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

In her current role at Brock, Heather administers the CareerZone database — a tool that is used by our Brock students, staff, alumni, and employers. She also manages the budgets for each of CCEE’s areas.

Heather has been employed in the education sector for more than 25 years, in Toronto and Burnaby, BC, before moving to Niagara and joining the CCEE team at Brock. She takes pride in contributing to students’ success, believing that each team member’s role, regardless of how directly or indirectly involved in the learning process, is integral to the overall student experience. Our students are why we’re here.

A proud Brock grad herself, Heather recently completed her degree in Psychology and Sociology while working full-time, and was named to the Dean’s Honour Roll in her final year of studies.

In her spare time, Heather fosters her creative side by gardening, painting, taking amateur photography, travelling to new places, and constantly renovating her home.

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo

Melissa is a proud Brock alumna who has a passion for student success. She describes herself as a “high-energy person” and thrives in fast-paced environments where change is the norm. Immediately after she graduated, Melissa started her career at Brock as a Student Recruitment Officer. She moved through various positions and progressive levels of responsibility, which eventually led to her current role as Manager, Student & Partner Engagement in Co-op, Career & Experiential Education. She is an experienced project and people manager 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.

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

Cara’s passion for leadership and for the careers of her staff and Brock’s students are at the forefront of what she does every day. She feels privileged to lead a team of outstanding professionals who help students find their passions, learn about their skills and gain experience in their fields of study.

Cara graduated from Western University and dove into a career in sales and management shortly after. Her career path led to management in on-campus recruitment, where she worked for Enterprise Holdings, partnering with universities from across southwestern Ontario to hire the best and brightest talent. Through her work with Enterprise, Brock University became a key partner for the company’s talent pipeline, which led Cara to make the life-changing decision to work at Brock in the Co-op Education Office as a Senior Relationship Manager.

Cara’s intrapreneurial spirit has fuelled her upward movement at Brock — from the Co-op Education Office to her work as Brock’s Manager of Talent Acquisition, and then to lead the Co-op, Career and Experiential Education team in 2015. She has initiated (managed/directed) major organizational changes and strategic initiatives to help Brock lead the way in the areas of co-op, career and experiential education.

Cara is an active Niagara citizen. She has been a long-standing member of JCI St. Catharines, a member of the Niagara Business Group, a winner of a Niagara Top 40 Under Forty award, and she has run multiple community projects and events. She has been a member of the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) since 2003, where she served in various positions on the Provincial and National Board, and she is also an active member of the Canadian Association of Co-operative Education (CAFCE).

Cara is a proud mom of two amazing kids, she loves all things Niagara — especially the food and wine — and she is thankful for her northern Ontario upbringing.

“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four Cs. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy.” — Walt Disney

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

Kate is one of our energetic Administrative Assistants 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 Co-op Education team. Kate excels in her work capabilities with unique insight and ability — she drives the co-op 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

Possessing over 15 years of transatlantic career development experience, Andrew has worked with individuals across a variety of contexts, including post-secondary institutes. He is a strong advocate of lifelong learning and believes that students can learn something new on a daily basis.

Andrew has always been impressed with the passion and pride that people have for Brock, and this is something that he strives to pass on to his students as they start their careers. Having experience in both Canada and Europe, Andrew understands a variety of employment trends and needs; however, his main consideration is always the well-being of the student: jobs come and go – you remain.

In order to better serve his students, Andrew has completed degrees in Sociology and Education, a graduate diploma in Career Development and will shortly be pursuing a master’s degree in Social Justice and Equality at Brock.

“If you don’t turn your life into a story, you just become a part of someone else’s story.” – Terry Pratchett

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

Ryan is a business development professional with several years of experience in the beverage and travel industries. He has a passion for relationship building and enjoys creating memorable events to showcase brands while crafting unique experiences. He enjoys teaching and training others, and he loves public speaking!

He enjoyed working with youth and students by volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel Region, being an active child sponsor, and coaching a youth soccer team in Mississauga.

He is a “lifelong learner” and he holds an undergraduate degree in Commerce from the University of Toronto, a Certificate in Adult Education from Seneca College, and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Newcastle in Australia.

Outside of work, he is an avid traveller. He enjoys discovering new food, wine, and beer, and he is a big sports fan – with his passion being baseball!

He hopes to support the development of strong employer relationships so that Brock students can work towards attaining their personal and professional goals.

“Don’t aspire to make a living…aspire to make a difference.” – Denzel Washington

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.

