NORTH VANCOUVER, BC, April 19, 2010 —Dr. Christopher Bottrill has been named the new dean of Capilano University’s Faculty of Tourism and Outdoor Recreation. He will also oversee the University’s Squamish campus and Mt. Currie and Whistler programs. Chris has worked at Capilano as an instructor in both tourism and geography since 1998.
“I love Capilano University because it is a place that all of us – students and employees – can call a home,” Chris says. “We’ve had a student-focussed philosophy for the longest time in the Faculty of Tourism and Outdoor Recreation and we do our best to ensure that each and every student receives personal attention and feels part of a community.”
Chris has more than 15 years teaching experience in tourism and outdoor recreation and has been chair of Capilano’s Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (TREC) programs for the past four years. He holds a PhD from the Faculty of Commerce and School of Management at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, and has strong interests in tourism inter-organizational relations and network development, climate change and environmental stewardship.
Most recently, Chris chaired the BC Tourism Educators Conference and in 2008, he facilitated a Statement of Commitment amongst tourism educators to take action on climate change. Chris has been working with the NGO Sustainable Cities on sustainable tourism and climate change networks in Dar es Salaam, Dakar, and Durban, Africa, and is also actively involved in developing cMet, the BC consortium to help prepare and deliver training for major events around the globe.
Throughout his career, Chris has had several opportunities to work closely with First Nations communities around the world; experience that should assist him in building relationships in the Howe Sound Corridor
The North Shore resident is father of a nine-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. He spends his time away from work coaching rugby for mini's at the Capilano Rugby Club, and is also a very keen downhill/freeride/cross-country mountain biker and telemark skier.
Capilano University is a teaching-focused university that serves the communities of the Lower Mainland, Howe Sound, and the Sunshine Coast through campuses in North Vancouver, Squamish and Sechelt. Enrolment totals 7,500 students in credit programs each term with an additional 7,000 people taking non-credit courses annually. Currently, 573 international students from 47 countries are studying in 43 programs at Capilano. Capilano University offers a complete range of preparatory courses, university-level arts and science courses, business and management studies, creative and applied arts programs, health and human services programs, plus a range of services in support of student learning and success. Credentials awarded include bachelor degrees, associate degrees, post-baccalaureate diplomas, advanced diplomas, diplomas, certificates and statements of completion.
Media contact:
Shelley Kean
Tel: 604.983.7596
