Media Releases

Collective Bargaining Update – June 8

Nicole Phillips — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:00:10 -0300

The following update was also emailed to ��ϳԹ� employees on June 8, 2026.

This update provides a brief overview of current progress on collective bargaining and the work underway at each table.

��ϳԹ� Faculty Association (��ϳԹ�FA)
��ϳԹ� began negotiations on Friday, May 29, 2026, towards new collective agreements with the ��ϳԹ�FA, with three days of bargaining now completed. On the opening day, the parties exchanged non-monetary proposals and began substantive discussions. In addition, ��ϳԹ� shared its established bargaining principles with the Association, which underpin the University’s approach at the bargaining table:

Our collective bargaining and labour relations decisions support the University’s mission and vision, reflect our values, and enhance a culture of trust, safety, and inclusion.
We will engage union counterparts with integrity, civility, and respect, and require the same from our employees and their union representatives.
As a major employer in Charlottetown and across PEI, we value our people and the critical work they perform to support the University’s mission and vision.
We respect the role of unions and are committed to building healthy, trusting, and constructive relationships with them.
We strive to reach agreements with unions that are fair and equitable while operationally and fiscally sustainable.

CUPE 501
��ϳԹ� recently received Notice to Bargain from CUPE 501, and negotiations are scheduled from August 10–13, 2026.

PSAC
��ϳԹ� recently received Notice to Bargain from our two Public Service Alliance of Canada bargaining units, PSAC 86000, and a bargaining unit representing post-doctoral research associates. We expect negotiations to commence soon.

��ϳԹ� remains committed to respectful, good faith bargaining and to reaching agreements that are fair for employees and sustainable for the University. Further updates will be shared as negotiations progress. For more information and to see previous updates, visit the ��ϳԹ� Labour Relations web pages.

��ϳԹ� ClimateSense hosts Waterlution’s Youth for Resilient Communities collaboratorium

Melanie Anderson — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:50:17 -0300

A group of 90 youth from across Canada were on PEI from May 27–June 1, learning to tackle water and climate change challenges through Waterlution, a national non-profit organization which focuses on water sustainability, climate change, and leadership development.

��ϳԹ� ClimateSense, PEI’s initiative in Natural Resources Canada’s Building Regional Adaptation and Capacity Expertise (BRACE) program, hosted Waterlution’s Youth for Resilient Communities (Y4RC) Collaboratorium 2 as part of its committment to providing climate change adaptation learning and development, specific to PEI.

The youth, whose ages ranged from 18–30 years old, were led by Krystal Pyke, ��ϳԹ� ClimateSense Program Manager and Karen Kun, Waterlution President and Founder. The group, which was gathering on PEI to share experiences, gain new skills, and learn together, created community projects focused on resilience relating to water, climate, nature, and culture.

“It’s called a ‘collaboratorium’ because it is a bit of a consortium, a bit of a collaboration and with all of the ideas swirling around, it’s not just a conference,” said Pyke during an interview with CBC Island Morning. “We had a fantastic week of learning, exploring, and connecting with resilient communities across PEI.”

During their time on Lennox Island on Friday, May 29, the group visited a greenhouse and the Lennox Island Mi’kmaq Cultural Centre, where they discussed food security and sovereignty, learned about Mi’kmaq history, participated in a forest restoration tour with the Lennox Island Natural Resources Team, and participated in quilling and Bannock making. Chief Tabatha Bernard of the Lennox Island First Nation joined the group for a portion of the day. She welcomed the youth to Lennox Island and encouraged them to learn about Mi'kmaq culture and our shared history, highlighting that youth are the future leaders for resilience in their own communities.

On the morning of Saturday, May 30, half of the group met with the PEI Watershed Alliance at ��ϳԹ�’s Performing Arts Centre (PAC), and the other half toured the Legacy Gardens at the PEI Farm Centre. In the afternoon, they worked on their service projects at the PAC.

