Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have been attending the U of L since my family moved to Lethbridge in 1994, when I was in junior high school. I was a U of L Music Conservatory piano student, taking music lessons on campus every week. I knew I would be a music student at the University someday and was accepted into the Music program after graduating from high school. I initially started my degree as a Bachelor of Music student but changed my program soon after to a Bachelor of Arts studying piano performance, combined with a Bachelor of Management, and never looked back.
How long have you been at the U of L and what do you do here?
In 2007, I was hired by the Faculty of Fine Arts as the Manager of Front of House and Box Office for the University Theatre. Although my role changed over 13 years, I was rooted in all the events, activities and community rentals hosted in the Fine Arts’ performing arts spaces. Last year, I accepted a position with Fine Arts as the Operations Manager, which broadens my role throughout the entire faculty.
What’s the best part of your job?
When I decided to change my degree to a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Management, I made a very conscious decision that I didn’t want to be the artist, but wanted to assist artists to learn and share their work. I love being a part of the University and working in higher education. I come from a family who is deeply rooted in higher education in Alberta and finding my place to support post-secondary education was always a goal of mine.
I love being a part of the delivery of our programs, to support students in sharing their art, be it music or theatre or visual art.
We hire a talented pool of student assistants to work in the box office, in our spaces, and for our events, and that team keeps me smiling and motivated every day. My coworkers and our dean keep me smiling, too. I thrive in a workplace where we all are working towards the same goals, and so far, I’ve certainly found meaningful connections and purpose in the Faculty of Fine Arts.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
My family runs a small cattle ranch north of Pincher Creek and I keep my boots dirty in the summers out there. I enjoy attending events in the city and volunteer on various boards and committees. Currently I sit on the board for Economic Development Lethbridge, and I also sit on the Public Art Committee for the City. When the pandemic began in 2020, I predicted we were in for a long-haul of change and decided to go back to school. I’m now finishing my final research paper for a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Royal Roads University. Fingers crossed, I’ll graduate this year!