OCNews

Okanagan College will welcome a new member to its executive leadership team when Meri Kim Oliver assumes the role of Vice President Students this summer.

Oliver comes to the College from Durham College in Oshawa, ON where she has served as vice-president Student Affairs since 2013. Prior to that appointment, she served as assistant vice-president, Student Academic Success Services at Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S.

“As someone passionate about student development, I could not be more excited to be part of an institution with four campuses and other learning centres across the region, each with a distinct identity but all focused on providing a supportive student experience.

“When you add in the fact that the College also has one of the highest populations of Indigenous students of any college or university in the province, and that each of its campuses is home to international students from a growing number of countries, I am really looking forward to playing a role in supporting such a diverse student population.”

She is expected to assume her role at the College on August 1 or as soon thereafter as COVID-19 conditions and travel advisories will allow.

“It’s clear from speaking with a few members of the OC community already just how much people care about students here. That aligns with who I am and I am eager to be a part of that community and contribute to that culture,” adds Oliver.

“Meri Kim’s depth and breadth of experience, her knowledge of the Canadian post-secondary landscape, and her proven dedication to fostering exceptional student experience all gave us tremendous confidence that she would be a great fit for the role and an asset to the College,” said Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton.

“Our search for a new Vice President Students garnered interest from across the country, and we feel fortunate to be able to add her voice to the College’s senior leadership table.”

Oliver holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Master of Theological Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University.

She is also a published author and co-author of several works focused on student development, including Wellness as Raising Consciousness for Student Development and The Ethics of Access.