CCEE Administration Office
Thistle Complex (TH) 261
Monday – Friday
8:30am – 4:30pm

Julia is a result-driven and motivated professional with a passion for creating excellence in work-integrated learning experiences for students, employers and community partners. Julia began her career at Brock University in 2005 as a Business Development Coordinator, supporting international co-op students in securing meaningful co-op work experience in Canada. Since 2015, Julia stepped into the role of Associate Director, Co-op Education in CCEE where she led the development and implementation of strategies and operations for over 40 Co-op degree programs spanning our six teaching Faculties, as well as the delivery of Entrepreneurship Co-op and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) offerings. In 2022, Julia’s portfolio was expanded to include Workplace Partnerships that she oversaw all campus employer recruitment. Julia is proud to work with a diverse, cohesive and high performing team.

Beyond the University, Julia is an active member of Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada, where she currently serves as the Chair-Elect for the Accreditation Council. She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Experiential and Work-Integrated Learning Ontario (EWO) for four years (including Chairing the Policy and Government Relations Committee). She holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Industrial and Foreign Trade from Shanghai University, China. Julia speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Shanghainese fluently. She enjoys travelling and experiencing different cultures.

“There were no roads; we made the roads.” — Lu Xun

Kate is our Operations and Systems Administrator who displays a sincere desire to help others. She has been an invaluable asset to Brock University since 2009, first with the Department of Residence and now with the CCEE team. Kate excels in her work capabilities with unique insight and ability — she drives the CCEE engine from within. With a keen eye for detail, anything she gets her hands on is quick to achieve completion.

Kate was honoured with the “Create a Better Way” award at the Niagara Health System (NHS) for creating a new system on the NHS intranet that made processes more accessible, time and cost efficient, and effective.

Kate loves working at Brock because her efforts and actions make an immediate impact on the team and the University.

In her spare time, Kate enjoys reading, crafts, and volunteering and fundraising for a variety of child and youth organizations that her five children are involved in.

“The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know.” — Albert Einstein

After graduating from the University of Guelph, Alesia threw herself into human resources and worked for a local brewery. She realized this position was not the right fit for her and decided to take a job as a youth employment counsellor, continuing in an area of work she began as an undergraduate volunteer. This position turned out to be her dream job, and she continued to work for non-profit organizations for several years. As a next step, Alesia worked for the Canadian Hearing Society, furthering her skills as a job developer. Having decided that she wanted to work with students in a career setting, Alesia networked and met with people from several post-secondary campuses. Consequently, she secured a job development role with Co-op and Career Services at the University of Guelph. Life circumstances brought Alesia to Niagara, where she began networking and landed a job with Co-op Education at Brock University!

Alesia is a member of the Distinguished Staff Service Awards Selection Committee

Alesia enjoys exploring Niagara’s beautiful hiking trails, as well as visiting the region’s many restaurants, wineries and theatres. She loves working with co-op students and being a part of the dynamic Brock community.

“If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.” — Chinese Proverb

Laura has a passion for working with others and supporting them in their journey. With a professional background working with a diverse population, she has experience in career coaching, employment support, and community and social services. She has worked in the not-for-profit sector, supporting individuals in working toward their employment goals and identifying their passions, strengths, skills and qualifications in order to enter the workforce.

She holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences with a Double Major degree in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Ottawa and a passion for continued growth and learning. Laura is passionate about mentoring and supporting people in their growth to work towards their personal and professional aspirations.

Outside of work, Laura loves to travel and enjoys exploring the outdoors!

“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.” – Robert Kiyosaki

Sarah is a dedicated advocate for student success, bringing over five years of experience in leadership roles focused on supporting students. She is passionate about mentoring students to help them reach their full potential. She has worked closely with co-op students in the past, ensuring they progress toward their academic and placement goals while fostering an inclusive environment that promotes personal and professional growth. She has approached student support by guiding students through challenges and connecting them with resources to help them succeed.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Brock University, where she combines academic knowledge with practical experience. She held 2 staff roles during her time as a student at Brock University. She worked in both Residence and Student Life and Success. In these positions she developed a love for event planning. Prior to her role in the Co-Op department at Brock University, she worked with diverse populations at Niagara Region Public Health and Sarah travelled the country as a motivational speaker with an organization called Live Different, encouraging students to live a life of purpose and meaning. Her most recent work experience was as a Caseworker with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara, mentoring and empowering students.

In her various roles, Sarah has demonstrated strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, and a talent for building meaningful relationships with students and community partners. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, staying active, and volunteering in the community.

She believes in creating safe and supportive environments for students to thrive and is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those she works with.

“What we know matters, but who we are matters more.” – Brene Brown

Jesse was born and raised in St. Catharines, earning a degree in both the Bachelor and Master of Sociology programs at Brock University. Through much of his time at Brock, Jesse has had a keen interest in in the carceral system and its policies with a specific focus on the positive effects of restorative justice on disenfranchised communities.

As a student at Brock, Jesse worked as a Teaching and Research Assistant for Brock’s Sociology department where he tended to the academic needs of students while also completing his own academic research. For the past two years, Jesse has volunteered and worked in the non-profit sector, most recently as a Program & Outreach Facilitator for the Employment Help Centre where he managed client cases while also facilitating work readiness programs.

