Anita Gojevic – 2016

Anita began her career at VCC in 1988, in the Business and Computer Students Department with a strong business background. She then moved to Continuing Education, and worked for 5 years at VCC’s Satellite Campus “VCC On The Drive” She designed, developed and instructed a Job Readiness Program Initiative for multi-barrier individuals who were receiving social assistance. Anita’s career then led her to Douglas and Sprott Shaw College, before she returned to in VCC in 2005. Anita worked in the College and Career access Dept as a coordinator for the “Purple Door” which offered self-paced computer software training that supported individuals with diverse learning needs, those with English as a Second Language as well as accommodating students with physical challenges. A little known tidbit from her background is that early in her working career, Anita was a legal stenographer for 6 years and was the first data entry operator for the Royal Trust Company in Vancouver in 1970.

Anita joined the Community & Career Education Dept in 2008, where she finally found her home and continued teaching until her retirement in April of this year. She taught in the Clerical Skills Training courses, then moved to the Hospitality Careers Program. During her time in the Hospitality program she was instrumental in developing relationships with industry in the hospitality sector and introducing many of these properties to the skills that our students have to offer. Anita’s incredible organization skills and dedication were obvious to anyone who worked with her. She had the most organized curriculum I have ever seen, and often won the race to be the first one in the office in the morning.

Anita became involved with the DRN in 2010 where she attended her first DRN conference. She was quickly recruited and accepted a nomination to the DRN Exec in 2012. Since that time Anita has been an active member of the Executive, as well as taking on responsibilities for Wall of Fame Recognition. In fact, even after retiring, she continued with her tasks on the committee to ensure that the Awards and Recognition committee remained intact during a time of transition.

Anita was a strong and insightful advocate regarding student needs. She will be will be missed.