Supporting Your Student - Columbia Bible College
Source: https://columbiabc.edu/supporting-your-student
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Supporting Your Student - Columbia Bible College
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SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENT
Dear Parents and Guardians
A message from Columbia President Dr. Steve Brown
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As your student begins this new chapter at Columbia Bible College, I imagine you’re experiencing a swirl of emotions—joy, gratitude, maybe a bit of grief, and a touch of nervous anticipation. I’ve been there myself. When I moved each of my daughters into residence at Columbia, I felt all of those things and more. It’s a big moment—for them, and for you.
Let me offer a word of encouragement.
At Columbia, our heart is to come alongside your student as they lean into their faith, discover who they are in Christ, and begin to step into all that God has for them. We consider it a sacred trust to walk with them during these formative years—and we’re grateful to share this journey with you, too.
The core value we’ve selected as our theme this year is Pursuing the Truth with Humility. In light of that, our prayer is that every student who comes to CBC will grow in four key ways:
Spiritual vibrancy
grounded in the truth of God’s unchanging Word
Christlike, resilient character
shaped by challenge, grace, and growth
Rootedness in community
through meaningful relationships and shared life
Equipping for service
to make a difference wherever God leads them
We believe this season at CBC will lay a foundation for a lifetime of discipleship, ministry, and leadership.
As your student settles into campus life, one of the best ways you can support them is by encouraging their growing independence. This is their time to learn how to navigate new relationships and responsibilities, whether it’s asking for help, connecting with the right staff member, or managing practical matters like payments and scheduling. You can always point them in the right direction (you’ll find a list of key staff members on the back of this page) but encourage them to take the lead in reaching out.
And finally, we invite you to pray. Pray for your student as they grow and stretch in this new environment. Pray for our faculty and staff as we seek to serve faithfully. Pray for God’s continued provision, protection, and presence over our campus community.
Know that we are praying, too—for your student, and for you.
With eyes fixed on Jesus,
Dr. Steve A. Brown
President
CONTACT STEVE
Steve would love to hear from you! You're welcome to send him an email anytime.
Email Steve
STAY UP TO DATE
Sign up for Columbia Quarterly for regular updates about what's happening on campus and beyond.
Subscribe
GET IN TOUCH
Just a phone call, email, or quick visit away.
Contact Us
PRAY WITH US
Sign up to pray with and for our students and community.
Sign up!
“My time at Columbia has shown me, without a doubt, that loving God and being dedicated to the truth of the gospel need to be the foundation upon which I build my life.”
—Rykia G, Intercultural Studies
“When I first came to CBC fresh out of high school, I was shocked that everything I was learning was directly applicable to my everyday life. Not only that, but my teachers were living examples of their lessons. This authenticity and practicality have profoundly changed how I experience and follow the living God every single day, from spiritual disciplines to relationships with my peers. CBC is great!”
—Michael F, QUEST
“My time at CBC has taught me how valuable community and mentorship is in my personal relationship with God. I have been offered space to stretch and grow my faith with freedom and intention alongside like-minded people.”
—Rachel S, QUEST
“I used to think that being sent into the world meant going overseas as a missionary. CBC has helped me recognize the importance of serving my community, my neighborhood, and my friends and family.”
—Katie R, Social Entrepreneurship Diploma (Class of 2021)
“I came into Columbia as someone who lacked conviction and didn’t even really know where I was headed in life- or why. At the same time, I desperately wanted to appear like I had it “all together”, so I often kept others at arms-length. The greatest growth I have experienced is in the fact that I now have a very solid sense of purpose, and I no longer live in a mindset of having to solve every problem by myself. This capacity to accept help and guidance has also allowed me to experience a greater sense of connection in my relationships, and to be more vulnerable. By God’s grace I was nudged out of my comfort zone and drawn into classes, roles, and relationships that allowed me to grow. Of course, I’ve had failures along the way, but there was always support to get back up and keep at it. It has truly reshaped how I see myself and others.”
—Donnel S, Psychology Program
Your Support Team
Our staff and faculty are here for you and your student every step of the way.
Student Development
Dean of Students
Adrian Warkentin
oversees the Student Development Department and is responsible for the overall coordination and quality of Student Services which includes Athletics, Counselling, Chapels, and Residence and Commuter programming. Adrian also oversees student leadership. With a heart for mission and ministry, Adrian brings a pastoral presence to campus and is a great resource for emotional and spiritual support.
Associate Dean of Students
Shar Warkentin
leads the Campus Life Team, provides primary oversight of student leadership and orientation programming, as well as Spiritual Formation on campus (including Chapel and Vespers), and gives additional leadership support across the Student Development department.
Women’s Residence Director
Donnel Schmidt
oversees all the female students living on campus. She lives in Redekop Hall and is an alumna of Columbia. Donnel is a great resource for emotional and spiritual support and is also certified in first aid. Her focus is to provide leadership to the Resident Leaders and build relationships with the women on campus.
