Alumni Stories
Care Package
November 13, 2025
UVic grad Janna Malo and team have built the new Allies Integrated Health Clinic to provide inclusive, equity-given care to suit a range of needs in the community.
Leaving Space for Wonder
November 13, 2025
While the work is difficult, Camara van Breemen, MN ’07, stresses that professionals who work with terminally ill children are not saints or angels—but people with skills and...
Road Lawyer
November 13, 2025
UVic grad Michelle Kinney is a frontrunner in family and fertility law, working to simplify and modernize legislation as well as making services more accessible with a unique office on wheels.
Farm, food and family!
November 6, 2025
Kim and Ryan Smith put their best food forward with Great Greens Farm Market in Cowichan Bay. The couple met at UVic, where both their children are current students.
Crime Story
November 4, 2025
Writing grad Deb Miller Landau has earned acclaim for her true-crime account of the shocking murder of Lita McClinton, a case involving racial bias, domestic violence and other difficult issues.
In the Valley of Lost Devices
November 4, 2025
Eve Bennett and her team at MeepMeep pivoted their sports-oriented locator to help find lost health devices, like hearing aids, reducing stress on seniors and their caregivers.
Outside, Looking In
November 4, 2025
A UVic geography field school helped Sarah Boon foster a love of the outdoors that sustained her through personal turbulence, and later fuelled her writing career.
Where I Live: Tokyo
November 3, 2025
UVic arts grad Annamarie Sasagawa gets caffeinated, puts on her running shoes and takes us for a tour of Japan’s dynamic capital.
Now you know me
October 28, 2025
UVic alumnus Joe Gallagher, who is a leader in Indigenous health and wellness, collaborated on a book with his friend John Matterson, a settler, to explore truth and reconciliation together.
The art of health
October 27, 2025
UVic double alumna Lyana Patrick helps decolonize education through work on issues of Indigenous health and justice. The Simon Fraser University professor is also a filmmaker, whose new work,...
Business grad makes world’s best vermouth
October 20, 2025
Michela Palmer’s Esquimalt Vermouth & Aperitifs has gained international acclaim by keeping its ingredients and approach local.
The sounds of science
October 6, 2025
Geophysicist Jeffrey Zurek became hooked on Earth science, particularly the mysteries of volcanoes, as a child. Now, he shares his passion for discovery in a lively science podcast.
On with the show!
September 11, 2025
Fine arts grad Sarah Dodd has forged a thrilling career as a writer and showrunner for top Canadian television shows. Her latest project, Private Eyes West Coast, is set in Victoria.
Where I Live: Edinburgh
September 4, 2025
From castles and canals to the charms of Old Town, Christina Spicer says there’s something magical about Scotland’s capital.
Science grad turned ice-cream maker keeps it chill
August 11, 2025
Ten years ago, UVic Science grad Dan Edler, BSc ’06, decided to ditch his government job and try his licks at the ice cream business.
Beyond the numbers
May 26, 2025
UVic History alumna Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of YVR, has earned national acclaim as a gifted, compassionate leader who can navigate organizations through turbulent times to produce a...
Cake it to the limit
May 26, 2025
Cookbook author and musician Lyndsay Sung, BA ’00, rocks the cake world with her colourful, creative takes on classic bakes. Here, she dishes on top decorating tips, tools, cookbooks and...
Canadian beauty
May 26, 2025
Alumni Maureen Gordon and Kevin Smith are co-owners of Maple Leaf Adventures, a BC coastal-based adventure travel company. We asked them for top tips and insights on adventure travel in BC.
Expert travel tips
May 26, 2025
We asked four UVic alumni with expertise in travel about their favourite places, top how-to tips and cherished memories of their time on the fly.
Bear witness
May 23, 2025
UVic alumnus and geography professor Chris Darimont advised researchers who found that bears viewed as a part of ecotourism are not predisposed to causing conflicts with neighbouring...
