Emboldening students to overcome obstacles, Columbia Basin Trust bursaries are having a vast impact on student outcomes at Selkirk College.
In its partnership with the local college, The Trust has provided more than $380,000 through the Columbia Basin Bursary that has assisted 620 students from a variety of programs. This past year’s generous funding of $60,000 was distributed to 76 different learners who have used the bursary to offset the costs of their post-secondary education.
“Columbia Basin Trust bursaries are instrumental in providing crucial financial assistance to our students,” said Taya Whitehead, the college’s vice president of education & students. “By assuring local learners have access to impactful post-secondary education within their region, they not only support individual students, but it’s an investment in the future of our communities.”
The Trust was created in 1995 to support efforts by the people of the Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being in the Canadian portion of the Columbia River Basin—the region most affected by the Columbia River Treaty. The Columbia Basin Bursary is one of several ways that funding from The Trust supports public post-secondary. Other recent projects at Selkirk College that have received funding include renovations to recreation facilities on the Castlegar Campus, an electric bike program for student housing and improvements to student spaces in the cafeteria.
Crucial Supports Help Change Lives
In early-February, college staff and representatives from The Trust gathered with bursary recipients on the Castlegar Campus for an afternoon of connections and storytelling that help illustrate the power of the Columbia Basin Bursary.
“I have faced barriers in my education,” said James Barbeiro, a second-year Social Service Worker Program student who spoke at the event. “I grew up in poverty, so education was not really something that I thought was going to accessible to me. Social work is a very uplifting profession to get into, it provides me with a lot of tools to take care of myself, my partner, my friends and my community.”
Diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD and depression, the 27-year-old told those gathered that he was raised by a single mom and spent time as a youth-in-care. Barbeiro explained that his mom attended post-secondary while raising three small children with hopes of becoming a social worker. Without any proper supports available at the time, she was not able to complete her education.
“There are many others at Selkirk College who are in similar situations as my mom, who may have been robbed of an opportunity to be her best self,” said Barbeiro, who plans on completing his degree at the University of Victoria after graduating from Selkirk College in the spring. “This funding represents the generosity that we should be collectively embracing in these incredibly trying times. Columbia Basin Trust takes on some of this really important work so that together we can build a world where people like my mom are able to be represented in these places where they have opportunities to thrive.”
President and CEO of The Trust, Johnny Strilaeff grew up in the West Kootenay and started his own post-secondary pathway at Selkirk College. A proud alumnus, he encouraged students to embrace the richness of relationships that are possible at the rural community college.
“I still remember how challenging it was, and today it is even more difficult,” Strilaeff said. “It makes it an honour to be able to provide even a little bit of support for today’s students on their educational journey. You are students today, but you are going to be our community leaders of tomorrow.”
One of those leaders is Maddy Bradford, a third-year Nursing Program student who grew up in Trail and decided to stay close to home for her post-secondary education. Grateful for the mentorship of instructors and connections to her cohort, she said The Trust is making a meaningful difference in her pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
“These awards have made a huge impact on my life, allowing me to focus more on my studies and less on financial stress,” she said. “I am so grateful for this experience and assistance, these funds have allowed us to pursue our dreams without added worry, and for that we are all deeply appreciative.”
Applications for all Selkirk College bursaries are open between September 15 and October 31, with scholarship applications open between February 15 and March 31.
Learn more about financial aid and awards.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
