UNews - Nicole Spence

Recognizing the winners of the 2022 President's Awards for Service Excellence

caroline.zentner — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 19:44:34 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President's Office is pleased to announce the 2022 recipients of the President's Award for Service Excellence.

AUPE recipient — Rebecca Gray

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is extremely pleased to present the President’s Award for Service Excellence (AUPE) to Rebecca Gray, a student loan advisor with Scholarships & Student Finance.

Part mentor, part advocate and part cheerleader, Gray has consistently demonstrated an ability to tackle students’ loan challenges with compassion and resolve. As a student loan advisor for the past 10 years, Gray is the first person to greet visitors to the Scholarships & Student Finance office. With her quick British wit and keen sense of humour, she puts others at ease. Gray is well aware of the financial stressors students can face and she’s quick to offer both emotional and practical support.

As someone who believes finances should never be a barrier to education, Gray goes above and beyond to help students access the maximum funding available to them by finding sources of support they never thought possible. Rather than simply providing advice to students, she goes a step further to work on students’ behalf with government representatives and loan lenders. Gray’s ability to empathize, coupled with her vast knowledge of student finance options, makes her a highly valuable support for both students and the ULethbridge community.

In addition to her front-line work as a student loan advisor, Gray also worked with Information Technology staff to improve departmental operations, specifically the automated student loan confirmation process. Before being rebuilt, the process required many hours of manual labour by staff in Student Finance and the Cash Office. Gray’s knowledge of the inner workings of the current system were critical in the process.

In addition to that knowledge, the project required someone who could adapt and advocate for changes in the functional and technical realms. Gray handily demonstrated these skills while implementing the new system as she spent countless hours testing and trouble-shooting the complexities of the rebuild as it related to the Student Finance office. This work was done in addition to her normal day-to-day tasks and she helped keep the project moving forward by putting in extra time towards its successful completion. Despite the demands, Gray kept a positive attitude throughout the project and her humour helped everyone involved in the project stay upbeat.

To her colleagues and students, Gray is the go-to person who has and continues to make a difference.

Team award recipients — Suzanne Atkinson, Brenda Bell, Jaime Iwaasa, Nicole Spence, Kyra Svrcek and Kelly Vaselenak

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is proud to recognize the Faculty of Education’s Student Program Services (SPS) and Field Experiences (FE) teams with the President’s Award for Service Excellence.

From left to right are Nicole Spence, Jaime Iwaasa, Kyra Svrcek, Kelly Vaselenak and Suzanne Atkinson. Missing from the photo is Brenda Bell.

In a post-secondary year defined by the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, these teams have provided exceptional service and care to both students and faculty.

FE team members, Jaime Iwaasa (BMgt '22) and Kelly Vaselenak, and SPS team members, Suzanne Atkinson (BFA ’00), Brenda Bell (BA ’95, MA ’99), Kyra Svrcek (BHSc ’16) and Nicole Spence, often work in tandem to ensure undergraduate students are well supported in the Faculty of Education from pre-application to graduation. These teams are responsible for multiple tasks related to marketing, recruitment, admissions, advising, communications and setting up practicums in many school divisions across Alberta or in other provinces. In addition, the teams help students meet graduation requirements and subsequently navigate the teacher certification process. They also ensure faculty have all they need to successfully supervise students within schools.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented these teams with exceptional circumstances. The FE team is responsible for placing between 900 and 1,000 students in schools every year as they complete their professional semesters. The pandemic posed many challenges in terms of placing student teachers into their classrooms. Further complicating the situation was the fact ULethbridge students were learning remotely, many of them from communities outside Lethbridge. As a result, the FE team negotiated working with new schools and divisions to adapt to the changing practicum environment. Some practicum placements were outside the province where COVID restrictions were different. In the 2020-2021 year, the FE team placed more than 600 students into new practicums where, at times, they worked in a virtual or hybrid teaching environment.

In the run-up to the Fall 2020 semester, admissions had to be completed before a decision was made about how courses were to be delivered. The SPS team handled numerous questions from students who were worried about how they would begin their post-secondary education. The SPS team responded by holding information sessions, virtual townhalls and open houses to both new and continuing students. They also had to quickly adapt to using digital platforms and developed new skills in data management and electronic forms of record keeping in the process. The team found ways to support students and each other with grace and good humour, despite the volume of emails and concerns from students.

