Emma Berg

BCIT alumnus and ETRO Principal Mike Maierle isn’t just building a successful construction business, he’s leading sustainability innovation

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Blueprints. They are ubiquitous in the construction world. From design to build, those oversized rolls of blue-inked papers—often tucked under the arms of project managers or spread out over ad-hoc tables at construction sites—guide the development process. But by 2020, ETRO Construction Principal Mike Maierle says his company will no longer use the paper drawings, … Read more

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The fight against cybercrime: BCIT alumnus tackles the world’s biggest cybersecurity threats through collaboration and trust

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2019 Distinguished Award recipient Derek Manky in light blue shirt

As a nine year-old boy, Derek Manky loved to play soccer like many young boys do, but that changed when his father gave him an old IBM 286. “I didn’t know what to do with the thing,” recalls the BCIT alumnus, adding he was the only kid on the block with a computer at the … Read more

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2019 BCIT Distinguished Awards: Celebrating these six outstanding leaders and change makers

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2019 BCIT Distinguished Awards 01

On October 22, 2019, BCIT hosted the 17th annual BCIT Distinguished Awards, celebrating the two recipients of our 2020 Honorary Doctorate of Technology and four recipients of our 2019 BCIT Distinguished Awards. See photos and video from the night here.  Our honorees embody the values of BCIT and, through their bold leadership and outstanding achievements, … Read more

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Whether it’s in the construction industry or for alumni, BCIT Alumni Association’s newest VP Jennifer Patterson is creating positive change

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It was lunchtime in the late ‘80s. Jennifer Patterson and her friends hurried from their high school to her house to watch a much-anticipated wedding episode of The Young and the Restless. Transfixed by the soap opera, her friends huddled on the floor in front of the TV. And Jennifer? She was off to the … Read more

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From politics to planes: How this Airport Operations alumnus changed his flight path mid-career

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In 2015, Kenneth Lieblich found himself suddenly unemployed. In his early 40s, he had established a decades-long career in public policy and government, including working in the House of Commons and assisting former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Colin Hansen. His income supported his wife and their four children (two of whom have special … Read more

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Giving from loss: Why BCIT alumna Juli Leung is passionate about patient-centred nursing

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Juli Leung is crocheting a doll for her daughter, Hailey age 4. “I’m customizing the doll so that it looks like her,” she says. “Then I plan to make different outfits for the doll so that it will look like she is wearing one of those princess dresses.” If you know Juli, you wouldn’t be … Read more

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Graduating Student Awards Celebration: Recognizing student achievement and the generosity that makes it possible

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BCIT pride was everywhere—from the graduating students who received awards to the donors who made it all possible. They joined BCIT President Kathy Kinloch and faculty and staff to recognize the achievements of our students at the 2019 Graduating Student Awards Celebration on June 18 at the Burnaby campus. “The awards gave me time to … Read more

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From patient to healthcare professional: BCIT student Ashley Verokosky shares her journey

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Ashley Verokosky was excited to begin studying Medical Radiography at BCIT. But before she could start, she experienced a health scare that changed everything. “Prior to getting accepted into the program,” recalls Ashley, “I had a car accident while having a seizure. And a nurse witnessed it and told me it was a seizure … … Read more

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Rejection to opportunity: Interior designer, TV host, and BCIT alumna Jillian Harris couldn’t have designed a more fulfilling career

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For Jillian Harris, interior design was a side hustle in the beginning. In between shifts as a salesperson at a home décor store and as a server at Cactus Club Café, she freelanced as a design consultant taking on small jobs as she could. When the co-owner of Cactus Club Scott Morison heard about her … Read more

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BCIT Alumni Association AGM: Inspiring alumni to achieve and celebrating 40 years of success

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To be a leader in the 21st century, you need to be agile, collaborative, and tenacious. BCIT alumni are all these things, leading teams, organizations, and industries as they tackle some of the world’s biggest problems. “In leadership, pressures can force you to learn, grow, and evolve” said Kevin Lawrence, a strategic advisor, coach to … Read more

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