Candice is a Brock alumna with a BA in Recreation and Leisure Studies and several years of experience working with students from an international and domestic background. When Candice graduated from Brock, she worked for six years in the Career Development Field, where she helped young adults to achieve their academic and professional goals. Throughout her 14 years of professional experience, Candice has worked in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors helping others to succeed and find their own path in life. Prior to her role within Co-op Education, Candice worked in Brock’s Department of Residences, where she assisted first-year students as they successfully transitioned into a post-secondary environment. In her current role at Brock, Candice assists students within co-op degree programs by providing support, engagement opportunities and referrals, as well as aiding first-year students who are wanting to transfer into a co-op degree program.

Candice was honoured with the Mohawk College Recreation and Leisure Faculty Award in her last year of studies at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology.

In her spare time, Candice enjoys playing board games and exploring the natural green space within the Niagara region.

“It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.” — Dr. Seuss

As a native of Niagara, Claudia has had over 14 years experience working in high-volume customer service and administrative functions.  From being the Head Receptionist at John Bear Buick GMC to being promoted to Assistant Manager at Service Ontario in St. Catharines, Claudia demonstrated a strong ability to multi-task, prioritize and juggle while maintaining a critical mindset to details and the larger picture. Working front line in a demanding environment, Claudia fully utilized her excellent customer service and problem-solving skills to help customers find probable solutions to move forward. Her positivity and pleasant demeanour add sunshine to any conversation she’s involved in. Outside of work, you will find Claudia with her family and two young boys while trying to find time to get in the latest episode of The Real Housewives.

“It costs NOTHING to be kind”- Anonymous

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

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.

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

Julia joined Brock in 2005 after completing a Master of Arts, Economics degree at the University of British Columbia. She is a result-driven and motivated professional with a passion for creating excellence in work-integrated learning experiences for students, employers and community partners. One of the most exciting parts of Julia’s job is being able to contribute to co-op students’ professional development during their time at Brock.

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

Brianna is a proud alumna of Brock University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a post-graduate certificate in Behavioural Science. Brianna’s experience will show you that not all career paths are linear, as she has 6 years experience working within community agencies supporting with adults with dual diagnosis and developmental disabilities. For the last few years, Brianna has found her way into working within employment services and has developed a new passion for career advising and helping individuals navigate the labour market and meet their career goals. As a Student Talent Development Specialist, Brianna supports and coaches’ students through the process of creating resumes, cover letters, CV’s and personal statements. In addition, she aids students in the development of effective skills in job searching, interviewing, and networking, and offers general career advising.

Brianna is passionate about students, enjoys hearing about their personal career goals and aims to provide effective resources and feedback to help them reach those goals! In her time outside of work you will most often find her spending time with family, her many dogs and pursuing her hobby of music and theater. She looks forward to connecting with you soon!

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

Pam Isaak is a passionate community builder whose professional experience includes leadership roles in not-for-profit, financial services and education in addition to the start-up and operation of her former home-based consulting business. Pam is a proud Brock University Alumnas who holds a Deans Honours BBA with a Concentration in Marketing, as well as a Leadership Niagara certificate. Pam has been actively involved in her community for as long as she can remember, from on the ground volunteerism at places like Out of the Cold to ongoing roles in board leadership, grant writing and social media communications.

Pam’s progressive career in the marketing and communications field, combined with her volunteerism and love of facilitating student learning was recognized with a Niagara 40 under 40 Award of Excellence in 2017.

Pam is a grateful mother to three energetic children; a passionate athlete, a dance crazy childhood cancer survivor and a musician at risk of anaphylaxis who has inspired her to spearhead the development of a new support group for parents of children with food allergies.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Sherry has extensive experience within academic program development and management, community outreach, student mentorship, experiential education facilitation and advisory roles. In particular, she has worked at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, as well as York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School and is now the Law Plus Consultant at Brock University.

Sherry has a JD and an LLM degree. As a lawyer she has practiced in the areas of criminal law (including specialty courts such as youth and domestic violence treatment Court), family law, child protection law and administrative law (housing, social assistance and human rights law) within government-funded organizations and within private practice across Ontario and Saskatchewan.

On the volunteer front, Sherry has chaired the Festival Committee of the Niagara Migrant Workers Interest Group and was a Board member with Jessie’s: the June Callwood Centre for Young Mothers for more than five years. Sherry has strong ties to community organizations across the Niagara Region and Toronto.

Outside of work, Sherry enjoys hiking and exploring neighbourhoods with her children and dog.

Sherry is passionate about social justice initiatives and empowering students to pursue their academic and professional dreams.

