Here are just some of the staff publications written by Alexander College faculty:

Title: The Iconography of Malcolm X

Author(s): Abernethy, G.

Subject: English

Publisher: University Press of Kansas

Publication Year: 2013

Written by English Department Head and Spring 2024 Convocation Ceremony emcee Graeme Abernethy, this book explores the legacy of activist Malcom X and what his iconography says about American culture.

Title:Fighter, Worker, and Family Man: German-Jewish Men and Their Gendered Experiences in Nazi Germany, 1933–1941

Author(s): Huebel, S.

Subject: History

Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Publication Year: 2021

In Humanities Department Head Sebastian Huebel’s first published book, he examines how Jewish men’s’ gender identity changed and adapted during Nazi rule.

Title: Nanoparticles: complex and multifaceted additives for liquid crystals

Author(s): Shivakumar, U., Mirzaei, J., Feng, X., Sharma, A., Moreira, P., & Hegmann, T.

Subject: Chemistry

Journal: Liquid Crystals, 38(11-12)

Publication Year: 2011

This paper, co-written by fellow chemistry instructor and recipient of the Spring 2024 Faculty Award for Excellence in Instruction Jason Mirzaei, examines the use of nanoparticles, particles of matter that are usually 1-100 nanometers in diameter, for liquid crystals, commonly used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

Title: Prenatal alcohol exposure and adolescent stress – unmasking persistent attentional deficits in rats

Author(s): Comeau, W.L., Winstanley, C.A., & Weinberg, J.

Subject: Psychology

Journal: European Journal of Neuroscience, 40(7)

Publication Year: 2014

Co-written by Psychology Department Head Dr. Wendy Comeau, this informative report explores the relationship between prenatal alcohol exposure and attentional deficits in rats.

Title: Theoretical perspectives and preliminary results on the feasibility of using Uchinaaguchi in Okinawan karate and kobudo classes

Author(s): May, S.

Subject: Sociology

Journal: International Review of Ryukyuan and Okinawan Studies, 3, 27-49.

Publication Year: 2014

As a means to preserve an endangered language, Sociology Department Head Dr. Samantha May looks to Okinawan karate and kobudo as a potential way to revitalize Uchinaaguchi.

The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey and we are proud to showcase the contributions our faculty and staff have made to their areas of expertise.

As a reminder, you can read more about what our faculty and staff have accomplished through our AC Faculty and Staff Publications page.

The post A Brief Showcase of AC Faculty Publications appeared first on Alexander College.

Regardless of circumstances, knowing there is someone you can talk to regarding mental wellbeing is always a good thing to have. Our Health and Wellness Counsellor Muge is always willing to lend an ear to students who need it.

We understand talking to someone about mental health may be a daunting task, so we sat down with Muge to get to know her better and get their thoughts on the importance of mental health.

Originally from Turkey, Muge is a Clinical Counselor with a PhD in Counseling Psychology. With over 25 years of experience working in the field, she enjoys helping students from all walks of life grow and improve.

Outside of work, she is a proud cat parent despite her allergies.

*Some quotes have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Tell me a little bit about Health and Wellness. What is a service you offer that students don’t really know about?

At Health and Wellness, we mostly offer counselling sessions. We are offer 10 sessions of free counseling to the students but if they need more, we provide the service to them.

It’s not a therapy session or group therapy or anything like that. It’s just to help people make friends and just have people to talk to because sometimes people can feel really lonely and it’s hard making friends coming to a new country and new college.

Some people may not have had experience with Health and Wellness or talking to a counsellor. What is your advice for those people?

For students, the first interaction with us starts with orientation. During our presentations, they get to know about us who we are and what we do. We emphasize that no information is shared with anyone because some students are concerned that IRCC will learn about this and affect their PR, that kind of thing. This is not true.

Our door is always open and students hesitate to come in sometimes but when they come in, they say they are glad to make this appointment to come and meet us.

As you mentioned, some countries and cultures still have stigma around mental health. What are your thoughts on removing some of that stigma?

When clients come here, we appreciate their courage to be here. It’s not easy to talk about yourself, so actually, it is a strength to come here.

It’s a strength to be self aware that there’s something going on. We try to emphasize this aspect.

