Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues – August 2025, Issue 2

We are thrilled by the incredible response to the launch of Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues! In less than two weeks, we received over 30 heartfelt submissions—each one highlighting the generosity, dedication, and positivity that make our University such a special place.  

Because of this tremendous response, we will be sharing the submissions across the next three issues of Campus Connector. Read the second set of submissions (organized in alphabetical order) below.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your stories and celebrate your colleagues. It is inspiring to see our community come together to shine a spotlight on the people who go above and beyond every day.

Submissions for next month are now open! Share your note of recognition by the last Friday of the month, and let’s continue celebrating the amazing colleagues who make our campus shine. For more details on the program, including how to make a submission, please click here.

Cathy Hennessey, Faculty of Arts

This summer, a major ventilation upgrade, planned to be carried out over several years, began in SDU Main Building. Three floors of Main were packed up and closed to all but the work crews. An enormous amount of logistical work fell to Cathy Hennessey, Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Arts. From soliciting, gathering and distributing information, identifying supplies and assistance needed by faculty, instructors, and staff, arranging offices for people who needed on-campus space to work, placing bundles of work orders and space change requests, and a thousand other things, Cathy has demonstrated strategic foresight and dogged determination in the face of many significant challenges. In addition to this, Cathy carried out her own Admin responsibilities and graciously helped chairs in a context where there have been three Administrative Assistant vacancies in Arts this summer. Kudos to Cathy for her unwavering dedication and deep commitment, her seemingly unbreakable sense of humour, and her grace under enormous pressure. Thank you to Cathy from the Faculty of Arts.  

Jonathan Hewitt, Manager of Student Culture and Community Standards; as well as the members of his unit: Inara Bhalesha, Susie Zavala, Sister Sue Kidd, Dayana Balqis, Jolene Rolle, and their two welcome week coordinators, Kaitlyn and Shema  

This unit does amazing things every day with not enough budget or resources. The work they do on welcome week, and student engagement alone is just amazing! Also, the staff in the Food Bank, Mawi'omi Centre, and the Chaplaincy Centre do such great work for students as well! They all have such great attitudes and go the extra mile at all times! They all care about doing what is best for students so much! This unit does NOT get enough recognition or even acknowledgement!

Whitney Jenkins, UPEI Bookstore

For her outstanding work coordinating all the textbooks, eBooks, lab manuals and other materials needed for each course at UPEI. She does this on top of ordering all the clothing, giftware, snacks, supplies, games and more. She does so much for us here and we would be lost without her. Thanks Whitney!  

Belinda Johnson, Administrative Assistant, International Relations Office

Belinda goes above and beyond to make everyone on the 4th floor of Dalton Hall feel special. She never misses a birthday and is always supplying treats! She is always thinking of others. Belinda shows up to work with a smile and always has her door open to help solve any problems or a helpful chat. When a holiday or special occasion rolls around, Belinda is full of ideas on how to decorate the office and participate in a fun way. Thanks Belinda!

Akhilesh Kaullysing, Registrar’s Office

Akhilesh has been a tremendous extra support to students, faculty, and staff—particularly with course registration and scheduling!

Ashley MacKenna, Facilities Management

Ashley goes above and beyond daily, making herself available to support the various needs on campus. She excels at providing customer service.

Chris MacLauchlan, Robertson Library  

In every interaction with Chris and her work with IslandScholar.ca at Robertson Library, she is always so helpful, knowledgeable, positive, and solves every challenge we've thrown at her. Quick to reply, and even quicker to get things done, Chris is truly a remarkable colleague we're lucky to have at UPEI. Thanks for being there for us!

Megan MacLean, Interim Associate Vice-President Students  

Megan stepped in as Interim AVPS after a gap in leadership and has brought a lot of care and dedication to the role. She has ushered through some challenging but needed restructuring, addressing people's concerns and needs with patience, thoughtfulness, and transparency. She makes a point to understand the work of people within the portfolio with a very human lens, without losing sight of strategic opportunities for the University to enhance student experience. She is a humble but impactful force on this campus, and I know many of us are grateful to have her leadership through this transition.

Martine McMillan, Administrative Assistant, Dean's Office, Faculty of Science

I would like to recognize Martine for her outstanding contributions and support. She is an absolute pleasure to work with—always kind, approachable, and willing to lend a hand to her colleagues across the Faculty of Science. Her pride in her work shines through in her meticulous attention to detail and her constant efforts to improve and streamline processes that benefit us all. Beyond her professional excellence, Martine is a strong advocate for fostering a healthy, supportive workplace culture. She actively encourages her fellow admins to take time for themselves—whether by attending workshops, participating in campus events, or simply stepping outside for a walk at lunch. Her leadership reminds us that caring for our own well-being helps us thrive as a team. Martine’s dedication, positivity, and advocacy make a meaningful impact every day, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside her.

Dr. Tess Miller, Faculty of Education  

Dr Miller goes the extra mile for her colleagues and students. She gives so much of her talent in research and writing to every endeavour. She is exceptional in her ethics and integrity. I don’t know a person with better character. She is a leader in the field of mathematics, research, program evaluation and psychometrics. These are the reasons I would like to recognize this fine person. - Cindy Wood