Becoming a Saké Samurai
May 23, 2025
Inspired by an insatiable thirst for Japanese culture, UVic grad Patrick Ellis became Canada’s largest importer of Japan's national drink, earning the rare distinction of 'Saké...
Born to fly
May 23, 2025
Alumnus John Wensveen found support and mentorship during his UVic geography studies, which helped him fulfill his dreams of a career in the aviation business, ascending to his new role as...
Healthy optimism about new faculty
May 23, 2025
Speech pathologist and change maker Tammy Hopper serves as dean of UVic’s new Faculty of Health
Life is a Carnival
May 23, 2025
As a recent Theatre grad in her 20s, Jackie Adamthwaite put her production skills to work on a cruise ship, stage managing shows for an international crowd at sea.
Work journey
May 23, 2025
The job-search process can be challenging, but being intentional and using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool can help, according to alumni career educator Kerry Vaughan.
Sweet summer reads from UVic Alumni Relations
May 6, 2025
We help you pick from a crop of interesting alumni books for readers of all ages.
Indigenous names given to alumni awards
Čeyɫəm, Dr. Elmer George from Songhees First Nation bestowed the Lək̓ʷəŋən word and J,SIṈTEN, Dr. John...
Business grad brings French connection to macaron shop
February 14, 2025
From salted caramel to kimchi, there’s something for everyone at Yann Fougère’s colourful and adventurous Bon Macaron Patisserie.
Where the Magic happens
February 7, 2025
Engineering grad and TCG Machines founder Graeme Gordon ditched the oil and gas industry to parlay his passion for Magic: The Gathering trading cards into a thriving business.
2024: UVic alumni in the news
December 20, 2024
In 2024, UVic alumni were creating, leading, innovating and generally making a difference in the world, whether through art, sport, health, science, education or business. Here are nine UVic grads...
Joy rides
December 4, 2024
After 28 years in business together, Landyachtz founders and UVic grads Mike Perreten and Tom Edstrand are still on a roll, producing planet-friendly world-renowned skateboards.
Bringing law school to the north
December 4, 2024
Twenty years later, graduates of UVic Law’s Akitsiraq program are key players in the Inuit legal landscape.
A shot to save lives
December 4, 2024
UVic grad Rory Hills is working on an ingenious nanoparticle vaccine that could be a game changer in protecting against coronaviruses, including ones not yet discovered.
Making change, together
December 4, 2024
Social Work alumna Kelly Terbasket helped create two organizations rooted in Indigenous beliefs to help challenge biases and fight the effects of colonization.
Benny energy
December 4, 2024
UVic grads Paige Cey and Julie Letizia poured their passion into Benny, an energy drink that promises to give you a boost without the nasty extras.
Adventures in teaching
December 4, 2024
Education grad Nya Harle finds joys and challenges working in São Paulo, Brazil, where personal connection takes centre stage.
Goodwill dog
December 4, 2024
Humanities graduate and UVic employee Rob Johns, BA ‘91, took a special goodwill trip to Ukraine over the summer with therapy dog, Tango, to bear witness to the devastation of war.
Green by design
December 4, 2024
UVic grad Emma Fanning co-founded Little Fox Design in her quest to find sustainable industry practices.
Helping hats
December 4, 2024
UVic grad Ben Miller started Wirth Hats to honour his late friend and help fund mental-health support for those who need it
Sounds for soldiers
December 4, 2024
The Music for Veterans Project, led by Fine Arts grad Emily Armour, allows young musicians to honour someone who served in the military with an original composition.
Vessi co-founder puts best foot forward
November 8, 2024
UVic grad Tony Yu’s footwear company has taken the waterproof shoe industry by storm
Dr. Russell Kennedy's tips on handling anxiety
November 8, 2024
UVic Social Sciences grad and bestselling author Dr. Russell Kennedy, BSc ’87, spent years studying anxiety and now offers his own approach to dealing with the “alarm”...