On Sunday, May 31, the group toured the ��ϳԹ� Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation in St. Peter’s Bay where they learned how to tell the narrative of their service projects through impactful storytelling. They also went for a hike at Greenwich – Prince Edward Island National Park and were joined by Bob Harding and Kylee Bustard from Parks Canada.

“Thank you so much for organizing and bringing us all together. I learned a lot and more importantly I got a sense of who I am,” said Janvi Patel, Y4RC participant. “I am taking confidence, growth, many new friendships and connections with me, and I feel like I have a new direction in life.”

Y4RC invites youth across Canada to serve communities by raising awareness and building resilience through community-centered action projects. National in design, Y4RC’s immersive experiences build insights into Canada’s climate and water challenges across seven provinces. For details about the group’s activities, go to https://waterlution.org/y4rc-cohort-3/

Mi’kmaw-led digital archive launches for 300th Anniversary of 1726 Treaty

Nicole Phillips — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:04:09 -0300

The following news release was issued jointly by L'nuey and ��ϳԹ� on June 3, 2026.

L’nuey is launching a new Mi’kmaw-led digital archive to mark the 300th anniversary of the 1726 Peace and Friendship Treaty on June 4, 2026. The project aims to make Mi’kmaw history in Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island) easier to find, understand, and use.

The 1726 Peace and Friendship Treaty was confirmed on June 4, 1726, at Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal. Mi’kmaw leaders and their allies in the Wabanaki Confederacy entered into the agreement with the British to support peaceful co‑existence and shared responsibilities. The Peace and Friendship Treaties did not involve the surrender of Mi’kmaw lands. These Treaties are enshrined in the Canadian Constitution and continue to shape rights and responsibilities for all Treaty partners.

Mi’kmaw history in Epekwitk has long been under-researched and underrepresented in mainstream histories. L’nuey’s new digital archive, called Tku Atlasma’lit, is intended to help close that gap by bringing together a wide range of historical records related to the Mi’kmaq of Epekwitk in one online, Mi’kmaw-led space. Through a partnership with the Robertson Library at ��ϳԹ�, the collection will be freely accessible and searchable through the Island Archives platform, helping ensure these important records are preserved and available to communities, researchers, educators, and the public.

“This 300th anniversary of the 1726 Peace and Friendship Treaty is a powerful reminder that these agreements were built on peace, respect, and the intention of co-existence,” said Chief Junior Gould of Abegweit First Nation. These Treaties remain living agreements that continue to shape our rights and responsibilities today. As we reflect on 300 years, it is important that all people in Epekwitk understand that we are all Treaty People, and that this relationship is ongoing and meaningful for everyone.”

Chief Tabatha Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation spoke to the importance of grounding the anniversary in Mi’kmaw-led history. “For too long, our history in Epekwitk has been told by others or left out entirely. Tku Atlasma’lit is part of how we reclaim that – ensuring our stories are preserved, accessible, and in our own hands for the generations to come. This archive is a gift to our young people, and to all who want to understand the depth and continuity of Mi’kmaw presence on this Island,” she said.

Jenene Wooldridge, Executive Director of L’nuey, said Tku Atlasma’lit responds to a long-standing gap in how Mi’kmaw history has been collected and shared.

“It brings together historical materials in a Mi’kmaw-led space that supports research, education, and self-determination,” she said. “As we mark 300 years since the 1726 Peace and Friendship Treaty, this work ensures that our stories and our history are accessible, grounded in community, and available for future generations as we continue building understanding and strengthening relationships.”

L’nuey partnered with the Robertson Library to make Tku Atlasma’lit freely accessible to the public through the Library’s Island Archives platform.

“The Robertson Library is thrilled to have an opportunity to partner with L’nuey on this project,” said Dr. Svetlana Kochkina, University Librarian, Robertson Library, ��ϳԹ�. “Tku Atlasma’lit is an excellent example of the type of collaboration that we hoped to develop when building the IslandArchives.ca site. It has been a privilege to use this experience and knowledge to help provide access to the important historical materials included in Tku Atlasma’lit. We see it as only the first step towards bridging the gap in our digital offerings, where Mi’kmaw history has been largely underrepresented.”

