Our talented staff

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

My responsibilities include designing and managing learning opportunities for staff, faculty and students through the Sustainability Ambassadors Program. I provide administrative support and specialized training so our campus community can engage in and create solutions around environmental, social and economic sustainability.

I also supervise the university’s centralized Sustainability Volunteer Program, which includes the development and identification of volunteer opportunities, the recruitment and management of volunteers, and the development and delivery of training.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

The biggest challenge has been developing a structure of volunteer engagement and educational opportunities that addresses the vast array of sustainability issues we are facing and accommodating the needs of our learners, while also supporting and respecting the autonomous groups working towards sustainability already. 

Concordia’s campuses have a long and rich history of student and employee involvement with climate and social justice; so we needed to design a system that provided assistance to existing organizations like Le Petit Velo Rouge, while also providing students with the skills and resources to be able to launch initiatives, like we have seen with ABCompost. 

I like to think of the skill-building, resources and opportunities we offer our community through the Sustainability Volunteer Program and the Sustainability Ambassadors Program as a ramp to further success, collaboration and leadership.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is watching groups of students transform over a year of learning together and collaborating on campus projects. By the end of the program, they have strong, supportive relationships that help them channel their passion for a more sustainable future. Seeing climate anxiety become determination, care and creative responses to world issues really inspires me to keep doing the work. We are really focused on building a larger community network that leans on each other to bring about collective change, and it has been extremely rewarding to see that happen in real time for our students.

Has your job changed you in any way?

Over the last five years, I have increased my hopefulness about the climate crises and global injustice. I can see how many people are deeply invested in transforming the situation and how successful they can be when given the proper opportunities and skills to do so. I have faith in what we can achieve when we come together, and sharing that trust and excitement has become a regular part of my work week. I approach the challenges of bringing together people from different perspectives and backgrounds with enthusiasm for what we can accomplish.

What was one of your favourite Concordia moments from the past year or so?

I am very proud that the student Sustainability Ambassadors Program received the International Sustainable Campus Network’s Cultural Change for Sustainability award this year. It feels like a great recognition of how the process of learning and working together is what transforms how we think about and respond to the world. Hearing from students and employees when they identify a problem they didn’t notice before and about the creative solutions they’ve devised always excites me. I love being a part of that journey for other people, whether it is watching staff light up about our new employee gardening opportunities, or bringing students to their first protest at the Climate March, where we represented the Concordia Shuffle and raised funds for student scholarships.

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

My responsibilities as head coach of our men’s hockey program are to develop and support our student-athletes — supporting and mentoring them toward finishing their degrees, going on to play pro hockey or heading down the right path toward the workforce.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

The COVID-19 year was a real challenge, with all the unknowns and losing players who went on to pursue their hockey careers. We had to find new ways to keep our student-athletes engaged and committed to their education and our program.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Seeing our players getting their degrees and continue to play pro or be successful in the workforce. Meeting alumni who are proud of what we are doing, and seeing their commitment to giving back to our program, means so much to me.

Has your job changed you?

One hundred per cent! Our players and staff are challenging me to get better in so many ways. 

What was one of your favourite Concordia moments from the past year or so?

Graduating from Concordia in 2011 and making it to the national championships on two occasions. 

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

As a member of the Employee Services team, I ensure HR processes are followed and applied accurately. I conduct quality review on data and HR processes in UNITY by analyzing data, reviewing workflows and generating reports.

I provide support to our Employee Services team, other HR units and the community to resolve complex issues. I work closely with our Human Resource Information System team to resolve system issues, and I also develop and revise procedures, processes and checklists to improve our department’s efficiency.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

When I first started, the biggest challenge was to learn the intricacies of the various employee groups within the non-academic and the academic sectors.

Then came November 21, 2021: UNITY go-live! As for any system implementation, we faced many challenges. Thanks to amazing colleagues in HR, IT, the provost’s office and consultants, we made it through. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part is to be part of a dedicated team that I can support, to solve issues and find solutions so we can offer a high-quality service translating into a positive experience when members of our community reach out to HR. 