Whole lot of shaking going on
September 19, 2024
Earthquake expert and UVic grad Dr. Lucinda Leonard is prepared for ‘the Big One.’ Are you? Don’t miss her upcoming webinar.
Food tour operator dishes on culinary tourism
July 8, 2024
UVic Poli Sci grad Bonnie Todd keeps tourists and curious locals well fed and informed with her Off the Eaten Track walking food tours.
Paging Dr. Bagshaw, Olympian
July 8, 2024
After 16 years and five Olympic trials, UVic grad Jeremy Bagshaw has punched his ticket to the Paris Games. On his journey to the Olympics, he found his calling and earned a medical degree.
Liquid assets
June 7, 2024
These crafty grads are pouring their talents into making award-winning beer, cider and spirits.
Boost your career with networking expert
June 6, 2024
Author Maria Gallo, an expert on leveraging your alumni connections, shares networking knowledge in an upcoming webinar
Internet sensation
May 13, 2024
A keen eye for observation and a pitch-perfect “German Mother” earned Theatre grad Laura Ramoso millions of online followers as the comedian takes the world by storm.
Wave of change
May 13, 2024
Social Sciences grad Lucas Harris pours his passion for surfing and the environment into his current leadership role at Surfrider Foundation Canada.
A passion for politics
May 10, 2024
UVic Poli Sci grad Rachael Segal regards Canadian election night as her "Super Bowl," and she’s on a mission to help women discover that engagement in politics can be invigorating and fun.
Top of your game
May 9, 2024
Olympic physiologist Ben Sporer, BSc ’98, MSc ’01, has distilled years of learning into his new book, Output, which shows how anyone can borrow principles from sport to...
Better bridges
May 7, 2024
A tragic accident inspired UVic alumnus Harsh Rathod, PhD ’19, to harness the power of AI and drones to improve the safety of infrastructure—and save lives.
Supporting Tse’k’wa
May 7, 2024
Alyssa Currie, MA ’19, leads operations of Tse’k’wa, an accessible cultural-heritage site in northern BC and one of Canada’s oldest known archeological sites.
Swimming lessons
May 7, 2024
UVic Psychology grad and Olympian Ryan Cochrane reflects on his years as a high-performance athlete—and how it helped him navigate a real estate career.
Choosing her path
May 2, 2024
Theatre grad Medina Hahn’s latest success is the interactive multi-platform reconciliation story Inheritance: A Pick-the-Path-Experience.
Capturing memories
May 1, 2024
Chelsea Warren turned her focus from science to photography to fulfill her creative drive and run her own business.
Faith, fuel and the life of a poet
May 1, 2024
Award-winning poet Cara-Lyn Morgan explores cultural duality, family secrets and the harms of colonialism in her latest book, Building a Nest from the Bones of My People.
Now boarding
May 1, 2024
UVic social work alumna and debut author Amy Mattes, BSW ’17, writes about the enduring joy of skateboarding and why kickflips might help kick-start creativity.
A matter of privilege
February 12, 2024
In his upcoming webinar, UVic sociology grad and education professor Gerald Walton explores privilege and how it can be used to help create a more equitable society.
2023: UVic alumni in the news
December 20, 2023
This year, our alumni were moving, shaking and generally making a difference in the world, whether through art, public service or innovation in business. Here are just seven of our grads who were...
An app of prevention
November 20, 2023
UVic alumna Lauren Hodges created the new app, Kula Empowered, to help parents and caregivers communicate with children about body safety.
Fits to a tea
November 8, 2023
Business grad Zet Le gave up a corporate job to make his dreams come true by starting Y Not Today, a unique Bingsu ice-cream and bubble-tea business in Calgary.
Seven questions with Kathleen Bellamano
October 19, 2023
Kathleen Bellamano is the current president of the UVic Alumni Association (UVAA). We caught up with Bellamano to ask a few questions about her volunteer work in the UVAA and her busy career.
