Kaylie Walker (right), with fellow student Zadie McLeod (left) with ECS Department Head Jordan Stouck (centre) at the FCCS reception following convocation on June 4.
Kaylie Walker graduated from UBC Okanagan with a Bachelor of Arts in the spring of 2026. She completed a major in Political Science and a minor in Communications and Rhetoric.
“My passion for political communications began in high school through speech and debate, where I became fascinated by the power of language and how word choice and delivery can shape meaning and influence different audiences,” she says. “I was confident in pursuing Political Science, I initially felt unsure how to build the practical communication skills I was looking for without a journalism option.”
That changed in her second year when she enrolled in communications and rhetoric courses through the Department of English and Cultural Studies. In these classes Walker says that she learned the importance of active versus passive listening and the ethics of research, which continue to shape how she approaches communication, developed key career skills such as networking, building a strong professional presence, and navigating interviews and workplace culture.
In a class dedicated to public speaking and advocacy she took in her final year, Walker notes: “This experience emphasized teamwork, community engagement, and real-world action through tabling initiatives and gathering signatures to support change on campus.”
In the final Communications capstone project in collaboration with University Relations at UBC Okanagan, she gained hands on experience, built meaningful connections, and presented to stakeholders.
“These practical experiences played a direct role in helping me build my portfolio and secure my current position as Parliamentary and Communications Assistant for Stephen Fuhr. I now look forward to applying both my academic background and hands on experience to serve constituents and represent Kelowna in Ottawa.”