May 14, 2019

Vancouver, BC – Two Langara students were recognized for their outstanding academic and professional achievements by the Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (ACE-WIL), BC/Yukon chapter. Lucy Morrow received the College Co-op Student of the Year Award, while Lara Griner received the College Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Student of the Year.

It is the first time Langara students have received these awards. The awards were presented at the ACE-WIL BC/Yukon annual general meeting and conference in Victoria, BC, on Tuesday May 14.

“To be recognized in this way, given the high level of competition from across BC and the Yukon, is a testament to how hard Lucy and Lara have worked. Work integrated learning experience and the opportunities it presents are invaluable to our students, and we’re proud to have Langarans receive these awards,” said Heather Workman, President and Director at Large, ACE-WIL BC/Yukon.

Lucy is a third-year BBA Marketing student who recently completed a four-month co–operative education work experience in India as part of Langara’s India Connect Scholarship Program. This program is a partnership between Langara College, Optimus Information Inc., and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Selected as one of the first two students to take part in this program, Lucy was able to launch her global career at one of Canada’s fastest growing IT firms, Optimus Information. The India Connect Scholarship Program was the perfect opportunity for Lucy to gain valuable work experience while developing intercultural skills in one of the world’s most dynamic emerging economies.

After graduating from the Post-Degree Diploma program in Marketing Management, Lara was offered the role of Alumni Relations Officer at Langara. She creates motivating projects and activities for alumni, connects with stakeholders to develop programming, and provides opportunities for former students to reconnect with the College and the community. A native of Brazil, Lara is one of Langara’s representative at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Company of Young Professionals program.

“As an instructor, it was wonderful to see Lara change and adapt to a completely different work environment, but also see how her in-class and especially later her WIL experience helped her experience a slightly unique aspect of marketing – alumni relations,” said Natasha Mrkic-Subotic, Instructor and Social Innovation Coordinator at Langara. “Lara allowed this positive learning experience take her on a slightly different path than the one she originally imagined.”

About Langara College
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as house of teachings, a name given to it by the Musqueam people on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located. Langara is celebrating its 49th year on West 49th Avenue with Beyond 49, an integrated celebration, alumni engagement, and fundraising campaign to reconnect with alumni, and raise funds for student support and important College initiatives.

About ACE-WIL
The Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning BC/Yukon is a provincial non-profit comprised of post-secondary, publicly-funded institutions in the BC/Yukon region that offer co-operative education and work-integrated Learning (WIL)programs. Work-integrated learning is a model and process of curricular experiential education which formally and intentionally integrates a student’s academic studies within a workplace or practice setting. WIL experiences include an engaged partnership of at least: an academic institution, a host organization, and a student. WIL can occur at the course or program level and includes the development of learning outcomes related to employability, personal agency, and life-long learning.

Learn more.
Mark Dawson
Manager, Public Affairs
Communications and Marketing
Langara College
604.323.5702 (w)
mdawson@langara.ca