Has your job changed you?

One of the ways my job has changed me is by enhancing my expertise and expanding my skill set. Also, by working alongside talented colleagues, through the months following the UNITY implementation, I have learned to adapt to changing circumstances and think critically.

What was one of your favourite Concordia moments from the past year or so?

The Concordia Shuffle. Every year, the Shuffle allows us to connect outside our day-to-day routine in an event that aims to support our students financially.

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

My role revolves around various occupational health programs and issues related to workers’ compensation claims. The topics of the occupational health programs vary drastically, from hearing protection to, in rare instances, pandemics, and require collaboration with various units to ensure everything goes smoothly. I also deal with our injury-management program, which looks into all injuries and near-misses that occur on and off campus, related to their Concordia activities.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

The first stages of the pandemic were the biggest challenge I’ve had to face. It felt like we were constantly trying to stay on top of the ever-changing regulations and trying to ensure the best practices were put in place. That, along with the contact-tracing efforts, felt like we were on a nonstop rollercoaster ride.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The various interactions with our community, although I wish the circumstances of my interactions with them were a bit different at times. It always amazes me to learn about what different individuals are doing within their units, and it really puts into perspective the sheer size and scope of our community.

Has your job changed you?

It has opened my eyes to how big the Concordia community is and the great things we can do. I graduated from Concordia, and it wasn’t until I started working here that I realized just how much is going on at any given moment.

What was one of your favourite Concordia moments from the past year or so? 

Oddly enough, it had to be graduating in the middle of a power outage. Mid-ceremony there was a large blackout and, instead of cancelling, the staff and faculty members figured out a way to keep it going with flashlights and phones. Definitely a day to remember — and something we still laugh about to this day.

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

As security system coordinator, I manage, plan and configure all electronic security devices such as cameras, alarm systems and access-card systems. Security systems are crucial in our buildings, which is why half of my tasks as a security consultant are with renovation and construction projects.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

When my colleague left for another job in 2021, I inherited their responsibilities for more than 15 months. I had to reprioritize my focus and efforts, which had its share of challenges to keep the level of service our department seeks to maintain.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Seeing the fruits of my labour come to fruition. Seeing how the thought-out and planned security systems help the users in their day-to-day jobs and contribute to a safe environment for our community.

Has your job changed you?

Yes. As technology has evolved over the years, so has my job. Keeping abreast of the ever-changing technologies in my field of work is a real challenge. Despite all the technology that surrounds us, the experience and knowledge I gained through teamwork remains most enriching for me.

What was one of your favourite Concordia moments from the past year or so?

Many special events occurred in the past 24 years. One of the most striking moments that comes to mind is the demonstration of solidarity and cooperation during a fire near a 12-storey building close to the Loyola Campus. I was team leader at the time. Only the security and maintenance teams were on site. We offered to house the families in the SC cafeteria, the Vanier Library and the F.C. Smith Auditorium. Seeing all these people come together to lend a hand to the surrounding community was a special moment.

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

In the past, my responsibilities ranged from student admission to graduation. Currently in my 10th position at Concordia, I am a functional analyst in IITS. My responsibilities centre on supporting the Financial Information System.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

Previously, I was supporting the Student Information System. When the time came to run the annual GPA and academic standing assessments for the first time with the new system, the undertaking was daunting. Like a marathon, it took months of meticulous preparation for that one moment to cross the finish line. The team pulled off a spectacular execution. The satisfaction was out of this world.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I can use my knowledge and creativity to solve problems. Most importantly, to know that my time and efforts serve a larger purpose for the university, which is to provide higher education and growing opportunities for students from all corners of the world.

Has your job changed you?

I was a graduate student in the history department. I did my learning in very traditional ways, that is, attending lectures, doing research, writing papers and exams. My job requires me to learn constantly; but it also fosters new ways to expand my knowledge and do so experientially and collectively as a team. I find this very empowering and transforming.

What is one of your favourite memories from Concordia?

