Shawna Koots (BMgt '18), Payroll Specialist, Human Resources

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I lived in a few places as a kid, starting on an acreage near Rimbey and then moving to Bow Island. It was the kind of town where word could travel faster than one could walk. I know this because, on the three-block walk from school to my mum’s office, I entered the door for my mum to tell me that if I was going to read while I walked, I needed to look when I crossed the street. The messenger had already come and gone.

Growing up, I spent much of my free time outdoors with my twin sister, riding horses and playing in barns, fields and irrigation ditches.

Later, my family moved to Fort Macleod, where I finished high school. The day my summer job ended, I packed up and moved to Lethbridge, eventually moved on to Medicine Hat, and then came back again. I began my post-secondary education at Lethbridge College, earning a diploma in Business Administration, and then transferred to the University of Lethbridge to complete my degree.

How long have you been at ULethbridge, and what do you do here?

I started at the University in September 2020, an interesting time to join the team, as most of the campus was working remotely. It took over a year before I met everyone in the department face-to-face, including colleagues I work closely with every day.

In payroll, I handle tasks such as setting up new employees, updating existing employee positions, calculating wages, preparing payroll reports and ensuring compliance with collective agreements and employment standards. While these responsibilities might sound technical, they directly impact the lives of my colleagues across campus.

One of the things I value most about my role is the opportunity to witness the professional journeys of so many individuals in our campus community. From celebrating promotions and family milestones to seeing friends and former professors transition into retirement, I’m reminded daily of the meaningful connections we share. While I’m not directly involved in everyone’s day-to-day work, I genuinely care about the well-being of our community and take pride in supporting it behind the scenes.

What's the best part of your job?

There are so many things I enjoy about my job. Being on our incredibly beautiful campus is a highlight — surrounded by stunning scenery, abundant wildlife and inspiring art, it’s a truly unique place to work.

I’m also grateful to get to work with such an incredibly kind and intelligent group of people. I’m constantly inspired by my coworkers’ expertise, adaptability and dedication to growth.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy singing and occasionally try my hand at playing guitar, often alongside my wife, Hilary, and our Italian Greyhound/Jack Russell, Rhett, who loves nothing more than to curl up next to a guitar. I also love spending time in the kitchen, whether I’m trying new recipes, experimenting with old ones, canning, or baking my grandmother’s Estonian rye bread – which, if you ever want to try a loaf or need some starter, I’m your gal.