²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ student honoured with CICan Leadership Excellence Award
²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ (²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ) is pleased to congratulate fourth year ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Nursing student, Eddy Gooch for receiving Gold in the Leadership Excellence Award for Students from (CICan).
According to CICan’s , “CICan Awards of Excellence recognize and promote excellence within Canadian colleges and institutes. The Awards showcase the extraordinary contribution of individuals to their college/institute communities and highlight the role of our institutions in social, cultural, and economic development.”
Eddy came to ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ in 2019 as a mature student after a long career in hospitality and construction. In addition to full-time study and clinical placements in his Nursing program, Eddy is one of ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ’s most enthusiastic champions.
As a member of the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) First Nation and a Sixties Scoop survivor, Eddy is a fierce advocate for Indigenous healthcare and mental health and is actively involved with ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement department as a student aide.
As a compassionate student mentor, Eddy is a member of the college’s mental health initiatives and was part of the steering committee that helped facilitate the development of ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework and the signing of the Okanagan Charter.
“My journey as a student at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ has been amazing,” explains Eddy. “Returning to school after being gone for so many years I really found a community here. It became something that helped me out and supported me, as I have supported others during my time here.”
Eddy was recognized by CICan along with other award winners at an awards luncheon as part of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics which took place in Montreal, QC on April 24.
He adds, “I'd really like to thank the faculty at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ for recognizing something in me and nominating me for this award. It is an honour to receive this prestigious award from CICan.”
Read Eddy’s story: A new wave in nursing