Success Centres
Success Centres are located on all Okanagan College campuses. Staff provide comprehensive learning assistance to individuals and small groups of students. Success Centre Coordinators support students in developing the skills needed to complete their program and become lifelong learners. Help is available in English language, reading and writing, as well as math, science, and trades. Success Centre Coordinators are available to help you in person at all campuses and also online.
Contact a Success Centre Coordinator at your campus for in-person help, or any campus for online help.
Kelowna Success Centre
The Kelowna Success Centre is located in the library, across from circulation, in L204.
General email: tlckelowna@okanagan.bc.ca
Subjects: Math and Science
Kate Sidlar
Contact: ksidlar@okanagan.bc.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: L204C and online
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4427
Subjects: Math and Science
Josh Gambier
Contact: JGambier@okanagan.bc.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: L204B and online
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4928
Subjects: Academic English & Writing
Karolynn Green
Contact: kgreen@okanagan.bc.ca
Hours: Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (online only)
Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (online only)
Location: L204D and online
Book an appointment with Karolynn here
Subjects: Academic English, Writing and English Language Learning
Michelle Burfitt
Contact: mburfitt@okanagan.bc.ca
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (online)
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (in person and online)
Location: L204E and online
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4946
Book an appointment with Michelle here.
Vernon Success Centre
The Vernon Success Centre is located next to the Auditorium in the Main Entrance.
The Vernon Success Centre is closed until the fall. Please feel free to contact a coordinator from another campus for help online.
Subjects: English and essay writing
Trystan Carter
Contact: tcarter@okanagan.bc.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: D364 and online
Book an appointment with Trystan here.
Subjects: Math and Science
Philip Schellenberg
Contact: PJSchellenberg@okanagan.bc.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: D314 and online
Penticton Student Success Centre
The Penticton Student Success Centre is located in the Sunoka Building, Room PE C13, next to the student union (OCSU) office.
Subjects: English and Writing
Brittany Rust
Contact: BRust@okanagan.bc.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: PE C13 and online
Phone: 250-490-3957
Book an appointment with Brittany here.
Subjects: Math and Science
Barbara Lacy
Contact: blacy@okanagan.bc.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: PE C13 and online
Phone: 250-490-3957
Book an appointment with Barb here.
Salmon Arm Success Centre
The Salmon Arm Success Centre is located in Room SA 137A, and can also be accessed through the library.
Phone: 250-832-2126 ext. 8262
Subjects: Writing, English, Spanish and study skills
Joaquim Camps
Contact: jcamps@okanagan.bc.ca
Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Subjects: Math and Science
Melissa LaRiviere
Contact: MLaRiviere@okanagan.bc.ca
Monday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Thursday: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Trades Success Centre
The Trades Success Centre is located in the Trades building, T127-A.
Subjects: Trades
Elke Pritchard
Contact: epritchard@okanagan.bc.ca or 250-762-5445 ext. 4677
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: online or T127-A
Subjects: Trades
Carolina Galaz
Contact: cgalaz@okanagan.bc.ca or 250-762-5445 ext. 4352
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: online or T127-A
You can get more information about specific subjects here:
Get help with these subjects
All co-ordinators specializing in English and writing can help you with reading comprehension and study skills. They also support essay writing skill development, including thesis statements, organization and cohesion, paragraph focus and development, introductions and conclusions, and integrating sources. Editing and proofreading strategies, as well as common grammar errors, can also be reviewed.
Math support covers a broad range of fields, including basic math, calculus, statistics, and second-year math. Science support covers studies in physics, biology and chemistry. All co-ordinators specializing in Math and Science can help with upgrading, first-year math, and statistics.
Help with business courses is provided by peer mentors.
You can connect with online business tutors through the Online Business Tutors Moodle page here. The first time you click, you will be asked to self-enroll, but after that it will show up with your other Moodle courses.
In-person business tutors are available at the Kelowna and Penticton campuses. For information about the Kelowna tutors, contact tlckelowna@okanagan.bc.ca for details. In Penticton, check the schedule posted outside the Success Centre.
There is help available in a variety of subjects:
- Computer Science
- English Language Learning
- Human Kinetics
- Language learning strategies
- Psychology
- Spanish
- Water Engineering Technology
Contact tlckelowna@okanagan.bc.ca for a referral to a subject expert or peer mentor.
Online study resources
Word power
Grammar, punctuation and style
Research and citations
Types of essays
Parts of an essay
- Creating an Essay Outline
- Thesis Statements
- Introductions and Conclusions
- Paragraphs
- Editing
- Essay Checklist
Writing and grammar practice
- Essay Writing Practice
- Forum Response Practice I
- Forum Response Practice II
- English Usage Practice / English Usage Practice Key
- Sentence Structure Practice I / Sentence Structure Practice I Key
- Sentence Structure Practice II / Sentence Structure Practice II Key
- Sentence Structure Practice III / Sentence Structure Practice III Key
Evidence and proof
Language and mechanics
Business documents
Business communications
Language skills
- Reading
- Speaking
- Speaking - Multi-Level
- Academic Word List
- Pronunciation - Video
- Spelling Rules
- Grammar Reference
- Idiom Site
- Frequently Used Words
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Reading
- Speaking & Pronunciation
- Listening
Test preparation
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Language Proficiency Index (LPI)
- Canadian Listening & Speaking Test (CELPIP)
- TOEFL & TOEIC
- Cambridge Exams
Language practice
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Practice worksheets
Find worksheets for Math, Chemistry, Physics topics and proficiency tests.
Proficiency testing
Proficiency tests are administered through the Testing Centre. Information about the proficiency testing process and practice tests can be found below.
General information
Students may write the following diagnostic tests in the Testing Centre to meet admission requirements for specific Okanagan College courses or programs. See the course calendar for specific requirements.
- Basic Algebra Proficiency Test
- Calculus Readiness Test
- Business Math Proficiency Test (formerly MDT)
- Math 11 Proficiency Test
- Math 12 Proficiency Test
Test-taking process
- Download a copy of the appropriate practice test, see section below, or contact a Success Centre Coordinator to receive a copy (available for pick up at the Success Centre or via email).
- When you feel you are ready to write the test, contact the Testing Centre.
- On the day of the test, arrive on time and with pen/pencil, photo identification and a calculator (if permitted).
- In most cases, you will receive your results as soon as you are finished the test.
Taking tests out of town
If you live out of area you can arrange to write the exam at another location by doing the following:
- Contact an educational institution in your area and arrange an appointment to write the test.
- Provide your invigilator with the email address kelownatesting@okanagan.bc.ca.
- The invigilator must contact the Testing Centre to arrange for the test to be sent and to discuss testing protocol.
- On the day of the test, arrive on time and with pen/pencil, photo identification and a calculator (if permitted).
- When the exam is complete, the invigilator can email or fax the test back to the Testing Center for marking.
Practice proficiency tests
Sample exam questions are available for the following exams:
- Basic Algebra Test (includes list of topics)
- Calculus Readiness (includes list of topics)
- Math 11 Proficiency Exam (Additional Topics)
- Math 12 Proficiency Exam (Additional Topics)
- Business Math Proficiency Test (formerly MDT) (includes list of topics)