After spending many years at Brock University as both a student and T.A., Jesse felt it was only natural to return the favour and help guide Brock’s Co-op students as a Student Talent Coach.

Outside of work, Jesse helps run a Niagara-based music promotion company, Medium Baby, alongside fellow Brock alumni and with his twin brother, Chase, with whom he works with as a musician and artistic partner each having ambitions to grow Niagara into an illustrious and vibrant artistic hub.

“Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world” – Musashi Miyamoto

Sophia De Luca started her Brock journey as a student pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Sciences. During her time with Brock, she participated in various clubs and volunteered her time assisting with catalysis research for faculty in Brock’s Department of Chemistry.

After graduating with Honours in 2020, Sophia pivoted her career interests from healthcare to the manufacturing industry when she took on the role of Operations Manager with the Niagara Industrial Association. Through her time with the NIA, she worked on her professional development in relationship building through engagement with over 250+ businesses in Niagara’s manufacturing sector. She also coordinated several large membership events, organized meetings, and drove several initiatives for the association including the annual Engaged in Industry magazine (Vol. 3 & 4), the Industrial Webinar Series, and NIA’s Women in Industry Events Series.

Sophia joined the CCEE team in February 2023 and through her role she enjoys building relationships with employer partners and supporting the career interests of new graduates across all Brock programs through organizing career events and bringing new employers on-campus. Through her own experience as a Brock student who changed course in her career post-graduation, Sophia is an advocate for students who are pursuing non-traditional career paths in any industry beyond their degree or area of study. She believes that Brock students possess highly transferable skills and innovative practices that make them an asset to any workforce.

Beyond the workplace, Sophia has a passion for music production, songwriting and singing and can be found on-campus performing in her jazz trio for the Brock Convocation receptions each year.

Lan is passionate about empowering others to discover their unrealized potential. Her energy is fuelled by curiosity and desire for continuous learning and development.

Before arriving to Brock University, Lan graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies and holds a post-graduate certificate in Human Resources Management from Mohawk College. Lan started her career at Ferrero Canada focusing on Recruitment, Training and Development, and Employee Relations. However, realized she wanted to pursue a career in social services which led her to Guyana where she worked with the Ministry of Social Protection. Upon returning to Canada, she dove into Employment Services supporting persons with disabilities as a Job Developer/Employment Advisor for a not-for-profit organization in Hamilton. Now in her current role as Talent Coach, she finds tremendous joy in supporting students as they embark on their career development journey.

In her spare time, Lan is an avid adventure seeker who loves to travel and explore the great outdoors. You’ll find her hiking a mountain, portaging a lake, or just trying new and interesting food.

Quentin is an established B2B and B2C sales and marketing professional with client experience in post-secondary institutions from across Quebec and Western Canada. He has managed sales cycles, developed territory plans and employed upselling and cross-selling techniques which will be a valuable asset in the TPC role. Quentin is bilingual in English and French and his educational journey includes an MBA from Toulouse Business School in France which included an international exchange experience at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. In addition to his professional accolades, Quentin is genuinely and enthusiastically passionate about the role of post-secondary education as it relates to student learning, development, experiences and professional achievement.

In her role at Brock, Joy engages with the most esteemed employers in Canada and abroad to assist Goodman School of Business students along their career journey. Joy wholeheartedly embraces the opportunity to make impactful connections and introductions for employers everywhere, by sharing student strengths and accomplishments.

Before joining Brock, Joy was a career sales and marketing professional in the tourism, hospitality and recreation industry.  Her former employers included Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta, Panorama Mountain Village in British Columbia and Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Administration from the University of Alberta, and a recent post-graduate certificate in Digital Marketing from the University of Toronto. She has kept up life-long learning with continued professional development and personal interest courses from a spectrum of institutions including Laurentian, Acadia, University of Calgary, Rockhurst, Yale and College of the Rockies.

Joy considers herself a lifelong adventure traveller and has hop-scotched the globe as a hostel back-packer, working holiday visa worker, rugged backcountry trekker and a destination running event enthusiast. She works hard to stay fit, so she can keep up her passion for skiing, running and hiking with her family dog, Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The phrase ‘Make It Happen’ has been a source of motivation for Joy since she was a child growing up in Hay River, Northwest Territories.

Simone is a proud alumna of Brock University who brings integrity and passion in all that she does. With nine years experience working as a job developer in employment services, she understands the complexities of the local labour market and how to effectively promote her students. Simone started her career in social services, where she supported vulnerable members of the community. She then transitioned into employment services, specializing in job development for people with disabilities.

As a Talent Partnership Consultant, Simone now works with employers to help them find the best talent and ensure successful partnerships.

Simone is part of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada and is a current member of the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals.

Outside of the office, Simone is an avid outdoors enthusiast and has developed a love for gardening, camping and spending time with her family.

“Most of us live our lives by accident — we live as it happens. Fulfilment comes when we live our lives on purpose.” — Simon Sinek

Ryan started his career in staffing and recruitment with Scotiabank, where he quickly moved up to manage corporate recruitment initiatives for multiple business lines across Canada, the United States and Latin America. His area of expertise is recruitment in the banking and finance sector, helping to pair talented Brock co-op students with amazing co-op partners!

