Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I grew up in Richmond, B.C.; we lived in a little hamlet of Richmond called Steveston — a fishing village that has grown to be a popular tourist destination. When I was growing up, it stunk like fish from the BC Packers cannery. All that has changed now, but it's still a very cool part of the lower mainland. Google it sometime, it’s very interesting. I moved to Lethbridge in 1993 to attend university even though my dad was a 25-year employee of UBC. I couldn’t understand why he was so mad at me for leaving — until I realized, as a parent myself, that it was the tuition benefit! I never wanted to go to UBC; it always seemed too big to me and ULethbridge was just the right size. But no one warned me about the wind!
How long have you been at ULethbridge and what do you do here?
I’ve been at ULethbridge since May 2014 – I refer to this as my second term. My first term at the University started in July 1997. I had just graduated and got my first job in the Faculty of Education as the Master’s Program Student Advisor. I loved that job but then moved away to take a new role with Athabasca University. I’ve always worked in post-secondary institutions. I also worked for three years at Northern Lakes College in Slave Lake, Alberta.
I started my current role as EA to the President in May 2017; prior to that I was in Human Resources.
What's the best part of your job?
The people!! I get to meet new people all the time and people from all over the world. One of the best parts of my job is interacting with students. I enjoy learning about them, where they come from, what they are studying and why they chose ULethbridge.
Another group of people I am fortunate to work with is the ULead team, the executive assistants to our vice-presidents, associate vice-presidents and the governance team. There are six of us who work closely together to support senior administration. We have a lot of laughs day in and day out. The President’s Office is a well-run department because of this group, at least in my biased opinion.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I follow my kids around the province on hockey road trips! My son Ryan, 16, and my daughter Ellyn, 15, both play hockey and I spend lots of my free time watching them or travelling with them. My oldest daughter, Camryn, 19, is often my travelling sidekick, my second in command. She is a second-year student at ULethbridge enrolled in the Addictions Counselling Program.
I am also a director on the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association council; this is new for me this year. It’s a great feeling to be involved with the alumni, and be able to offer a voice to initiatives alumni are working on. I strongly encourage other on campus alums to get involved – starting with Play Day on February 20!