcome BC’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Jessie Sunner, and several members of the NDP caucus to our campus to our Kelowna campus last week. They were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the future Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism as well as a tour of our skilled trades shops, a look at our new space for the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship and the construction progress of the Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre.

A big thank you to all of our construction and community partners. It's incredible to see the growth of our campuses and we look forward to opening new buildings in the next 18 months in Penticton and Kelowna!

The Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism is set to open in Fall 2027. It will feature innovative learning spaces, a new restaurant and enhanced food, beverage and tourism programming that will help shape the future of the Okanagan.

Our new campus housing building in Penticton, and the Rec and Wellness Centre in Kelowna are set to open later this year!

Could this be the best decision you make this summer? 🏈

Okanagan College is the Presenting Sponsor of Touchdown Kelowna, and for OC students, there are exciting opportunities to get involved as a volunteer! You and your besties can sign up to be a part of the action!

Volunteers will also receive a volunteer recognition package that includes a choice of tickets to a BC Lions Game on Sept. 12 at BC Place or a ticket to the Boots on the Beach concert on July 3.

It's easy to sign up. Sign up now to secure your shift and ticket entry at
https://app.betterimpact.com/Application?OrganizationGuid=defa5284-aae7-46b4-9fc7-947be4c16540&ApplicationFormNumber=1&_kx=fb_8emfTZIkEDoNqtbEcqj4xgxvomyAjyu07kXj8FnxBR9uk8cf6cWoxQZZvfLMK.WSyNZQ

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Congratulations to all of the new grads stepping into your careers and next adventures.

Penticton grads, your photos are now available for download at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCWm3t

Grads, you did it! You worked hard, built friendships that will last a lifetime and took a big step towards making your dreams come true.

To the new distinguished alumni of the Salmon Arm campus, your photos are ready to download at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCWhum. We welcome you to share thease photos and tag to be featured on our channels.

You did it, grads! 🥹

Photos from the Vernon ceremony are now ready for you to download at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCWhaQ. Keep tagging us in your grad day photos and videos to be shared!