about

portrait of Heather

By day: Work Integrated Learning Professional

24/7: optimist + gardener + cyclist + paddler + yogi + esspressochocaholic + mom!

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More about me

Worked at UVic since 2009

What I do I lead an inspiring multi-disciplinary co-op team that is the best in Canada at preparing career-ready students. We support ~1400 undergrad and 250 grad students while nurturing their sense of purpose, belonging, and commitment to making a difference in the world.  

The optional co-op programs in my portfolio are Education, Exercise Science, Fine Arts, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Continuing Studies. From conducting research to address climate change to advocating for social justice through legal work terms, students in these programs are driving positive change at local, national, and global levels.

The mandatory co-op programs in my portfolio include Recreation & Health Education, Coaching Studies, Health Information Science, and Public Administration, and these students are actively making a difference in the world around them through promoting health and wellness in communities, coaching individuals to achieve their full potential, managing health information systems to improve patient care, and working in public administration roles to address societal challenges.

Favourite thing about my work supporting students Making things simpler to use, more intuitive and more beautiful so that students can find the information they need without asking for help.

Thing you might be surprised to learn about me I have a Master’s of Science in Biochemistry and worked as a research virologist for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Song you sang out loud as a teenager anything off Tool’s Aenima.

Makes you laugh my kids are hilarious – I have no idea what I did for entertainment before they came along.

Thing on my desk brought from home A collection of almost 30 owls that hang out and watch me work.

Healthy habit I ride my bike to work as much as I can.

Favourite vacation Anywhere I can get in my VW van that’s off the beaten path. Preferably close to a lake, a river or the ocean. Hello Tofino and Hornby!