UNews - Roberto Bello

Honouring winners of the 2026 President's Award for Service Excellence

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:36:44 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President's Office is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the President's Award for Service Excellence.

APO

Dianna Letts-Piedrahita

Diana Letts-Piedrahita (BHSc ’12), Teaching Centre Educational Developer and Co-Chair of Food for Thought, is the recipient of the 2026 President’s Award for Service Excellence (APO).

Letts-Piedrahita is an exemplary educator. Through her work as an education developer, she creates meaningful space to think critically and engage deeply. Her work ranges from facilitating professional development for graduate students and new instructors, supervising Work2Learn and applied studies to providing tools to help all ULethbridge educators enhance their teaching. Personifying the ideals of liberal education, Letts-Piedrahita leverages new technology and social media often, thinking dynamically to build community.

As the Co-Chair of Food for Thought, Letts-Piedrahita is a resolute advocate for community. She works collaboratively with stakeholders on and off campus to reverse student food insecurity. With food insecurity affecting 20 per cent of ULethbridge students regularly, and 10 per cent daily, she strives to nourish them both physically and mentally. Food for Thought runs initiatives addressing food access and literacy, including the Campus Roots Community Garden, the Bodega, fresh produce deliveries, little library food pantries and educational outreach for food literacy and food-insecurity awareness. Under her leadership, students can gain valuable skills through volunteering, applied studies and Work2Learn placements, spreading knowledge and empowering students to take care of their health and education.

One of Letts-Piedrahita’s most remarkable endeavours sparked from noticing that Indigenous faculty and instructors across campus had few structured opportunities to connect with one another. This observation inspired IN-Practice: Indigenous Scholars Circle of Teaching and Learning, a space for Indigenous faculty and instructors across disciplines and career stages to provide mentoring between educators on campus. Her approach included consultation, communication and profound respect at every step of creation, and recognized the importance and complexity of engaging in reconciliatory work.

Letts-Piedrahita demonstrates the qualities of the best educators. By championing those around her, she raises her community. She leads with gracious humility, endless perseverance, dynamic and innovative thought, and the ability to plant seeds of connection and collaboration wherever she goes.

AUPE

Jenny Oseen

An exemplary administrative professional in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Jenny Oseen, is being awarded the 2026 President’s Award for Service Excellence.

Over the last 20 years, Oseen has provided executive and administrative support within the Faculty of Arts & Science. Her portfolio currently includes the departments of Anthropology, Sociology, History & Religion, as well as the Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT), Institute for Child and Youth Studies (I–CYS) , the Cultural, Social, and Political Thought (CSPT) program, and the Community Bridge Lab (CBL),

Throughout her time at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, she has been recognized by colleagues for her strong aptitude to provide quality work and go above and beyond the requirements of her job. Oseen is known in the university community as the ultimate resource for obtaining ULethbridge knowledge and support, exemplified through her prominent role in training new hires.

Oseen has built a reputation for being an outstanding employee and colleague. Aside from her many contributions to the Faculty of Arts & Science, including the departments, programs and institutes with which she works closely, Oseen is known for her willingness to bend over backwards to provide knowledge and support to students, faculty, non-academic staff and community members. Her attention to detail is particularly keen when it comes to event planning for conferences, invited speakers, graduate student theses defences and retirement parties.

Her impact at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge extends beyond the key roles within her job description. She has become a leading expert and highly reliable source of information and advice. Graduate students have identified her as their primary resource for both informational and emotional support. Her unwavering commitment to assisting graduate students includes helping them through their most difficult moments in their studies and celebrating their academic achievements. Faculty have identified her as being an exemplary model of front-line student service.

Oseen is known for her incredibly generous nature, wisdom and the way she consistently exceeds expectations in her work. Together, students, faculty, non-academic staff and community members are unanimous in recognizing Oseen’s knowledge, guidance and service to ULethbridge.

Team

Career Bridge

For its unmatched dedication to long-term student success, the hardworking group at Career Bridge will receive the President’s Award for Service Excellence (Team).

From the moment students arrive at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, many are already thinking about their futures. Career Bridge helps them turn those ambitions into action by connecting learning with meaningful career development opportunities. Through outstanding work-integrated learning programs, experiential learning opportunities and career services, the team plays a vital role in helping students thrive during their time at ULethbridge and long after graduation.

Career Bridge brings together teams in Career Services, My Experience Transcript, Co-operative Education, Applied Studies, and the Niitsitapi Circle of Excellence in Work-Integrated Learning (NCEWIL). Together, they provide exceptional service and support to students, staff, faculty, alumni, donors and industry and community partners.

That commitment is reflected in the breadth of services the team delivers. Career Services offers one-on-one career support for all students and alumni, along with discipline-specific career consultation and information sessions for faculty and staff. The unit also leads southern Alberta’s largest Career Fair twice a year, welcoming more than 200 recruiters and about 2,500 visitors to connect on campus. Alongside the annual Mentorship Gala, these events create valuable connections between students, employers and the community.

Innovation is another hallmark of Career Bridge’s success. With a focus on continuously improving the student experience, the team led the integration of MyExperience Transcript with MyCreds, making ULethbridge the first post-secondary institution in Canada to offer verified experiential transcripts securely through the national digital credential wallet. Students now have one accessible digital platform to share records of both their academic and experiential achievements, helping them stand out in a competitive job market.

Recognizing that career-related outcomes are a key motivation for many students pursuing post-secondary education, Career Bridge has helped advance institutional priorities since the launch of the Experiential and Career Education Plan in 2025.

