Yorkville University marked a decade since opening its first location in British Columbia recently with a 10th anniversary reception at its New Westminster Campus.
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Students, faculty, staff and community members, including representatives of the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce, gathered to mark the milestone with a ribbon cutting, followed by the installation of a commemorative plaque on the wall in Yorkville Commons by Yorkville University CEO Ian Freedman, and an afternoon of conversation and connection.
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“Today’s celebration is about more than an anniversary,” said Dr. Laura Kinderman, Vice President Academic and Campus Principal, who emceed the event.
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“It is about the thousands of students whose lives have been transformed through education, the faculty and staff who have built a culture of care and excellence, and the community relationships that continue to strengthen our presence in British Columbia.”
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A Decade in British Columbia
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Yorkville first established its presence in British Columbia in 2016, when it began offering its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with specializations from its first office in Burnaby’s Metrotown.
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Over the years that followed, the University’s physical presence, academic offerings and student community continued to expand.
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The program moved to West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver in 2017, strengthening Yorkville’s physical presence in the city by offering students a BBA with specializations, both on-campus and online.
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Yorkville’s B.C. offerings expanded the following year with the addition of the general BBA, giving students the option to enter the program directly. At the time, this pathway distinguished the B.C. offering from Yorkville’s New Brunswick BBA, which required students to enter with prior transfer credit.
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A year later, Yorkville moved to its current home at 88 Sixth Street in New Westminster, providing a larger home for the growing BBA program. Yorkville held its grand opening celebration in March 2020, just before the pandemic brought in-person activity across the province to a halt.
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As the University continued to evolve its offerings in B.C., it also expanded the pathways available to students. In 2023, Yorkville grew its online delivery in the province, extending its reach among domestic students in British Columbia, while in 2024, the school expanded its New Westminster footprint with flexible learning spaces on the fourth floor, adding capacity for students, faculty and academic services.
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“Ten years ago, Yorkville’s presence in BC began with a small business program and a vision. Today, British Columbia plays a critical role in our university community. It is a place where innovation, student opportunity, academic quality, and community engagement come together. It is a place where I am continually inspired by our students, faculty and staff,” said Freedman.
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“But today is not just about celebrating the last 10 years, it is about being ready for all the great things we will do in British Columbia over the next ten years and beyond – educating a new generation of students, opening doors to new careers and professional success, and further expanding the range of programs we offer.”
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The People Behind the Milestone
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The reception also brought together staff, faculty and alumni to reflect on Yorkville’s decade in British Columbia.
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Rosie Wu, a Senior Records and Registration Officer who has been with Yorkville for eight years, has seen the University’s on-campus student population grow significantly during her time with the institution.
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“When I first joined the admissions team, we had just a little over a dozen on-campus new students in a term,” she said. “At our peak, we had around 800 on-campus new students.”
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Tristan Wright, Director of Student and Campus Experience, has been part of Yorkville’s B.C. journey since 2014, serving on the original campus management team that helped establish the university’s on-campus operations in the province. Having seen the campus grow from its earliest days into the community it is today, he believes what sets Yorkville apart is the culture it has maintained throughout that growth.
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“Over the years, we have built systems, services, and teams designed to help students not only succeed academically, but also feel supported and valued throughout their educational journey,” said Wright.
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“What makes Yorkville unique is the sense of belonging we have built together. We are large enough to make a meaningful impact, but we have worked hard to maintain a culture where students feel known, supported, and connected,” he added. “Whether online or on campus, that culture of engagement remains one of our greatest strengths.”
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For Tuyen Riddell, who joined Yorkville’s BBA faculty in 2019, the most meaningful growth has been reflected in the students she has watched develop in the classroom.
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“Students who begin their studies hesitant to participate soon become confident presenters,” said Riddell. “Students who question whether they belong in higher education emerge as leaders within their organizations and communities.”
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Jay Adalaja , a recent Yorkville graduate, currently works as an Operations Coordinator at SIGA North America, a Switzerland-based building envelope company. During his time at Yorkville University, Jay also held roles as a Student Ambassador and later as a Student Representative on the Senate.
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As a Yorkville alumnus, he shared powerful reflections on his experience as a student and his continued connection to the university community.
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“Standing here today as a graduate, I am reminded of how much can change when someone is given access to education, support, and opportunity,” said Adalaja, noting that, like many Yorkville students, he balanced several responsibilities while earning his degree, and that the challenges along the way came with moments of growth and discovery that shaped who he is today.
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“What made the difference was the people. Faculty members who encouraged me when I needed confidence. Staff who provided guidance when I had questions. Classmates who became friends, collaborators, and part of my support network.”
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He reflected on how, at the beginning of his undergraduate journey as a newcomer to Canada and an international student, everything felt challenging and uncertain. With the support of the University community, he was able to overcome those challenges and achieve more than he had ever expected.
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Looking Ahead
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Founded in New Brunswick in 2004, Yorkville has since expanded across Canada, with campuses in British Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick. Over the past decade, more than 14,000 students have been part of Yorkville’s B.C. community, reflecting the University’s reach across the province.
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That community remains active today, with nearly 3,000 students currently studying in Yorkville’s B.C. programs, both on campus and online. Of those students, 1,860 are studying on campus and 1,086 are studying online.
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As Yorkville looks to its next decade in British Columbia, the University will continue building on the foundation established by its students, faculty, staff and community partners over the past 10 years.
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“We see opportunities to continue developing pathways for learners, strengthen connections between undergraduate and graduate education, expand professional learning opportunities, and explore additional programs that help students meet the changing demands of the workforce,” said Freedman.
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Looking ahead, Kinderman said the University’s next chapter in B.C. will build on the progress made over the past decade.
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“Ten years is an achievement worth celebrating,” she said. “More importantly, it is a foundation upon which we will continue to build. The next chapter of Yorkville University in British Columbia begins now, and I am excited about what we will accomplish together.”