It’s not a weakness, it’s a strength to come to see a counsellor.

What is something you wish you knew as a student?

Actually during my education, we don’t have such services. So yes, there are more opportunities that the students actually should use.

I don’t think they are promoted enough. It should be promoted on a regular basis, like every two months because during course registration, you are too busy to picking up your courses and then before exams, you are too busy. The timing is very important.

What are like additional things you want readers to know about you or Health and Wellness in general?

Students should come and meet us at least once. Check the website, what the services that are offered and please use them. We don’t criticize and we’re non judgmental.

Just drop by for a chat, have a cup of coffee with us and learn more about who we are!

Want to talk? Make an appointment with a Counsellor today or learn more about self help resources.

The post Health and Wellness: Sitting Down with Counsellor Muge appeared first on Alexander College.

We previously talked to one of our Academic Advisors, Sunny, but this time we sat down with one of our other Academic Advisors, Amanpreet, to get to know her and what advice she has for students.

Some quotes have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Tell me a little about yourself.

My name is Amanpreet but I also go by Aman for short.

I recently started doing Academic Advising about two months ago because I love connecting with students who come from diverse backgrounds. It’s really fun to chat with them and learn about their experiences.

I also advise them about their courses, course planning, GPA calculations, and how to navigate their educational journey. It’s really fun to get to know them and they can know me as well.

A fun fact about myself is that I love biking, so whenever I get the chance I like to bike around town.

Why did you decide to become an Academic Advisor?

One of the reasons is that I love talking to people. Especially so at our college where we have a lot of different backgrounds and students from different countries.

I get to know about their culture and help them. They move to Canada to get their education and I find it really fulfilling to help them go to different universities or graduate from our school and find the jobs they need.

Some people might not have had experience with Academic Advising services because it wasn’t offered to them in high school or they may not know what to ask. What is your advice for those people?

For students who don’t know what to ask, they can just come introduce themselves and we can take a look at their student portfolio and then we can suggest courses they can take for the future.

They don’t necessarily have to come for big questions, like how to transfer, or “Oh, I’m struggling,” something like that. It doesn’t have to be specific questions either!

Do you think Academic Advising makes an impact on student success?

Absolutely! I think we can provide them with a direction.

We offer a lot of courses and taking random courses will not help them graduate. So for specific programs, they need specific courses, which will help them with graduation.

It’s best for students to be in touch with Academic Advisors every semester, even before course registration and also after their grades for that semester come out.

What is something you do behind the scenes when you’re not talking to students?

Behind the scenes, I am usually replying to student emails. A lot of them are asking for course planning and GPA calculations.

I also try to brainstorm ideas about a different workshops to help them know more about our services.

What kind of workshops do you host?

We have different kinds of workshops. For example, recently we did a workshop introducing Academic Advising—what services we offer, when can students contact us, and so on.

Right now, we are also planning a University Transfer Fair which will be coming up soon. Students can keep checking the website for more information and keep an eye on their email inbox.

What is something you wish you knew as a student?

I think I would have benefited a lot more if I had made more connections, constantly talking with peers and even instructors. You will learn a lot more by asking for advice or just talking to them.

Speaking with people will not only help with friendships, but they can also potentially help with references for jobs in the future, especially if you talk with instructors. That is very beneficial—I wish I would have done that more.

What are some additional things that you want readers to know about you or Academic Advising?

One thing about Academic Advising that we don’t advertise as much or they might not know about is that we offer Academic Advising in 15 to 16 languages.

In case students are not comfortable with speaking in English or with us, they can just send us an email and say, “Hey, I’m looking for advising in this language. Can you connect me with this language advisor?” We would be happy to help with that!

Often Sunny and I are the main people, but in case students need more help with different languages, everyone else is more than happy to help!

If you’re looking for additional support on your academic journey, speak with an Academic Advisor today.

The post Academic Advising: Behind the Scenes with Academic Advisor Amanpreet! appeared first on Alexander College.

Whether you have worked in another country previously or you’re looking for employment for the first time, finding a job may feel like a daunting task!

Luckily at Alexander College, Career Advisors are here to help! Career Advising Services are available to current students as well as alumni so you can feel ready and confident to work towards your dream career path.