The 300th anniversary will be marked on June 4, 2026, with events and commemorations across Mi’kma’ki, including programming at Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site.

L’nuey is encouraging Islanders to learn more about the 1726 Treaty and the Peace and Friendship Treaty relationship by visiting its website and exploring educational resources at lnuey.ca/300years.

The Tku Atlasma’lit digital archive is now live and freely accessible at islandarchives.ca or here—explore the collection and discover the history of the Mi’kmaq of Epekwitk.

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues–May 2026

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:55:36 -0300

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues continues to be a meaningful way for our community to celebrate one another. Since the program began last August, 225 submissions have highlighted the exceptional work, dedication, and kindness of our colleagues.

Thanks to the ongoing interest and participation, submissions will continue to be featured in upcoming issues of Campus Connector. You can read this month’s submissions (organized in alphabetical order) below.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share stories of appreciation and celebration for their colleagues. It’s inspiring to see our community come together to recognize those 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.

As part of our continued efforts to grow and improve this program, we’ve introduced a new submission form. With this updated process, the colleague being recognized will automatically receive an email notification that they have been recognized and will appear in next month's Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues issue. For more details on the program, including links to past issues and details on the new submission form, please click here.

Jenny Alisic, Human Resources
Jenny is the quiet force behind hundreds of employees receiving their bi-weekly pay. Most individuals don’t think about how they get paid —they are just happy to receive their bi-weekly pay in their bank account. While Jenny does not do this alone, she provides a deep understanding of ��ϳԹ� payroll and many of the idiosyncrasies that need attending to. Jenny is always pleasant and deeply cares about ��ϳԹ� and its people. - Tara Leigh Judson

Rose Barbour, Development and Alumni Engagement
Rose has an incredible gift for making others feel truly seen, heard, and appreciated. Whether it’s work-related or personal, she takes the time to understand and always follows through to ensure people are okay. Her warmth and sincerity have a way of turning even the toughest days around. She is genuinely lovely, a true gem on our team.

Thomas Becker, Athletics and Recreation
Thomas is an outstanding storyteller and an integral team member of the department of Athletics and Recreation who always makes us shine! He spends endless hours creating content for the Panther Athletics channels, which amplifies our athletes’ stories and team results to the campus community, PEI community, and beyond. Thomas spends hour upon hour creating content for our year-end Panther Celebration which highlights team and individual successes of the year. He does it all behind the scenes with a huge passion for the Green and White and we are forever grateful for his outstanding commitment. - Jane Vessey

Susan Fitzky, EDI and Human Rights
Susan brings forward talents to her work that are admirable. I also appreciate how she works with her colleagues in a meaningful and thoughtful way that contributes to their well-being and professional development.

Bethany Vessey, Applied Human Sciences – Faculty of Science
I would like to recognize Bethany for her dedication to students within the Dietetic Internship Program at ��ϳԹ� and beyond. Her genuine passion for dietetics is evident in the meaningful way she teaches, mentors, and supports students throughout their learning journey.

Bethany consistently goes above and beyond to create diverse and enriching learning opportunities that respond thoughtfully to the needs of each student while also advancing the goals of the program. Her commitment to student success is reflected in the care and attention she brings to mentorship, fostering both confidence and professional growth among interns.

What truly sets Bethany apart is her willingness to continuously evolve and strengthen the internship program. She approaches change with openness and initiative, even when it requires additional time and effort on her part. Her forward-thinking mindset and dedication to improvement have made a lasting positive impact on the program.

Bethany is also a great collaborator—approachable, supportive, and always open to new ideas. Her collegial spirit makes her a pleasure to work with, and she plays a key role in building a positive and productive team environment. Bethany’s contributions are deeply valued, and her ongoing commitment makes a meaningful difference to both students and colleagues at ��ϳԹ�.

