CultureWorks earns top recognition at Business Achievement Awards
April 17, 2013
The King’s community is thrilled and proud to witness the phenomenal growth of CultureWorks which was recently named Medium Business of the Year at the 30th London Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards. With over 1,100 local community leaders in attendance, CultureWorks President and Founder Tina Bax proudly accepted the award at the London Convention Centre on March 20.
A star-studded gala organized by the London Chamber of Commerce, the Business Achievement Awards celebrate and acknowledge outstanding businesses that exemplify excellence.
“It recognizes the hard work of our teachers and employees, and our great university and college partners,” says Bax. “We appreciate the fact that, without our students, none of this would be possible, and we’re grateful for the opportunities that we experience every day.”
CultureWorks has come a long way over the past 15 years. The school began with just four students and three staff. Today, the numbers have grown to 600 students from more than 20 countries and a dedicated team of 85 staff.
Shortly after graduating from Western’s Faculty of Education in 1995, Bax taught English as a Second Language in Seoul, South Korea for a year and a half. While in Seoul, she developed an appreciation for language education and new cultural experiences.
Eager to cultivate a similar learning environment in Canada, Bax returned to London, Ontario in 1998 and founded CultureWorks around the same time that King’s made internationalization part of its strategic plan. Marilyn Mason, Registrar at King’s, had the vision to partner with CultureWorks; Canada’s first private English language program hosted on a university campus.
CultureWorks’ unique model was the first to guarantee conditional acceptance to partnered post-secondary institutions, which today includes King’s, Brescia University College, Western University, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Durham College, and Carleton University.
“One of the strengths of our relationship with King’s has always been the willingness to try new things and support each other as we grow. It’s a great partnership,” says Bax.
Being a part of the King’s community right from the start allows students to get more comfortable with the location of classrooms, Canadian teaching styles, skills we take for granted like using the library, and most of all connecting with other King’s students right away.
CultureWorks is excited to be entering a new phase of working with King’s, including intensive summer programs, more collaborative offerings, and a campus overseas to help tell the story of CultureWorks to more students who are interested in studying in Canada.
While Bax loves collaborating with partnered schools on new projects, she is always deeply touched by the success of students when they realize the dream of graduating from university or college.
“It’s a great life’s work!” says Bax. “I feel very fortunate to play a supporting role in an organization that can be a stepping stone to those dreams being fulfilled.”
For more information about CultureWorks, please visit culture-works.com/
CultureWorks location:
Broughdale Hall, King's University College
266 Epworth Avenue
London, ON