We sat down with Ian and Gungeet, our two resident Career Advisors, and asked them to shed some light on what to expect during a Career Advising appointment, how to find a job in Canada, and more!

Ian is an industry veteran, having received his degree from UBC and working with various colleges and WorkBC agencies as a career educator before becoming a Career Advisor at Alexander College. On the other hand, Gungeet chose a broader approach and went through various educational paths before finding her calling in the education industry as a Career Advisor.

Both of these Career Advisors bring their depth of knowledge and personal experiences to the table when it comes to helping students succeed in their chosen career paths. Aside from meeting with students, our Career Advisors also host events and presentations throughout the year.

Some quotes have been edited for clarity and brevity.

What is a typical day like for a Career Advisor?

We brainstorm and strategize a lot for the next upcoming months and seasons. Fall, Winter, and Spring are our busiest seasons with many students walking in and out of our doors, but we always try to bring upon new initiatives.

The fun thing about being a career advisor is that we are constantly learning ourselves! The job market and demand is changing and that is something we are studying every other week to month.

Resume styles are changing as well, and they are becoming far more different than how they were 10 years ago. Education is key to success!

What should students expect when they book an appointment with a Career Advisor?

Our appointments are 30 minutes in length. We try to answer all the questions the student(s) bring but we do like to work step by step.

The goal for students is to usually land a job and for that we always start with resume writing. We ask students to sign up for the Canadian Job Readiness program which is available in Canvas under Student Support to help them gain more clarity on integrating in Canada.

What is some advice you would give to someone trying to find a job in Canada?

Research the job market – look for industries that align with your skills, experience and qualifications to increase your chances of finding a suitable opportunity.

Polish your resume – tailor your resume to highlight the relevant skills and experiences that match the job requirements.

Network – connect with professionals in your field through platforms like LinkedIn and through attending Job fairs! Networking can lead to valuable connections, job referrals and insights to the job market.

Prepare for interviews – once you start securing interviews, be prepared by researching the company, its values and its core vision. Practice common interview questions and consider how your skills and experience align with the role you are applying to. Additionally, be aware of Canadian workplace culture and norms!

Volunteer – Try to give some of your time to organizations in Metro Vancouver. This way you will meet other Canadian people. Volunteering is a great way to network, make local contacts, and get future employment.

What advice would you give to students trying to juggle work and studies?

Prioritize your studies – at the end of the day, your education will lead you farther if you have desires to get into university after graduating from AC. Work experience is great to have but just remember you may not enjoy every job you have although you walk away with a whole new skill set!

What is something you wish you knew as a student?

Whatever degree or path you are pursuing in university may not always end up being in your best interest and that is OK. Your education and career path will not always be linear.

Instead, try out new subjects, new roles and gain new experiences! You may fail at some, but you will gain many new skills that you never thought you had before and that’s what the journey is all about.

What are additional things you want readers to know about you or Career Advising?

Don’t wait to come to us until its near end of graduation.

Career education is not a one stop shop – instead it is something you will be carrying during your entire education and throughout your life. It’s a revolving door and we try our best to bring new updated information to all the students.

90% of the hard work is going to come from you. We will be the 10% providing helpful guidance, information, and strategies.

Work hard now so you can see how it pays off in the next 5-10 years.

Ready to take your resume and interview skills to the next level? Book an appointment with an Career Advisor today!

The post Career Success: Get to Know Your Career Advisors, Ian and Gungeet! appeared first on Alexander College.

Fortunately, Alexander College Academic Advisors are here to help! We understand it may be a little intimidating approaching staff, so the Web team decided to break the ice and interview one of our very own Academic Advisors, Sunny, in this exclusive staff feature!

Starting off as a Marketing Assistant at Alexander College, Sunny switched to the Student Life department before becoming an Academic Advisor. During his time with the Student Life department, he was involved with the school’s sports programs and spent a lot of time participating in basketball and soccer.

Sunny also enjoys watching anime and can be spotted around campus wearing a lanyard decorated with pins of various anime characters.

With this interview, we hope that you will gain insight on what Academic Advising does and see that our Academic Advisors want the best for your academic success!

