UNews - Tracy Oosterbroek

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge launches development process for Comprehensive Strategic Plan

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:58:04 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is looking to the community for input into the creation of its new Comprehensive Strategic Plan, the roadmap that will guide the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and help shape the look of post-secondary education in southern Alberta and beyond for the next five years.

The strategic plan will set the course for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, and the input received through the strategic planning process will also inform the renewal of other guiding documents, including ULethbridge’s Academic Plan, Research Plan and People Plan. At the heart of any successful strategic plan is the process by which the plan was created, and the contributions made by its constituents.

“If I can emphasize one thing related to this process, it is to urge our campus community and our external community partners to be involved,” says Dr. Digvir Jayas, ULethbridge president and vice-chancellor. “This is not my plan — this is our plan, and we will only be successful if this plan is truly collaborative and aligns with the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. There will be many opportunities to participate in the creation of this plan and to have your voice incorporated. Our goal is to achieve a shared vision and your participation is essential."

The community engagement process over the next several months will elicit the viewpoints of students, employees, alumni and retirees, as well as community members, research and industry partners, municipal and provincial government representatives and other key constituents.

“Faculty input will be vital in ensuring a successful strategic plan and our experience, insights, and perspectives will be invaluable in shaping the future of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Input from our academic community will contribute to a plan that promotes on-campus academic excellence and student success, and through our outreach, teaching and research activities, engages the many communities we impact locally and around the globe.”
Tracy Oosterbroek PhD, RN (BN ’95, MSc ’09)
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences

“Students are a guiding light for our institution, and our experiences, aspirations and needs should be at the forefront of our strategic plan. We are not just recipients of education; we are active contributors to our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. Our perspectives and collective vision should shape the activities we undertake in the future to build a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ experience that is academically enriching, supportive, inclusive and aligned with the needs of the diverse student body.”
Maleeka Thomas
President, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union

“Graduate students play an important role in many crucial facets of our university. This includes driving novel research, securing research funding for our institution, and supporting a variety of undergraduate programs and offices on campus through teaching and academic employment. To develop a prosperous and inclusive strategic plan to guide our institution into the future, consultation with our graduate student body will be essential. We look forward to being involved in this process.”
Jaxon Reiter (BSc '22)
President, Graduate Students’ Association

“��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge non-academic employees, whether in administrative, support or operational roles, work behind the scenes to ensure that everything functions seamlessly, from finance to facilities management, student services and beyond. We understand the intricacies of our roles, the needs of our colleagues, and the expectations of our students. Input from employees, regardless of our responsibilities, will be paramount for a successful strategic plan.”
Nicole Bach (BSc ’19)
Planning Assistant, Campus Development

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s many external partners will also play a major role in the creation of the Comprehensive Strategic Plan.

“The success and vibrancy of our city is directly tied to the growth and development our post-secondary institutions. Our community’s collective voice was instrumental in establishing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge 56 years ago and it is important now. Having our community share critical insights into this process will pave the way for a strategic plan that reflects the aspirations of our city, region and university.”
Blaine Hyggen
Mayor of Lethbridge

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is not just a place of higher learning; it is an integral part of our city's economic ecosystem. The decisions made by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ impact not only the education of our future workforce but also the economic development, innovation and prosperity of our community. On behalf of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, I commend the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for taking such a thoughtful approach to their strategic planning process and for seeking the valuable input of local businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders."
Cyndi Bester (BMus ’95, MEd ’01)
CEO, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce

Information about how to provide input can be found on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s strategic planning website, which was launched today.

Another vital element of this process is that it will not create a specific and separate Indigenous plan. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge (Iniskim) is located on Blackfoot Confederacy Territory, and Indigenous perspectives will inform the entire activity.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has a deep commitment to building and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous Peoples. One recent example of this commitment is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ becoming the first post-secondary signatory of the Buffalo Treaty with a focus on education, research and cooperation. The priority to have Indigenous world views that are interwoven into the Strategic Plan, as well as other institutional plans, is paramount in ensuring that the incorporation of Indigenous perspectives is done so in a holistic manner.”
Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04)
Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations

“Our commitment to the relationship between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and Indigenous Peoples connects everything we do and must be woven throughout each plan,” adds Jayas.

As the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ begins consultations for the Comprehensive Strategic Plan engagement process and wanting to do it in a good way that is grounded in Blackfoot ways of knowing, culture and protocol, Jayas and Little Bear participated in a pipe ceremony led by Elder, Francis First Charger. The pipe ceremony was held Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the Iikaisskini Gathering Centre.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will share further details about the strategic plan engagement process in the coming weeks.

New EDI Scholars represent broadening of important program

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:33:37 +0000

An unprecedented number of applications has created the broadest representation of disciplines for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Scholars program yet, with six new scholars named by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge today.

