North Island College is introducing its first Indigenous vice-president.
The college said Kelly Shopland will step into the role on June 22 after spending more than a decade as NIC’s executive director of Indigenous education.
“With over 18 years in the B.C. post-secondary system and more than a decade in senior leadership at NIC, Kelly brings deep institutional knowledge, a strong commitment to reconciliation and a genuine student-centred philosophy to this role,” said Tony Bellavia, acting president of North Island College.
Shopland is a K’ómoks First Nation member who began her career at NIC in 2008 in frontline student services as an Indigenous education navigator.
“It is an honour to accept this position, and I look forward to collaborating even more closely with President Lisa Domae and the rest of the leadership team,” Shopland said. “My work is deeply rooted in community engagement and partnership. Through working collaboratively, I will continue to strengthen the connections between NIC and the communities we serve.”
The college said her role will oversee student life, registration, recruitment, marketing, alumni, events and communications.
Shopland will take over from Kathleen Kuhnert, who is retiring after more than 30 years at NIC.
The college thanked Kuhnert for her commitment to putting students at the heart of everything she does.
