Okanagan College business course paints a picture of co-operation between students and service agencies

For Kaitlyn Kendall and the Downtown Vernon Association, Okanagan College’s Social Entrepreneurship course turned out to be a marvelous coupling of learning and real-world needs.

For the Downtown Vernon Association (DVA), the efforts of student Kendall as part of the College’s Social Entrepreneurship course gave them a much sought-after Public Art Plan for the city’s core.

And for Kendall, it offered a real-world, hands-on experience that she sees may have a real impact on her community for years to come.

The course is one of many offered as part of Okanagan College’s renowned Bachelor of Business Administration degree program, which has been accredited by the international Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

“We were very excited to be a part of this program and provide a real-world project for a student to work on,” says Hailey Rilkoff, the DVA’s Events and Promotions Co-ordinator.

“The Downtown Vernon Association has been involved in numerous public art projects in the past, and we were looking for a Public Art plan to be developed to guide our efforts moving forward. The report we received as an outcome of the project will be valuable when new public art projects arise and will guide the DVA in partnering with other community groups.”

“There was very strong community integration in this course,” noted Dr. Kyleen Myrah, who taught the Social Entrepreneurship course. “Several organizations stepped forward with service learning projects, including the Upper Room Mission, North Okanagan Youth and Family Services, the Downtown Vernon Association, the Okanagan Indian Band and the Lake Country Art Gallery.”

“Kaitlyn did a fantastic job, and the DVA is reviewing her recommendations for implementation.”

“Social Entrepreneurship and the service learning experience connects deep learning with active community involvement,” observes Kendall.” It has given me a great appreciation for not-for-profit organizations and the people who run them.”

“The course has also allowed me to learn to collaborate and communicate with business professionals in the real world rather than in a classroom setting. Lastly, I feel I've learned how to work with professional deadlines and scheduling, as a large part of this project was working out in the community on the schedule for the non-profit organization I worked for.”

Students can enrol now for the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree program at the Vernon campus of Okanagan College. For more information, visit www.okanagan.bc.ca/business or contact Tawnya Cameron at (250) 545-7291 ext. 2309.