Broadcasting greatness: BCIT alumna awarded again

BCIT has been aware of Ceilidh Millar’s greatness for a while now. She was hired on as a student employee in her first semester, back in 2011. She was named a Distinguished Alumna in 2013, and appointed as BCIT’s Ambassador & Spokesperson.

This week, the British Columbia Achievement Foundation recognized Ceilidh, too. The Broadcast and Online Journalism alumna joined 31 other volunteers at Government House in Victoria to receive a British Columbia Community Achievement Award.

Awards were handed out by Judith Guichon, BC’s Lieutenant Governor, and Peter Fassbender, the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

“It was an honour to be recognized alongside some incredible British Columbians,” says Ceilidh. “The 32 award recipients champion a variety of social causes but we all share a common goal of making a positive difference in our communities.”

According to the BC Achievement Foundation, Ceilidh “has made outstanding contributions in the areas of youth leadership and community volunteerism. Over the past eight years, Ceilidh has made a tangible difference in her community through her advocacy in the areas of anti-bullying, youth leadership and empowerment. She is a compelling role model who encourages and inspires others to be ‘change makers.'”

Much of the work she was acknowledged for happened while she was a full-time student at BCIT.

“During her time here, Ceilidh  was very involved in anti-bullying initiatives and many other causes focusing on youth,” says Tom Moore, the Director of Student Operations at BCIT. “Ceilidh is truly an amazing young woman. I’m pleased she’s being recognized for all her volunteer work.”

Some of her many other honours include being named one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20, receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and winning a Clarion Award from the Association For Women in Communications. The City of Burnaby named her a Local Hero, and Gen Y Inc. put her on its list of Canada’s Top 50 Emerging Young Leaders.

Ceilidh has been published in The Globe & Mail, Metro Newspaper, The Vancouver Sun, Strategy Magazine, Youthink Magazine, Vervegirl Magazine, and TalentEgg.

She has been a published writer, TV host, public speaker, youth advocate, youth leader and mentor. She has been a reporter and host for CBC, Shaw / Global TV, and CityTV Breakfast Television, and a host of “Turn It Up!” on Delta Television.

And now she’s writing a book.

“While completing BCIT’s Accelerated Venture Program, I founded PreOccupation, a career exploration and planning program for students on post-secondary education and training options,” she explains. “My upcoming book, PreOccupation, teaches young people how to research and plan a purposeful path through post-secondary leading to a rewarding career.”

Congratulations, Ceilidh. We can’t wait to read it.