Drs. Dawn Burleigh, Sean Fitzpatrick, Kara Granzow (BA ’99), Jason Laurendeau, Rhiannon Mesler and Tracy Oosterbroek (BN ’95, MSc(N) ’09) were named EDI Scholars for 2023-24, committing to engage in projects that advance the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s EDI priorities. When complete, they will then share the information with the campus community.

“We are excited to broaden the pool of EDI champions across the institution,” says Hernando (Nando) Ortega Arango, project manager, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “Congratulations to our 2023-24 EDI Scholars and thank you to all who applied. This was a highly competitive process, and we look forward to working with this exceptional group of scholars to build EDI capacity together.”

The EDI Scholars program began in 2021, and for the 2023-24 intake, the application process was expanded with the intention to broaden the capacity for EDI work across campus. This resulted in applications from a variety of faculties, departments and backgrounds. Each project for 2023-24 is uniquely different with representation from the Faculties of Arts & Science, Education, Health Sciences and the Dhillon School of Business.

“It is a collective responsibility to champion EDI initiatives, and we all can play a role in facilitating inclusion and belonging,” says Ortega. “Through the efforts of the EDI Scholars, we hope to reach diverse audiences and broaden the capacity of EDI work across campus.”

Three EDI Scholars will undertake their projects beginning in the Fall 2023 Semester, and three in Spring 2024.

Fall 2023 EDI Scholars

Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick

Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick (Mathematics & Computer Science – Faculty of Arts & Science) plans to work with undergraduate student assistants to ensure that the open textbooks for many mathematics courses are fully accessible for all students, including those who require screen reader technology. Part of this work will include ensuring that all images have alt-text descriptions, and that all features of the textbook can be accessed using keyboard navigation.

“I am excited to receive this award because it will enable me to complete some long-overdue work on accessibility,” says Fitzpatrick. “I hope that the status of EDI Scholar will help me to promote the importance of selecting accessible course materials, and to remind people that our commitment to EDI must include accommodations for those with disabilities.”

Dr. Kara Granzow

After attending the Walls to Bridges instructor training this summer, Dr. Kara Granzow (Sociology – Faculty of Arts & Science) will work with colleagues and the community to bring the program to ULethbridge. Walls to Bridges is an internationally renowned initiaive, offered through post-secondary institutions, that provides for-credit courses to incarcerated and non-incarcerated students together to learn as peers.

“Without the support of the EDI Scholars Program, this project would not be possible,” says Granzow. “Programs like this give much needed time and support for the work necessary to further open doors to post-secondary education.”

Dr. Rhiannon Mesler (Management (Marketing) in the Dhillon School of Business) will undertake a series of studies with the goal to better understand when and why individuals choose to support, or not to support, organizations, causes and policies that create more equity, diversity and inclusion.

Dr. Rhiannon Mesler

“I am very grateful to undertake this research with the support of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge EDI Scholar program,” says Mesler. “This project will help understand the ways that fundamental beliefs about social structures shape support for charitable causes, and in particular those that serve people in need.”

Spring 2024 EDI Scholars

Dr. Dawn Burleigh (Indigenous Education – Faculty of Education) will focus on establishing a sustainable pathway for indigenization in the Faculty of Education that will build faculty, staff and student capacity for years to come.

“Considering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action in education, and a newly revised teaching quality standard in Alberta, all teachers are required to integrate Indigenous perspectives into their classrooms. This means faculties of education must do the same to ensure pre-service teachers are prepared,” says Burleigh.

Dr. Dawn Burleigh

“Being an EDI Scholar will afford me the opportunity to work with the amazing members of faculty and staff in education to create service opportunities that could connect with community, build relationships, support instructional capacity and meet the emerging needs of the field.”

Dr. Jason Laurendeau (Sociology – Faculty of Arts & Science) aims to contribute to the work of kinesiology departments and faculties as they work to indigenize course offerings, teaching practices and curricula.

Dr. Jason Laurendeau

“My goal is to shed light on the processes by which individual faculty members engage in this work – the barriers, challenges, and/or opportunities they experience,” says Laurendeau. “More broadly, I plan to contribute to vital conversations at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge about what it means to reckon with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a colonial institution.”

Dr. Tracy Oosterbroek (Nursing – Faculty of Health Sciences) will examine the impact of a pilot implementation of CASPer, an online situational judgment test intended to expand the assessment and evaluation of applicant suitability and capacity for ethical caring that extends beyond standard admission metrics. Historically, nursing program admission processes have relied predominantly on GPA which restricts ethnic and cultural diversity among students.