Some quotes have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Why did you decide to be an Academic Advisor?

It’s funny because when I first started here, on my first day we had a staff meeting. So Shaun and I were walking up to the staff meeting and we met with Academic Advising and I’m thinking to myself, “God, it’d be awesome to be an Academic Advisor.”

Lo and behold, a couple of years later, I was an Academic Advisor!

I think it stems from my need, or want to help students, especially our students because they’re here by themselves and they need somebody to be there for them. Specifically because we have a lot of students that are looking for a mentor in a sense, or someone to guide them.

I also did peer support advising when I was at KPU, so I feel like it gave me a little bit of background. I just want to help the students and make life easier for them because I know how tough it is to be a student.

Tell me about Academic Advising. What’s one service you offer that students don’t really know about?

Ok, that’s a good question. Students think we can do everything, which I wish we could!

One thing I want the students to know is GPA calculation. Students don’t necessarily know what their actual graduating GPA is—what we call the Program GPA.

We can calculate that for them and actually teach them how to calculate it. Along with that, we can also help them with personalized transfer plans.

If we don’t have a university or transfer program that they want to go to, we can do the research for them, provided that they give us the institution and program they want to go to.

Most places should be options for transfer. They just need to tell us because there’s so many possibilities!

Do you think Academic Advising makes an impact on student success?

100% because students that talk to us that regularly see us two times a semester—yes, there are still going to be problems—but they face a lot less problems because we can give them their options.

Students could come from a different education background where, in a lot of cases, they’re told these are the courses you need to take. Whereas here, it’s more freeform and you make your own decisions, right?

There’s more independence here, but they don’t understand that. So, whereas a student could possibly take a history course, they don’t.

Students think they can’t and they want to only stick with philosophy or psychology, or whichever the concentration that they’re in.

When they talk to us, we let them know that, hey, you have options, and these options, you can explore them and change your programs. We can also give them tips like, hey, course registration is opening up. We remind them.

We can also keep an eye on their GPA. We always keep them up to date with this information, which allows them to be on time and successful with these little nitty gritty things that we all forget about.

Our job is to remind them, plan for them, and make sure they can graduate on time, or earlier! We do have a lot of students that graduate faster than two years.

Students, don’t be like me, I didn’t see my Academic Advisor till my fourth year, which is a horrible idea!

How often do you recommend students make an appointment with an Academic Advisor?

Minimum two times a semester, at least. Keep an eye on the dates and see us when the courses are published for the next term.

Also at the end of the term, when final grades are released, we can reassess their study plan. This way, we can help them with course planning for the next term.

I always tell my students, “I’m bored, come talk to me!” So see us as much as you can is the best, but minimum two times a semester.

What is something you wish you knew as a student?

I wish I knew not to do extra electives!

Jokes aside, I wish my academic advisors also reached out more. I feel this [blog] is a great way to put our faces out there so they know who we are.

I think it breaks down that barrier and makes us stand at the same level, if that makes sense. So you can feel like I’m not as authoritative as they think I am and it makes them think I’m more friendly.

I want to make it so that students can come and ask me because comfort is the main thing. If they’re comfortable, I can also refer them to other departments and they can go to the correct person for help because one thing I notice about our students is they don’t know where to go.

If you know one person on campus that you’re comfortable with, just go to them and they can direct you to the correct place and that help can be the difference maker in graduating on time and enjoying your time here.

We all want to help, right? That’s why we’re working in education and higher education because we want to help you!

Are there any additional things you want readers to know about you, Academic Advising, or just life in general?

There’s no silly questions. If you’re thinking of a question, someone either already has, or has already asked or is thinking about it.

So, always ask questions. Don’t be shy!

I know it doesn’t seem that way, but I was that kid sitting at the back of the class doing my work and going home right away.

I did not study at the library. I did not talk to anybody, staff or otherwise, and then all of a sudden fourth year, I’m like, “you know what I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna start being more vocal.”

That would be my biggest advice. Don’t be afraid, ask for help and ask any questions and not only to meet with your instructors as well, because again, we’re all here to help!

Book an appointment with an Academic Advisor today for advice on your academic journey!

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