Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues – December 2025, Issue 1
We are thrilled by the incredible response to the launch of Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues! In just over four months, we have received a total of 152 submissions.
Because of this tremendous response, we will continue to share submissions through the upcoming issues of Campus Connector. Read the first set of submissions for December (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.
Pam Atkinson, SVPRO, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights
Pam has been contributing creative ways of making our department engaging and responsive. She also gives committed and sensitive assistance to people who reach out to our office. She is a supportive and nurturing colleague, always ready with thoughtful contributions to problem solving and a listening ear.
Rose Barbour, Development and Alumni Engagement (two submissions!)
It is an absolute privilege to recognize Rose Barbour. She is someone who exemplifies the very best of our University community. Rose is not only an integral part of our team—she is the heart, the history, and the steady guiding hand that we need to keep moving in a positive direction.
Rose’s care and concern for others is truly remarkable; she consistently shows up for her colleagues with genuine kindness and willingness to always offer a helping hand no matter how busy she may be. I know this firsthand. Without her knowledge and incredible support, I would not have been successful in taking on multiple projects. Whether she’s guiding a new team member, patiently explaining a complicated process, or stepping in to solve an urgent issue with grace under pressure, Rose treats everyone with respect, warmth, and encouragement. She is the person people seek out, not just because she knows the answer, but because she makes them feel supported and valued. Days become brighter simply because she is involved!
What makes Rose truly remarkable is her steadfast positive and calming presence. She is a pillar of reliability and a model of integrity. She is the colleague everyone hopes to have and the kind of person every team needs. She is not just an exceptional colleague; she is a remarkable human being whose contributions ripple far beyond her job description. It is an honour to work alongside her, learn from her, and witness the difference she makes every day for UPEI!
Rose consistently provides exceptional support to our department behind the scenes. She performs her role with outstanding precision and reliability, working quickly and efficiently while taking on a wide range of tasks each day. She approaches every responsibility with a positive attitude, and her uplifting presence enhances the entire office environment. Her genuine dedication to and care for our alumni is evident in everything she does. She is a valuable member of the Development team, and we are very fortunate to have her.
Inara Bhalesha, Student Culture
Inara Bhalesha is the glue that keeps a lot of the student engagement-related events and projects going on campus! She is so busy all of the time helping with so many things! From the outside, it is a wonder that she can keep it all organized. She has such a caring and kind spirit that shines in all of her dealings with staff, faculty, and students. Please recognize her for all of the hard work, intelligence, and care she puts into her work every single day. She very often goes above and beyond her role!
Ian Burge, Procurement Services
He has been a great mentor and an excellent manager throughout my time working with him. He creates an environment where the team feels trusted and supported, giving us the space to grow and take ownership of our work. He always makes an effort to recognize and appreciate good work, which really motivates the team. His guidance has made a big difference in both my development and our overall success. - Ahmet Merter Demirbas
Drs. Jen Burns and Martha Mellish (Equine Ambulatory) plus Drs. Yvonne Elce and Aimie Doyle (Large Animal Surgery), Health Management, AVC
Because of shortages in their AVC services, they have gone above and beyond to keep their service running and clients well-served. – Dr. John VanLeeuwen
The Counselling and Academic Support Services teams!
Please recognize the always important and tireless work of the Counselling and Academic Support Services teams on the 5th floor of Dalton Hall. These folks work tirelessly to support students with mental health, academic, and many other issues. They do so even though they never have the resources or recognition they need and deserve. They are just the nicest, most caring, most supportive, and most experienced and wise people you could ever wish to work with.
Krissi Ewing, Experiential Education
Krissi works as the Student Coordinator for the Co-op program and consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to student success. Her proactive approach to learning is evident through her pursuit of the Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) designation and numerous other professional development opportunities she has voluntarily signed up for and participated in. These efforts directly enhance the quality and effectiveness of the co-op program, benefiting every student involved. Krissi brings a diverse set of strengths—she is highly organized and efficient, creative, an engaging educator, and deeply dedicated to helping students thrive. Her passion for the career development field is both inspiring and contagious, making her an invaluable colleague and a tremendous asset to the students she supports.
Kathy Gottschall-Pass, Applied Human Sciences
The Foods and Nutrition program in the Department of Applied Human Sciences has benefited greatly from Kathy’s extensive administrative experience and leadership. She has an excellent understanding of all parts of the University and a strong drive to make our program the best that it can be. She has a unique ability to foresee potential problems and issues before they arise and also relishes solving challenging problems. She took on the role of Director of the Foods and Nutrition Program in January 2025 after I stepped down and put in countless hours compiling the documentation needed for our national accreditation site visit in September 2025. We can always count on her to analyze a situation and identify the best possible solution. In the fall of 2025, Kathy took on the role of Associate Dean of Science where she focuses on student issues. We are grateful that she will remain as our program director and colleague. - Jennifer Taylor
Christine Greening, Registrar’s Office
Christine Greening is incredibly knowledgeable and always quick to respond, which makes working with her an absolute pleasure. She generously shares her wealth of experience, and that openness makes it so much easier for us to give students the support they need. Christine is wonderfully organized, consistently helpful, and always willing to walk through details or clarify next steps. Her support doesn’t just make things smoother—it truly makes a difference in how well we can serve our students.
Health, Safety and Environment staff: Jacky Buell, Executive Assistant; Jon Moulins, HSE Officer; and Dr. Rhoda Speare, Biosafety Officer
Jacky, Jon, and Rhoda work hard every day to help ensure the health and safety of the UPEI campuses. They deserve a shout out for not only being awesome at their job but also for being so positive and willing to go the extra mile to help when needed. They are excellent co-workers and always support one another and have each other’s back. I think that it is fitting to say “job well done” to all three, whom I am very fortunate to work with and learn from! - Liz MacArthur