Ryan devotes much of his spare time to hockey, golf and country music. He devotes none of his spare time to the Toronto Maple Leafs or broccoli.

Shakir started his professional career in his native United States working in the areas of learning and development, quality assurance and management. His most recent professional experience is in the areas of sales and finance. He has worked with a diverse group of individual clients and small to medium size businesses.  As a former NCAA athlete he appreciates working as part of a team and celebrating others successes. Shakir enjoys getting to know people, finding out what motivates them and helping them to reach their goals.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management from Pennsylvania West University and  an MBA from Indiana University (Ft. Wayne).

When he’s not working he enjoys spending time with his partner Kayla and his children Cairo and Zola. He also enjoys, watching soccer, college football and formula 1.

Rebecka is a passionate, driven, and committed Certified Career Development Practitioner with the CDPCBO, who takes great pride and responsibility in supporting and mentoring students to identify their strengths and skills. Rebecka brings a deep understanding of individual life journeys, transitions, and choices made or to be made to identify major career planning and opportunities. She believes that with the right attitude every student can achieve success and growth.

Rebecka completed her Bachelor of Business Communication at Brock University with a focus on Human Resources Management and Professional Communication. Rebecka’s passion for Training and Development furthered where she obtained an Honours Graduate Certification in Human Resources Management at Niagara College. Prior to joining the team at Brock University, Rebecka worked with diverse populations providing employment support in the non-for-profit and post secondary education sectors. Rebecka has a focus on community capacity building, skill development, facilitation, and post secondary experiential learning opportunities.

Rebecka enjoys spending time with friends, family, and volunteering in the community. She strives to lead a healthy and enriched lifestyle focusing on health and fitness, infusing laughter, lifelong learning, and fun into her everyday life.

 Outside of the workplace, Rebecka can be found on the go, travelling to different countries, and immersing herself into new experiences and cultures.

 “Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will” — Suzy Kassem

With over 5 years of dedicated experience, Marta excels in cultivating relationships and has a proven track record of positively impacting people’s lives. In her recent role as Employment/ Job Preparation Counsellor, Marta successfully guided job seekers facing diverse life challenges, utilizing her skills in individual career support, coaching, strategic job search techniques, alternative career advisement, resume critique, and interview preparation to secure meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities. Her expertise lies in connecting with others through empathy and influence, demonstrating a commitment to empowering and motivating others to achieve their highest potential.

Outside of work, Marta enjoys quality time with family and friends. She’s podcast enthusiast, loves diving into books, and finds joy in road trips and hiking. As a lifelong learner, she actively seeks opportunities for continuous growth and personal development.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou

Asiia is a Certified Personnel Consultant who brings years of high-volume recruitment and talent acquisition experience from a very fast-paced and demanding GTA market. She has a wealth of experience working with the most prominent Canadian employers across various industries including but not limited to Top 5 Canadian Banks, insurance and telecommunication giants as well as consulting services providers.

She is eager to share with the students what it takes for the application to be noticed by the co-op employers and how to stand out from the crowd during the hiring process.

“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.” – Salvador Dali

Alexa is a proud Brock University alumna who completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Studies. Furthering her education, she obtained a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Disability Management as well as a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management. Alexa has a love for continuous learning and a passion for assisting individuals in overcoming barriers in their lives to aid in personal and professional growth.

Prior to joining the team at Brock, Alexa worked with diverse populations providing support related to mental health and disabilities, education, and housing. Alexa transitioned into employment services within the not-for-profit sector as an Employment Counsellor, where she assisted individuals in reaching their employment goals while ensuring overall wellness throughout the journey.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

After working in brand management at Heinz, Dana (pronounced Donna) dedicated the majority of her professional career to helping students succeed by assisting them in finding career-related co-op employment. She uses her BComm and MBA degrees to effectively market Brock University co-op students to prospective employers, and her passion for Human Resources to council and guide students throughout their career journey. Dana works remotely for Brock, and with over 20 years of co-op experience she is able to seamlessly assist students in succeeding in their job search efforts and work term endeavours. She has high expectations for herself and for the co-op students who represent the Brock Co-op brand, and she takes pride in her students’ achievements. She is a passionate spokesperson for the benefits of co-operative education and is determined and committed to do her best to persuade every employer to hire a Brock co-op student and assist every student to have a successful Co-op Education experience.

Dana has served on the Board of many organizations, including CAFEE (Canadian Association for Co-operative Education), CACEE (Canadian Association for Career Educators and Employers) and Junior Achievement.

Dana has dedicated countless hours to volunteering and coaching. She has helped organize professional development conferences around the country and has been recognized for her volunteer efforts with several awards of distinction, including the WECDSB and CACEE Volunteer of the Year. Dana is a strong advocate for education and sits on various school board and ministry committees. She believes in the importance of co-curricular activities and serves as a volunteer and mentor with FIRST Robotics.

Dana believes the top two skills people need to succeed are a positive attitude and initiative.