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

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

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.

Catherine is an Experiential Education Coordinator who supports the Faculty of Mathematics and Science to embed practical, hands-on learning opportunities into the curriculum. After completing both undergraduate and graduate degrees at Brock, Catherine became a staff member with Brock’s ESL Services. Catherine has since worked for Niagara Region Community Services where she had the opportunity hold various community based roles and contribute to many specialized projects. With a commitment to life-long learning, Catherine believes in a student-centered approach to strengthen collaborative partnerships and grow experiential learning across the institution.

In her spare time, Catherine takes every opportunity to hike the many trails and parks in Niagara. An avid nature lover, she enjoys recreational rowing in the summer months and has a green thumb for flower and vegetable gardening.

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.

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.

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

A long and winding road from his days as a mathematics teacher candidate has lead Dan into the world of higher education, with a pit stop in the Casino industry along the way. A proud Brock alumni, Dan holds multiple degrees from Brock, including a M.B.A. in Human Resource Management from the Goodman School of Business. He has held various positions at the institution and has been a member of the Experiential Education team since its inception in 2016. He now has the distinct privilege of leading a team of outstanding experiential learning professionals.

Dan likes to talk and draws energy from interacting with and learning from others. He host’s Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada’s national podcast, “into the WILderness”. He will take anyone up on the opportunity to chat about innovative Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) ideas, incorporating WIL into curricular programming (especially in Business Schools), sharing best practices, helping students navigate their career paths and helping industry discover a multitude of ways to connect with the next generation.

A lifelong resident of Niagara, Dan has been highly involved in the community through his work and currently serves as a Director with the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Off campus you can find Dan playing bass guitar, skiing, watching Seinfeld on repeat or having a blast with his two boys.

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 brings his relationship building and governance skills to several organizations, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Niagara Branch Board of Directors, the Brock University Alumni Association Board of Directors, and the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce NEXTNiagara Young Professionals Council.

A recipient of the Brock University Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock Award, and the Brock University Alumni Association David S. Betzner Award, Chris donates his time to many civic causes to help others looking to build capacity in their own causes and projects.

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

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.

Marisa is a career education professional with a passion for career development and a keen interest in incorporating theory into practice. Marisa has held progressively senior positions during her time at Brock University, initially with the Goodman School of Business. As a certified Career Development Practitioner, she currently supports Co-op, Career and Experiential Education by developing career curricula across each unit. Marisa completed her Master of Education in Teaching, Learning and Development at Brock University with a research focus on career programming in higher education and employability skills. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guelph and the Career Development Practitioner program at Conestoga College. Marisa is also an active member of the Canadian Association for Career Educators and Employers (CACEE), and she is involved in the Career Educator 101 working group.

Marisa is dedicated to the Niagara community. She has strong connections and networks within Niagara through involvement in local initiatives, such as Leadership Niagara, Random Act of Kindness Day, YES Niagara, the youth engagement community of practice, and supporting local businesses.

When not researching and tweeting about career development theory and practice, you are likely to find Marisa at a local arena being a “hockey mom,” cheering on her son’s rep league team, or shopping at her favourite waterfront shops, supporting local business.

“Stay organized, be flexible, ask for help and take manageable risks.” The core aspects of Brock’s career development model that can be applied to almost any life decision!

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

Laura is an anthropologist and researcher with a passion for facilitating meaningful connections between skills, education, and an ever-evolving 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 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) home games.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

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

As a Brock University alumna, Jillian has dedicated her career to event and brand management in key industries in the Niagara Region.  After studying abroad in the heart of France’s famed Burgundy wine region, she returned to Niagara with a love of wine and the opportunity to work at Vincor Canada for one of the country’s most iconic wine brands, Inniskillin Wines.  Realizing she wanted to be more hands-on in the wine industry, she left the confines of Vincor’s head office in Mississauga for a new start up, Flat Rock Cellars in Niagara’s Twenty Valley.  There she developed and managed the marketing and sales functions of the business including the development, execution and participation in many key winery and industry events including Somewhereness, Niagara Wine Festival and Winemaker’s Boots experiential event series.

When the opportunity presented, Jillian found herself at Niagara’s Regional Tourism Organization where she managed the marketing portfolio and coordinated efforts to participate in many trade and media events, aimed to increase the profile of the region and visitation.

In her spare time, Jillian is a loving mother of two who enjoys planning parties of all sorts, playing co-ed sports with her husband, travelling and exploring all the great treasures Niagara has to offer.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value”- Albert Einstein