Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues–October 2025, Issue 2
We are thrilled by the incredible response to our Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues program! The month of October saw another 47 incredible submissions, each one highlighting the generosity, dedication, and positivity that make our University such a special place. In just over two months, we have received a total of 107 submissions.
Because of this tremendous response, we will continue to share submissions through the upcoming issues of Campus Connector. Read the second set of submissions for October (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 about the program, including links to past issues and details on how to make a submission, please click here.
Sharon Clark, Development and Alumni Engagement
Sharon does incredible work as Research and Prospect Coordinator. She’s amazing at research, no matter the topic, and she knows how to find what she needs and make the most of every tool available. A big part of her role involves identifying donors and helping create more scholarship and award opportunities for UPEI students. She’s deeply connected to the UPEI community, always celebrating student accomplishments and going out of her way to congratulate both current and past students. Her positivity makes people feel genuinely appreciated. Sharon’s kindness stands out. She takes time to chat with others and make them feel valued. She often jokes that she’s not a “people person,” but she’s truly one of the most wonderful and kind people I’ve ever met.
Marcus Cusinato, Athletics and Recreation
He is dedicated, hardworking, and technical, and he has tactical proficiency. The student-athletes respect and value him.
Adrienne Fudge, RN, UPEI Health and Wellness Centre
Adrienne leads a number of initiatives for our campus including mass immunization clinics for flu and COVID-19, rabies immunization and titre clinics for AVC, MenB vaccine clinics to ensure students have access to free MenB vaccine if they wish, and our sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) program to normalize testing for those at risk of STI’s. Adrienne is conscientious, knowledgeable, and non-judgmental in her approach. She keeps up in her practices, is very approachable, and leads the team in their hand hygiene practices.
Chris Gallant, Deryl Gallant, Graham Nixon, and Doug Burton, IT Systems and Services
Despite the request coming to them unconventionally and during an extremely busy time, the ITSS team jumped into action and supported UPEI Communications with the recent successful live broadcasts of CBC Radio’s Island Morning and Radio-Canada’s Le Reveil from The Fox and Crow. Chris met with numerous representatives from the two media outlets and was extremely helpful in ensuring their testing of the internet connection went smoothly in advance of the broadcasts. Thank you! - Nicole Phillips
Sydney Gaudet, Faculty of Nursing
It is a privilege to work alongside Sydney. She approaches teaching with creativity and intention, encouraging students to think critically about mental health and the broader contexts of nursing practice. Her teaching is both innovative and deeply human, blending critical inquiry with genuine care for her students’ growth. As a colleague, she is generous with her time and ideas and is always open to conversation, collaboration, and reflection. Her presence brings a sense of thoughtfulness and integrity to the team, and I am grateful for her mentorship, support, and generosity.
Neal Gillis, Marketing and Production, Marketing and Communications
I want to recognize Neal Gillis for the tremendous impact he has on our team. Neal brings such smart, thoughtful perspectives to every conversation and approaches everyone with care and respect. He’s a strong, steady anchor for the entire team, someone we all count on. Neal leads major projects with skill and creativity, and his work plays a vital role in helping the marketing team make evidence-based decisions. Our marketing to prospective students simply wouldn’t be the same without his insight and talent. He’s also genuinely fun (and funny!) to work with, the kind of colleague who makes even the busiest days lighter and better. We’re so fortunate to have him on the team. - Emi Abou Wafia
Yuqin Gong, Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research
Yuqin works quietly and tirelessly day after day for UPEI ensuring that data collected is accurate and reflective of student life here at the University. Her job and the work she does often goes unnoticed, and it is a great time for Yuqin to be recognized for all that she does!
Tina Halliwell, Human Resources
Tina is a pivotal member of the Human Resources payroll team. She is primarily responsible for processing student hiring paperwork across the entire campus. Hardworking, diligent, and meticulous, Tina consistently goes above and beyond her core responsibilities to support others. Whether it’s catching something that has been missed in a hiring package, guiding students through tax forms, or helping staff and faculty with approving hours, Tina approaches every task with patience, kindness, and a supportive attitude. She is a joy to have around the office, and we genuinely look forward to seeing her each day. Human Resources is incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.
Simon Lloyd, Robertson Library
Simon creates a connected and supportive working environment. He regularly highlights and shows his gratitude for the staff. As Interim University Librarian, he is leading the Library through a busy transition, and he is doing so with kindness, always making himself available.
Erin Martin, Faculty of Nursing
I am new to the team in the Faculty of Nursing. When I first joined the team, Erin immediately made me feel welcome. She’s the kind of colleague who never hesitates to help. She has answered my dozens of questions, talked through situations, and let me shadow her during a shift so I could get a better sense of the work. None of this was expected of her, but she did it all with patience and kindness. I’m truly grateful for her generosity and the guidance she’s offered along the way.
Dr. Jo-Ann MacDonald, Faculty of Nursing
Dr. MacDonald is a dedicated, compassionate, and thoughtful nursing leader and educator who consistently takes the time to listen and share with her colleagues and students. Jo-Ann’s wealth of knowledge and experience supports her nursing colleagues who are both new and experienced in their educator roles. Her kind gestures of writing short notes of encouragement and words of celebration (and slipping them under colleagues’ office doors) strengthen our faculty’s team spirit and are a wonderful reminder of the great work that we are all doing as we educate student nurses and nurse practitioners for tomorrow’s health-care system. - Nancy Clark
Kevin Macdonald, Maintenance, Facilities Management
Kevin goes above and beyond every day in his job. He is always there to lend a helping hand to others as well.
Breanne McInnis, Finance, Comptroller’s Office
Breanne has played an important role in helping me reorganize and align the financial procedures and systems within our department (Ancillary Services), helping to lay a stronger foundation for our department’s business activities. Her ongoing support and guidance have been invaluable to me and my team as we work to embed the University’s values and strategic objectives into our priorities and forward vision. Breanne consistently goes above and beyond her responsibilities to ensure that our transition is not only well-managed but also sustainable. Her deep commitment to UPEI is evident in her willingness to support colleagues across departments and in her ability to foster the relationships needed to navigate this period of change. Breanne’s contributions continue to strengthen our campus community, and we are grateful for her dedication.
Martine McKay, Undergraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine (two submissions!)
Martine has a background in medical education, having worked with two other medical campuses, so we are extremely lucky to have her with us now. When you undertake the establishment and implementation of a new regional medical campus, there are many moving pieces and much learning that has to take place, so having someone who has experience in this area has been invaluable. Martine is always willing to take on any task and to help others learn from her experience. She goes above and beyond to ensure that the medical learners, faculty, and support staff are prepared to deliver the curriculum to the highest standard, and she does it all with a smile! The learners recently had their first exam, and Martine was right there to make sure they understood every part of the process, eased their anxiety, and made the entire process appear seamless. Although Martine could work from home at times, she chooses to be in the workplace in person to engage with her colleagues, learners, and faculty. She values relationships and takes great pride in the work she does, and we see and appreciate the value she brings daily. Thank you, Martine!
Martine is always willing to help out other colleagues when they are in a bind. She’s great fun to work with, and she makes the day fly by. We’re very lucky to have her.