In her spare time, Dana loves spending time with family and friends. Her interests include playing mini-sticks, soccer and football with her boys; travelling; reading; and watching movies. She enjoys coaching and volunteering and tries to give back to the community in which she lives.

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” — Walt Disney

Kristen graduated from Brock University in 2017 with an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – concentration in Human Resource Management. In her final year, Kristen worked with the Goodman Career Education team as the Junior Career Associate, helping to provide students with preliminary career advice. After graduating, she started working with Brock’s Human Resources department before transitioning back into the Career Education team. As a Career Consultant, she mentors students through 1:1 consultations, workshops, events and more.

Outside of work, you’ll either find Kristen in her craft room (with many projects on the go) or playing sports like baseball, aerial silks, figure skating and curling.

“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” – Charles Swindoll

Alison is a passionate, driven, and open-minded professional who takes great pride in supporting students explore their strengths and interests. She believes that every student has the tools within to achieve greatness and uses her energy to challenge students to become comfortable within the discomfort of growth. Alison completed a Bachelor of Science in Education at the University of Miami, while representing the Hurricanes on the rowing course as a student-athlete. Alison began her career in higher education as a rowing coach at two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions. While coaching at the University of Louisville, she completed a Master of Education in Counselling and Personnel Services. Before moving back to Canada, Alison held the position of Assistant Coach and Coordinator of Recruitment at the University of Iowa. In these roles, Alison supported students using a holistic framework and created an environment where both athletic and academic performance were equally valued.

Alison comes to Brock from the John Howard Society of Niagara where she worked as an Employment Counsellor. Through this role, she gained valuable experience supporting individuals as they explored their career interests and navigated various barriers to employment.

You will often find Alison exploring the outdoors or spending time with her family.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Melissa is a proud Brock alumna who has a passion for student success. She is a high-energy person who thrives in fast-paced environments where change is the norm. Immediately after she graduated, Melissa started her career at Brock as a Liaison Officer, promoting Brock to prospective students and their families. She moved through various positions and progressive levels of responsibility in Student Recruitment, Registrar’s Office, Co-op Education, and CCEE to her current role as Associate Director, Career Education. She is an experienced project and people leader who strives for excellence in her work. Melissa believes that work and fun aren’t mutually exclusive, and that fostering an environment of enjoyment and comradery increases team productivity and performance; this is at the heart of her leadership style.  As a two-time Brock graduate, with an honours BA, Combined Politics and Psychology, as well as a Master of Education, Administration and Leadership in Education, Melissa enjoys sharing her Brock experience with students, sharing her passion for empowering individuals to reach their career goals and navigate their professional journeys with confidence.

Choose a job that you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” — Confucius

Katrina is a proud Brock alumna who has experience in program management, facilitation, collaborating with local organizations, employment counselling and job development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Certificate in Advanced Employment Counselling. Katrina values the opportunity to build relationships with students at Brock; whether that is through her past experience mentoring placement students in the local non-profit recreational industry, working with recent graduates in her previous job developer role or utilizing her presentation skills to guest lecture in a variety of courses on campus. In her current position, she is able to work with students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care through our Med Plus program. She takes pride in helping students find their motivation to achieve their goals.

In her spare time, you will find Katrina on the field coaching little league for the Greater Niagara Baseball Association. She loves live music and also hopes to see the Toronto Maple Leafs win a Stanley Cup in her lifetime.

“Talk about a dream, try to make it real.” — Bruce Springsteen

Courtney is a Brock University alum with a Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies and holds a post-graduate certificate in Human Resources Management from Niagara College. Courtney started her career working in Employment Services in the not-for-profit industry as a Job Developer and then transitioned into Career Coaching in the post-secondary education industry (and she hasn’t looked back since!).

With a love for learning and growth, she has a passion for helping students enrich their lives through personal and professional development, with a focus on wellness and goal setting throughout the journey.

Outside of work, you can find Courtney hiking or jogging various Niagara trails, diving into the latest self-help book, or attending indie/alternative live shows and concerts!

“Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; it’s choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast or easy; and it’s practicing your values, not just professing them” – Brene Brown

Emma is a proud alumna of Brock University, where she earned a BA Honours in History with a double minor in French and Indigenous Studies. She also holds an MSc in Museum Studies from the University of Glasgow and is currently pursuing a PhD in History (ABD) at the University of Western Ontario, specializing in Heritage, Commemoration, Public History, Museum Studies, and Modern Canadian History.

With a diverse background in academia and higher education, Emma has gained valuable experience as a Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant at the University of Western Ontario, as well as a Recruitment Officer at Brock University. Her experience in higher education has provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges students face and the importance of career readiness in today’s competitive job market.

In her spare time, Emma enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as exploring local wineries and markets.

“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them” -Chris Grosser

Harmeet is a dynamic professional hailing from New Delhi, India. She possesses an illustrious 13-year tenure in the realm of education. Her multifaceted career has seen her excel in diverse roles as an educator, career coach, recruitment manager, and advisor. Through these roles, she has had the privilege of significantly impacting the lives of countless students annually and assisting in their personal and professional development.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Harmeet is a fervent advocate for the arts, with a particular passion for theatre and content creation. Harmeet is a graduate of the prestigious Master of Education program at Brock University. Her areas of specialization include Adult and Post-Secondary Education, as well as Administration, Leadership, and Policy.

