FACULTY OF EDUCATION | ALUMNI BUILDER AWARD RECIPIENT
Congratulations to Dr. Rita Irwin (EdD’88)
Dr. Rita Irwin recently received the 2025-26 Faculty of Education Alumni Builder Award. The Alumni Builder Awards recognize a cross-section of alumni who have significantly contributed to the university and enriched the lives of others, and in doing so, have supported alumni UBC’s mission of realizing the promise of a global community with a shared ambition for a better world and an exceptional UBC.
Dr. Rita Irwin is a renowned scholar and artist-educator who has made transformative contributions to arts education and community engagement at UBC and beyond. Through her pioneering work, she has bridged art, research, and teaching to create inclusive spaces that empower underrepresented communities. Locally, she has partnered with schools and arts organizations to expand access to arts education, while nationally and internationally she has led initiatives to foster cultural exchange and collaboration. Her mentorship, leadership, and innovation exemplify UBC’s commitment to service.