When Maya Lara moved from Edmonton to Kimberley three years ago, it was a love of snowboarding and the mountains that drew her in. What she found at College of the Rockies helped turn that lifestyle choice into a meaningful career path grounded in environmental science.
A self-described visual artist at heart, Maya has always preferred working outdoors. That passion for nature, paired with a growing interest in environmental stewardship, led her to enroll in the Associate of Science in Environmental Science diploma at College of the Rockies.
“The small class sizes, diverse program, and easy transferability is what initially made me choose the College,” she said. “It met that expectation but also surpassed it in many ways.”
Through hands-on learning and strong faculty support, she developed both confidence and practical skills that positioned her for success. By the time she graduated, she had been accepted into multiple universities, including Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia.
Her time at the College was marked by curiosity-driven learning and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone. That mindset came to life in several standout projects.
In a geography course, she studied glacier retreat in British Columbia using satellite imagery tools such as Sentinel Playground. The project aligned with the United Nations’ International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and culminated in a presentation to a group of outdoor leadership high school students.
“We had a lot of realizations, questions, and feelings to share about climate change,” she said. “It made the learning feel very real and very important.”
Another highlight came in a geology course, where she worked on a Riipen project analyzing ammolite fossils. Taking on a leadership role, she collaborated with industry partners while experimenting with x-ray imaging and laser ablation techniques.
“I had never seen a rock x-ray before and going into it we had complete experimental freedom,” she said. “It was a lot of fun, and I’m proud that our research will be used by the company in the future.”
Her success in these projects was supported by instructors who encouraged exploration, provided detailed feedback, and connected learning to real-world opportunities. That support extended beyond the classroom, where she contributed to both the Math and Science Program Advisory Committee and the College’s sustainability committee. One class project even grew into the foundation for a sustainability club.
Looking back, she sees her growth not just in grades, but in how she approaches learning itself.
“I started to understand how my curiosity and passion were my best tools,” she said. “Being a good learner is really about asking the right questions and exploring your own thoughts.”
One of the most unexpected transformations came in her confidence as a communicator. Once shy about public speaking, she now finds herself energized by the opportunity to present her work and share ideas.
“That really surprised me,” she said. “By the end of my diploma, I was excited to present my projects to others.”
Now, with her diploma complete, she is building on that momentum through hands-on experience in the field. After a successful co-op placement, she is continuing to work in ecology and environmental restoration, travelling throughout the Elk Valley to collect native plant seeds for reclamation projects.
“Every day I get to learn more about the habitats, morphology, and growth of native plants,” she said.
She plans to continue her studies at Simon Fraser University with a focus on applied biology, with the long-term goal of contributing to environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.
Reflecting on her experience, she encourages future students to fully embrace everything the College has to offer.
“Make the most of it,” she said. “There are so many opportunities to start clubs, do side projects, ask for advice, and have fun, even with a busy schedule. The connections you make and the experiences you choose are what make your time here worthwhile.”