Dr. Tracy Oosterbroek

“This resulting lack of diversity among health-care providers has been shown to have a negative impact on the quality of care received by patients of minority or underrepresented groups,” says Oosterbroek. “My project will examine and compare historical and post-implementation applicant and admission data to determine whether these strategies have a positive impact on the diversity of the student body, or further perpetuate barriers to application and admission for minority, underrepresented or marginalized applicants.

Getting to know your new Supporting Our Students Co-Chairs

trevor.kenney — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 16:11:03 +0000

Supporting our Students is one of the easiest ways in which faculty and staff can contribute to student scholarships.

SOS Co-Chairs Tracy Oosterbroek, left, and Meagan Koshman are excited to spread the word about how we can all support our students.

Each year, two members from our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community assume roles as Co-Chairs of the annual SOS campaign and put their passion for student support into practice.

Your two new Co-Chairs for this year’s campaign are Tracy Oosterbroek, the assistant dean of our nursing program, and Meagan Koshman, one of our outstanding student recruitment officers.

Let’s get to know them a little bit.

What do you do at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and what’s your background?

Tracy: I am an Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean, NESA (Nursing Education of Southern Alberta) Programs.

Meagan: I am a Student Recruitment Officer and have worked here for almost five years. I am also a proud alumnus with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

Tracy: Geez, I don’t know! I live on a farm, have four kids, three dogs and two cats. I love the outdoors.

Meagan: Before my role here, I was a cosmetologist, so I got to play with makeup all day! I love spicy food, I have never broken a bone, and a day is not complete without walking my dog.

Why do you support SOS?

Tracy: It is so important to pay forward gifts received, and I received scholarships during my graduate programs. As a professor and assistant dean, I witness the challenges experienced by students, some of which include financial hardship. No student should be hungry or be required to withdraw from an academic program due to financial hardship. We all have a responsibility to contribute, even in small ways, to supporting student success and easing the financial strain.

Meagan: As a former student at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, I love being able to give a little bit back towards scholarships each month. It’s a great way to help support students in an easy way!

Why did you want to take on a leadership role with SOS?

Tracy: I felt I could at this time in my career, and I thrive on service.

Meagan: I thought it would be a great opportunity to contribute to SOS in a different way. Everyone who is part of this committee is awesome to work with — so it has been a lot of fun.

What are your goals for SOS while you are Co-Chair?

Tracy: That’s a loaded question. I would like to see increased engagement among all staff and faculty at ULeth. It would be great to see an increase in regular/monthly commitments. It is a difficult time for everyone, but also a time when students need support more than ever.

Meagan: I aim to collaborate with the committee and come up with creative new ways to help students as well as educate more staff and faculty about what SOS is all about.

If you get an opportunity to speak with either Tracy or Meagan, let them share their passion for student support with you and how our community is stronger when we all work together.

To learn more, visit the Supporting Our Students web page.

Bursary is a way to pay forward

trevor.kenney — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:03:10 +0000

U of L students will receive close to $3 million in scholarships, bursaries and prizes throughout the 2009/2010 academic year. One-third of this year's amount is as a result of donor contributions to endowed and annual funds that directly support our students.

Student awards are increasingly growing in popularity with U of L donors. In the last two years alone, over $6.5 million has been raised for scholarships and bursaries, with more than $4 million being raised so far in 2009.

When it comes to showing support, U of L faculty and staff are often the first to step forward.

As a U of L student, Tracy Oosterbroek (BN '95, MSc '08) was the recipient of student awards. Now a U of L alumna and current academic assistant, Oosterbroek is keenly aware of how a little help can go a long way.

For this reason, Tracy and her husband Rod established the Bob, Carolyn and Jeff Neilson Memorial Bursary in Nursing.

"My husband Rod and I decided to set up the Neilson Family Memorial Bursary as a way to honour my family members, but also to pay forward the gifts we have received," explains Oosterbroek.

"I believe it is important that we recognize the personal and financial challenges faced by our students and these gifts are one way we can do that. I hope that in some small way this bursary can help to offset those challenges so students can successfully complete their program of study."

Serena Wesley is completing her last semester in the Nursing program and is grateful to be one of the recipients of the Neilson Family Memorial Bursary.
"Scholarships help students reach their goals," explains Wesley. "I have worked very hard to juggle work, school and children while I complete my degree and it's nice to be recognized."

Oosterbroek emphasizes the importance of supporting student scholarships and the difference it can make in the lives of the recipients.

"By investing in our students, we show that we care about them while assisting them to achieve their academic goals."

Equally important is the message sent to the community, demonstrating that U of L faculty and staff are the first to collectively invest in our students.

UNews - Tracy Oosterbroek

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge launches development process for Comprehensive Strategic Plan

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Bursary is a way to pay forward

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��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge launches development process for Comprehensive Strategic Plan