Our People: Meet Yuna Chen

At BCIT, we are committed to supporting the people who shape and elevate our students’ journey. The People Plan: Caring for our people. Strengthening BCIT together guides how we support employee wellbeing, growth, belonging, and transformation.

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 Yuna Chen, Health Promotion Strategist, Student Success, and a BCIT 2026 Employee Excellence recipient in the Wellbeing category.

What does it mean to you to be a 2026 Employee Excellence Award recipient?

It’s an honour to receive this recognition, and I’m grateful for the kind words my colleagues shared in the nomination. I consider myself lucky to do the work I’m passionate about everyday, which makes this formal recognition especially heartwarming. 

Looking back on the past year, what do you think contributed most to you receiving this recognition?

I try to focus on building reciprocal relationships and approaching the work with care, collaboration, and curiosity. Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate to learn from and work alongside many people who generously shared their knowledge, lived experience, and commitment to creating a more supportive and inclusive campus. This recognition reflects the contributions of many individuals, and I’m thankful to have played a small part in that collective effort.

Is there a particular project, initiative, or achievement from 2025-2026 that you are especially proud of?

I’m proud of the development of the Student Wellbeing Action Plan and BCIT’s signing of the Okanagan Charter, which reflect our shared commitment to becoming a health promoting campus. I’m also proud of the collaborative process used to update the Supporting to Students in Distress: Response Guide. These efforts have helped strengthen our community capacity to support student and employee wellbeing. 

How have your colleagues or team supported your success over the past year?

I’m grateful to work alongside a supportive leadership team that has trusted me to explore new approaches to campus wellbeing and championed many of our health promotion initiatives. I’m equally inspired by my colleagues in Student Success and across academic departments, who support students through some of their most challenging moments and advocate for systemic change. Their dedication has played an important role in moving this work forward.

What aspect of BCIT’s workplace culture has helped you thrive in your role or project?

BCIT’s collaborative culture, opportunities for growth, and commitment to continuous improvement have helped me thrive in my role. The shared sense of learning and purpose across the Institute has made each project both meaningful and rewarding.

What’s next for you – any goals, upcoming projects, or aspirations on the horizon?

I’m looking forward to continuing building employee capacity to support wellbeing through a centralized hub of tools/resources, the Healthy Trades Workshop Series, and referral pathway for supporting students who may be experiencing challenges with substance use. I’m also excited to collaborate with students with lived and living experience to facilitate the Community of Care (BCIT Student Recovery Community), and to create further opportunities for dialogue through our annual student mental health dinner.