Patti Wheatley, EDI and Human Rights
I feel very valued and supported by Patti and I admire her integrity, ability to manage so many things at once, handle stress, problem solve, and get the job done. I appreciate her openness to understanding a different point of view and her logical processing and decision making. She is such a gift to the University.

June is National Indigenous History Month, and marks a milestone in Mi'kma'ki

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:40:12 -0300

The month of June in Canada has been officially acknowledged as National Indigenous History Month since 2009, in recognition of the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada.

In Mi’kma’ki, this June marks a major milestone: the 300th anniversary of the signing of the 1726 Peace and Friendship Treaty.

On June 4, 1726, Mi'kmaw representatives ratified the first and foundational treaty in what became the Covenant Chain of Peace and Friendship Treaties—a Nation-to-Nation agreement between the Wabanaki Confederacy (the Mi'kmaq, the Wolastoqiyik, Peskotomuhkati, and Penobscot) and the British. It was the first treaty any of these nations had entered with a European nation.

��ϳԹ� Elder-in-Residence Dr. Judy Clark will be attending the official celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the signing of the "Peace and Friendship Treaty" on June 4 at the Parks Canada Port-Royal National Historic Site in Port Royal, NS. She adds, "It will be a day of gathering, reflection, and celebration to honour the living treaties and bringing together the Mi’kmaq leadership, Elders, youth, and community.”

Built on peaceful co-existence, reciprocal responsibilities, and mutual respect—and without any cession of Mi'kmaw lands—the Peace and Friendship Treaties remain valid today and continue to shape relationships in this country. This anniversary belongs to all of us—Mi'kmaq and non-Indigenous Epekwitnewaq (Islanders) alike. Learn more about the 300th anniversary at lnuey.ca/300years

Later in the month, June 21—the summer solstice—is designated as National Indigenous Peoples Day, “a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples…For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.” (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada).

Visit ��ϳԹ�’s Teaching and Learning Centre web pages for Indigenous Teaching Resources.

��ϳԹ�’s Robertson Library has developed an Indigenous Resources Guide that includes articles, books, documents, websites, and other resources related to research about Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Also, you can learn about our Elders and scholars at ��ϳԹ� on the upei.ca website or access resources about Mi’kmaq culture, traditions, and language on the L’nuey website.

The Government of Canada's Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada website has additional resources which explore the history, languages, cultures, and experiences of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

Negotiations commence with ��ϳԹ�FA BU #1 and BU #2

Nicole Phillips — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:14:44 -0300

The following statement was emailed to ��ϳԹ� employees on June 1, 2026.

��ϳԹ� began negotiations on Friday, May 29, 2026, towards new collective agreements with the ��ϳԹ� Faculty Association. Both bargaining teams met on Friday, with additional meetings scheduled through June and July.

We remain committed to respectful and constructive dialogue as we work to reach an agreement at the bargaining table that is fair for employees and sustainable for the long‑term health of our institution.

We will continue to share updates throughout the collective bargaining process. For more information, please visit ��ϳԹ�’s Labour Relations web pages.

Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Atlantic turns on the bat signal!

Anna MacDonald — Fri, 29 May 2026 09:36:08 -0300

Spring is here, and bats in Atlantic Canada are on the move. Several species are emerging after winter hibernation, flying from caves, mines, and possibly wells to their summer homes. Meanwhile, migratory bat species are flying north from southern latitudes to this region.

The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) Atlantic bat team is asking the public to report sightings of the elusive nocturnal animals by calling the Atlantic Bat Hotline at 1-833-434-BATS (2287).

Members of the public can play an important role in helping biologists better understand the status and distribution of bats by reporting sightings in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Callers can report details of their bat sightings and receive up-to-date, accurate information on a variety of bat-related topics, including general biology and ecology, bats and human health, responsible management of bats in buildings, and practical solutions to support bat conservation on private property.

