A recent opinion piece in *Over the Edge* asked a thoughtful and important question: *Has UNBC hit a plateau?* I want to thank the author for having the courage to put those concerns forward. Honest reflections from our students matter deeply to me, and they should matter to all of us. They remind us that a university is not defined by its buildings or rankings alone; it is defined by the people who live, learn, work, and grow together within it.
As Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, I read the piece with care. I understood the affection behind the questions and critique, and the desire to see UNBC thrive. I want to respond with the same candour and respect.
## We Hear You, And Your Experience Matters
Students have raised real concerns: aging laboratory equipment, fluctuating staffing levels, and experiences of uncertainty during times of change. These are not abstract issues. They affect your ability to learn, to feel supported, and to feel proud of your university. When you notice challenges, it means they have already begun to impact the heart of our community.
I want you to know that we hear you. I hear you. Your experiences guide our decisions, and your stories help us understand the day-to-day realities that statistics alone cannot capture.
## Our People Are the Strength Behind Our Renewal
UNBC’s greatest strength has always been its people: the staff who have cared for this institution for decades, the faculty who bring passion into small classrooms and northern research sites, and the students whose curiosity drives our purpose. Even in moments of pressure, I see extraordinary commitment across our campuses.
The university is 35 years young, and we are in a period of staff and faculty renewal. Just as we welcome new students each fall, faculty and staff renewal is an important aspect of an organization’s evolution. However, as renewal occurs, we must not lose sight of our core values. These values are part of our UNBC strategic plan, READY, and guide our daily actions.
In the past year, we have faced the same financial and demographic realities that are affecting post-secondary institutions across BC and Canada. But these external pressures do not define who we are or what we are capable of. Instead, the resilience and creativity of our people have shaped our path forward.
## We Are Taking Action, And You Will See the Results
I want to share a few areas where progress is already underway:
**1. We are READY**
When the Board asked me to consider serving as Interim President, they were clear: UNBC has a strategic plan, now lean into it. Their message reaffirmed the importance of READY, our shared framework for “fulfilling student learning journeys.” Hearing that commitment from the Board was reassuring, and I want our community to hear the same from me.
As the Chair of the committee that co-constructed our Academic Plan grounded in READY, I am deeply invested in moving this work forward. READY is not a document to sit on a shelf; it is a call to action. Together, we will bring to life the READY strategic plan, our READY Roadmaps through our Academic Plan and Research Plans. Our actions will ensure these plans are translated into real improvements in classrooms, labs, and student experiences across all our campuses.
**2. Strengthening support for students**
We are carefully rebuilding staffing in key areas, stabilizing processes, and creating clearer pathways for students navigating academic, wellness, and administrative systems. We are also engaging in dialogue with students, staff, and faculty regarding how we elevate our student experience beyond the classroom.
**3. A clear and people-centred academic plan**
Our new *READY Roadmap: Academic Plan (2025–2031)* reflects conversations with faculty, students, and staff. It focuses on student-centred learning, Indigenous partnerships, program innovation, and regional engagement, reaffirming why UNBC exists and whom we serve.
**4. Rebuilding together with transparency**
Leadership teams are committed to sharing our progress openly. Students should not have to guess whether improvements are happening. You should be able to track our commitments and hold us accountable.
These actions are only the beginning, but they reflect a university that is moving, not standing still.
## We Have Not Plateaued; We Are Preparing for Our Next Ascent
The story of UNBC has never been linear. This university was founded through effort, determination, and the belief of 16,000 community members from across the north and beyond who insisted that their communities deserved a university of their own. That spirit remains alive today.
We are not a university that retreats when challenges arise. We are a university that pauses, listens, reflects, and then moves forward with purpose.
Our path ahead will be shaped by:
– the students who speak up and ask hard questions,
– the staff who keep our school running with compassion and excellence,
– the faculty whose teaching and research open doors for our region and the world, and
– the communities who see UNBC as a partner and a beacon for the North.
This is not a plateau. This is a moment of renewal, one that depends on all of us.
## A Promise to Our Students
I promise to keep listening. I promise that decisions will centre people, not just processes. And I promise that you will see ongoing improvements that reflect your needs and aspirations.
UNBC’s future is not behind us. It is unfolding right now, in our classrooms, our labs, our student associations, and our conversations, including the one sparked by that thoughtful opinion piece.
Thank you for caring enough about this university to hold us to a high standard. Together, we will continue to climb.