Men’s Residence Director
Ben Smith
oversees all the male students living on campus. He lives in Redekop hall with his wife, Karah and his daughter Joanna, and is an alumnus of Columbia. Ben is a great resource for emotional and spiritual support and is also certified in first aid. His focus is to provide leadership to the Resident Leaders and build relationships with the men on campus.
Executive Assistant to Student Development & Commuter Director
Chrissy Funk
is a friendly face and welcoming presence for both resident and commuter students. Chrissy helps coordinate various student events and oversees commuter services at Columbia.
Academics
Assistant Registrar
Greg Thiessen
will help with all academics related questions and will help students choose their courses for the second semester.
Student Records & Accounts, Executive Assistant for Academics
Corina Penner
helps with all academics related questions and will help students choose their courses for the second semester. She’s also your go-to person for student accounts. She makes sure that bills are accurate, up-to-date and sent out on time
Additional Support
Financial Aid Advisor
Does your student have or need a student loan? Are they eligible for a grant or bursary? Did they receive a scholarship? Financial Aid is here to help!
Tara Walker
will help your student get set up to make financial payments and process all scholarships and awards.
Financial Aid
Academic Support Supervisor
Allison Janzen
provides assistance for learning challenges, time management, and meeting college level academic expectations. Appointment bookings, drop-in hours and resources are found on our website. Academic Support also runs helpful tutorials and workshops.
Academic Support
Counselling Services Supervisor
Aaron Roorda
manages counselling services on campus and is the first point of contact for all students looking to book a counselling appointment.
Counselling Services
Pray with Us
Sign up to receive prayer updates from CBC, and commit to praying with and for our students and community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get information about my student?
We can’t give out any information, so we recommend reaching out to your student directly to ask them to provide the information. Our student handbook helps guide them in the right direction.
When are tuition payments due?
Payment deadlines and other information is available on our website on the
Payment Information page
. Please contact
Corina Penner
for any questions about payment info!
Where can I find the bill for each semester?
Students can log into their
myCBC SONIS portal
to see billing and transaction history.
How can tuition be paid?
Tuition payment information is available on the
Payment Information page
. Please contact
Corina Penner
for any questions about payment info!
Where can we request a statement for a bank withdrawal?
The student can
send Corina Penner an email
or a message on Teams, and she’ll pass along a semester statement PDF, usually via email.
How can I send a letter or parcel to a student?
Every student in residence has their own mailbox for letters. Please ask your student about their mailbox number. Add the students full name and mailbox number on the envelope along with Columbia’s address: 2940 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford BC, V2T 2Z8.
Packages and letters that are too big for the mailbox can be picked up at Reception.
Academic Calendar
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore. Excepteur sint lorem cupidatat.
You may like:
Sorry, no posts matched your criteria.
Apply!
Donate
Contact Us
myCBC
SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENT
Dear Parents and Guardians
A message from Columbia President Dr. Steve Brown
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As your student begins this new chapter at Columbia Bible College, I imagine you’re experiencing a swirl of emotions—joy, gratitude, maybe a bit of grief, and a touch of nervous anticipation. I’ve been there myself. When I moved each of my daughters into residence at Columbia, I felt all of those things and more. It’s a big moment—for them, and for you.
Let me offer a word of encouragement.
At Columbia, our heart is to come alongside your student as they lean into their faith, discover who they are in Christ, and begin to step into all that God has for them. We consider it a sacred trust to walk with them during these formative years—and we’re grateful to share this journey with you, too.
The core value we’ve selected as our theme this year is Pursuing the Truth with Humility. In light of that, our prayer is that every student who comes to CBC will grow in four key ways:
Spiritual vibrancy
grounded in the truth of God’s unchanging Word
Christlike, resilient character
shaped by challenge, grace, and growth
Rootedness in community
through meaningful relationships and shared life
Equipping for service
to make a difference wherever God leads them
We believe this season at CBC will lay a foundation for a lifetime of discipleship, ministry, and leadership.
As your student settles into campus life, one of the best ways you can support them is by encouraging their growing independence. This is their time to learn how to navigate new relationships and responsibilities, whether it’s asking for help, connecting with the right staff member, or managing practical matters like payments and scheduling. You can always point them in the right direction (you’ll find a list of key staff members on the back of this page) but encourage them to take the lead in reaching out.
And finally, we invite you to pray. Pray for your student as they grow and stretch in this new environment. Pray for our faculty and staff as we seek to serve faithfully. Pray for God’s continued provision, protection, and presence over our campus community.
Know that we are praying, too—for your student, and for you.
With eyes fixed on Jesus,
Dr. Steve A. Brown
President
CONTACT STEVE
Steve would love to hear from you! You're welcome to send him an email anytime.
Email Steve
STAY UP TO DATE
Sign up for Columbia Quarterly for regular updates about what's happening on campus and beyond.
Subscribe
GET IN TOUCH
Just a phone call, email, or quick visit away.
Contact Us
PRAY WITH US
Sign up to pray with and for our students and community.
Sign up!
“My time at Columbia has shown me, without a doubt, that loving God and being dedicated to the truth of the gospel need to be the foundation upon which I build my life.”