As a lifelong learner, Harmeet’s educational philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that the ability to adapt to change and thrive in uncertain circumstances is paramount in the 21st century. This philosophy resonates strongly with her, as encapsulated by the insightful words of philosopher Alvin Toffler:

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Stephanie is an experienced Administrative Assistant who has flourished in a variety of professional environments, including the Dental field, working in an Elementary School and a diverse experience within Brock University. In her current role at Brock, Stephanie provides initial front-line contact with students, employers, staff, faculty, and members of the public, to answer questions, troubleshoot problems, resolve issues and, in general, help ensure a positive experience for all interested parties.

Stephanie was named to the President’s Honour Roll during her studies at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York.

Outside of her professional life, Stephanie is a devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan and enjoys sharing the excitement of watching professional sports with her family. Stephanie also enjoys travelling to Tropical destinations with pristine beaches.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” — Helen Keller

Kara has devoted her life’s work to supporting the career development needs of students in higher education. She brings her passion for helping others to grow and succeed into every interaction she has with students and staff. In her current role, Kara manages the daily operations and staffing of the CareerZone Resource Centre, and facilitates support services that help Brock students explore career possibilities, articulate their skills and find meaningful work.

Kara obtained her undergraduate degree in Sociology from McMaster University, and  completed her Master of Education degree at Brock. She also holds a Career Development Practitioner Certification from Conestoga College, and Professional Certification in Event Management from Ryerson University.

As an advocate of career education, Kara and her team of career assistants received accolades for having one of the “Top 10 Awesome College & University Career Service Blogs” by Jessica Miller-Merrell of blogging4jobs.com.

Kara’s interests outside of work include travelling to well-known culinary destinations to experience the food, wine and culture; visiting different sporting venues to cheer on her favourite teams; and playing competitive music trivia with friends. On campus, you are likely to see Kara at the Zone or in fitness classes over her lunch hour.

“You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.”  Diana Ross

Michelle is a passionate professional who thrives at working in a fast-paced environment and welcomes challenges that encourage growth.

Upon graduating from the University of Waterloo with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Social Development Studies, Michelle aspired to be in a position that would help others find their next step in their personal and career journey.

Prior to joining the CCEE team at Brock, Michelle worked with Indigenous families as a healthy babies family home visitor and moved on to coordinating and facilitating a culturally based employment and training program for Indigenous youth 18 – 30 in the surrounding Niagara Peninsula. She has gained a deep sense of accomplishment networking with Indigenous community resources and connecting youth with them to further explore ways of knowing. Michelle brings a sense of enthusiasm when presenting workshops that inspire growth and development within individuals.

In her personal life Michelle enjoys spending her days with her family, exploring the park with her son and rewatching her favourite TV series Friends, Gilmore Girls, Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey to name a few.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Gandhi

Hilary is a collaborator, connector, and passionate higher education leader. She brings with her rich experience in work-integrated learning (WIL), career development, leadership, and teaching across public and private post-secondary institutions in Ontario and Alberta. Her track record includes spearheading the WIL strategy at Bow Valley College, impacting over 8,000 students across more than 50 unique programs. Most recently, Hilary led the Community and Practice Development team, overseeing a significant process enhancement project as part of a city-wide WIL initiative (TalentED YYC) with Calgary Economic Development. Her expertise spans curriculum development, experiential learning theory, technology supporting WIL, quality assurance, stakeholder relations, risk management and insurance, affiliation agreements, and performance-based funding. She also holds a Lean Six Sigma green belt, demonstrating her skills in project management and process improvement.

Hilary’s academic credentials include an M.Ed. and a Certificate in Career Development and Academic Advising from University of Calgary, a B.Ed. from Queen’s University, and a B.A. from Trent University. Her dedication to advancing WIL is further highlighted by her joint publication in the peer reviewed journal, Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, where she co-authored research on WIL policy in Alberta: Arney, N. D., & Krygsman, H. P. (2022). Work-integrated learning policy in Alberta:  A post-structural analysis. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, (198), 97–110. https://doi.org/10.7202/1086429ar

In her spare time, Hilary enjoys improvisational comedy, math, sports, and travel. While originally from Ontario, she is new to the Niagara region, and looking forward to exploring its beauty, food, and culture.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou

Working in Experiential Education in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University has enabled Ty to connect her personal passions, professional experience and education. She uses her honours BA in Recreation and Leisure Studies, minor in Gerontology and Bachelor of Education to support experiential education that meets students’ learning needs and interests, and meaningfully contributes to the greater community, locally and more broadly.

Each day, Ty aims to encourage students to learn from their experiences at Brock through reflecting on their experiences in and out of the classroom. While teaching in the UK, Ty was recognized for her contributions to the creation of a free flow experiential outdoor classroom. Ty has lived in seven countries, taught in four, and dreams of taking her children back to Denmark and Norway so they can explore the countries they were born in. In her leisure time, Ty enjoys being walked by her dog and spending time with her family.

