Co-op Awards

Vanessa is a third-year Health Science student who completed a Co-operative Education work term as a Student Research Assistant at KPU’s Applied Genomics Centre in Summer 2025. During her work term, she independently led a mini research project evaluating genomic and plasmid DNA extraction and purification kits, building strong proficiency in core molecular biology techniques. She analyzed experimental data and presented her findings to the AGC team, strengthening her scientific communication skills, while also contributing to ongoing research partner projects and gaining valuable experience in a collaborative research environment.

Amandeep is a fourth-year BTECH in Information Technology student. During her Co-op experience, she contributed to several projects that strengthened her organization’s network and security. She helped lead platform migrations, improved endpoint and network protections, and implemented monitoring systems that improved visibility and response times. She also supported key security tools and helped develop clear, practical policies that ensure digital environments remain safe and dependable.

Cameron is a third-year IT student. He recently completed three semesters in the Co-op program with Health Canada, working as a Student IT Support Technician for the B.C. region. Through this experience, he not only developed strong technical skills, but also discovered a genuine appreciation for public service. His time in Co-op helped shape a clear goal to return to the public sector and continue contributing to positive change for the Canadian public.

Devika is a 2^nd year student in BTECH in Information Technology. During her Co-op term as a Production Assistant at Atomic Cartoons, she demonstrated exceptional initiative by completing the objectives of her entire placement in just half the term. She supported cross-functional teams through production coordination, asset management, and workflow optimization, while consistently seeking feedback and communicating with professionalism and clarity. Her outstanding performance led to her extension for an additional semester, where she continues to take on greater responsibilities and contribute at an even higher level.  

Surya is here today is a recent graduate of the Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting program. She completed her Co-op term with the Canada Revenue Agency from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025, where she developed strong skills in accuracy, efficiency, and teamwork while handling sensitive and confidential information.  

Kithmi is a recent graduate of the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Human Resources Management, who completed her Co-op work term with ICBC. During her placement, Kithmi contributed to ICBC’s Change Management program by creating training materials, analyzing employee feedback, and building reporting dashboards to track program engagement. She collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to ensure materials were clear, consistent, and aligned with organizational standards. Through this experience, Kithmi strengthened her analytical and problem-solving skills while maintaining a high level of precision and attention to detail within a large, complex organization. 

Oleksandra is a second year Marketing Management Diploma student. She completed her first work term with KPU’s Career Development Centre, where a culture of trust, collaboration, and openness allowed her to contribute to meaningful marketing and communications initiatives for students. Supported by an inspiring CDC team, she helped create human-centered content that made career resources more approachable while growing professionally in an environment where learning, experimentation, and impact were truly valued. This experience inspired Oleksandra to continue her Co-op journey with KPU’s Marketing Department, where she is grateful to be learning and growing more alongside a supportive and motivating team. 

Manvinder is a fourth-year BTECH student and Systems Support Technologist with the IT department at KPU. He also serves as a Peer Tutor and Student Representative on the Standing Committee on Education Quality. Through hands-on experience in enterprise IT infrastructure, system administration, and service delivery, he contributes practical insights into how reliable digital systems support and enhance student learning. 

Sana is a recent graduate of the Computer Information Systems Diploma. She completed a full year of Co-op experience at WorkSafeBC as a Database Administrator, where she strengthened her technical and analytical skills while gaining experience within a large, regulated organization. 

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Crystal is a recent graduate of the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting. During her Co-op term at Provision CPA, she gained valuable hands-on experience and is grateful for the mentorship of the Provision CPA team, as well as the support of the KPU Co-op Office, who she expresses the strong employer partnerships with KPU helped make this experience possible.  

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Gavin is a 3^rd year HR student who truly took full advantage of what the Co-op program has to offer by completing five work terms in total, including 2 additional optional work terms beyond the 3 required for his program.  Across the five work terms, he worked with three different employers, beginning as a Health and Safety Coordinator and progressing into a Labour Relations and HR Coordinator role in his final two terms. Some highlights of his Co-op terms include onboarding over 100 employees, building a comprehensive HR dashboard, and preparing an organization to become COR-ready across three locations in British Columbia. Alongside his professional growth, he remained actively involved in the community through volunteering at local events, mentoring youth through outdoor activities, and continuing his studies through additional coursework.  

Divya is a fourth-year accounting student who gained her first professional experience in a tax environment as a Tax Assistant at JD Tax & Accounting. Through this role, she developed a practical understanding of how a small tax office operates, including required tax forms, workflow sequencing, and client file preparation, while working closely with the firm’s owner. 

Angelica completed two Co-op work terms as a Junior Accountant at NUMIS CPAs Inc. in 2025, where she played a key role in supporting the completion of over 3,000 tax returns during a busy tax season. She's also recognized as one of the top co-op students the firm has worked with in nearly 20 years. She demonstrated exceptional attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage a high volume of files with accuracy and efficiency. With her continued diligence and dedication, she is well on her way to building a successful future in the accounting field.