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 the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Faculty Development Team, Harjot Kooner-Basanti, Faculty Development Lead, Jennifer Debuen, Lynn Axford, Bachelor of Nursing Program Head, and Gisella Panduri, a BCIT 2025 Employee Excellence recipient in the Wellbeing Champion category.
What does it mean to your team to be a 2025 Employee Excellence Award recipient?
It is an honour to have been chosen. Often the work we do is behind the scenes, so to be acknowledged for our efforts is very validating. It meant a lot to be recognized and be part of the celebration for everyone at the ceremony!
Looking back on the past year, what do you think contributed most to your team receiving the Wellbeing Champion award?
We strive towards promoting wellbeing by ensuring that we are accessible to the faculty, actively listening and supporting initiatives with our time and resources. We supported each other through the daily ups and downs and took time to discuss how we were managing our own wellbeing.
Are there any projects that your team is most proud of this year? In a nutshell, can you describe what this project is about?
We are proud to have onboarded around 100 new faculty members since BSN program expansion began in the Fall of 2022. As the nursing shortage became more visible, government support allowed our BSN program to increase our student admissions from 64 students/term to 96 students/term.
This necessitated a large bump in faculty onboarding over the past 3 years. In an effort to not just recruit, but to retain qualified faculty, we made significant improvements to our onboarding and faculty support initiatives.
How did collaboration, within your team or across departments, play a role in your success this year?
Collaboration is key to success. We work with an amazing group of faculty and leaders at every level. As nurses, collaboration is what we do, and it is as essential in education as it is in bedside practice. We could not function without the amazing level of collaboration that occurs each day with multiple teams.
What aspect of BCIT’s workplace culture has helped your team thrive in your role or project?
Encouraging curiosity and constant room for growth. Acknowledging successes through campus wide events like this gives exposure to all the amazing things faculty do to support each other and our students!
What’s next for your team? Any goals, upcoming projects, or aspirations on the horizon?
We plan to continue to improve upon formal mentorship opportunities, focus on ongoing professional development to continue to meet the needs of our faculty and industry partners, and look at ways to promote succession planning.