As part of Dal鈥檚 Employee Appreciation Week, we highlight some of the university's key champions in select areas.
Today鈥檚 theme: Student support.
Jessica Chubb
Coordinator, Studying for Success Program (Bissett Student Success Centre)
Jessica is responsible for supporting students by teaching them how to become more efficient and effective learners who can fulfill their academic potential.
Year joined Dal: 2010
What aspect of your work have students been most openly grateful for?
From what students have told me, they are grateful to me for helping them to stay on track throughout their years at Dal or to get back on track (if they鈥檝e experienced academic difficulties). They mention being happy to learn how to stay organized, have defined goals, be active learners, and generally have guidance in their academic lives. Many students have noted that they also appreciate my being able to help them stay motivated in an often challenging university environment, and giving them the skills to feel confident and capable. Equally as important for students is that I am here to listen to them with compassion, to support them without judgment, and to genuinely care about them, and their success and development. In addition to me helping them with practical strategies to succeed in their studies, they are grateful for me treating them like valued human beings (more than just a B00#). They are grateful to have someone with whom they can be comfortable, open, and honest.
Faiza Nauman
Residence Life Manager 鈥� Residence Life, Student Affairs听
Faiza provides direct front-line student support, education and development in addition to crisis management to 2400+ students in residence.听
Year joined Dal: 2016 as a student, 2020 in role as Residence Life Manager听
What aspect of your work have students been most openly grateful for?
My dad jokes! I always start my meetings with a dad joke. Students know me for that now and won鈥檛 let me start a meeting without one. But on a more serious note, students have often come to me this year with thanks for helping them navigate issues that come up and for advocating for them. I am leading the project called 鈥淐ulture Shift - Anti Racism in Residence鈥� that we started last year to address the occurrences of racism, disrespect, and inappropriate behaviour towards our student and full-time staff working in Residence. The students I oversee have been keen to hear updates about this ongoing project.听
Michele Graveline
滨苍诲颈驳别苍辞耻蝉听厂迟耻诲别苍迟听础诲惫颈蝉辞谤,听厂迟耻诲别苍迟听础蹿蹿补颈谤蝉
Michele supports Indigenous听students听in academic, social and wellness matters听towards post-secondary success.听
Year joined Dal: 2017
What aspect of your work have students been most openly grateful for?
Students often say thank you when I have helped them navigate challenging situations 鈥� those that are brought on by personal matters听and听are impacting听being听engaged in听class and/or听completing听assessments. One thing that听students often say听is how I 'get it鈥�, and that they don鈥檛 have to explain听Indigenous oppression backstory听for them to be understood.听Students are also grateful for the Indigenous听Student听Centre,听the safety of the space, and the programming we offer from it.听And of course, Friday feast. I believe in听students'听success;听I believe it is possible.
Shelley Caines
Director, Finance and Operations (Student Support) 鈥� Master of Engineering in Internetworking Degree Program in the Faculty of Engineering
Shelley's support begins when a potential student inquires about the MEng in Internetworking program of study and carries through their application and enrolment process, during their program of study, and beyond.听
Year joined Dal: 1995听
What aspect of your work have students been most openly grateful for?
My view of student support is simple: be present and appreciative. Being present is not limited to a quick conversation in the office but to every aspect of the student experience. It can be as easy as saying hello when passing them in the hallway to applying an individualistic approach during a meeting. I want students to feel someone cares about their academic and personal lives and success. Being appreciative of the human elements intertwined with the expectations of being a student and understanding the larger context of the student's situation can go a long way in helping a student overcome hurdles. I do not expect students to be openly grateful. Their gratefulness is obvious when they leave with more confidence and a more positive perspective. I am grateful for the opportunity to surround myself with so many inspiring and aspiring individuals (our students).听