With ULethbridge boasting a graduate employment rate of more than 95 percent, Career Bridge has made a meaningful contribution to these outcomes. Through innovation, collaboration and unwavering dedication to students, the team is truly deserving of this recognition.

The team consists of: Andreas Banda, Gloria Bucil, Emmanuel Akinlabi, Jason Kirbyson, Susan Roulston, Roberto Bello, Lynette Harty, Shay-Lynn Strikes With A Gun, Mikayla Sawatzky, Quincy Yellow Wings, Verona White Cow, Cora Mack (student), Francine Tshilumba (student).

Long Service & Retirement Recognition Ceremony

trevor.kenney — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:44:43 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is holding its annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 9 at 1 p.m. in the Students' Union Ballrooms.

A total of 103 employees, including 20 retiring employees and those who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service, will be honoured.

All employees are invited to the ceremony and reception to honour the award recipients listed below. The reception will include light refreshments.

Retirees

Nola Aitken, Pat Anderson, Bill Cade, Maria Draper, Carol Gaetz, Mary Anne Hellinga, John Johnston, Cindy Kabelka, Frank Klassen, Michael Kubara, Christina Lastuka, Rita Law, Kathy Lee, Marg McKeen, Bruce McMullin, Shari Platt, Charlene Sawatsky, Richard Tedesco, Barbara Wolstoncroft and Joan Zimmer

Long Service Recipients

40 Years

Lois Boras and
Jean Mankee

35 Years

Barbara Dickinson, Heather Mirau and Brian Parkinson

30 Years

Rene Barendregt, Annette Bright, Peter Heffernan, Barb Hodgson, Kurt Klein, William Krysak, Judy Lacey, Phill Lema, Valerie Richardson, Kim Selk and John Vokey

25 Years

Candace Dueck, John Eng, Frank Klassen, Sheila Lowe, Fiona Randle, Thomas Staples, Greg Tompkins, Kelly Vaselenak, Peter Visentin and Diana Young

20 Years

Lynn Ambedian, Robin Bright, Naomi Cramer, Mary Dyck, Rod Gelleny, Michael Kern, Judith Kulig, Rick Peter, Robert Runte, Sandy Slavin, Maxine Tedesco and Jeff Vucurevich

15 Years

Dwayne Armstrong, Mara Baldwin, Kerry Bernes, Lesley Brown, James Clark, Tom Doyle, Larry Flanagan, Carolyn Gaebel, Cam Goater, Bradley Hagen, Rob Johnson, Ed Jurkowski, Angela Luck, Goldie Morgentaler, Dan O'Donnell, Kent Peacock, Brent Selinger, Marlo Steed and
Nicole Wilson

10 Years

Peter Alward, Christine Anderson, Ebenezer Asem, Roberto Bello, Shawn Bubel, Kris Caldwell, Michael Campbell, Connie Chaplin, John Claassen, Melanie Collado, Dagmar Dahle, Alesha Farfus-Shukaliak, Bev Garnett, Daya Gaur, Joanne Gedrasik, Betsy Greenlees, Trevor Harrison, Linda Janz, Sharon Kanashiro, John Kometz, Igor Kovalchuk, Olga Kovalchuk, Bette Jo Kulak, James Linville, Douglas MacArthur, Claudia Malacrida, Kyla McFadden, Jacqueline Montain, Mandy Moser, Bob Muskovich, Janice Newberry, Tammy Paskuski, Jill Payant, Wilf Roesler, Edward Sandzewicz, Daryl Schacher, Darren Schell, Arlan Schultz, Daniela Sirbu, Debbie Tarnava, John Usher, Derek Vincent, Bernie Wirzba and Cindy Yee

The evolution of marketing

trevor.kenney — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:53:06 +0000

A few decades ago, marketing strategies were focused purely on profit. Corporations today have evolved more toward an attitude of social responsibility, and current marketing reflects this evolution.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge management professor Roberto Bello (MSc Mgt '02) conducts research into the concept of social responsibility as well as the impact that corporate activities have on consumer behaviour. According to Bello, practising social responsibility means that corporations should acknowledge and act upon their accountability to consumers, the government and the community.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge management professor, Roberto Bello, champions the idea that corporations can profit by incorporating an attitude of social responsibility.

He explains that such actions involve advising consumers as to the proper use and disposal of products, replacing resources taken from communities and hiring local people with fair salaries and benefits.

"It is, to a certain degree, easy for marketers to influence public opinion. I think that power should be used not only to increase profit, but also to benefit society," says Bello, who strives to instill this philosophy of social responsibility in his students.

Bello also emphasizes the role of the consumer in the marketing process.

"The Internet and other communication tools provide consumers with the knowledge and power to pressure corporations to be socially responsible," says Bello. "Corporations are increasingly realizing the importance of consumers' opinions and are engaging in more open communication with them."

Unfortunately, true social responsibility has not yet permeated all industry sectors. Bello explains that some corporations use a strategy called green washing.

"These corporations claim to be socially responsible, but they use social responsibility as a catch phrase and competitive advantage, rather than a corporate value," he says.

As consumer power grows, Bello predicts that marketing will evolve away from green washing and more toward true social responsibility – an evolution that will capture the attention of researchers like Bello as it unfolds.

UNews - Roberto Bello

Honouring winners of the 2026 President's Award for Service Excellence

Related Topics

Long Service & Retirement Recognition Ceremony

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The evolution of marketing

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