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions” — Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

Jason’s career path has been far from a linear progression and taken him from the bottom of the St. Lawrence River to the National Microbiology Lab, and finally back to his “Home” here at Brock. His passion for laboratory research grew as he completed both his BSc and MSc at Brock while continually working within the private scientific industry within Niagara. Searching for zebra mussels, trapping and testing mosquitoes for viruses, sequencing cancer cells, or identifying Salmonella serotypes, no matter what the role was he found a love for his work. When Jason isn’t locked away in a windowless lab you will probably find him on the golf course or tucked into one of his favorite fishing spots in the region, unless of course the Bills are playing. Jason brings this wealth of knowledge and experience to his current role at Brock to help provide students with the skills required to begin their career within the scientific field.

Chase was born and raised in St. Catharines, earning degrees in both the Bachelor and Master of Public Health program at Brock University. Through much of his time at Brock he had a keen interest in drug and substance-use policies with a specific focus on the effects of decriminalization and legalization on communities.

As a student at Brock, Chase worked as a Community Outreach Coordinator for Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH), where he attended community events to disseminate and present public health information with his trusted volunteers. For the past two years, Chase was a Client Care Advisor with NRPH in the Pandemic Response Division, managing cases and contacts of individuals infected with COVID-19 while working with boarder health organizations surveilling the threat and spread of COVID-19.

After spending many years at Brock University as both a student and T.A., Chase felt it was only natural to return the favour and help guide the future generation of Health Science students as an Experiential Education Coordinator, where he connects students and faculty with various community partnership opportunities.

Outside of work, Chase helps run a Niagara-based music promotion company, Medium Baby, alongside fellow Brock alumni and with his twin brother, Jesse, with whom he plays in multiple bands (you can catch them playing all around the Niagara Region and GTA)!

“No one is you and that is your biggest power” – Dave Grohl

Cristina is a graduate from Brock University with a Bachelor of Art in Business Communication and has been working at the university for the past 5 years as the Recruitment Coordinator for the Goodman School of Business. Cristina has seen firsthand the positive influence that Experiential Education has on current students and in the recruitment process and now brings her passion for the student experience to the Co-op, Career and Experiential Education team and is excited to help create meaningful experiences.

In her spare time, Cristina enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and most importantly her two miniature schnauzers. Cristina enjoys volunteering her time to assist her aunt in choreographing musicals that are put on at the high school level or through a local theatre in Niagara. When not in Niagara, Cristina enjoys spending her time up North at a family cottage or traveling to a variety of places in the world.

Michael has over 25 years of industry experience in the sport and recreation sectors. His day-to-day philosophy is to make a positive difference (derived from working at the YWCA of Canada) in the lives of students at Brock. He takes a student-centered approach in working to solve challenges that individuals are confronted with while navigating experiential learning opportunities by employing a safe, inclusive, “open-door”, approachable and accessible model of communication. He is guided by life lessons that include both academic failure and success and understands and appreciates the value of grit and resiliency. 

Mike is the current or past Chair for three Ontario College Program Advisory Committees (PAC’s). He has helped to spearhead dozens of pathway agreements for students wishing to complete a university degree and been a member of countless university committees at Brock including the Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment Policy (RWLEP committee), Sport Management Alumni & Liaison Committee and the Student Retention Committee. Outside of Brock, Michael enjoys cheering for the Brock athlete’s, NASCAR, camping/glamping with family and fantasy football.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals” – Henry David Thoreau

Jessie has experience working at the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Brock University in various Student Support and Education positions.

She has a BA in Global Studies with a Research Specialization and a Master of Education in Student Affairs from Wilfrid Laurier which has instilled a passion for education and value for diverse learning ecosystems. Throughout her professional experience, she has demonstrated a consistent drive to learn and develop skills related to supporting and measuring student satisfaction and success. Jessie strives to be a cultivator of thriving work environments and teams that provides students with unparalleled learning experiences and works towards achieving Brock’s strategic priorities.

Outside of work, Jessie exercises her love of learning at home on her farm where she and her family use generational agricultural knowledge and implement new regenerative and sustainable farming practices to produce food for their family and the community.

Jessie strives to use her personal, professional, and academic knowledge to create experiences for students that are future-oriented, meaningful, accessible, and student-centered.

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” ― John Dewey

Laura is an anthropologist and researcher with a passion for facilitating meaningful connections between skills, education, experience, and the labour market. Laura completed her Master of Arts in Anthropology from Trent University and her Bachelor of Arts in History and Anthropology from King’s at Western. She moved to Niagara in 2015 and joined the team at the Niagara Workforce Planning Board where she served as a Research Associate and Project Coordinator. In this role, Laura worked with educators, students, and internationally trained professionals to connect job seekers with job opportunities, and curriculum objectives to career competencies and industry expectations.

Laura is a published author on topics including Career Competencies, Trends in Early Talent Recruitment, and the Post-COVID Employment Landscape. Her recent collaborative research on Competency Articulation at the Intersection of Happenstance and Experiential Learning has been published in the journal Industry & Higher Education. 

Laura is dedicated to her community. While attending university, she was the recipient of a Pillar Community Innovation Award for her work with the Canadian Cancer Society. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Pathstone Mental Health, participated in and remains actively involved with Leadership Niagara, and sits on her neighbourhood community roundtable.

