Jan 30, 2023
Vancouver, BC – At a ceremony in Calgary on Friday, January 27, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns was awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for her outstanding service and dedication to the field of adult education in Alberta.
The commemorative medal was created by the Government of Alberta to mark the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada and honour Her Majesty’s service to Canada. The Government of Alberta will award the medal to 7,000 Albertans throughout 2022-23 in recognition of significant contributions to the province.
“Dr. Burns is a deserving candidate of this award, and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Michal Jaworski, Board Chair, Langara College Board of Governors. “The medal illustrates her passion and service to public education, first in Alberta, and now here in British Columbia.”
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be recognized in this way; education has been at the heart of my personal and professional growth,” said Dr. Burns. “I look back with gratitude on my years at Lethbridge College and the opportunity to serve in that community. I know those years of experience will serve me well in my current role at Langara College. Thank you Advanced Education in Alberta for making this possible.”
Dr. Burns previously served as the President of Lethbridge College from 2013 until joining Langara in June 2022. She was also board chair of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). Dr. Burns served on the National Indigenous Education Advisory Committee that developed CICan’s Indigenous Education protocol; was chair of their governance committee; and was chair of the Presidents’ Advisory Committee on Sustainability, a committee of Presidents who advises CICan and its members on their role with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
About snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 23,000 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 snəw̓eyəɬ leləm 'house of teachings', a name given to it by Musqueam, on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.
Learn more.
Mark Dawson
Manager, Public Affairs
Langara College
mdawson@langara.ca
