Christine Quist
Instructor
Christine is a wife, dog-mom, daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and Instructor in the Horticulture Technician Foundation Certificate Program at Vancouver Island University. Christine is a certified Production Horticulturalist by trade and holds a Diploma in of Horticulture with a specialization in Sustainable Crop Production from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and an Associates of Arts Degree in Geography from Camosun College.
An aspect of the horticulture industry that interests Christine is the use of innovative technology and automation and how they can be used to practice sustainable greenhouse production. Christine is a lifelong learner herself and aims to include universal design learning practices in face to face and online classrooms with the goal to make information open and accessible to the widest scope of learners.
Christine enjoys exploring the naturescapes around Nanaimo and Vancouver Island and spends her free time trail running with her dog, encouraging pollinators into her home garden and rock climbing.
Ina Powell
Instructional Assistant
Ina Powell is the Instructional Assistant for Vancouver Island University’s Horticulture Department. Ina graduated from VIU’s Horticultural Technician Foundation Program in 2020. As the Instructional Assistant Ina is responsible for helping maintain the tools and equipment used in the Horticulture program, assist with greenhouse production and maintenance and help make sure the instructors have the tools, equipment and materials they need to present their classes. Her role also includes being the First Aid attendant and she holds a current Occupational First Aid Level 1 certificate.
After 25 years in Childhood Education (mostly Early Years) Ina was drawn to Horticulture by her love of gardening, and botany. Her previous teaching experiences and her training through the Horticulture program are what brought her to where she is today.
When she’s not at the Horticulture Centre, Ina can be found working in her own garden, walking her dog, or knitting.
In addition to her Horticultural Technician Certificate Ina holds an AMI Montessori Directress certificate and a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Jessica Gemella
Instructor / Program Chair
Jessica leads the department to promote collaboration, scholarship, and excellence. As the Chair, Jessica coordinates all aspects of the program delivery of instruction.
As a teacher, Jessica aims to design inspiring environments to provide learners with real-life problem-solving learning opportunities. In 2020, Jessica was awarded a VIU Provost Award for Teaching Design and Practice that Employs Experiential Learning. The Provost Awards are intended to recognize faculty at Vancouver Island University (VIU) for excellence in teaching.
Jessica brings a diverse knowledge of the horticulture industry to her Chair and Instructor roles. Her work experience includes the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario, the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, landscape planning in the West Indies, and exhibit design at the Metro Toronto Zoo. In addition, Jessica led Gemella Design (2005 - 2021), an award-winning landscape consultant practice on Vancouver Island. Her practice cultivated healthy living by designing restorative, vibrant, and beautiful landscapes across several spatial scales - home gardens, neighbourhoods, and open space systems.
Jessica is a registered professional landscape architect (BCSLA #286) and International Society of Arborist (ISA) Certified Arborist. She is a graduate of the University of Guelph’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture honour program. More recently, Jessica completed the Provincial Instructor Diploma (PIDP). Currently, Jessica is pursuing a Master of Art in Learning and Technology at Royal Roads University.