Nordic state of mind
October 16, 2023
Business graduate Jason LaTorre, BCom ’95, is ambassador of Canada to Sweden, a role that might include building ties between Indigenous peoples, bolstering critical trade and defence...
Land loved
October 4, 2023
UVic Humanities grad Jess Housty brings love of their rainforest home and Heiltsuk culture to a debut poetry collection, Crushed Wild Mint, that opens the heart and awakens the senses.
Comic relief
September 20, 2023
Richard Van Camp reflects on the comic book that saved his life, then inspired his writing career—and the ever-growing garden of Indigenous literature.
Creating planet-positive solutions
September 6, 2023
Science grad Parmjot Gill co-founded Kite, a venture studio that helps work through problems to create world-class companies and a cleaner, more sustainable resource industry
Smarter streaming
August 8, 2023
UVic Writing alumnus and tech innovator Daniel Sieberg wants to make the remote obsolete with a new tool that harnesses the magic of AI to help take the stress out of deciding what to stream.
Leading the charge
July 24, 2023
BCom grad Andrew Johns is helping drivers go electric with a new network of charging stations
For the thrill of it
June 19, 2023
Bestselling author and Writing alumna Gail Anderson-Dargatz delivers some need-to-know tips to start up a literary novel or a fast-paced thriller
Lending a lifeline
May 29, 2023
University of Victoria researchers across disciplines are teaming up to staunch the loss of lives from toxic-drug poisoning, including forging state-of-the-art techniques to check drugs
Bringing Haida home
May 26, 2023
Distinguished alumna Lucy Bell Sdahl Ḵ’awaas is a leader in repatriating Haida Ancestral remains, cultural artifacts and art.
Diamond in the rough
May 26, 2023
A degree in Theatre set the stage for Emily Bailey’s work as a certified mine rescuer in BC’s north and as a member of Diamonds in the Rough, an all-female rescue team.
English degree sparks career in emergency
May 26, 2023
Humanities grad Erin Stockill built upon skills gained at UVic to become a key player in emergency management and preparedness for the District of Saanich.
Putting responders first
May 26, 2023
UVic professor and alumna Lynneth Stuart-Hill and graduate student Thomas Service are studying ways to protect emergency personnel from harms they face on the job.
Strength in language
May 26, 2023
Belinda kakiyosēw Daniels, assistant professor in the Department of Indigenous Education at UVic, is teaching the next generation of nehiyawewin (Cree) language keepers as a way to reclaim...
Different fires
May 24, 2023
How a return to wildfire fighting in BC helped Writing grad Kelly Bouchard reboot from the stress and exhaustion of his work with Toronto’s homeless.
Saving sight
May 24, 2023
University of Victoria alumna Bridget Ryan and biology professor Bob Chow are working on a gene therapy to halt the progression of Stargardt disease, which causes blindness, often beginning in...
A kind word for social workers
April 20, 2023
Social worker Amy Pinnell left public service to start her own business, sharing messages and products to ease the load of her colleagues in the field.
Alum shares tips on mental wellness
April 20, 2023
UVic triple grad and campus counsellor Adam Tran offers up some life hacks on caring for your health and well-being.
Distill my beating heart
April 20, 2023
Mechanical Engineering grads Darcy Lane, BEng ’06, and Brandon Fry, BEng ’10, are helping fuel the craft distilling revival with their custom-made stills
More than bedpans
April 20, 2023
A surprise life event led UVic Nursing grad Melanie Stack from the bedside to the boardroom—navigating the choppy waters of pandemic planning.
Wheels, words and healing
April 20, 2023
Martin Bauman discovered the life-changing power of stories during a cross-country bike ride for mental health.
Cyber security expert offers life hacks
April 19, 2023
UVic double grad Nav Bassi shares his dos and don'ts when it comes protecting yourself online.