We’re proud of our co-op students and everything they accomplish—that’s why we hold an annual OPP Co-op Designation Celebration to applaud their hard work. More than 50 co-op students, five deans and associate deans and 20 Co-op and Career staff turned up for this year’s celebration for students in the Optional and Professional Programs (OPP) on March 27, 2013 at the Arbutus/Queenswood room of the Cadboro Commons.

Attendees enjoyed good food and great company before awards were handed out for Co-op Student of the Year for each of the OPP programs. Students were nominated by their employers and coordinators.

Biochemistry and Microbiology student Jenna Ries received the overall UVic Co-op Student of the Year award for all Optional and Professional Programs. She was also named an Association of Co-operative Education 2012 co-op student of the year for all of BC-Yukon.

Congratulations to our 2012 OPP Co-op Students of the Year:

• Anthropology: Justine Drummond
• Biochemistry and Microbiology: Jenna Ries – overall OPP Co-op Student of the Year
• Biology: Andrew Sinstadt
• Chemistry: Phillip Danby
• Earth and Ocean Sciences: Rachelle Sarrazin
• Economics: Justin Ferreira (pictured)
• Environmental Studies: Miranda Maslany
• Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education: Michael Slater
• Fine Arts: Tyler Laing
• Geography: Kelly Forbes
• Health Information Science: Faye Morgan Jones
• Humanities: Nicole Wannamaker
• Law: Marian Foucault
• Physics and Astronomy: Alice Koning
• Political Science: Evan Pivnick
• Psychology: Kayla Amaladas
• Public Administration: Naomi Jehlicka
• Sociology: Paula Flaa