For immediate release

Kwantlen Showcases Innovative Service Learning Programs with upcoming Anthropology Conference

Richmond, B.C. – (March 22, 2011) – Kwantlen's new service learning program will be on full display to over a hundred students and community members on Friday, March 25. Dozens of students will be participating in a conference, which organizers say will break the traditional mould of academic gatherings. Rather than featuring high-profile academic speakers of previous years, the university's eighth annual anthropology conference will focus on the service learning-oriented work of the department's students in fields as diverse as Ladner ecotourism and crime scene forensics. 

"We're always looking to be on the cutting edge when it comes to creating a learning environment that can't be beat by other universities," said Sara Yoshida, Chair of Kwantlen's Anthropology Department. "Our Classroom in Context conference really does fit the bill. Our students will be featured on centre stage, with a terrific opportunity to show just how valuable their skills could be to local businesses and non-profit organizations."

In addition to ecotourism and forensics, Kwantlen anthropology students will also be participating in a mock research ethics board hearing and a bottled water tasting test.

Students will also talk about past successes with experiential learning projects in the Richmond community including last year's work with the Richmond Nature Society, Global Agents for Change and Rose Charities Canada. During workplace stints with each organization Kwantlen students were instrumental in developing social media communications, organizing a festival for the nature society and an NGO manual for Global Agents for Change.

"We really want this conference to cultivate an understanding among both our students and the community about how we can help each other," said Larissa Petrillo, a Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Kwantlen. "We've had some terrific success in integrating our students into the Richmond and Ladner communities in the past. We think this conference will help us take community learning to the next level."

This is a free event, open to the public. 

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 200,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,000 students annually have a choice from over 135 programs including bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.

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For more information about Kwantlen, contact:

Joanne Saunders 
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.599.2243
joanne.saunders@kwantlen.ca