Each bat report is important to fill in gaps and help scientists learn more about where and when local bat species are spotted.

“By combining hotline reports with all the surveys conducted by regional biologists,” said Jordi Segers, CWHC Bat Health Program Coordinator, “we can work together to understand more about the status of our local bat species and work towards protecting them. So, reach out today if you have a bat to report!”

The health of resident bat species in Atlantic Canada continues to be threatened by the persistence of the devastating bat-specific disease white-nose syndrome (WNS). The rapid decline of hibernating bat species from WNS resulted in three local bat species—Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, and Tri-colored Bat—being federally listed as endangered.

At the same time, migratory bats—Hoary Bat, Eastern Red Bat, and Silver-haired Bat—that visit Atlantic Canada from the spring to the fall are facing population declines due to collisions with an increasing number of wind turbines. Severe population declines in migratory bats across Canada prompted the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to recommend to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) that these bats be listed as endangered as well. Migratory bat species are under-reported, but public reports complemented by photographic observations may help identify these species in Atlantic Canada.

The Atlantic Bat Hotline is offered through the CWHC, Atlantic Region, at the Atlantic Veterinary College, ��ϳԹ�, as part of the project “Signals of Bat Health.” This project represents a regional collaboration involving the CWHC, ECCC, the four provincial governments, and various environmental non-governmental organizations, and is integral to the recovery of endangered bat species in Atlantic Canada.

Funding for this project is provided in partnership by the ECCC Habitat Stewardship Program–Species at Risk; Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands; Prince Edward Island Forests, Fish and Wildlife; New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development; and Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.

For more information about bats, contact Darrian Washinger, Atlantic Bat Conservation Project Technician, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Atlantic Region, at (902) 894-2845/1-833-434-BATS (2287) or atlanticbats@cwhc-rcsf.ca.

��ϳԹ� hosts over 600 historians at three overlapping conferences June 1 to 5

Anna MacDonald — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:04:18 -0300

In the first week of June, the historic ��ϳԹ� campus will be bustling with over 600 historians from across Canada here to attend three conferences.

The ��ϳԹ� Department of History is hosting overlapping conferences from June 1 to 5: the Canadian Historical Association (CHA), June 1 to 3; Atlantic Canada Studies (ACS), June 3 to 5; and the Canadian Catholic History Association (CCHA), June 3 to 4. This is the first time that the three conferences have been held in combination.

Members of the public are welcome to attend two events: one is on May 31 and the other on June 4.

On May 31, Dr. Josh MacFadyen, Canada Research Chair and local chair of the ACS conference, will host a public presentation titled “Reflections on Resilience: 20,000 Years of Climate History” by Dr. Dagomar Degroot, a leading climate historian at Georgetown University, from 5:30–6:45 pm. All are welcome to join the event in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

On June 4, the CCHA will host a public book launch for a book titled Contesting Zion: The Vatican, American Catholics, and Partition of Palestine by Dr. Adrian Ciani, St. Augustine’s Seminary, Toronto School of Theology in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Dr. Rob Dennis, associate professor of religious studies and local chair of the CCHA conference, will emcee the book launch.

All three conferences feature leading experts and topics of interest to the respective associations’ members.

During the CHA conference, delegates are invited to reflect on the ways in which conceptions of “self” and “other” have been mediated in the past. Themed “Self, Other, and History,” the conference features a high number of presentations about public history, as well as related public history activities in collaboration with partners including L’nuey, Parks Canada, and the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation.

“It’s 24 years since the meeting of the Canadian Historical Association happened in PEI,” said Dr. Lisa Chilton, professor of history, lead for the combined event, and local chair of the CHA conference. “The range of subjects covered is incredibly varied, but probably the most significant area of engagement is in the relationship between academic history and public history. How historians are engaging with the politics of public history is of great interest to all of us right now.”

