Board of Directors

Kerly Acosta Hitchcock

Director

I joined BCIT in 2006, and I had just completed my Master’s in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability (MSLTS) from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden. Prior to joining BCIT, as a mechanical engineer I worked in a variety of sectors including automotive, alternative energy generation, and energy & GHG management. While at BCIT I have been fortunate to work in various capacities such as a green roof researcher, faculty, and Program Head.

In my engineering practice, I am a sustainability consultant and facilitator. I recently worked with the Comox Valley Regional District to create a sustainability criterion for their water/wastewater facilities. When I am not teaching or working as an engineer, I am a full-time parent. Through out my time at BCIT I have volunteered with FSA on a few committees. I am grateful to be serving on the FSA Board of Directors, and excited to learn the various facets of this new role. I see this volunteer role as an opportunity to give back to the FSA, and to support the FSA so that they can continue to provide our members with continued great service.

Trish Albino

Treasurer (2025-27)

Trish (she/her/hers) joined BCIT in 2016 as an instructor in the financial management diploma program. Soon after, she also began teaching accounting courses in part-time studies. She is a graduate from the BCIT Bachelor of Technology in Accounting program and a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Prior to joining BCIT, she was an Audit Manager at one of Canada’s largest public accounting firms. This background has allowed her to be a member of the FSA’s Audit Committee for the last two years.

She was also the Faculty Coach for the accounting teams participating in the JDC West case competition between 2016 and 2020 and spent several years as the Faculty Advisor for the Accounting Association, one of the Student Association’s clubs.

Trish’s goal is to help the FSA improve the pay and benefits for its members, particularly for part-time studies instructors.

Michelle Beauchamp

Director (2025-27)

Michelle (she/her/hers) joined BCIT in 2001 as an assistant instructor in the Medical Radiography program. After achieving her M.Ed in curriculum and design she continued her teaching career in the same program, now as a faculty instructor. Michelle graduated from the BCIT Medical Radiography program herself in 1989.

Her educational philosophy revolves around constructionism. We cannot put the information in our students’ brains, we have to provide them resources for them to do so.

Michelle has been an FSA Tech Rep for her program since 2011 and is looking forward to serving on the board and contributing to the wellbeing of all FSA members and ensure the FSA remains a strong voice for them.

Adrianna D'Ilio

Director (2025 - 27)

(she/her/hers) My nursing career began after graduating from the University of Alberta in 2000. It was difficult to find full time work at that time, so I moved to British Columbia and began working at Lion's Gate Hospital. While nursing on the unit in 2004, an instructor who would later become my mentor, asked me to teach for her for a few days while she was away and I fell in love with teaching. Shortly after that experience, I applied to work at BCIT and have been teaching ever since. I became the tech rep for our program around 2015 and have been learning more and more about our collective agreement since. My goal is to educate faculty on the collective agreement and how departmental process works. 

Gurminder Grewal

Director (2025-27)

Gurminder (he/him/his) joined BCIT in 2017 as an instructor for Automation and Instrumentation in the Electrical Engineering department. He brings a wealth of industry experience, having previously worked as a Control Systems Engineer for Howe Sound Pulp and Paper. While there, he was one of the lead engineers on a $50 million project to upgrade the mill's production capacity and process control system.

Gurminder is a graduate of BCIT’s Electrical and Computer Engineering program and also holds a Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo. His passion for teaching stems from the reward of seeing students launch successful careers. Gurminder aims to ensure clear and open lines of communication between the board and its members. He believes in amplifying the voices of his colleagues to collaboratively address challenges and improve the working conditions for everyone.

Colin Jones

President (2024-26) / Chief Negotiator (2025+)

Colin serves as President of the FSA, a role he has held since 2019 following his re-election to our Board of Directors. Colin has been a member of the FSA bargaining team since 2010 and has led the team as Chief Negotiator through three rounds of collective bargaining. He currently sits as a member of the BCIT Board of Governors. 

Colin’s background in Information Technology Services (ITS), combined with his experience teaching in the School of Business, gives him a broad and practical understanding of BCIT’s business. In addition to his work at BCIT, Colin represents post-secondary faculty nationally as Treasurer of NUCAUT and serves on the Executive Council of the BC Federation of Labour. 

Colin is known for his collaborative approach and his knack for solving complex problems with practical, people-focused solutions. Whether serving on management selection panels, member development committees, or even the ever-popular Parking Committee, Colin brings dedication and clarity to the work of representing FSA members.

Shannon Kelly

Vice President (2024-26)

Shannon (she/her/hers) joined BCIT in 2002 as an instructor in Communication and became a Program Head for PTS in 2004. Shannon has experience working in industry as well as a doctorate from the University of Waterloo, specializing in technical communication.
Shannon's first love is teaching and she specifically chose BCIT due to its polytechnic nature. Her passion for teaching is matched by her interest in research. Shannon's areas of research include teaching excellence, technology in the classroom, Humanities in the professions, and Sustainability.
Shannon is an FSA Co-Tech Rep for her department and has been informally involved with the FSA on many issues over the years. Shannon's focus is for the FSA to keep the priorities and wellbeing of all our members in the forefront at all times and to support our members as effectively and strategically as possible.

 

Rami Mustafa

Director, Associate Members (2025-27)

Rami (he/him/his) joined BCIT in 2024 as an instructor in the Communication program, bringing with him extensive experience from the corporate sector. Prior to BCIT, he worked in corporate training and development with organizations such as Saudi Aramco. He holds a doctorate in education from the University of Exeter in England and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in communication at Purdue University. Before joining BCIT, Rami taught at post-secondary institutions in the USA, UK, and the Middle East. This is Rami's first term as an elected FSA representative, and his decision to join the Board is driven by his passion for the collective well-being of all stakeholders. His focus during this term is to help the Flexible Learning faculty and staff navigate the challenges ahead. 

William Oching

Director (2025-27)

William started his career at BCIT in 2015 as a Faculty member in the Mining and Mineral Exploration Department and involved in the establishment of the accredited Bachelor of Engineering in Mining and Mineral Resources Program. With strong industry experience, William developed and instructs several mining engineering courses and also serves as the Program Quality Assurance Coordinator.

William passionately has been an FSA Tech Rep and Returning Officer for four years and represented his department and FSA in various capacities: new hires selection, health and safety and curriculum committees, and anti- racism working group. He volunteers as a board member for community and non- profit organization boards, locally and nationally such as Burnaby Girls Soccer Club, and World University Service of Canada, among others.

William has a passion for training & developing others and demonstrated remarkably to get tasks done, genuinely enjoys serving the community for the purpose of achieving a common goal. William is humbled and honored to serve FSA as the member of the Board of Directors and strives to advance and protect the interests of FSA members to make work environment at BCIT fair and just for all.

 

Judy Shandler

Director, Associate Members (2025-27)

Judy Shandler (she/her/hers) has been working in post-secondary as an instructor for over 30 years and has completed a Doctorate in Education focusing on Educational Leadership from SFU.  Working in post-secondary has been a rewarding career, which has allowed her to expand into areas outside of teaching into the business of these institutions.

Judy joined Information Technology Services (ITS) at BCIT after completing a diploma program in the High Performance Technology program in 2000.  Today she splits her time between the role of Senior Business Analyst in Enterprise Planning in ITS and that of Performance Development System (PDS) Coordinator for the FSA Faculty,  Specialty Faculty and Tech Staff.  Judy also holds a position as Governor on the BCIT Board of Governors.

Judy was elected to the FSA board of directors in May 2020.