Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues—March 2026, Issue 2

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues continues to be a meaningful way for our community to celebrate one another. To date, 211 submissions have highlighted the exceptional work, dedication, and kindness of our colleagues. 

Thanks to the ongoing interest and participation, submissions will continue to be featured in upcoming issues of Campus Connector. You can read the second set of submissions for March, 2026 (organized in alphabetical order) below. 

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share stories of appreciation and celebration for their colleagues. It’s inspiring to see our community come together to recognize those 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. More information about how to make a submission can be found at Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues. 

Roxanne Johnston, Engineering

I’d like to recognize Roxanne for her outstanding expertise. Roxanne's deep knowledge of administrative processes, exceptional attention to detail, and impeccable record-keeping have been invaluable to our team. She has also been an incredible support during the onboarding of the newer staff members. Thank you for consistently going above and beyond; you truly make a difference.

Donna Lawless, VP Academic & Research
Wonderful co-worker who consistently contributes to a positive and productive work environment. She approaches responsibilities with professionalism, reliability, and a sense of accountability. When tasks need to be completed, she follows through on commitments and maintains a high standard of quality in her work. It's a pleasure working with Donna.

Marla MacDonald, Faculty of Medicine
Marla recently ran a 4-workshop series for graduate students on building resilience. The care and kindness that she brought to this workshop series created a safe space for vulnerability, and an important feeling of being supported and cared for. Marla went out of her way and beyond the typical confines of her role to develop and deliver this series, and it was immensely appreciated.

Synthia MacEachern, Music
Syndi has worked diligently to create alignment between the Faculty of Education and the Department of Music for the Music Ed students. Her advocacy and support for these students are noticed and appreciated. They are lucky to have you in their corner!

Amanda MacGregor, Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Amanda is crucial to the success of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH). She is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) who wears many different hats and remains steadfastly committed to gold standard patient care, to the success of her colleagues and to the longevity of the VTH as a whole. Amanda embodies the sentiment of teamwork we strive to promote at the VTH. She is a true joy to work with, and we are lucky to have a technician with her skills. – Marina John

Roland MacSwain, Facilities Management
Rollie is the hardest worker on the maintenance team.  He is a role model for all the younger maintenance crew. He puts everything into his work every day. Rollie goes the extra mile for the students to make them feel at home.

Nora Mallett, Student Health Centre
Nora is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre.  She is always willing to lend a hand, is kind and gentle and a great baker!  She works hard to contribute positively to the morale at the Health and Wellness Centre and we are lucky to have her.

Kristine Martin, Animal Resources
I would like to recognize Kristine Martin for her consistent willingness to support multiple departments, always stepping in with a genuine desire to do what is right. She demonstrates exceptional adaptability, readily learning new skills and seamlessly transitioning between aquatics, small animal, and large animal areas as needed. Most notably, her outstanding care and compassion for the animals in all facilities reflect a deep sense of responsibility and respect for their well-being. We are lucky to have her here at AVC!

Cheryl Ramsay, Facilities Management
Cheryl is a cherished and dedicated colleague who works hard to keep the library clean daily. The library building has its quirks, but she is diligent in keeping our building looking good - from our offices to bathrooms and study rooms. Thanks for all you do in keeping our building hospitable for students, faculty, and staff! – Kimberly Mears

James Sentance, Economics
I would like to recognize Jim Sentance for the support and guidance he provided when I joined UPEI. As Chair of the Department of Economics at the time, Jim consistently made himself available and offered all the support he could to help me navigate my early years at the university. His willingness to share his experience, answer questions, and provide encouragement made a meaningful difference in my transition and development as a faculty member. Having colleagues like Jim at UPEI, who are generous with their time and support, truly makes a difference in the workplace. In addition, Jim is highly involved at both the university and PEI community levels through his dedicated service to others. – Justin Kakeu

Reefah Shehnaz, VP Academic & Research
Reefah has been integral to the successful organization and execution of the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship's events this semester. Her backend work on the Campus2Market Validate program, in addition to the assistance provided with competition planning and coordination of our social media channels, has enabled the entire department to have deeper, more meaningful impact for our students! Reefah's passion and pride for her work is evident and infectious, and she is always expedient when communicating with students and community partners.

Karen Turner, Associate VP Student
Karen has been a dedicated member of the Experiential Education team for nearly five years, serving as the Job Development Coordinator for Co‑operative Education. Throughout her time there, she has successfully supported and placed hundreds of students in meaningful Co‑op opportunities. One of her greatest strengths is her commitment to working closely with both students and employers to ensure the best fit for every placement.

Karen’s strong attention to detail, thoughtful listening skills, and genuine interest in student success make her a valuable asset in this role. Her diverse career background and analytical approach enable her to ask insightful questions and identify connections that lead to high‑quality opportunities for both students and employers.

Karen is a pleasure to work with—collaborative, reliable, and consistently positive. She is always willing to partner on projects and contributes meaningfully to team initiatives.

Patti Wheatley, EDI and Human Rights
Patti's leadership is strong and compassionate. I appreciate all she does to keep our team on track with her knowledgeable guidance, perseverance, adaptability, and kindness. I don't know where we'd be without her! She works hard and keeps calm, and her team is so thankful for her!

Isaac Williams, IT Systems and Services
Isaac provides AV/IT support across campus and plays a vital role in the success of so many events. From the moment a request is submitted, he communicates promptly and offers helpful resources and guidance to ensure everything is well prepared. On the day of the event, Isaac is always punctual, organized, and able to adapt to whatever challenges arise. He brings both expertise and a calm presence that makes a real difference. Isaac, we would truly be lost without your support - Thank you!! – Jessica Field