Prior to the conferences, the CHA Council, together with chairs of history programs at universities across Canada, will meet on campus from May 30 to 31.

From the V-P People and Culture: Status of the new Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Sexual Violence Policy

Nicole Phillips — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:50:25 -0300

The following message was also sent by email to ��ϳԹ� students, staff, and faculty on Wednesday, May 27, 2025.

Dear ��ϳԹ� Community,

The work to modernize ��ϳԹ�’s policy framework

This update answers some of the frequently asked questions so that the campus community understands why ��ϳԹ�’s new Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Sexual Violence Policy have not yet been implemented.

Over the last few years, our University community has undertaken significant work to strengthen how ��ϳԹ� responds to harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence. That work was shaped by the experiences conveyed through the ��ϳԹ� Review (the Rubin Thomlinson report), the commitments contained in the University's Action Plan, and a shared recognition that our community deserves clearer, trauma-informed, and accessible processes.

Why the policies cannot yet be implemented

Following more than fifteen months of collaborative work involving students, faculty, staff, external legal advisors, union representatives and the Health and Safety Committee, the University’s Board of Governors endorsed a new Harassment and Discrimination Policy and a companion Sexual Violence Policy. The policies are substantively agreed upon, legally compliant, and ready to move forward.

Unfortunately, they cannot yet be implemented.

Under the current Faculty collective agreement, the University requires the “express written consent” of the ��ϳԹ� Faculty Association to replace the existing Fair Treatment Policy. The Faculty Association collective agreement is the only agreement with this provision.

Although the Faculty Association agrees with the substance of the new policies, it has advised that it will not provide consent unless the University agrees to additional collective agreement language related to future policy changes. Future policy changes are addressed in the polices themselves, providing for periodic review and a community based consultative process. The Faculty Association has agreed with the appropriateness of these policy provisions.

The University’s position is that proposed changes to collective agreement language should be addressed through collective bargaining, which is scheduled to begin at the end of this month, and not as a condition for implementing policies whose substance is already agreed upon.

Why these Policies matter to the entire campus community

It is important for the campus community to understand that these policies apply to, and protect, the entire University community that is comprised of over 7,000 people (students, staff, faculty, volunteers and contractors). There are under 600 faculty members. The policies are intended to support all individuals who may experience harassment, discrimination, or sexual violence.

This concern is particularly important in relation to the new Sexual Violence Policy. Under provincial legislation, the University is required to maintain distinct and accessible policies to support students affected by sexual violence. These policies are intended to apply to and protect all members of our community and to ensure that those who may be most vulnerable have access to clear and reliable processes when they need them most.

The University’s position is that policies intended to protect the broader campus community should not be delayed by unresolved bargaining-related issues, particularly where there is already agreement from the Faculty Association that the policies themselves are necessary and appropriate.

Strengthening internal support and response structures

As committed to in the ��ϳԹ� Action Plan, the University has also taken steps to strengthen its internal support and response structures. Subsequently, the Fair Treatment Advocate function, which has been administered externally through HR Atlantic has transitioned to the University’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights (EDIHR) Department. This change is intended to improve coordination, accessibility, continuity of support, and alignment with the new trauma-informed policy framework as the University continues to build a more responsive and integrated approach to addressing harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence on campus.

Impact of delayed implementation of the Policies on the ��ϳԹ� Action Plan

The University remains committed to advancing the ��ϳԹ� Action Plan: Building a Culture of Trust, Safety and Inclusion. Year 2 of the implementation plan consisted of 203 implementation activities. As we prepare for an annual audit, the University submits that while 80% of the activities were successfully completed,12% are impacted by delays in the implementation of the new Harassment and Discrimination and Sexual Violence policies. The University regrets the delay to meet the obligations to the entire community.

Moving Forward

The University remains committed to implementing these policies at the earliest possible opportunity and to continuing respectful engagement with the Faculty Association as collective bargaining begins.