Laura has been able to further her passion for history in her work as a freelance copy editor and proof-reader where she has had the opportunity to assist on several historical publications about Canada during the First and Second World War. When she is not reading, cooking, or learning a new language, Laura can be found cheering wildly in the supporters’ section at all Toronto Football Club (TFC) and Hamilton Forge (Forge FC) home games.

“Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.” – Albert Einstein

Megan is a community-builder and environmentalist, deeply committed to collaboration and self-improvement. With a Bachelor of Arts and Science from McGill and a graduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration at Niagara College, she began her career in the environmental sector. Her experience spans community-based conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, and habitat restoration work for government agencies and charities across Southern Ontario.

 Megan’s passions have always centered on learning and building meaningful relationships, getting joy from seeing others get excited about their work. She values reciprocity and curiosity – fostering connectivity and engaging with transdisciplinary perspectives and partnerships to promote sustainability across sectors. In her role with Goodman, she actively seeks out community and industry partners to drive experiential projects for joint learning and innovation. Megan’s ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between non-profit organizations, industry, government, and academia to collectively work towards a better future.

 Most of her spare time is spent volunteering on environmental committees and studying as she pursues a Master of Conservation Leadership. When possible, she also enjoys spending her time around water, playing volleyball, dancing, traveling, exploring local businesses, and journeying to find the best croissant!

 “Don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive” – Howard Thurman

Haley graduated from Brock University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication and continued her studies at Niagara College to complete her post-graduate certificate in Human Resources Management. From there, she moved to Toronto where she progressed through roles within the Human Resources, Talent Attraction and Candidate Experience teams working directly on campus recruitment initiatives. Staying true to her roots, Haley returned to Niagara to pursue an opportunity in sales and marketing. Most recently, Haley has joined the Co-op, Career and Experiential Education team to get back to her passion of connecting with and coaching students as they navigate the beginning of their career!

In her spare time, Haley enjoys spending time in nature, DIY-ing projects around her new home and volunteering as a baby cuddler with Family and Children Services of Niagara!

Sandra graduated with her BScN in 1985 and MEd in 2002. She is a Registered Nurse who has worked in a variety of nursing roles in the hospital sector prior to undertaking the position of Nursing Clinical Co-ordinator at Brock University in 2001. Her passion for education has translated into developing innovative and creative ways to match clinical experiences with course objectives and learning.

In 1999, Sandra received the Industry and Education Council’s Partners in Education Award for an education program in partnership with a local high school. In 2000, she was a recipient of the 2000 Sustainable Community Awards. Sandra was involved in a simulated “trauma day” for nursing students in collaboration with Niagara Health in 2007. She also was a co-author for the publication “Surviving”:  Registered Nurses’ Experiences in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program, International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 2005. She is currently working with colleagues on a research study for publication.

Sandra has a second-degree black belt in Goju Ryu Karate and a black belt in Kobudo. In her spare time, Sandra is committed to enjoying time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” — Yoda

As a Niagara region ‘implant’ Andra has been in the Niagara Community for the past 10 years and is passionate about creating an inclusive and individualized experience for Brock students. As the Master of Professional Kinesiology Program Coordinator, she uses her Bachelor of Kinesiology and MA in Health and Physical Education from Brock to link her education and experience to make connections in the Niagara community to provide the best experiential opportunities for the MPK students. Prior to starting at Brock, Andra worked at the Niagara Children’s Centre and Centre School as a Kinesiologist, developing and delivering adaptive movement programs to students and clients with diverse abilities and complexities.

Andra was the runner-up in Brock’s 3 Minute Thesis competition in 2014, presenting her graduate Thesis entitled “Fit for Action: A Comparative Case Study of the Implementations of an Adaptive Fitness and Conditioning Program for Teens and TAYs with Moderate Functioning ASD.”

In her spare time, Andra enjoys volunteering in community programs, exploring the Niagara region with her husband, cooking and baking, and visiting her brother in Edmonton. She loves going to concerts (especially the Arkells) and spending quality time with friends and family.

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” – Unknown

Chris is a proud born and raised Niagara local and Brock alumnus, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & History, and a Master of Education, Leadership & Administration focused on higher education policy.

Chris is a big believer that the best investments you can make are in your own community. Serving on several community boards and advocating for progress locally. Chris serves as the Board Chair for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Niagara Branch Board of Directors, the President of the Brock University Alumni Association Board of Directors, and is a recent alumnus of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce NEXTNiagara Young Professionals Council.

Chris has received a number of awards for his work across community, including a 2024 40 Under Forty Award, the Brock University Graduate Students’ Association Ambassador Award, the Brock University Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock Award, and the Brock University Alumni Association David S. Betzner Award.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. – Barack Obama

A graduate of McMaster University’s School of Social Work, Kirstin found through placements and work-integrated learning experiences that she is most passionate about macro-level systems change and equitable community development. This has since led to a career at the intersection of education and community, brokering connections and creating collaborative partnerships between nonprofit organizations and academic institutions for positive social impact.

