Vida Barker first discovered she had an aptitude for technology while enrolled in the Office Information Administrator program at Centennial. After graduating in 1986, Vida continued her academic journey by earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto.
Even as a student, Vida’s connection to Centennial remained strong. She began teaching part-time at the College from 1986-1989, where she found her passion in the classroom – both as a student and as an educator. In 1989, she formally joined Centennial as a full-time professor, where she continued teaching for nearly 40 years until retiring in June 2025.
A lifelong learner, Vida continually sought opportunities to grow professionally and stay current in her field. She took additional courses at Centennial, was an early adopter of educational technology, attended and led workshops, and presented at conferences. Her dedication to advancing teaching and learning was further demonstrated during a sabbatical, during which she completed a Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology. Moreover, when the pandemic disrupted traditional learning, Vida immediately began offering online sessions to help her colleagues transition from the physical to the online classroom.
Throughout her career, Vida acquired numerous awards, including the George Wicken Memorial Teaching Excellence Award in 1995; the Centennial College Board of Governors Award of Excellence (Teaching Excellence) in 1996; the NISOD Excellence Award from the College of Education, University of Texas at Austin, in 1996; the Centennial College Board of Governors Award of Excellence (Team Achievement) in 2011; and the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities Award of Excellence in 2020.
Community Involvement
For seven years, Vida climbed the CN Tower as part of Centennial College’s United Way team and cycled with the College’s Heart and Stroke Foundation team to raise funds – to this day, Vida is constantly fundraising by lacing up her shoes to run another race.
Beyond the College, Vida is deeply involved as a volunteer within her community, through organizations such as St. John Ambulance, among various charitable organizations. For many years, Vida volunteered at her local public school to set up and maintain a computer lab for the students. She was also ambassador for the city when the PanAm games were hosted by Toronto – to name just a few examples of the many initiatives that Vida has been involved in over the years.
Centennial's mission statement is “transforming lives and communities through learning” and that could not be truer for Vida. Her experience as a student at Centennial not only shaped her future, but the future careers of countless learners that have been in her classroom. In reflecting on her journey, Vida shared that she could not imagine a more rewarding career.