Comox Valley ElderCollege
Supporting our Comox Valley community since 1999
Our mission at Comox Valley ElderCollege (CVEC) is to enhance the quality of life for mature learners in our community through affordable opportunities for continued learning delivered by passionate instructors.
Get in touch
If you have questions or need registration support, contact our ElderCollege. You can also visit Student Technical Services if you get stuck.
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An annual membership gives you access to a wide mix of on-campus, digital and field courses to suit every interest — at no additional cost.
Buy membershipBrowse courses
Download our latest Comox Valley ElderCollege course guide to stay informed and to browse upcoming educational opportunities.
DownloadStay connected
Stay up-to-date with the CVEC Connector – a bulletin of upcoming Comox Valley ElderCollege events, lectures and news.
Read current issueOur history
In 2024, we marked 25 years of community education — and we’re still going strong. What started with just over a hundred volunteers has become one of North America’s largest elder-focused programs.
ElderCollege’s story started in September 1999, when Comox Valley residents Betty Emery and Elizabeth Smith became inspired by the possibility of a lifelong learning program in the community. They took their vision to NIC President Lou Dryden, who immediately embraced the idea. That summer, more than 140 people from the community attended a planning meeting. ElderCollege’s first course guide launched later that fall, offering a wide variety of courses and lectures spanning disciplines such as English literature, biology, information technology and much more.
Since its launch, CVEC has grown into one of the largest programs of its kind, boasting 1,000-plus members. CVEC continues to be based out of NIC’s Comox Valley campus and continues to be volunteer run.
Beyond educational programming, ElderCollege also continues to give back to the college community. CVEC celebrated Canada’s 150th anniversary by announcing two NIC Foundation awards – the Betty Emery Founders Bursary and Elizabeth Smith Founders Bursary. In total, more than $163,000 in financial support has been provided to students over the years – to say nothing of the various capital improvements on campus, including age-friendly bannisters in the Stan Hagen Theatre.
In September 2024, CVEC Chair John North presented NIC President Lisa Domae and the NIC Foundation with a $35,000 cheque for an endowment to mark 25 years of ElderCollege.
Governance
Learn more about our organization and partnership between CVEC and NIC. Read our strategic plan and governance manual.
CVEC Annual General Meeting minutes