The SPS and FE teams are the foundation of the Faculty of Education program and their steadfast efforts over the past year ensured students had the best year possible.

APO recipient — Kali McKay

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is very proud to present the President’s Award for Service Excellence (APO) to Kali McKay (BA ’06, MA ’10), director of community engagement.

McKay has held numerous roles at ULethbridge, with the first as a student. After completing a bachelor’s degree, she joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a recruitment officer where she worked until returning to student life to complete her masters. Following the completion of her program, she joined ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement as a communications officer, then as events and protocol officer, and later as manager of constituent engagement. She now brings those varied perspectives to her current position as director of community engagement in the Department of Development, Alumni Relations and Community Engagement. Having worked in these roles has given McKay a holistic view of the workings of a post-secondary institution and it’s those experiences she draws upon in meeting the needs of ULethbridge’s many stakeholders.

Her masterstrokes are evident in many of ULethbridge’s most successful events and programs. McKay sees the big picture from the high-level strategy down to the smallest details. She played a crucial role in organizing both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017 and the Big Bang Weekend to celebrate the opening of Science Commons in 2019. More recently, McKay led activities to celebrate the conclusion of the SHINE campaign, which raised $100 million and engaged more than 20,000 alumni. She has helped the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s annual Play Day take shape over the last decade and ensured its longevity by securing a donor for the event. Each year, she works to refine the planning and execution of Play Day so it continues to support the needs of families in southern Alberta.

McKay has formed strong relationships with partners across the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and cemented herself as a leader both within the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the larger community. Her eye is always on what’s best for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and her tendency to dream big allows her to expand ideas. The Nourish program is a perfect example. She played a key role in building a brand for food security initiatives across campus to create a program that supports students and gives alumni and community members a way to give back.

She is also a champion for liberal education and has worked closely with the School of Liberal Education to advance initiatives like the Common Book Project and Volunteer Week. This passion for liberal education also inspired her to secure Margaret Atwood as guest speaker for the 2015 Calgary Alumni & Friends Dinner, an event she organized and helped grow for a number of years. An extraordinary writer, one of the many stories McKay wrote includes The Formidable Margaret Atwood, which was published in Southern Alberta Magazine. Her colleagues fondly remember placing a sign on her office door that read, “Please do not disturb. Interview with MARGARET ATWOOD in progress.”

McKay’s ongoing positivity and drive to make ULethbridge the best it can be has reaped dividends too numerous to count and set a successful path for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for years to come.

Teacher Job Fair brings opportunity to doorstep

trevor.kenney — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 17:39:59 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's annual Teacher Job Fair is a place where pre-service teachers meet school boards face-to-face and begin to shape their teaching careers.

The Faculty of Education presents Teacher Job Fair 2014 on Friday, January 31, 2014 beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium. Since 2003, the Faculty’s well-deserved reputation for excellence has brought school boards or educational organizations to the annual fair.

“We provide a service to current students and recent graduates that allows them to interact with future employers,” says Nicole Spence, Teacher Job Fair coordinator.

The event allows students the opportunity to establish one-on-one contact with representatives from prospective school boards on a local, provincial, national and even international level. Over the years, representatives from as far as the United Kingdom and China have attended and recruited ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students.

“Many students will be ready to teach within the next few months and the job fair can present some opportunities for employment,” adds Spence. “Some employers will even decide to personally interview or make group presentations to upcoming grads at this job fair.”

The Faculty encourages not only graduating teachers to attend the fair but third-year students as well.

“We encourage third and fourth-year students to attend the job fair at some point during the day to talk, or be interviewed by the delegates," says Spence. "It’s a great experience for students to collect information about potential opportunities each school board or agency offers, and for the employers to be the first to interview new teachers who are poised to step into the classroom.”

The U of L's Faculty of Education offers some of the most extensive practical teaching experience in Canada – with 27 weeks of practical field experience. Upon graduation, students are fully prepared to step into the classroom on day one.

Teacher Job Fair connects students to employers

trevor.kenney — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:12:34 +0000

Even in a challenging economy, people still have to learn - and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Education is well known for supplying high-quality teachers to the profession who work locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Since 2003, the Faculty's well-deserved reputation for excellence has brought more than 30 school boards or educational organizations to its annual Teacher Job Fair.

This year, the Teacher Job Fair takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium.

The Teacher Job Fair allows students opportunity to establish one-on-one contact with representatives from prospective school boards from as far as the United Kingdom.

