Aboriginal Services Staff

James Coble
Aboriginal Access and Services Coordinator 

Kelowna Campus
Tel: 250.762.5445, local 4322
E-mail: jcoble@okanagan.bc.ca

I'm of Okanagan Nation descent, born and raised as a member of the Westbank First Nation community. I studied at the University of Victoria where I received a Bachelor of Education degree. After graduation and spending three years back in Kelowna, I decided to return to the University of Victoria where I completed a Master of Arts degree in Exercise Psychology with an emphasis on Aboriginal populations. I was lucky enough to be hired as the Aboriginal Access and Services Coordinator just as I was completing my Master's Degree. Since then, it's been a whirlwind, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I look forward to meeting you and assisting in any way that I can.

Marilyn Alexis
Educational Advisor, Aboriginal Transitions Planner

Vernon Campus
Vernon Tel: 250.545.7291 local 2284 (Mon. Tues. Thurs. & Fri.) or 2209 (Wed.) 
E-mail: malexis@okanagan.bc.ca

I'm a member of the Lower Similkameen Nation but was born In Vernon, BC. I was raised on both the Lower Similkameen and Okanagan reserves. After graduating from Vernon Senior Secondary, I attended Trinity Western University and completed both my Bachelor of Science degree, (majoring in Biochemistry) and my requirements for Naturopathic Medicine. I spent three additional years training with Wild Rose College in Vancouver and completed my preceptorship during the summer months at the Naturopathic Clinic in Penticton, B.C. While raising my children, Willow and Sage, I decided to change career paths and work for Okanagan University College as an Academic Advisor and First Nation Mentor. I've worked with OUC and OC for the past seven years. I'm energetic, supportive, and I encourage students to persevere and to not quit. I always say, your first year is the big challenge, and when someone says you can’t, I know you can. 

 Gail Smith
Aboriginal Transitions Planner


Kelowna Campus
Tel: 250.762.5445 local 4682
E-mail:gsmith@okanagan.bc.ca

I am from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba and have lived in both Winnipeg and Vancouver.  My background is in the financial service industry and I’ve owned and operated three different businesses. When I moved to the Okanagan 15 years ago, it was a struggle to find full-time work, so I returned to school. Even though I graduated from high school, it had been a while, so I needed to upgrade my skills. I started out at the Vernon Campus taking both Math and English.The counseling staff at the Okanagan College suggested I visit the Career Cruising website (accessible to all Okanagan College students) so I could determine my strengths and line that up with a career.  Interestingly, I chose to ignore the test results, which pointed to teaching, mentoring or counseling. Instead I enrolled in a computer science program because I had heard they make good money. I quickly learned it wasn’t for me and I transferred to business. But it took mentors like Craig Smith, my English 12 instructor, and Deborah Warren, my Computer Science instructor, to help me see things in a different light. Craig told me the true goal in life is to be paid for what you love doing, while Deborah shared that when life hits hard, don’t take it personally and bring along an advocate. So today I’ve come full circle – following my true passion as a mentor and passing on what I’ve learned. I understand how overwhelming it can be to juggle studying, exams and assignments all the while leading a busy life. I also appreciate first-hand the challenges many Aboriginal students face, and it’s my pleasure to help in whatever way I can by offering support, a listening ear and, if required, that advocate we all sometimes need.

 Marcy Trotter
Aboriginal Transitions Planner



Penticton Campus
(250) 492-4305 ext. 3280
E-mail: mtrotter@okanagan.bc.ca  

I joined Okanagan College in February, 2010 in the role of Aboriginal Recruiting and Events Coordinator for the South Okanagan-Similkameen and Central Okanagan regions. I have a BA in Recreation Administration from the University of Alberta. Prior to joining Okanagan College I worked for more than 10 years with School District #53 (Okanagan-Similkameen) as a First Nations Support Worker for Similkameen Elementary Secondary School. I spend most of my days connecting with local Aboriginal Communities to assist Aboriginal students with their educational goals and I help students discover opportunities at Okanagan College. For any questions or requests I can be reached at my home campus in Penticton  

Caroline Chartier
Aboriginal Transitions Planner

I'm a member of the Lakota Sioux Nation with Métis ancestry, born in St. Boniface, Manitoba. I attended elementary and junior high school in Winnipeg before moving to BC and attending high school in Vancouver. Soon thereafter I got married and had a son. I continued my education through night classes and weekend courses at local colleges while working full time and raising a family. In 1997 I moved to the Okanagan where I was hired by School District #83 (Shuswap School District) as a First Nations Support Worker. In 2006, I was hired by Okanagan College as an Aboriginal Mentor for the Salmon Arm Campus and in 2010 hired as the Aboriginal Recruiting and Events Assistant for the North Okanagan/Shuswap-Revelstoke Region. I am passionate about what I do and I take pride in helping students in any way I can.