A single creative writing workshop at VIU changed Shauna Andrews’ educational path.
She initially didn’t think it was possible to complete an entire degree without leaving her hometown of Powell River, but a supportive professor who agreed to let her attend class via an iPad opened new possibilities for her through online learning.
“Creative Writing and Journalism Professor Jay Ruzesky was the first to suggest that I participate in one of his 200-level English classes via iPad. He was willing to give it a try, and because of him, his encouragement and his vouching for me with other professors (once we confirmed it was successful), I completed my degree,” said Andrews. “Without his support and willingness to try something new, I never would have been able to finish an undergrad, as I was not able to leave my family or my town at the time.”
Andrews completed her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and Creative Writing in 2018. She now works as an Awards Administrator at Athabasca University and is an Adult Basic Education instructor and workshop facilitator at VIU.
We caught up with Andrews to talk about her time at VIU.
Why did you choose VIU for your education?
I had just moved to Powell River and saw that the local campus was running a first-year creative writing workshop via video conference, so I figured, why not?
Where were you in your life when you realized education would help you achieve your goals?
Truthfully, I never thought I'd get a post-secondary education. My primary goal was to fine-tune my writing skills and find a way to get inspired to be creative, so a simple creative writing workshop seemed to be a good answer. I had no intention of pursuing a degree. I was just there, initially, to write.
Tell us a bit about your experience at VIU and in your program.
I started out taking a single video-conference class and ended up completing a bachelor's degree, all from Powell River, which had never been achieved previously. At the time, video-conference classes were extremely limited in Powell River, even fewer in-person classes were offered, and online at VIU was still just getting started. But once I ran out of options, I found a way to participate in my 300- and 400-level classes, all from the comfort of my home, by getting my professors to agree to let me sit in class via an iPad.
Were there any unexpected benefits you discovered after becoming a student?
Workshops were my favourite. They gave me a sense of community, which was less common for me, being both an online and remote-location student. They also taught me how to give and receive critiques and criticisms, which can be tricky to do when you are dealing with art that belongs to another person, and which can often create an air of sensitivity.
How did your program prepare you for further studies in your field or your current role in the workforce?
My distance education came in handy when I received notice that I was accepted in the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Optional-Residency program at UBC. It also came in handy during Covid, when my work went entirely online. I never would have thought that the struggle I overcame as a distance student would be a leg-up on the competition, and in terms of experience, when it came to my career.
What’s next for you?
I am trying to have everything I do revolve around academics and my community. I now have a Master of Fine Arts Degree through UBC and am working in an online environment at Athabasca University while also hosting creative writing workshops at our local VIU campus, along with teaching adult basic education.
What are you most proud of since completing your program at VIU?
That I completed it. There were so many moments when I wasn’t sure if I could, not just because geography and opportunity were limiting my options but because it was hard. That I convinced (somehow) my professors to allow me into their classrooms via iPad still stuns me. I am proud that I took the risk and gave it a try, and even more grateful that they let me.
What advice would you give VIU students following a similar trajectory as yourself?
Hang in there. You will feel isolated at times, there will be limited community and resources for you in comparison to an in-person university environment. But, if you love what you do and you value the outcome, hang in there. You’ve got this.
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