Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues – July 2026, Issue 1

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues continues to be a meaningful way for our community to celebrate one another. To date, 263 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 this month’s submissions (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. 

As part of our continued efforts to grow and improve this program, we’ve introduced a new submission form. With this updated process, the colleague being recognized will automatically receive an email notification that they have been recognized and will appear in next month's Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues issue. For more details on the program, including links to past issues and details on the new submission form, please click here.

Gabriel Blunte, Human Resources
I would like to recognize Gabriel (Gabe) Blunte for her dedication, positive attitude, and willingness to support both her colleagues and the broader HR team. Gabe consistently embraces new challenges and demonstrates a strong commitment to learning and growth. She plays an important role in supporting the onboarding of new HR hires, helping them feel welcomed, informed, and set up for success from the very beginning of their journey at UPEI.

What stands out most about Gabe is her readiness to step up and assist others whenever needed. Whether taking on additional responsibilities, lending a hand to a teammate, or contributing to team initiatives, she is always willing to help and can be counted on to support those around her.

Thank you, Gabe, for your dedication, teamwork, and the positive impact you make every day. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and help make UPEI a stronger workplace for all.

Jessica Field, Human Resources
I would like to recognize Jessica Field, Manager of Employee Experience and Development, for her outstanding dedication to strengthening UPEI’s culture and employee experience.

Jessica consistently goes above and beyond in her work, thoughtfully implementing initiatives and changes that help make UPEI a more supportive, engaging, and inclusive place to work. She is highly organized, focused, and dedicated, always taking the time to listen to campus feedback and understand the needs of our community. Most importantly, she turns ideas into action, executing meaningful improvements that positively impact employees across the university.

Jessica’s commitment, professionalism, and passion for enhancing the employee experience make a lasting difference every day. Thank you, Jessica, for all that you do to support our people and help UPEI thrive.

Susan Fitzky, EDI and Human Rights
Susan brings a level of professionalism, clarity and knowledge to her work and has a perspective that adds to any conversation. She is funny and smart, models healthy boundaries and is passionate about her work and being a Social Worker. She is competent, trustworthy, easy to talk to and thoughtful.

Jonathan Lane, Athletics and Recreation
The Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre has programming for children 300+ days of the year thanks to Jon and his team of students and staff. It's an integral part of our business to offer this service to the community and for the department to generate revenue to operate. Jon also oversees one of the main hubs on campus, Panther Central, which operates almost every day of the year. On top of that, Jon volunteers his time to the men's basketball program as an assistant coach. Jon spends a lot of time in the building, and we are forever grateful for everything he does above and beyond! - Jane Vessey

Donna Lawless, Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research
Donna is the calm in the storm! We are all so lucky to work with someone so kind and resourceful.

Beverley MacLaren, Financial Services
Sending appreciation to Beverley for her quick responses and patient guidance through the labyrinth of online financial forms that are less familiar to many of us. In these days when we are frequently kept waiting in endless loops of artificial chat bots to solve a problem, it is so refreshing to have colleagues who are willing to pick up the phone and provide friendly help and advice amidst their own busy days. Thank you, Beverley! - Susan Brown

Mary Truong and Hasna Mady, Office of the Associate Vice-President, Students
Please recognize the great work of the 2026 Welcome Week Student Coordinators: Mary Truong and Hasna Mady! They are great additions to the Student Culture team and are doing lots of great work to ensure Welcome Week is the best it can be for our students! 

Diane Malone, Facilities Management
Diane is such a bright light around McDougall Hall! She always has a kind word to say or a funny or helpful story to tell and goes out of her way to provide the best service in every aspect of her job, from watering plants when I'm on vacation, to sharing treats, to cleaning the mossiest windows! Diane has a way with people that is like no other and I'm sure all our colleagues feel the same way about her. She is a true gem of a person, a dedicated UPEI employee, and she always makes my day! - Melanie Anderson

Michelle McCormick, Development and Alumni Engagement
I'd like to recognize Michelle for everything she brings to our Development and Alumni Engagement team! She is one of those people who is always there to help, no matter what is needed, and she does it with such kindness and a genuine willingness to support those around her. Michelle has become such an important part of our department, taking on new responsibilities and playing a key role in so many of our initiatives. She approaches everything with care and a positive attitude, and it makes a real difference!

What I appreciate most is not just everything Michelle accomplishes, but the way she makes people feel. She is thoughtful, encouraging, dependable, and simply a joy to work with. She makes our team better every day, and I know I speak for all of us when I say how much we appreciate everything she does to support our work. We are incredibly lucky to have Michelle on our team, and I can't imagine our department without her. - Kathy Weatherbie

Kendra Mellish, Faculty of Graduate Studies
Kendra works so hard to make sure UPEI graduate students have access to the best resources and support possible. She puts a lot of care into planning events, connecting with students, and making sure they feel supported. Kendra is also a wonderful co-worker. She’s so fun to work with and easy to talk to, and I'm very glad I work with her!