Recent graduates of KPU’s Journalism School work for some of the top news outlets across Canada, including The Vancouver Sun, The Globe and Mail and Global News. Below, those grads share what they learned during their time at KPU and how it helped prepare them for their exciting jobs in journalism and public relations.
Andrea Woo (Class of 2006)
Reporter, The Globe and Mail
Andrea’s work at The Globe and Mail has included stories on Amanda Todd’s suicide and Stanley Cup riot. In 2016, Andrea won a Jack Webster Award for her extensive coverage of Vancouver’s fentanyl overdose crisis. Before joining The Globe, Andrea worked as a reporter at The Vancouver Sun, where her work received two Jack Webster Awards in 2012.
“It was great having active, working journalists as instructors at Kwantlen because they not only taught us the academic stuff, but shared their insights on the ins and outs of newsrooms in Metro Vancouver. Their practical tips – not to mention their references – were invaluable. As well, they were always available by phone or email if I wanted to get a hold of them, and they often emailed interesting stories and job postings outside of school hours. I remain in frequent contact with a few instructors to this day.”
Amei-lee Laboucan (Class of 2019)
Associate Director of Strategic Communications, Indigenous Youth Roots
Prior to her current position, Amei-lee worked as the Communications Manager for the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC. She has also worked as a freelance reporter with IndigiNews, where a story of hers won second-place for Best Two-Spirit Coverage in the 2023 National Native Media Awards.
“KPU’s journalism program equipped me with the skills needed for journalism and communications. The small class sizes directly contributed to developing relationships with instructors that provided me with real-world journalism experience. It was great to learn from former journalists and practicing journalists, including Indigenous guest speakers, who had both technical skills to share and advice on navigating the job market.”
Photo of Amei-lee Laboucan by Aspen Shima
Sobia Moman (Class of 2022)
Surrey Reporter, The Vancouver Sun
In 2023, Sobia won a Canadian Community Newspaper Award in the category of Best Local Civic Journalism for her stories on the closing of a mental health assisted living home in White Rock.
“The journalism program at KPU has been integral to my career and how it has evolved over the years. A KPU work placement with Black Press helped me get my first journalism job at the Peace Arch News right after graduation. Now, as the Surrey Reporter for The Vancouver Sun, I still use many of the skills I learned in my journalism courses at KPU, from reporting to news writing.”
Harold Munro (Class of 1985)
Editor-in-Chief, The Vancouver Sun and The Province
Harold heads B.C.’s largest newsroom, helping direct award-winning coverage for the highest-circulation newspapers in Western Canada and two of the most-visited news websites in the country.
“The journalism program at Kwantlen provided hands-on, practical training for young writers. When I attended, in the pre-digital age, we learned to shoot photographs and develop film, we served in various reporting and editing capacities on the school newspaper and, perhaps most importantly, we each spent two weeks working in the newsroom of a community paper. My experience at the community newspaper led to a reporting position in Terrace, B.C., and then back in the Lower Mainland at The Vancouver Sun.”
Marcus Barichello (Class of 2019)
Lawyer for the Ministry of Attorney General, BC Prosecution Service
“I use the skills I learned in KPU’s journalism program on a daily basis in my career as a lawyer. The interviewing skills I learned help me to better connect with the witnesses and victims I deal with. Storytelling, a skill I honed at KPU, is also important as I often need to communicate complex and difficult to understand legal concepts to a judge in a straightforward manner.”
Valerie Leung (Class of 2019)
Digital Reporter, The Richmond News
“Studying at KPU allowed me to learn a variety of different journalism skills – including creating interactive maps, writing on deadline and taking photos. And the small classes provided lots of opportunities to chat with instructors. KPU prepared me well for what came after graduation.”
Kier Junos (Class of 2017)
Fraser Valley Reporter, CBC News
“I learned a lot about reporting from working at The Runner, KPU’s student paper, where I also made many lifelong friends. My journalism classes taught me new techniques to use in my reporting and how to write well. Strong writing is the foundation of any good journalism. Even in video, you need to be able to write a script.”
