Putting people at the core of everything we do is paramount at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). We’re proud to be a people-first organization, where employees are supported, valued, and empowered to thrive, both personally and professionally.
Through the Our People series on BCIT News, we celebrate the passion, expertise, and impact of individuals who help shape a better future at BCIT and beyond.
Meet Lexie Tang, Manager, Institutional Research & Planning, and a BCIT 2026 Employee Excellence recipient in the Leadership category.
What does it mean to you to be a 2026 Employee Excellence Award recipient?
Being named a 2026 Employee Excellence Award recipient is both humbling and deeply meaningful to me. To me, it reflects not only the work my team and I do, but also the shared commitment we have at BCIT to support students. It also motivates me to keep showing up with the same sense of responsibility, collaboration, and purpose.
Looking back on the past year, what do you think contributed most to you receiving this recognition?
Looking back, I think what contributed most was my ability to help turn uncertainty into informed action. Whether it was developing scenario-based enrolment plans during shifting immigration policy, streamlining enrolment planning processes, or supporting the budget development process, I focused on bringing clarity, rigour, and practical decision support to complex institutional challenges.
Is there a particular project, initiative, or achievement from 2025-2026 that you are especially proud of?
One achievement I am especially proud of was helping BCIT respond quickly to the Province’s additional trades funding announcement. Working closely with trades schools, Financial Services, and SkilledTradesBC, my team rapidly assessed impacts and helped mobilize action that contributed to trades expansion despite challenges.
How have your colleagues or team supported your success over the past year?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with a team that is thoughtful, capable, and deeply committed to each other’s success. It is an understatement to say my success was built on the team’s unwavering support and collective intelligence. Their willingness to bring forward ideas, take ownership, and support one another has created an environment where we can do high-quality work, keep learning, and build genuine connection along the way.
Even during high-pressure periods, the team has stayed focused, adaptable, and supportive of one another, which has made it possible for us to keep moving important work forward with care and consistency.
What aspect of BCIT’s workplace culture has helped you thrive in your role or project?
What has helped me thrive most is BCIT’s emphasis on collaboration, respect, innovation, and achieving measurable results. I work best in environments where people are encouraged to think creatively, share a “can-do” attitude, and stay focused on meaningful outcomes.
Especially while most post-secondary institutions are experiencing enrolment challenges, I’ve seen how much it matters to work in a place where people are willing to share ideas, support one another, and stay committed to doing what is best for students and the institute.
What’s next for you – any goals, upcoming projects, or aspirations on the horizon?
What’s next for me is continuing to strengthen data-informed planning and decision-making at BCIT. I’m excited to keep building tools and processes that improve clarity and responsiveness, and help the Institute adapt thoughtfully to policy, funding, and learner demand as they continue to evolve.
To support BC’s Look West Strategy, I envision the upcoming focus will be to further strengthen the data and analytical support in skilled trades training.
