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Concordia University
Concordia University

OUR TALENTED STAFF

Ida Giannelli
Human Resources

25 years' service

“Working in the employment department allows me to take part in welcoming new employees to the University or an existing Concordia employee to a new position. Helping a new employee feel welcome in their new job is a rewarding feeling.”

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

As the employment assistant for Employment and Organizational Effectiveness, I support employment advisors in the recruitment process. This includes preparing postings, aiding in the selection process, scheduling tests and interviews among many other things.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

Every job has its own necessary tools.  No matter how skilled an employee may be, they will never be able to function at full capacity if there is a lack of tools.  However, this has encouraged me to work in an effective and disciplined manner utilizing my own skills to the best of my ability and employing my own techniques that I feel will make the greatest impact on my job.

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

Working in the employment department allows me to take part in welcoming new employees to the University or an existing Concordia employee in a new position.  Helping a new employee feel welcome in their new job is a rewarding feeling.

Has your job changed you?

I was very shy and quiet when I began working at Concordia but I am now able to speak to new people every day and present new ideas that can improve my job. I gained confidence in myself and my ability to do great work.

Myung Woo Hong
IITS

12 years' service

“Like most support staff, my work mainly occurs behind the scenes. It’s gratifying when I hear that people are seeing and appreciating the improvements in our services, and recognizing our hard work.”

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

As the network service manager, I oversee the team responsible for supporting Concordia’s computer network. My team provides consultation and design services and strives to ensure that the network remains secure for the community.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

People can’t live without the internet nowadays and our team has to make sure that that Concordia’s network service is available 24/7, with minimal service interruption. We also need to constantly improve the network to keep up with ever increasing student expectations and new technologies to accommodate IT demands for the community. It’s challenging to balance the maintenance of existing services on the one hand and the implementation of improved services on the other.

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

Like so many support staff in other sectors, my work mainly occurs behind the scenes. It’s gratifying when I hear that people are seeing and appreciating the improvements in our services and recognizes our hard work.

Has your job changed you?

Since I have to juggle multiple tasks and projects in limited period of time, especially balancing day-to-day operations against Infrastructure projects, my job has improved my planning and time management skills. The project management training offered by Concordia has also helped to improve my skill sets and changed how I approach/attack projects.

Petra Alves
Hospitality Concordia

11 years' service 

“I am thankful to be a part of a team that I really enjoy working with, we have mutual respect and care for one another. To me, this is a healthy working environment and also the foundation for success. Everyone works very hard and we can rely on each other when we need a hand.”

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

As the manager of Conference Services, I oversee the operations of the department and work with my team so that event bookings and the event planning process runs smoothly, ensuring successful events.  This includes working with key internal partners such as IITS, Security, Facilities Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and the Dean of Students office to create and review event processes that ensure excellent customer service.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

The speed at which change happens.  If I know something will help make a difference, it’s only natural to want to work towards implementing it quickly.  However, when you are managing several priorities and working with many internal key players, it’s understandable that our priorities may not always align at the same time.  With experience, I’ve been able to realign my expectations and my timelines, which helps to set goals in a more realistic way. Each change has to be planned carefully, with all stakeholders, to ensure that it responds to everyone’s needs, including the customer.  

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

I am thankful to be a part of a team that I really enjoy working with; we have mutual respect and care for one another. This, to me, is a healthy working environment and also the foundation for success. Everyone works very hard and we can rely on each other when we need a hand. 

I also find it rewarding when I’m able to find a solution to something that isn’t working well. Figuring out a ways to help resolve issues for our department, that also works for internal service providers, while enhancing customer service, is satisfying.

Has your job changed you in any way?

I have learned to manage expectations.  Everything doesn’t have to be handled in a day. By setting realistic goals, I’m able to make time to diligently plan meetings with key stakeholders and to find solutions that help enhance customer service and internal processes.

Darren Dumoulin
Security

25 years' service 

“We tend to forget that education doesn’t only take place in the academic realm. Many of our students are away from home for the first time and freedom sometimes leads to bad decisions. I like to think that security is more about education than repression.”

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

As the assistant director of security operations at Concordia, I manage the security operations on both Loyola and Sir George Williams campuses in addition to emergency management and fire prevention.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

My biggest challenge has been ensuring safety and security on an urban campus with all the challenges that downtown Montreal can bring.

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

The most rewarding part of my job is working in a diverse and dynamic environment and participating in the education of our students.  We tend to forget that education doesn’t only take place in the academic realm.  Many of our students are away from home for the first time and freedom sometimes leads to bad decisions.  I like to think that security is more about education than repression.

Has your job changed you?

My job hasn’t changed me but I have changed the way I see myself in my job.  As my children grow up and my daughter enters university, I now approach my responsibilities and interact with students from a parent’s point of view.  I suppose we call that getting old. 

Rania Attir
Facilities Management

9 years' service 

“My job has highlighted the importance of being a part of a team, and the true value of moral support, mentoring, empowerment, and guidance.“

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

Working in administrative services for Facilities Management, my main responsibility is ensuring that funds are allocated in a timely manner so that contracts and employees get paid on time.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

Getting people out of their comfort zone. For example, trying to show people the advantages of using a new online computerized key management system (KMS) in comparison to the current paper system. When people understand the benefits of the KMS system they will embrace it. 

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

The most rewarding part of my job is the satisfaction I get when I find solutions to problems that are presented to me. When I know that my help resolved a situation and put a smile on the client face. This smile empowers me to perform my duties to the best of my abilities.

Has your job changed you?

In my time at Concordia I’ve learned to be a better communicator, turning conflicts into discussions and possible solutions. I’ve also learned the importance of being a part of a team and the true value of moral support, mentoring, empowerment, and guidance. 

Frederic Guilhem
Environmental Health and Safety

4 years' service

"I’ve aimed to make safety second nature to Concordia’s research community so that safe practices are not an added burden, but something already established as our working culture."

What are some of your responsibilities at Concordia?

As the laboratory safety team manager, I focus on promoting and facilitating safety compliance and regulations in over 250 arts, engineering, chemical, biological and radiation labs across campus. In a way, I act as a liaison between Concordia and the existing federal, provincial and municipal regulation bodies to ensure that trainings are up to date and in line with the university’s needs. This includes communicating with government bodies, applying for licences and permits and preparing reports for regulating agencies.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

“The safety guy” is often seen as a policing force or a barrier to work but I’m working hard to change that perception at Concordia. Instead of lecturing researchers I try to use a collaborative approach. I like to discuss what can be done while still maintaining safety compliance, doing so in a way that is easily understood. Ultimately, my goal is to keep people safe.

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

I’ve aimed to make safety second nature to Concordia’s research community so that safe practices are not an added burden, but something already established as our working culture. The most rewarding part of my job is when researchers initiate first contact and involve me in reviewing the safety aspects of their projects. In those moments I know that they see me as a reliable asset rather than a hindrance.

Has your job changed you?

People from around the world come to Concordia to work, to study, to do research and that makes me feel like I’m part of a larger, global community. I’ve become more open to the world by listening to people’s stories, both professionally and personally. These stories give me a different perspective about the world at large. I am grateful for the cultural exchange that takes place within this international community.

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