Faculty and Staff Profile
Sandra Milligan
Faculty/Departments:
Math and Science
Positions/Titles:
Faculty
Area of Expertise: Biology
Sandra has been teaching biology full-time at NIC since 2003. Her three degrees are
in the fields of toxicology and neuroscience, but she is now a “generalist,” naturalist
and life-long learner.
Sandra has grown roots in the #CampbellRiver community and is fortunate to be active
in community organizations that affect positive change, including Greenways Land Trust,
Discovery Passage Aquarium, the Cycling Advocacy Committee, BC Centre for Aquatic
Health Science and the Beaver Lodge Trust Committee. Her actions support what basic
biology tells us: that we must advocate for the species who cannot speak for themselves
and act to share our space with them.
Sandra's advocacy efforts have been recognized with several commendations, including
the first Local Environmental Hero Award, the Canada 150 Land Trust Honour Roll, the
Communities in Bloom Best Green Garden and Best Residential Garden and the Campbell
River Stewardship Special Recognition award.
Within the NIC community, Sandra served on the Research Steering Committee, developing
policy needed to gain Tri-Council eligibility and paved the way to federal research
funding for NIC faculty. Representing faculty on the PD committee, she organized many
events over the years, bringing faculty and staff together to learn about the training
we do to stay current in our fields.
As an educator, Sandra loves to bring the fun of learning to the community by providing
public outreach on local birds, intertidal life, brain anatomy, heart dissections,
local history and invasive plants.
Sandra also brings the outside community and nature into the classroom, with classroom
topics focused on the daily events happening in our bodies, brains, communities and
world so that students can connect concepts to their interests and future careers.
She has three talented children, whose experiences in university inform her teaching
and keep her in touch with people of all ages.