Many students who graduate with one of the four degree paths offered by KPU's English Department go on to further education, career successes, and personal milestones that demonstrate the great value of English studies. We celebrate some of our alumni achievements on this page.
If you are a graduate of KPU English, keep in touch! Contact gillian.bright@kpu.ca to share your stories. We will be delighted to spread the news and help inspire the next generation of English students. Photo (above)of recent KPU English alumni Brook Lowery giving the Convocation address at the February 2026 convocation.
Alum treading the boards of Shakespeare's Globe
Congratulations to Ian Frayne, who graduated with a KPU BA in English in 2025. Ian now studies at the Royal Conservatory of Scotland pursuing his MA degree in Acting/Directing Classic and Contemporary Text. As part of his studies, Ian had the opportunity to perform at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London—a rare and thrilling experience. We asked Ian to tell us more about his post-KPU trajectory:
"It has been an incredible journey from studying the Bard's text during my undergrad, and then to live it on the Globe stage as part of my graduate studies. During my time at KPU, I was able to delve into the critical theory of theatre and film which I have been able to enact at the RCS. I had been taking acting classes separate from my academic studies for years, so it feels like this one-year MA degree is a synthesis of many years of study. I'm tremendously grateful for my professors and peers who prompted my curiosity into English literature. The arts and academia shouldn't be seen as separate ventures. It's my hope that KPU students continue pursuing their dream careers. It's surprising what happens when your thoughts are put into action."
Ian rehearsing on the Globe stage.
Alum wins 2025 CBC Poetry Prize
Congratulations to Jordan Redekop-Jones, who graduated from KPU English in 2024. Since then, Jordan has built an impressive portfolio of award-winning creative work, including the 2024 Austin Clarke Prize in Literary Excellence for Poetry and a 2024 Indigenous Voices Award in the unpublished poetry category. Jordan recently won the 2025 CBC Poetry Prize with her poem "Mixed Girl as Cosmogonic Myth." The award is extremely competitive, with past winners including Susan Musgrave, Lorna Crozier, Alison Pick, Michael Ondaatje, and Carol Shields.
On the achievement, Jordan wrote this statement to CBC Books: "Winning this award means so much to me. I am overcome with immense gratitude for the judges and readers that took the time to read my work in such a respectful and compassionate manner. At the moment, I am still trying to process this experience and what it means to me as an artist. It is a dream come true."
Join us in commending Jordan for this extraordinary accomplishment... and read her work in via the links above!
Jordan Redekop-Jones