Twice a year, we gather at the Student Awards ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of VCC students. These events are about more than handing out certificates; they’re a chance to recognize excellence, leadership, and resilience in our community.
Each ceremony begins with an opening welcome from an Elder and greetings from VCC’s president, Ajay Patel. Students are honoured in front of their families, friends, faculty, and donors, and the atmosphere is filled with pride, gratitude, and inspiration.
Every ceremony is unique, from live music performances to the introduction of new awards. Still, they all share one goal: to celebrate students and thank the donors who make these awards possible.
Relive past ceremonies through highlights, photos, and videos below.
On Friday, May 8, 2026, Vancouver Community College (VCC) proudly celebrated student achievement during the Spring Student Awards ceremonies.
Hosted by the VCC Foundation and Financial Aid, the ceremonies recognized outstanding students receiving scholarships, bursaries, and awards made possible through the generosity of VCC donors and community supporters. The events also offered recipients the opportunity to meet and personally thank the donors whose support is helping them pursue their educational goals.
The morning event celebrated students from the Centre for Continuing Studies, the School of Health Sciences, and the School of Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business. The afternoon welcomed students from the Centre for Educational Excellence, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Trades, Technology and Design, along with other areas across the college community.
Throughout the ceremonies, students shared inspiring stories of resilience, determination, and academic success — highlighting the meaningful impact donor support has on VCC students. Donors also shared why they choose to give back and support VCC students through philanthropy.
The VCC Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to its many donors, partners, and supporters whose continued generosity helps remove barriers and create opportunities for students to thrive. This spring, we distributed $294,500 to 261 students pursuing their educational goals.
View photos of the ceremonies on VCC’s flickr.
On Friday, November 28, Vancouver Community College (VCC) recognized its outstanding students in its bi-annual Student Awards ceremonies.
The event, which awards deserving students with scholarships and bursaries raised by the VCC Foundation, is a chance for the recipients to meet and thank their donors for the support in an afternoon tea reception.
The morning ceremony hosted students from the Centre for Continuing Studies, the School of Hospitality, and the School of Trades, Technology and Design, while the afternoon ceremony welcomed the Division of Library, Teaching and Learning Services, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Music.
Each year, VCC Foundation selects one or more feature student to profile in a video. This fall highlights two recipients of the VCC Faculty Association Award, Academic Upgrading student Melissa Edwards and Amna Albayati, who studied the Instructor Development Training program.
The VCC student awards ceremonies would not be possible without the generous and continued support of our many donors.
Thank you to everyone who attended VCC’s Student Awards Ceremony on June 6! It was a wonderful celebration of student achievements, where we honoured individuals for their academic excellence and dedication to leadership within the classroom and community.
On December 6, VCC celebrated student achievements at the Broadway campus during our bi-annual student awards ceremony. Exceptional students from diverse programs were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and community contributions, showcasing the transformative power of education.
This success is made possible by the dedication of faculty, staff, and the generosity of donors, whose support, such as bursaries for Indigenous students, creates meaningful opportunities. Relive the inspiring moments from the ceremony.
VCC hosted its bi-annual student awards ceremonies, honouring academic excellence and community leadership with scholarships and awards. We extend sincere thanks to our generous donors for their support. Congratulations to all award winners!
Twice a year, VCC holds student awards ceremonies to celebrate student success and present scholarships and awards to exceptional students. Students are recognized for academic excellence and leadership in the classroom or in their community.
VCC student awards were held at the Broadway campus on May 26, 2023
VCC Fall Student Awards ceremony was held on December 9 at the Broadway campus.
VCC hosted its first in-person Student Awards ceremony in two years on June 3, 2022. More than 200 students received awards, and two new awards were introduced: the President’s Award for Leadership and the Zoro and Kelly Ann Mihajlovic Creative Award.
In May 2021, the Student Awards were celebrated virtually with donors, recipients, and family watching online.
VCC celebrated 194 students in its second virtual Student Awards ceremony, hosted on Zoom and Facebook Live.
See the recipients’ list:
The first fully online Student Awards ceremony was held via Zoom and Facebook Live. Music alums created an exceptional performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.