Kirstin worked in the nonprofit sector for five years, supporting organizations and communities across Canada through funding, capacity building workshops, and advocacy campaigns. After moving to Niagara in 2021, they joined the Brock team to focus their efforts locally, first supporting institutional partnerships in the Community Relations department, and now working to impact student learning and community through creative projects and collaborations.

Kirstin is an active volunteer, learner, and community member – she is part of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Brock’s Staff United Way Fundraising Campaign, and Leadership Niagara, among other community organizations.

When not working or volunteering, Kirstin can typically be found outdoors – running, exploring local trails, or playing fetch with her dog – or embracing creativity – reading, writing, and supporting Niagara’s incredible culinary scene.

“All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you.” – Octavia E. Butler

The Confucius quote, “I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand,” best describes any educational setting that Janet facilitates. Using the knowledge and skills that she developed through her own education — a Bachelor of Physical Education (Brock University), a Bachelor of Education (UWO), and a Master of Education (Brock University) — Janet taught in Brock University’s Department of Kinesiology from 1993 until 2016, specializing as a movement educator. Having the pleasure of teaching many undergraduate courses allowed Janet to vary her pedagogical techniques and delivery. This background has provided the foundation for her new role as Experiential Education Coordinator for the graduate programs within the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. As a Registered Kinesiologist, Janet now uses all of these tools to guide students through graduate programs as they collaborate with a wide range of community partners.

The spring of 2017 offers Janet the distinct honour of co-leading a group of Brock students as they travel to Namibia and South Africa for a co-curricular experience called Brock Abroad.  This opportunity fits perfectly into her keen interest of stimulating positive change to help create resilient communities. As a lifelong learner, she welcomes the experience.

Janet has many roles, but the one she is most proud of is being a mother. Her positive energy comes from the vitality of her three children. When not spending time with her family, Janet volunteers with numerous organizations within the Niagara region. Her role modelling has transformed her family as they also participate in community engagement. When not in Niagara, Janet and her family love spending time at their cottage.

Christine is a forward-thinking Career Development Consultant well versed in innovative curriculum design, evaluation, and facilitation. She is passionate about helping others to recognize their true potential by taking manageable risks and showcasing their talents.

Her current role allows her to create a dynamic learning environment that helps students understand the ‘why’, along with the importance of reflective practice in their learning. A holistic approach to soliciting feedback allows her to utilize her creativity in developing and scaffolding curriculum that aligns with both the student experience and required workplace readiness skills. Being able to witness students make connections and experience learning as it happens is both motivating and gratifying.

In addition to her role at Brock, she enjoys working for McMaster University’s Centre for Simulation–Based Learning as a Standardized Patient and offering feedback from a patient perspective to current medical students’ as they assess and practice a variety of core, diagnostic and clinical skills.

Christine brings over 15 years’ experience in adult education, working directly with the Ministry of Colleges, and Universities. She learned the importance of building a strong professional network and the value of transferable skills articulation changing career paths and working alongside diverse populations in both the private and public sectors. Her extensive background includes working as a Project Manager for Literacy Link Niagara, as an Instructor for the District School Board of Niagara, as a Case Manager at Niagara Region, an Assistant Property Manager for Oxford Properties Group as well as a Literacy and Basic Skills Manager at Port Cares.

Christine has been recognized as an Outstanding Co-op Supervisor by Brock University, for delivering first-class customer service by Oxford Properties Group and for being a strong community partner and Leader in Literacy in Niagara by Niagara College.

She recently completed Brock’s Professional Management Certificate program and holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology from York University and a Social Service Worker diploma

from Seneca College. She has enjoyed serving on many committees throughout the years including Brock’s United Way Committee, Niagara Region — Niagara Prosperity Initiative (NPI) Application Review Committee and Joint Health & Safety.

She enjoys camping, hiking, and grounding herself in the great outdoors. If she’s not cheering on her daughters on the pitch, you can find her entertaining guests with her tasty culinary skills and diverse vinyl collection.

“Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.” – Zig Ziglar

Val is a proud graduate from Brock University with Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – concentration in Human Resource Management. In her final year Val worked as a Campus Career Assistant and instantly fell in love with the culture of Brock and supporting students in their career journey’s. After graduating she became the Talent Development Specialist for Goodman Career before transitioning to her current role on the Co-op team. Val strives to help everyone find their unique “Superpower”.

Val has seen every episode of “Friends” over 30 times; so be ready for lots of quotes and Friends GIFs in every conversation.

Quick Tip: Never ask Val for directions; assume she is already lost as well!

“Don’t judge a story by the chapter you walked in on” – Anonymous

Clélia is an experienced educator with a passion for special education. In addition to being Brock’s alumnus, earning her bachelor’s degree in French and Linguistic studies, Clélia has completed her Master of Education with a focus on Leadership, Evaluation, Curriculum and Policy. In her current role at Brock, Clélia is a career education professional with a focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion practices. She has a desire to promote inclusion and optimal learning experiences through effective curriculum design.

In her spare time, she loves reading about linguistics she enjoys learning fun facts about different languages. Clelia appreciates taking walks and playing sports with her son who can never stay in one place.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” — Nelson Mandela