Class of 2025

Hi, my name is Alima Khoja. I was born and brought up in Surat, Gujarat, which is in the western part of India. I completed my bachelor's in Architecture in 2022 and opted for a Master of Community Planning to broaden my perspective and learn new things. My personal interest lies in Biophilic design, blending nature and architecture together. Apart from that, I love to try different cuisines. I'm also a huge coffee enthusiast—I'm super picky about my brew and could chat about it for hours!

I grew up in Surrey, BC, and earned my Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Simon Fraser University. Throughout my career in real estate development, I cultivated a deep interest in community planning. Through my work experience, I became fascinated by how land use influences the way individuals interact and function within a city. I would like to explore avenues on how we can improve pedestrian experiences with improved transportation corridors.

Hello! I’m Andrew. Realtor and professional brewer turned planner. I was born and raised in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, but also call the West Kootenays home having spent summers in Christina Lake and Rossland BC. I love traveling with my wife Amber and exploring BC and beyond with our bulldog Stella. I’m passionate about housing and corridor design, as well as sustainable urbanism, finding ways to make our cities much greener and healthier.

My name is Anita, and I am from Vancouver, BC. I graduated with a Bachelor of Environment in Resource and Environmental Management and a minor in Indigenous Studies at SFU. Within planning, my interests is mainly in accessibility planning in parks and trails, as well as social planning, particularly addressing housing affordability and homelessness. I spend the majority of my down time climbing and enjoying the outdoors in various ways, while also finding balance and time to bullet journal, bake and cook, and actively seeking out delicious vegan treats and good matcha.

As long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with cities. The eclectic neighbourhoods and unique communities within them have always captured my imagination. My passion for community planning has been shaped through my desire for change, a curiosity to experience different cultures around the world, and through my goal to live a car-free lifestyle. This has led me down the path to enact positive change on the island through my thesis research on the perceptions towards car-free streets. It’s exciting to know that in the Master of Community Planning program, I can be part of the solution to the many challenges that our island communities are facing.

My name is Christopher and I am from Regina, Saskatchewan. I hold a BSc in Geography and Environmental Studies and my professional background is in cadastral and heavy construction land surveying. I came to VIU to receive an education in community planning so that I could have influence over the impacts of industrial development and mining through land use planning, site planning, and environmental planning. My thesis with the program is assessing the viability of using modular/portable housing use in remote work as an emergency or temporary accommodation.

My name is Erik Morden. I graduated from SFU in 2021 with a Joint Major in Sustainable Business, a Minor in Geography, and a Certificate in Sustainable Community Development. Growing up in BC, I have become deeply inspired by the natural landscapes that span the province. Studying at VIU provided the opportunity to continue to work within the communities I have come to know and be a part of. I enter the planning world with a background in environmental management, parks, and outdoor recreation. I am interested in exploring how planning and design can help strengthen relationships with ourselves, each other, and the planet. In my spare time, I am usually in the mountains, wandering around with my camera, or eating pastry.

Born and raised on the West Coast of Vancouver Island (Tofino/Ucluelet), I've had the pleasure of calling VIU home for both my undergraduate degree in Tourism and Recreation Management and now my Master of Community Planning. Before embarking on this new chapter, I spent approximately four years working with Canada's federal tourism marketing and management organization, Destination Canada. During this time, I served in various roles, most recently supporting the tourism industry's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by project managing numerous innovative and award-winning projects. While I found this work rewarding, I felt a persistent pull toward a different path. After discussing my aspirations with a good friend in the MCP program and my mother, who served as the Parks and Recreation Director in Tofino for 20 years, I decided to transition to community planning. Since making this decision, I have had the opportunity to meet various inspiring individuals in the planning field, engage in a multitude of stimulating planning topics, and ultimately feel at home on this new path.

My name is Hannah, I am from Smithers, BC. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a Concentration in Sociology. I have a diverse work background that includes Parks Canada Learn to Camp Instructor, a Program Coordinator at a Food Bank, and one season working on an organic vegetable farm! My work experience has led me to developing an interest in food security and food systems planning that I hope to explore further in my thesis research. In my down time I enjoy going for bike rides on the Island Parkway trail, barbequing in my backyard, and walking to White Rabbit on a Sunday morning for a nice latte.