There are so many fond memories — to name one is nearly impossible. If I had to, I would pick a convocation ceremony in 2014, where the late Stuart McLean (BA 71, LLD 14) received an honorary degree from Concordia. He was my favourite storyteller.

I was very pleased with the occasion and impressed by his speech, which still resonates till this day. “Your choice is how you will accept the responsibility of citizenship,” McLean said. “Do it joyfully. Spread optimism rather than cynicism; act with the understanding that we are all in this together.”

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

I coordinate the activities and stakeholders in project portfolio planning, as well as support the project management unit in continuous improvement initiatives that are aligned with information management best practices. As part of the Project Management Office, one of our main roles is to act as change agent and promote continuous improvement across Facilities Management.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

Facilities Management is a big department, providing multiple services with multiple resources in four distinct units. Implementing change initiatives in specific units that will benefit Facilities Management as a whole is quite challenging to communicate. It is rightfully difficult to change our methods of working without tangible, immediate benefits to us and/or our direct unit.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Being able to observe different continuous improvement initiatives complementing themselves like LEGO blocks. Change initiatives are long endeavours that don’t necessarily show tangible benefits in the short term. Being able to see more collaboration between resources and improvement in our practices and services is a great motivation.

Has your job changed you?

My job did change me. It permitted me to enhance my communication and change-management skills. It also provides me with a sense of accomplishment. Not only do I feel accomplished in my role at the university, but I am also very proud to be part of an institution that promotes teaching, learning and research.

What was one of your favourite Concordia moments from the past year or so?

I participated actively in a review of the roles and responsibilities across Facilities Management (FM). This initiative made it possible to interact with many colleagues across FM and get to know them. It felt good to see coworkers interact in person and get to know each other during workshops, which is something the pandemic prevented for quite a while.

What are some of your responsibilities at the university?

As a manager of residence life, I oversee the three residences at the Loyola Campus. My responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks associated with residents, buildings, resident assistants (RAs) and our residence community’s management and programming.

What has been your biggest challenge during your time here?

Easily COVID, and all the associated intricacies of the pandemic and the ways they impacted our residents, student staff and departmental staff. As a 24/7 operation, where students live, responding to the needs of our students doesn’t stop at the end of day. Isolation and social-distancing protocols look entirely different in a residential setting like Loyola, which houses 300-plus people, and the impact isn’t individual, it’s collective for the community. 

Having to navigate the health and safety risks associated with any in-person activity — including eating in the dining hall — while also trying to support the social wellbeing of our residents and student staff was especially complicated. Since the start of the pandemic, our department has been on site and in person, which allows us to support our students but also presents unique challenges.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Getting to see community-care in action every day. Whether it be with our student staff and their residences, our residents and their friends, or the departmental teams at Loyola and the ways they show up for us in residence life, the acts of care that I am privy to never cease to amaze me.

A prime example would be our Events and Leadership Committee here at Loyola. Each year they run a Candygram event to benefit Sexual Assault Resource Centre, and this year their efforts raised nearly $800, all donated by our Loyola residents. This has become a legacy event that is run each year, and the impact that their leadership, the support of the RAs and the mobilization of our community reaches beyond just residence.

Has your job changed you?

I’ve spent nearly half my life in some sort of combination of working, studying or living at Concordia. All the way through, I was lucky to find folks supportive of my development and invested in my success. This position has allowed me to return to the Loyola and residence community and put their investment in me to good use. It has sharpened my crisis-response skills, broadened my comprehension of ever-evolving student needs and development, and allowed me to build the capacity of my student staff so that they are able to apply their skills in their next role.

What is one of your favourite memories from Concordia?

Last September I was able to attend the inaugural Otsenhákta Student Centre Pow Wow at Loyola. Being able to celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Métis students past and present at Concordia and see the learning that was happening with our student staff and residents was an amazing way to start the term. For many of our staff and residents, this was their introduction to Indigenous cultures, and set a foundation for further conversations and work around decolonization. After having such a long period of quiet on campus after COVID paused most campus activities, it was deeply moving to be surrounded by so much joy and celebration.