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Meet Â黨´«Ã½alumni Maia (Finch) Walker

Hometown: Carrollton, Texas
Program: Associate of Science with Distinction, Kelowna - 2019

I highly recommend Okanagan College for its unwavering commitment to student success, its rigorous academics, and its close-knit environment. The dedicated faculty and small, engaging classes at Okanagan College helped me build a strong academic foundation and develop the confidence and skills needed to excel in my future endeavors. Okanagan College is an outstanding choice for students seeking a supportive academic community and a smoother transition into post-secondary education.

Can you tell us how your experience at Â黨´«Ã½helped shaped the path you have chosen?

I am currently a third-year PhD student in the Medical Microbiology and Immunology program at the University of Alberta. My experience at Okanagan College played a pivotal role in shaping my current career path. After completing various introductory biology courses in the Associate of Science program, I became fascinated by the complexity of the microscopic world and realized that I wanted to explore this field further. Shortly after my graduation from Okanagan College, I transferred to the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) to complete my Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in microbiology. The hands-on learning environment, rigorous coursework, and supportive faculty at Okanagan College not only fueled my passion for microbiology but also equipped me with the skills and confidence to pursue scientific research as an undergraduate student at UBCO and as a graduate student at the University of Alberta.

Why did you choose Okanagan College for your post-secondary education?

I chose Okanagan College for its commitment to personalized learning, its small campus and class sizes, its low tuition costs, and its exceptional student support systems. Having recently moved to Kelowna from Texas after high school, I believed that Okanagan College’s community-focused environment would ease my transition to post-secondary education without the overwhelming scale of a large university, while also allowing me to build a strong academic foundation for my future studies.

Tell us about a memorable experience or project that made a lasting impact on your learning journey at OC

One of the most memorable aspects of my time at Okanagan College was the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through two student job positions: a microbiology lab assistant and a supplemental learning leader for an introductory physics course. These positions not only enhanced my academic and leadership skills but also reinforced my interest in science and education and shaped the path I have taken in my studies.