Student leadership will continue to thrive at the University of the Fraser Valley, thanks to a $50,000 contribution from Coast Capital Savings, Canada’s second-largest credit union.
The funding is part of an ongoing partnership between the University of the Fraser Valley and Coast Capital Savings that has been helping to foster the development of leaders at the university for the past three years (the latest donation is in addition to an earlier gift from Coast Capital of $150,000 over three years). The credit union’s $50,000 investment will allow the Coast Capital Student Leadership Institute, a UFV Student Life initiative, to continue through this academic year.
“We are very happy to see a community partner such as Coast Capital Savings recognizing the importance of encouraging personal development for our students,” said UFV president Mark Evered. “It is partnerships such as this that help our university to provide a truly enriching environment.”
Initiatives that will be funded by Coast Capital’s contribution include the Student Leadership Challenge program; internal and external student leadership conferences and retreats; The Standout, a magazine highlighting student and alumni leaders; the Leadership Speaker Series, and an Evening of Recognition event.
“This funding goes to support our leadership programming along with a part-time leadership program assistant staff position,” said UFV Student Life director Susan Francis. “Without this funding and support we would not be able to offer our very successful leadership programming.”
She said this year the leadership initiative is looking at ways to engage specific sectors of the student populations, such as Indo-Canadian, Aboriginal, and Mennonite students, and to connect student leaders to local community development projects (e.g., at-risk youth, poverty reduction, agriculture and food security, water issues).