"We provide a service to current students and recent graduates that allows them to interact with future employers," says Nicole Spence, Teacher Job Fair co-ordinator. "Many students will be ready to teach within the next few months and the job fair can present opportunities for employment. Some employers will even decide to personally interview or make group presentations to upcoming grads at this job fair."

Spence adds that the fair is not just for impending graduates but for all teachers beginning to chart their career path.

"We encourage third- and fourth-year students to attend the job fair at some point during the day to talk or interview with the delegates. It's a great experience for both employers and students to collect information about potential opportunities with each school board or agency."

The Faculty of Education offers some of the most extensive practical teaching experience in Canada – with 27 weeks of practical work placement, students often receive double the amount of time in front of a classroom as other programs, and find they turn their experiences with the many teacher partners who mentor U of L students into long-term work relationships.

Students lining up for job fair

trevor.kenney — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:10:39 +0000

Since 2003, the Faculty of Education's well-deserved reputation for quality and ability to shape teachers of excellence has drawn more than 30 school boards or educational organizations to its annual Teacher Job Fair.

This year, the Teacher Job Fair takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 18 in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium.

"The job fair is an excellent opportunity to help our students gain contacts for employment," says Nicole Spence, Teacher Job Fair co-ordinator. "The fair is a service we offer to both current students and recent graduates so they can interact with employers."

Job fair delegates are primarily Alberta school board representatives but there is also a strong international presence, while a number of private schools also attend.

"The delegates are generally part of the administrative team and human resources core from each school board/agency," says Spence. "There are representatives from our local schools, as well global interest in our students from Australia, the United Kingdom and beyond.

"Our students will be ready to start their careers and step into the classroom within the next few months and the job fair can present viable opportunities for employment. Some prospective employers take this opportunity to interview or make group presentations."

The Faculty of Education encourages third and fourth-year students to attend the job fair at some point during the day to talk with the delegates. It's a great experience for both employers and students to collect information about potential opportunities with each school board or agency.

The Faculty of Education offers some of the most extensive practical teaching experience in Canada – with 27 weeks of practical work placement, students often receive double the amount of time in front of a classroom as other programs. These experiences with the U of L's many teacher partners often result in long-term work relationships.

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Bee Heart Smart Challenge continues success

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:24:40 +0000

The Bee Heart Smart Challenge – Walk, Run, Swim or Cycle 2009, from May 1 to June 13, was an initiative for staff and faculty sponsored by the U of L Wellness Committee and Sport and Recreation Services. The program started in 2005 as a walking challenge and has evolved to become the "Bee Heart Smart" contest that includes running, swimming and cycling.

The goal is to promote active living, which means making physical activity a part of everyday life through walking, taking the stairs, gardening, playing with your kids or dogs at the park, swimming or cycling, just to name a few activities.

There is a strong connection between the health and well-being of people and their work environments and the more active employees are, the healthier the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. And of course we want people to have fun while being active!

Wellness Week kicked off the contest this year and as of June 1, 176 participants and 17 teams were registered. This is the highest number of participants since the Wellness Committee began keeping records.

Activity is recorded (either daily or weekly) by:

• Counting steps while walking or running (using a pedometer is the best way to do this)

• Counting laps while swimming (each 50m lap is counted as one)

• Tracking minutes spent cycling

Weekly winners are drawn from registrants who have logged progress during the week. Weekly draw winners to date include: Nicole Spence, Carl Budny, Ruth Hummel, Sheri Lacey, John Poulsen, Joan Zimmer, Nicole Wilson, Linda Gray, Susan Hill, Edward Malinsky, Rumi Graham and Kevin McFadzen.

During the third week of the contest, individuals who entered the most steps, laps or cycle time were awarded prizes as well. Cindy Venhuis, Dwayne Armstrong and JulieAnne Kent were winners.

The Fast Trackers won the draw for Early Bird Team Registration.

The contest wrap-up and prize announcements occur the week of June 15. Get out there and get active and next year look for "purposeful activity" time instead of just cycle time.

Thanks to the following areas for prize donations or discounts: AUPE, U of L Bookstore, Sport and Recreation Services, U of L Athletics and Southern AB Centre for Successful Aging.

UNews - Nicole Spence

Recognizing the winners of the 2022 President's Awards for Service Excellence

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Students lining up for job fair

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Bee Heart Smart Challenge continues success

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