BCCIE International Education Awards Honour British Columbia’s Top Talent

Kelowna, BC — Five international education practitioners were recognized for their work in the sector this afternoon at the 17th annual BCCIE International Education Awards. Hosted by the BC Council for International Education (BCCIE), the awards recognize outstanding achievement in the field of international education in British Columbia. The winners include a diverse range of practitioners, from emerging to senior leaders, whose contributions have positioned BC at the forefront of attracting and supporting international students and fostering global partnerships. The awards ceremony coincides with BCCIE’s BC International Education Week.

The 2026 BCCIE International Education Awards winners are:

Sebastian Kolesar (Rising Star in International Education Award)

As an International Student Advisor and Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Sebastian has played an essential role in the international student advising team at UBC Okanagan where he has built strong collaborative ties across campus, from student services to academic departments, to deliver holistic, cross-functional support. Sebastian’s contributions to international education reach across BC and into national-level policy, professional development, and community-based settlement support. His work as a practitioner, educator, researcher, and community advocate has strengthened the sector’s collective capacity to serve international students and newcomers throughout the province.

International Student Services Team at Thompson Rivers University (Excellence in International Student Support)

Through a period of significant uncertainty in global education, the International Student Services team at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has remained steadfast in centering the student experience as the core of TRU’s international program. A major contribution has been their leadership in immigration advising and regulatory support. The team significantly expanded and enhanced workshops related to IRCC regulations, study and work permit changes, and evolving federal policies impacting international students. Despite a reduced operating budget, they remained deeply committed to celebrating international students and strengthening their sense of belonging at TRU.

Global Skills and Digital Badges Program at Bayswater Education (Outstanding Program in International Education Award)

The Digital Badges and Global Skills Program at Bayswater has redefined what student success looks like by moving beyond language acquisition to measurable employability outcomes. By embedding a Global Skills Certificate into academic delivery and complementing it with activity-based digital badges, the program has successfully integrated career readiness, experiential learning, and student engagement into the core international student experience. This has elevated Bayswater’s offering from a traditional ESL model to a future-focused, skills-based education framework aligned with global workforce demands.

Danny Beatty (International Education Distinguished Leadership Award)

For the past 16 years Danny has played a pivotal role in strengthening and expanding the international program at Selkirk College demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and a commitment to global engagement. Under his leadership as Director of International, Selkirk has established key relationships with educational agencies, government organizations, and industry stakeholders, and has significantly increased its international enrollment while maintaining a high standard of student support.  

Vera Wojna (International Education Lifetime Achievement Award)

Over the course of a remarkable four-decade career in international education, Vera devoted herself to building programs, supporting students and colleagues, and creating opportunities that reached far beyond the walls of any one office or institution. Her work helped shape international education at a time when vision, commitment, and perseverance were essential. Vera’s contributions included providing leadership and implementation of a range of programs for at UBC’s English Language Institute, Centre for Continuing Education, as well as spending nearly two decades at Thompson Rivers University, where she played a foundational role in building the international program from the ground up. What makes Vera’s career so remarkable is not only what she built, but how she built it – with integrity, generosity, vision, and care for people.

Quote:

Randall Martin, Executive Director, BC Council for International Education

“BCCIE’s International Education Awards are a celebration of the innovation, leadership, and unwavering commitment that define our sector. We are honoured to recognize this year’s award recipients, whose outstanding achievements are advancing international education in British Columbia and creating lasting impact for students, institutions, and communities around the world.”