—Rykia G, Intercultural Studies
“When I first came to CBC fresh out of high school, I was shocked that everything I was learning was directly applicable to my everyday life. Not only that, but my teachers were living examples of their lessons. This authenticity and practicality have profoundly changed how I experience and follow the living God every single day, from spiritual disciplines to relationships with my peers. CBC is great!”
—Michael F, QUEST
“My time at CBC has taught me how valuable community and mentorship is in my personal relationship with God. I have been offered space to stretch and grow my faith with freedom and intention alongside like-minded people.”
—Rachel S, QUEST
“I used to think that being sent into the world meant going overseas as a missionary. CBC has helped me recognize the importance of serving my community, my neighborhood, and my friends and family.”
—Katie R, Social Entrepreneurship Diploma (Class of 2021)
“I came into Columbia as someone who lacked conviction and didn’t even really know where I was headed in life- or why. At the same time, I desperately wanted to appear like I had it “all together”, so I often kept others at arms-length. The greatest growth I have experienced is in the fact that I now have a very solid sense of purpose, and I no longer live in a mindset of having to solve every problem by myself. This capacity to accept help and guidance has also allowed me to experience a greater sense of connection in my relationships, and to be more vulnerable. By God’s grace I was nudged out of my comfort zone and drawn into classes, roles, and relationships that allowed me to grow. Of course, I’ve had failures along the way, but there was always support to get back up and keep at it. It has truly reshaped how I see myself and others.”
—Donnel S, Psychology Program
Your Support Team
Our staff and faculty are here for you and your student every step of the way.
Student Development
Dean of Students
Adrian Warkentin
oversees the Student Development Department and is responsible for the overall coordination and quality of Student Services which includes Athletics, Counselling, Chapels, and Residence and Commuter programming. Adrian also oversees student leadership. With a heart for mission and ministry, Adrian brings a pastoral presence to campus and is a great resource for emotional and spiritual support.
Associate Dean of Students
Shar Warkentin
leads the Campus Life Team, provides primary oversight of student leadership and orientation programming, as well as Spiritual Formation on campus (including Chapel and Vespers), and gives additional leadership support across the Student Development department.
Women’s Residence Director
Donnel Schmidt
oversees all the female students living on campus. She lives in Redekop Hall and is an alumna of Columbia. Donnel is a great resource for emotional and spiritual support and is also certified in first aid. Her focus is to provide leadership to the Resident Leaders and build relationships with the women on campus.
Men’s Residence Director
Ben Smith
oversees all the male students living on campus. He lives in Redekop hall with his wife, Karah and his daughter Joanna, and is an alumnus of Columbia. Ben is a great resource for emotional and spiritual support and is also certified in first aid. His focus is to provide leadership to the Resident Leaders and build relationships with the men on campus.
Executive Assistant to Student Development & Commuter Director
Chrissy Funk
is a friendly face and welcoming presence for both resident and commuter students. Chrissy helps coordinate various student events and oversees commuter services at Columbia.
Academics
Assistant Registrar
Greg Thiessen
will help with all academics related questions and will help students choose their courses for the second semester.
Student Records & Accounts, Executive Assistant for Academics
Corina Penner
helps with all academics related questions and will help students choose their courses for the second semester. She’s also your go-to person for student accounts. She makes sure that bills are accurate, up-to-date and sent out on time
Additional Support
Financial Aid Advisor
Does your student have or need a student loan? Are they eligible for a grant or bursary? Did they receive a scholarship? Financial Aid is here to help!
Tara Walker
will help your student get set up to make financial payments and process all scholarships and awards.
Financial Aid
Academic Support Supervisor
Allison Janzen
provides assistance for learning challenges, time management, and meeting college level academic expectations. Appointment bookings, drop-in hours and resources are found on our website. Academic Support also runs helpful tutorials and workshops.
Academic Support
Counselling Services Supervisor
Aaron Roorda
manages counselling services on campus and is the first point of contact for all students looking to book a counselling appointment.
Counselling Services
Pray with Us
Sign up to receive prayer updates from CBC, and commit to praying with and for our students and community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get information about my student?
We can’t give out any information, so we recommend reaching out to your student directly to ask them to provide the information. Our student handbook helps guide them in the right direction.
When are tuition payments due?
Payment deadlines and other information is available on our website on the
Payment Information page
. Please contact
Corina Penner
for any questions about payment info!
Where can I find the bill for each semester?
Students can log into their
myCBC SONIS portal
to see billing and transaction history.
How can tuition be paid?
Tuition payment information is available on the
Payment Information page
. Please contact
Corina Penner
for any questions about payment info!
Where can we request a statement for a bank withdrawal?
The student can
send Corina Penner an email
or a message on Teams, and she’ll pass along a semester statement PDF, usually via email.
How can I send a letter or parcel to a student?
Every student in residence has their own mailbox for letters. Please ask your student about their mailbox number. Add the students full name and mailbox number on the envelope along with Columbia’s address: 2940 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford BC, V2T 2Z8.
Packages and letters that are too big for the mailbox can be picked up at Reception.
Academic Calendar