Hayley Woodin Hastings (Class of 2014)
Strategic Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of B.C.
Hayley works closely with B.C.'s Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Wendy Cocchia, on a variety of projects designed to create a lasting legacy, including advancing meaningful inclusion, supporting innovation in health care and creating economic opportunities for British Columbians. Previously, Hayley was editor-in-chief of Business In Vancouver, the largest business newspaper in B.C.
"KPU’s journalism program gave me the hands-on training and mentorship that set the foundation for my career. KPU opened countless doors for me, and its journalism program remains one of the strongest investments I’ve made in my professional growth."
Joel McKay (Class of 2009)
City Manager, Quesnel
Before joining the City of Quesnel, Joel was Chief Executive Officer for the Northern Development Initiative Trust. Before that, he worked as a reporter and assignment editor at Business in Vancouver, where he created BIV’s first investigative reporting unit, and won the Jack Webster Award for Business Excellence in 2011.
“Kwantlen is the reason for my success. The faculty helped me finish my degree in three years instead of four, and supported me with an amazing education, internship opportunities and career advice. To this day, my Kwantlen professors continue to provide me with advice when I need it. It's the school that keeps on giving.”
Hosea Cheung (Class of 2008)
Director of Marketing and Visitor Experience, Chinese Canadian Museum
For several years, Hosea worked as a sports reporter and editor at 24 Hours Vancouver covering the city’s professional teams and major sporting events. He also spent time in Beijing as an English editor for a national news magazine and freelanced for other publications. After switching to public relations upon his return to Vancouver, he cofounded a new PR agency, providing a wide range of communications services with a focus on the Chinese community.
“There's no doubt KPU laid the foundation for me to get to where I am today. Even though I’m no longer in journalism, the fundamentals I learned at KPU still translates to the communications and public relations work I do today.”
Holly Reid (Class of 2004)
Communications Specialist, BC General Employees' Union
At the BCGEU, one of B.C.’s largest unions, Holly is response for a wide range of communications initiatives, from preparing internal communications to contributing content to online and print publications.
“The four years I spent at KPU gave me an opportunity to learn the critical skills needed for an exciting career as a communicator. My KPU instructors - who were seasoned industry professionals - taught me to write across a wide-range of styles and mediums, including speech-writing, press releases, crafting key messages for specific groups and writing compelling copy for diverse campaigns and initiatives.”
Chris Poon (Class of 2009)
Communications Officer, Surrey Schools
"KPU’s journalism program gave me the tools to succeed not only in a fast-paced newsroom environment, but in the wider field of communications. The insightful and comprehensive education provided by the department’s knowledgeable instructors comes from real-world experience, and helps students develop the critical thinking and technical skills needed for a constantly evolving industry."
Kyle Benning (Class of 2014)
Network Digital Broadcast Journalist, Global News
“The writing skills I picked up at Kwantlen were vital. Every broadcaster I’ve met has told me writing is the most important skill to have and it has opened up a number of doors for me. Having four years to sharpen my writing skills, broaden my vocabulary and find the best way to communicate are skills I don’t think I would have learned in any other journalism program.”
Sarah Chappelle (Class of 2014)
Advocacy Marketing Manager, Article
Sarah is the author of Taylor Swift Style, a New York Times bestselling book released in 2024 about the musician's fashion. The book grew out of Sarah's longtime fashion blog of the same name (taylorswiftstyle.com) that has hundreds of thousands of readers. Sarah works at Article, where she manages the brand's influencer marketing program. She has also written for The Vancouver Sun, The Surrey Now, and was a reporter for The Fernie Free Press where she did writing, editing, photography and layout.
“KPU taught me the basic tools every journalist needs. But what is truly invaluable is learning under active and experienced journalists who can provide context, insight, stories and connections within the industry. I found that journalism training not only prepares you for a career in the field, but a new way of approaching life. To question, to stay curious, to listen, to be informed, to tell stories. These aren't just writing, research, and interviewing skills — these are life skills that are taught in refreshing, conversational seminars and out in the field.”
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