Jessica Gemella
Instructor/Program Chair
Jessica is a registered landscape architect, certified arborist, and a graduate of the University of Guelph’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program. The intent of her work is to cultivate healthy living by designing restorative, vibrant, and beautiful landscapes. Her teaching approach aims to create an inspiring learning environment for students to collaborate with each other on unique projects. Jessica brings a diverse knowledge of the horticulture industry with work experience including; the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario, the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, landscape planning in the West Indies, exhibit design at the Metro Toronto Zoo, and as a landscape consultant on Vancouver Island. Jessica has been a teacher in the Master Gardener Program, at Camosun College Horticulture and currently in the VIU Horticulture program. Also, Jessica works as a part-time instructor and coordinator in the Tamagawa-Vancouver Island University joint horticulture program. This joint program involves teaching Japanese students propagation, plant ecology and natural resource management courses.
Kevin Jones
Instructor
Kevin has a diploma in Greenhouse Technology from VIU (previously Malaspina College) and additional Degrees in History and Education from the University of Victoria. He has teaching experience at various educational levels. His work experience includes working at forest seedling nurseries. In addition he has conducted research on native plant propagation and growing Asian vegetables. He has also worked as a consultant on the Green Wall Project in China.
Contact Kevin.Jones@viu.ca
Michael Girard
Instructor
Michael graduated from UBC in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. Since then, he has worked in seed orchards, nurseries and tree improvement programs. Michael is the former program Chair, and has been an instructor at VIU since 1986. He also taught at Kwantlen University-College in the Horticulture Apprenticeship Program. Beside his present position he works as a consultant for forest seedling nurseries and has been a professional nursery grower.
Contact Michael.Girard@viu.ca
Christine Quist
Instructional Assistant
Christine is a certified Production Horticulturalist through the Industry Trade Authority (ITA), holds a Diploma in Sustainable Crop Production from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and is a past graduate of the Horticulture Technician Program at VIU. Before starting at VIU in 2018 Christine worked as a Grower and Production Supervisor at a local ornamental nursery where she apprenticed for five years. Christine is passionate about travelling the world to tour gardens, plant propagation and integrated pest management; it’s a bug eat bug world!
Contact Christine.Quist@viu.ca