University of Northern British Columbia

Congratulations to Environmental and Sustainability Studies Professor Dr. Annie Booth, recipient of a 2026 University Excellence in Teaching Award!

Nominated by her students, Booth is recognized for her passionate approach to teaching and her commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive classroom where students feel supported in sharing their views, questions and ideas.

Students highlighted Booth’s dedication to supporting their learning, as well as her ability to meaningfully incorporate Indigenous knowledge and values into her teaching while emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural values and identity.

They also praised her “dazzling intellect” and “wicked sense of humour!”

The Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes Booth’s commitment to student success, inclusive learning and teaching that encourages students to engage thoughtfully with diverse worldviews.

It's all fun and games until.... oh wait... it IS all fun and games at UNBC's Weeks of Welcome!

Get ready to explore the UNBC campus, meet faculty and find your people before classes start. Whether you're a first-year student, transferring in, or a graduate student, UNBC Orientation is offers fun activities, friendly faces and meaningful connections.

Get ready for an amazing school year at UNBC. The fun starts Sept. 3 with Move-In Day, Indigenous Student Welcome, Sept. 4, NUGSS Colour Battle, Sept. 5 and continues Tuesday, Sept. 8, with the Welcome to UNBC - Orientation and Agorapalooza: Campus-wide BBQ.

🗓️ https://bit.ly/4qDX6lx

UNBC welcomes Jesse Gervais to the Board of Governors!

Gervais is the Director of Community Services and Deputy Corporate Officer in the Village of Fraser Lake, where he also serves on the board of the Fraser Lake Community Foundation. Originally from Prince George, Gervais has lived in communities across British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario as well as in Spain and Mexico. His family comes from the Flying Dust First Nation and Green Lake Métis Settlement in Saskatchewan.

Gervais previously worked in both the B.C. and Canadian governments as an advisor to elected officials on policy, legislation and programming, with a particular focus on rural communities and economic development. He also served as an elected official with the Métis Nation.

Prior to his work in government, he was a professional ballet dancer, performing with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Compania de Danza de Victor Ullate in Madrid and the Compania Nacional de Danza in Mexico.

Learn more about the Board of Governors at: https://www2.unbc.ca/governance/board-governors

Two months and counting!

Friday, October 23 - mark it, circle it, set a reminder because Discovery Day is the one day of the year you need to be on UNBC's Prince George campus.

Tour the labs. Talk programs, scholarships and career paths with the people who teach them. Meet current UNBC students who've already figured out what you're trying to figure out right now.

Whether you're finishing high school, changing careers or just weighing your options, UNBC Discovery Day is where "someday" turns into "here's my plan."

Don't just hear about UNBC. Come discover it.
🎓 https://bit.ly/4yL1z9R

Congratulations to UNBC Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences Professor Dr. Phil Owens, a recipient
of a 2026 University Excellence in Professional Practice, Mentorship or Stewardship Award!

Colleagues nominated Owens in recognition of his dedication to mentorship and his significant contributions to professional organizations in his field.

His 20 years of service on the board of the International Association for Sediment Water Science, holding several senior leadership positions, is one example of his sustained contributions to his international professional community.

Through his leadership, the FRBC Endowed Research in Landscape Ecology has actively created structural opportunities for young researchers investigating the effects of landscape disturbances on aquatic systems.

The award recognizes Owens’ exceptional commitment to mentorship, professional leadership and stewardship in supporting and advancing knowledge to improve management of land and water resources.

People across northern B.C. will have greater access to flexible, workforce-focused education thanks to new provincial funding.

The StrongerBC future skills grant supports programs in health care, environmental stewardship, technology, business and mental health, helping remove financial barriers for eligible British Columbians while building the skilled workforce communities and employers need.

Seven of the courses are brand new, including four EC-Council cybersecurity certifications, alongside new offerings in clinical informatics and supply chain leadership. Five additional courses, including Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, have been offered previously.

Read more: https://www.unbc.ca/our-stories/story/provincial-funding-supports-workforce-training-unbc

UNBC is launching a new PhD in Engineering!

From sustainable infrastructure and water resources to transportation systems, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering and wood engineering, students will generate knowledge and contribute solutions to challenges facing northern, rural, remote and Indigenous communities, with impact reaching national and global scales.

The program, which will welcome its first students this fall, builds on the success of UNBC's Master of Applied Science in Engineering. It means engineering students can pursue doctoral-level research without leaving northern B.C.

Read more: https://www.unbc.ca/our-stories/story/unbc-launches-new-phd-program-engineering

UNBC welcomes Susan Stearns to the Board of Governors!

Stearns is a Performance and Leadership Coach based in Prince George and is a PhD student in Neuroleadership and Business Administration at the Academy of Leadership Sciences Switzerland. She holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Royal Roads University. Stearns has three coaching certifications, is a member of the International Coaching Federation and has held a Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation for more than 20 years.

Stearns spent 16 years as Executive Director of Community Futures Fraser Fort George, during which time she served on the Community Futures British Columbia Board of Directors, chaired the 16/97 Economic Alliance, oversaw the development of Resources North and sat on the UNBC and College of New Caledonia Business Advisory Committees.

Earlier in her career, Stearns worked for Wet'suwet'en First Nation, becoming their first Band Manager. She returned to Indigenous governance work in 2024 as Chief Administrative Officer for the Takla Nation.

Learn more about the Board of Governors at: https://www2.unbc.ca/governance/board-governors

Happy 32nd anniversary to us!

On August 17, 1994, Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the University of Northern British Columbia - the result of years of advocacy from northerners who knew expanded education opportunities were key to the region's future.

Two years earlier, architects, planners, tradespeople, and construction companies arrived on Cranbrook Hill where they worked to create the first buildings on campus (and pose for this class photo!). Over the years, buildings such as the Northern Sport Centre and the Dr. Donald Rix Northern Health Sciences Centre have been added.

If you were part of the team that built the Prince George campus at any stage - thank you! Our campus is still turning heads for students, staff and visitors!