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Giving to UVic

Donor Spotlight: Janine Hannis

August 24, 2026

A woman wearing a flowery shirt and smiling while holding up several postcards that say Thank You For 22 Years of Contributions.

Connection to UVic remains strong for Education grad and Ring Road Loyalty Circle donor.

When UVic alumna and Ring Road Loyalty Circle donor Janine Hannis shared this photo with the Donor Relations team, it not only made us smile, but also made us want to learn more about her. So we asked Janine about her continued ties to UVic, why she gives and the story behind that photo.

How have you remained connected with UVic since graduating in 2002?

I still live in the area, so that’s made it easier. My husband and my son, who is now 30, also went to UVic, so we are a big UVic family. I think it's an amazing institution and it’s become a huge part of my life.

I always watch out for alumni events and discounts or deals. I’ve been on a whiskey tasting, a food tour and a wine and cheese event. And during Covid, I remember getting several fun packages at home linked with online events. I’m also a member of the Alumni Book Club.

But I’ve also remained connected with UVic through my profession. Right now, I’m working on a part-time contract with the Community-Engaged Learning department as a community advisor.

Why did you decide to take your Master of Education at UVic?

I did my undergrad at Dalhousie in Halifax but had returned to the island and was working at the ministry responsible for education at that time. I wanted to take a deeper dive into prison education, especially education for people in provincial custody. Through my work I had seen that access to education was not the same across the province and I wanted to do something to help solve that.

When I started my graduate degree, my first marriage was ending, and I had just become a single mother. I took a short educational leave from work and dove into some intense back-to-back summer classes. In one of those classes, we had to do a lot of journalling. Looking back, I think that saved me. Being on campus every day and being immersed in learning kept me happy and sane during a difficult time. By the fall I resumed working and was taking classes and I had my five-year-old boy, and I don’t know how I managed that. But I still look back fondly on that time.

What are some of your career highlights?

At work I was part of the team that set up the Adult Dogwood Graduation Program, and a few years after that, I helped create a program to ensure every provincial correctional centre had an educational partnership to provide the Adult Dogwood. I’m very proud of that legacy.

After my work with adult and alternate education, I shifted my focus to adult literacy in the community. From 2019 I ran a literacy network in Greater Victoria for several years, and I still volunteer in the literacy community.

“When you ask me what's important about literacy—it's not about learning to love books. Raising people’s level of literacy allows people to be part of a democratic society. It lifts people out of poverty. It allows them to let go of shame and feel like they can contribute to society.”

Literacy is really a poverty issue. Our society now requires such a high level of literacy—across all kinds of essential forms, apps, online accounts—for life really. If you don't have it, you are getting left behind and you are falling further into the cracks. 

Really, what it comes down to is, I want to give people hope. That's why I really love working with adults and marginalized communities. The most exciting thing about working in education is giving people hope.

You made your first gift to UVic just a year after graduating, and you’ve continued to give frequently ever since. Why?

I grew up quite poor. My mother was on social assistance until she re-married. But I was a good student and everyone in my friendship group was going to university, so I just assumed I would too! I had to work all summer to make that happen. In my final year I got a scholarship that helped too.

So now I can give back.  I want to support younger versions of me going to UVic, especially those that are struggling financially. My father’s saying was “You grow pears for your heirs.” All my life I have always believed in giving back. That’s why I do what I do. I believe in community and I believe in giving to programs that help people.

You sent us a photo holding some of your loyalty postcards. What prompted you to send that note?

I found that collection when I was cleaning up my home office and thought it would be fun to share a photo. Whenever I receive a postcard I put it on my fridge. After a while they go into a pile, but I never want to get rid of them. They are too special. I enjoy opening the mailbox and reading the notes. It’s nice to get fun mail, and it’s nice to feel appreciated too!

I guess I’ve reached 22 years in the circle now. In the last couple of years, I swapped into a monthly donation, so it’s easy and I don't have to think about it. I'm a regular donor to several small organizations. I think if we believe in something and we're able to, we should support these places. We should support the next generation.