New aboriginal student advisor has strong Okanagan and UBC roots

Jeannine Kuemmerle, aboriginal student advisor

Jeannine Kuemmerle is no stranger to the UBC Aboriginal Centre.

The former intern joins the Aboriginal Programs & Services (APS) staff as the new aboriginal student advisor for UBC’s Okanagan campus.

“I am excited to have Jeannine join the Aboriginal Programs and Services team,” said APS acting director Adrienne Vedan. “Jeannine worked here as an intern a couple years ago and more recently taught the Writing 009 course to our Aboriginal Access Study students in term one. She is a great addition to the Aboriginal Centre.”

Kuemmerle was born in Vernon and graduated with a UBC Bachelor of Arts degree in 2009 with a major in English and a minor in history. After completing a year-long intern position with APS, she returned to school in 2010 to obtain both her secondary teaching certification and her Bachelor of Education degree, which she finished in the summer of 2011.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to be working directly with Aboriginal students and communities outside of the classroom,” said the long time Okanagan resident. “It’s nice to once again be working alongside Aboriginal Programs and Services staff to create programs and to build successful  university experiences for students.”

As part of her education training, Kuemmerle completed a three month practicum placement at Charles Bloom Secondary School in Lumby, BC where she instructed English at the Grade 8 and 11 levels as well as Social Studies 9.  Working closely with Aboriginal education coordinators and students furthered her interest in Aboriginal education.