Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Medicine Hat. I did my diploma in management at Medicine Hat College and I wanted to get my degree. My sister came to the university here and I got to follow her around a few times, so I was more comfortable coming to the U of L. I started off in college wanting to be a teacher but I found it wasn’t right for me so I switched to management. I loved everything about it. I like structure, rules and limits and I liked human resources the best because I like understanding people. I worked for 15 years at Dunlop Western Star as the business manager doing finance. It was kind of like I ran my own little finance office there but, after 15 years, I needed a change. I wanted more time with my kids.
How long have you been at the U of L and what do you do here?
I started here in July of 2017. Coming here was scary because change is hard. But I was open to it and I have to say I’ve met some of the best friends you ever could hope for here. This office would not be the same without Staci (Eastman) and Jacky (Vanderfluit) and I have an amazing enforcement team.
I look after parking, walking, biking — anything external — for mobility issues. We take care of the campus pathways, roadways, parking lots, parking permits and disability stalls so everyone can get to where they need to go. All the directional and magnetic signs go through our office and we handle the parking lot enforcement along with all appeals of parking tickets.
When I first came here, I didn’t have a background in concrete and asphalt. I had a company come in and test all of our concrete, every sidewalk and roadway, and light fixtures. So, I have a 10-year plan of what should be fixed every single year and a budget so we can save money to do the work the following year. Our resources come from the sale of parking permits on campus and the pay and park areas. With the resources we receive we are able to put back into the University. When we transitioned from Parking Services to Campus Mobility Services, a main goal I wanted was to open our means of communication with students, employees and visitors. By doing this, we have been able to engage with people and look at areas of improvement that have been overlooked.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I like the people. I like communicating with the students face-to-face and helping answer their questions. I love my coworkers. I came from a small office and here I work with a variety of people in lots of different departments. It’s just amazing, the growth of the University and the knowledge that comes from this campus. Some days, you just smile when you come to work. It’s a good place to be and nothing’s nicer than walking down from the parking lot here and seeing all the beautiful flowers.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
Some of the girls here, we meet up every Friday and that’s my favourite night. We have wine and do nails. I love my Fridays with my friends catching up with everybody, even though they went for coffee without me as I was making them salsa last week! I’m also an avid reader and I love history and books about the First and Second World War. I can read two to three books a week.