Kristy Inouye

Kristy Inouye receiving her award at convocation
Kristy received the Governor General's Silver medal at her convocation

Supporting a student’s journey to top of the class

Kristy Inouye crossed the stage at her convocation ceremony this June top of her class. She won the Governor General’s Silver medal, the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can receive, for achieving the highest academic standing of all UVic undergraduate students.

“After the ceremony lots of students and parents came over to congratulate me. It reminded me of the sense of shared pride we have at UVic. It’s such an honour to win this award, but the success belongs to everyone who supported me.”

UVic’s close-knit community

Kristy appreciated, and drew on, the support of UVic’s close-knit community as she moved through the kinesiology program. She feels that getting to know her professors well helped her take on more challenging projects.

Kristy also received an impressive list of awards through her degree, which gave her reassurance and time to immerse herself in her studies. In 2013, she was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award Scholarship for her interest in working with people with disabilities (the focus area is chosen by the distinguished alumnus/a each year). She says that award in particular, “made me feel like I am on the right track, and that I’m working towards something valuable.”

Hands-on learning fueled passion for improving others’ lives

Kristy has had lots of opportunities to work in, and with, the community, both in her honours project on falls prevention research with older adults, and in her volunteer role at Glengarry hospital. These experiences fueled her passion to improve other people’s quality of life, and shaped her plan to become an Occupational Therapist. She says she wouldn’t have been able to find her way if it weren't for these connections and experiences.

“I have always struggled with self-confidence, but at UVic I met a lot of people, both teachers and fellow students, who encouraged my personal and professional growth. That nurturing environment and positive sense of community was the perfect environment for me to succeed in.”