Kim Pham is a member of the Selkirk College Board of Governors.

How did you make your way to the Selkirk College Board of Governors?

I first joined the Selkirk College Board of Governors years ago as a student representative. That experience allowed me to learn a great deal about governance and the post-secondary landscape, which truly fascinated me as someone who deeply believes in academia and the transformative power of education.

 Describe one of your favourite Selkirk College moments.

One of my favourite Selkirk College moments comes from seeing the direct impact education has on students’ lives. I chose to work in academia because I deeply believe in the power of education to transform lives through employability and its strong connection to regional economic development. I especially value the role of colleges like Selkirk College in preparing students from rural communities to compete and thrive—whether that means continuing their academic journey at a larger institution or stepping confidently into the workforce.

Many of my most memorable moments are watching students graduate into fulfilling careers, improve their family’s economic well-being, or successfully transfer to another post-secondary institution to pursue their dreams. Seeing our collective efforts help students grow into confident, passionate and ambitious graduates is profoundly rewarding for me.

What’s the best advice you ever received?

The best advice I’ve ever received is not to apologize for what I believe in, even if it might upset others, including friends. Standing up for your values isn’t always easy, but it’s never wrong. Staying true to your principles builds integrity and earns genuine respect in the long run.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of serving the college?

Outside of serving the college, I love gardening. Having been born and raised in a metropolitan area, moving here has changed me for the better. I started learning to garden a few years ago and quickly fell in love with it. Each year, I expand my garden a little more, and the rewards during harvest season—especially being able to share fresh produce with friends and family—bring me so much joy and fulfillment.