Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues – September 2025, Issue 1

We are thrilled by the incredible response to the launch of Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues! Our first full month of the program saw another 31 incredible submissions —each one highlighting the generosity, dedication, and positivity that make our University such a special place. 

Because of this tremendous response, we will be sharing the submissions across the next three issues of Campus Connector. Read the first set of submissions (organized in alphabetical order) below.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your stories and celebrate your colleagues. It is inspiring to see our community come together to shine a spotlight on the people who go above and beyond every day.

Submissions for next month are now open! Share your note of recognition by the last Friday of the month, and let’s continue celebrating the amazing colleagues who make our campus shine. For more details on the program, including links to past issues and details on how to make a submission, please click here.

Emi Abou Wafia, Director of Marketing and Production

Emi's very supportive, trusting, and attentive to the professional and personal needs of her team. She gives us the autonomy to succeed in our roles in Marketing and Production and is always available to discuss project work and consistently helps us get over hurdles and barriers. She holds our work to a high standard and cares about us as people first—and it's really, really appreciated.

Jennifer Allen, Financial Services

I’d like to recognize my colleague Jen for her dedication, reliability, and collaborative spirit. She consistently shares her valuable hands-on experience and ensures coverage whenever I’m away. Her thoughtfulness, kindness, and support make her an exceptional team member.         

Jane DiCarlo, First-Year Advisement and Recruitment (Two submissions!)

Jane has been a pillar for the Recruitment and Advisement team over the past year. She has really held it together and has grown the department. She has taken on training new employees and has showed them the grace and kindness of learning new things! She went from being a recruiter to a coordinator and now is running the International and Domestic team as a manager. She has continued to better the department offering unwavering support for new students, bringing in more items to draw students’ attention and caring about the employees around her. You never see her without a smile on her face, no matter how busy she is and she always has a student first attitude! She is truly an asset for the department and new students! I deeply admire how hard she works for her staff and the students around her. She continues to bring forward new ideas and has reached out and planned new events for students from further away. She recently helped plan a new event for potential new students from Alberta to have the chance to meet the UPEI President while they are there on university business. That is something BIG and exciting for this University! Her hard work does not go unnoticed by the departments around here. We appreciate her so much!

As Manager of Recruitment and First-Year Advisement, Jane's work is extremely important to UPEI's success. Her amazingly positive attitude and willingness to help all students, staff, and faculty members is shared by her immediate team and I always find her approach inspiring. No matter the challenge to overcome, Jane's collaborative style is commendable, and I really enjoy working with her and the recruitment team. She's a truly remarkable colleague—thanks Jane!  

Rebecca Gallant, UPEI Faculty of Medicine         

I am proud to nominate Rebecca Gallant for the “Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues” program at UPEI. Rebecca’s outstanding administrative work within the Faculty of Medicine has been a cornerstone of the Academic Affairs section’s success. Her meticulous organization and dedication to keeping files and processes moving smoothly have ensured operational excellence. Beyond her technical contributions, Rebecca consistently goes the extra mile to support her colleagues, offering help with warmth, professionalism, and a genuine spirit of collaboration. She is a friendly and welcoming presence whose kindness makes others feel seen, valued, and appreciated, qualities that truly embody the spirit of this recognition.

Jenny Gerbrandt, Student Affairs

Jenny is ALWAYS there with a cheerful demeanour, willing to help wherever and whenever needed. During a time of rotating personnel in the administrative assistant position, she has supported the team and made an uncertain situation run smoothly. She is supportive to both her colleagues and students. As well, if she doesn't know the answer, she will find out.

Cecia Huang, Registrar’s Office

She's full of energy every day, always smiles, and gives a lot of help to everyone.  

Dr. Beibei Jia, Atlantic Veterinary College

Dr. Jia joined the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research in 2022 as an Assistant Professor and has been a wonderful colleague ever since. Her kindness, willingness to help, and dedication to student learning are truly exceptional. Having Dr. Jia as part of our group continues to foster a positive, supportive, and collaborative working environment. - Caroline Ritter

Bonnie Lipton-Bos, Health and Wellness Centre  

Bonnie worked so hard in responding to the feedback provided from our Accreditation visit in December 2024. Her work was excellent and, as a result, we only have one standard to still follow up on. This is amazing!!   

Nicole MacDonald-Jay, UPEI Faculty of Medicine

I am pleased to nominate Nicole MacDonald-Jay for recognition under the “Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues” program at UPEI. Nicole played a vital and visionary role in the successful establishment of the new medical laboratories within the UPEI Faculty of Medicine. Her leadership, attention to detail, and tireless commitment were instrumental in preparing these state-of-the-art facilities to welcome the inaugural class of the Memorial Regional Campus MD program. Thanks to Nicole’s efforts, students were greeted with a professional, well-equipped learning environment that reflects the excellence and innovation of UPEI’s new facility. Her contributions have laid a strong foundation for future cohorts and deserve to be celebrated. 

Megan MacLean, Interim Associate Vice-President, Students

Please recognize Megan MacLean for her AMAZING work as the interim AVP, Students from January 1, 2025, to this current time. She has stepped into a difficult role at a hard time with the re-organization at Dalton Hall and other issues. She is approachable and supportive but never micro-manages. She is a great manager of people and a great advocate for all of the staff who report to managers under her. Please recognize her before her time as interim AVPS is done. I have also heard lots of amazing things from those who work(ed) with her for a long time in her regular role as manager of Experiential Education!