Hi! My journey into Planning has been erratic, as I hadn’t landed on working in Planning until well after I finished my undergraduate degree at UFV. I began my undergrad thinking that anchoring the 6 o'clock news sounded like a cool job, so I dedicated two years to media and communication studies, but quickly decided to switch paths and pursue Global Development Studies instead! There, I learned about careers in Planning and tucked away the idea as a potential option. Post-graduation, the pandemic hit and job opportunities were shrinking, so I turned toward Costco. Eventually, I made the decision to begin the MCP and found that my time at Costco motivated the passion I have for Commercial Planning that I have used as the basis for my thesis!

Joan is an afrofuturist, self-proclaimed chess master, flaneur, bookworm, and concert connoisseur. Born in Tkaronto (Toronto), raised in K'emk'emeláy̓ (Vancouver), and currently residing on Snuneymuxw Territories (Gabriola Island), home embodies all the places she's lived that shape her worldview. With an academic background in Human Geography and Urban Studies, Joan's interest in planning explores human impacts on environments, particularly how the future is shaped by both predictable and unpredictable forces of our everyday choices.

I grew up in Germany but have been living in Canada for over a decade, and I am happy to call Vancouver Island my home. I bring a diverse background in project coordination, marketing, and non-profit management to my graduate studies. I most recently worked in food security, running a variety of programming aimed at increasing food access in the Cowichan Region. A Community Organizer at heart, I enjoy building relationships with classmates, planners, clients, community groups, and the public. As a future planner, my goal is to create vibrant, connected, and resilient communities where everyone is welcome and resources are shared. I am especially interested in housing affordability, climate change adaptation, and social planning.

Chibai u le! I'm Lalremruati Chawngthu, but you can call me Torrie. I know my name can be a bit tricky to pronounce! I am from Aizawl, Mizoram, in the northeast of India. I completed my Bachelor of Architecture from Guwahati College of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning from School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. My experience in MCP has been truly fantastic, and I'm excited to continue expanding my knowledge and experience.

I'm Nikkitta Fame, a certified architect from India. I graduated from Christ University, where I served as a student council representative from 2021 to 2022. Currently, I represent the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Faculty of Social Sciences, and I'm also the student representative for the VIU Block Party 2024. With a passion for design and urban sustainability, my career spans roles at Ellis and Jorim, S Squared Architects, and Avakaza Geo-Science Research & Technologies, integrating architectural expertise with GIS proficiency. My research focuses on exploring cutting-edge building construction technology and materials to provide "Net Zero Permanent Supportive Housing" for the homeless.

Originally from Ahmedabad, India, my academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in Architecture, where I delved into the dynamics of urban development. After completing my undergraduate degree, I gained practical experience as an architect and started teaching architecture and interior design at a university. Working closely with urban planners on various projects shifted my focus to macro-level planning. My primary interest in community planning revolves around understanding how different aspects of urban planning work together to create cohesive and thriving communities. I am particularly fascinated by observing human behavior in urban spaces and studying activities to grasp their significance and their impact on communities.

I’m Rahul Parameswaran, originally from Southern India. With a Civil Engineering degree from Anna University, Chennai, I transitioned into planning, focusing on transportation and local government initiatives. Planning, for me, is about creating better communities and connecting infrastructure to people's needs. Outside of work, I enjoy sports—I've played professional field hockey and am an avid cyclist. Since moving to Canada, I’ve become a big fan of Ice Hockey. I love hanging out with friends and value my experiences with the MCP cohort and MCPSA.

I'm Riley Nicholson. I was born in Northern BC and migrated further and further south over time. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Kamloops before I eventually settled in Victoria, BC. I worked with Island Health assisting with the pandemic response and vaccine rollout, but the housing crisis and a developing love of cycling drew me to a career in urban planning. I'm interested in the power of planning to influence land economics and housing affordability. When I'm not deep in my studies, you'll probably find me out somewhere on my road bike.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management. Since childhood, maps and geography have always fascinated me. I used to dive into my hometown's master plans and proposed developments, and while moving around the town, constantly imagined how these roads and physical spaces could become better, livelier, and more efficient and eventually realized that I wanted to see myself as an Urban Planner in the future, where I could do what I like. I am interested in transportation and airport planning, learning more about neighborhood and macro-level masterplans. I am grateful to be part of the Master of Community Planning.

Born and raised in Chennai, India, I hold a Bachelor of Architecture and have three years of experience as a junior architect. I am passionate about design and its potential to create a better future for people. Professional experience as an architect and academic experiences, like working on various urban design projects, have fueled my passion for studying community planning at Vancouver Island University. Here, I am currently exploring urban revitalization, sustainable development, and fostering healthier living environments for all.