LaSalle College Vancouver’s new building provides optimal learning environment for media and design students

(This story is sponsored by LaSalle College Vancouver.)

At LaSalle College Vancouver (LCV), artistically inclined students learn applied skills that’ll prepare them for employment in the industry they’re passionate about. From game design, animation, and culinary arts to film, interior design, and fashion marketing, the college has a program that will teach students how to harness their creativity.

What separates LCV from other media and design schools is that it offers several degree programs, along with diploma and certificates. The college is considered by some to be the top school in Canada for game design and is one of only four schools in the country where students can get a Bachelor’s degree in fashion design.

Plus, LCV provides 12 months of continuous education for students eager to graduate quickly and enter the workforce.

“Our degrees have an applied focus and early on in each program, we start connecting students to industry representatives, some who are alumni, to learn industry expertise and for work placements,” says Dr. Jason Dewling, president of LCV. “As students get closer to graduation, we start preparing them with résumés and interviewing skills. We even provide career services for students six to 12 months after graduation, supporting them along their journey to employment. No matter what credential a student earns, it should lead to three letters at the end—a job.”

While it’s exciting to go to school for something you’re enthusiastic about, it’s even more exciting to gain meaningful employment in the field after graduation.

Other enticing programs, suitable for those with a knack for design and available at LCV include: Baking & Pastry arts, Hospitality & Restaurant Business Management, Bachelor of Science in Game Programming, Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design, and the Associate of Arts degree. For a full list of programs, click here.

“We are the only degree-granting arts college in Vancouver that also offers certificate and diploma options to inspired, motivated students,” says Dewling. “This really allows our credentials to be focused on job readiness. Our students have a very high success rate when it comes to gaining employment after completing their education with us.”

“It’s a unique opportunity for us to get to build a campus from the ground up,” says Dewling. “We had an excellent architect develop the plans and he engaged our students and faculty on three different rounds of evaluations. I believe we’ll end up with a building that’s going to exceed everyone’s greatest expectations.”

At the new Kaslo building, students will have access to outdoor space, social spaces, indoor areas for physical activity, and a meditation garden. Its design was guided through the Fitwel certification system and the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification. Both programs ensure that the building is developed with students’ health and accessibility in mind.

Fitwel’s standards make sure that the building provides the optimal environment for student learning. The purpose-built education centre will feature numerous parking stalls for carpooling, wider stairwells to encourage the use of stairs, and healthier dining options.

In terms of accessibility, the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification is a rating system that helps architects, urban planners, and contractors develop a site with an inclusive design.

“The new campus will be wired for high-tech because of our game design, animation, and film programs,” says Dewling. “There’s a high demand for strong bandwidth so the building itself will have a robust IT backbone to support the creative industries.”

It will also house ultramodern culinary kitchens, several makerspaces, a gaming lounge, and even a suspended theatre that will serve as a multi-purpose space. LaSalle College Vancouver High School, a creative, independent high school and Languages Across Borders (LAB) Vancouver will also call the Kaslo building home.

The mayor of Vancouver, Kennedy Stewart, stated that LCV’s new campus is of the best things to happen in the Renfrew neighborhood in a very long time. He strongly believes that the Renfrew Village and the new Kaslo building will contribute enormously to the quality of life in the community. People from all walks of life come together to live, work, and learn in the Renfrew area.

To register for LaSalle College Vancouver’s next virtual open house on September 11, 2021, click here.

For more information and a list of the programs available at the college, visit www.lasallecollegevancouver.com/.