Once again, the University is grateful to everyone who contributed to this important work.

Sincerely,

Jane Ngobia
Vice-President, People and Culture

Atlantic Veterinary College holds annual White Coat Ceremony

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:30:44 -0300

Seventy new veterinarians were welcomed to the veterinary profession during the Atlantic Veterinary College’s White Coat Ceremony held at the ��ϳԹ� Performing Arts Centre on May 12, 2026.

At the ceremony, each graduate was presented with a monogrammed lab coat by family members, friends, mentors, or supporters, symbolizing their transition to veterinary professional. Earlier in the day, they received their doctor of veterinary medicine degrees during the first of ��ϳԹ�’s four Convocation ceremonies.

“This is a monumental achievement,” said Dr. Dominique Griffon, dean of AVC. “You have grown as scientists and clinicians alongside faculty and staff who dedicated their time to you. You have survived doubt, anxiety, your first surgery…with grace and intelligence, and with the support of others.”

She urged the new veterinarians to stay at the forefront of their profession and to help shape it. She added that they should be conscious of the importance of work-life balance as they enter their new careers. She thanked the graduates’ families and friends for supporting them throughout their journey to become veterinarians.

Dr. Wendy Rodgers, ��ϳԹ� president and vice-chancellor, congratulated the graduates, noting that they are entering a much sought-after profession where there will be a lot of demand for their skills.

Dr. Erin MacDonald (AVC Class of 2007), representing the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, also congratulated the graduates, noting that the ceremony was the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, and determination.

“As doctors of veterinary medicine, you are entering a profession that is deeply rewarding and profoundly important. The responsibilities you assume today extend far beyond the walls of a clinic or a hospital. Veterinarians play essential roles in animal health and welfare, public health, food safety, research, environmental stewardship, emergency preparedness, and global One Health initiatives. The world you are entering is increasingly interconnected and increasingly complex.... The veterinary profession needs your knowledge, energy, communications skills, leadership, compassion, and willingness to approach problems with curiosity…. Remain open to new paths, challenge yourselves, and support one another.”

Dr. Stephanie Landry (AVC Class of 2010), a lecturer in AVC’s Department of Companion Animals, told the graduates that they are entering a profession that has an impact on animals and people, where they will save lives, relieve pain, and help people say goodbye to their animals with dignity.

“There will be hard days, but trust yourselves…. You are ready…. Hold on to compassion, curiosity, the sense of purpose that brought you here in the first place. Congratulations, graduates!”

Photo: Dr. Anya Nowicki receives her white coat from her parents Jacqueline and Daniel Nowicki.

Notice to Bargain received from PSAC bargaining units

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 26 May 2026 09:54:51 -0300

The following statement was also emailed to ��ϳԹ� employees on May 26, 2027.

��ϳԹ� recently received Notice to Bargain from Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) 86000, which comprises graduate research assistants, graduate lab instructors, and graduate tutorial assistants. In addition, a new PSAC bargaining unit for post-doctoral research associates, that was recently certified, served notice to bargain on April 8, 2026, for its first collective agreement. Negotiations with both units are expected to commence in the coming months.

��ϳԹ� remains committed to respectful, collaborative negotiations, and to reaching agreements that are fair for employees and sustainable for the long term health of the institution.

Consistent with our bargaining principles, we will continue to engage in good‑faith discussions and focus on shared priorities that support our employees, uphold a strong student experience, and maintain the overall stability of the institution.

As discussions progress, we will continue to share updates to keep the ��ϳԹ� community informed.

To view previous updates or for details on our approach to collective bargaining, visit the Labour Relations web pages on upei.ca.

��ϳԹ�’s Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre pursues international accreditation

Heather Howatt — Tue, 26 May 2026 09:48:17 -0300

The Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre (CLSC) at the ��ϳԹ�’s (��ϳԹ�) Faculty of Medicine is taking an important step forward by pursuing provisional accreditation through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), an internationally recognized accrediting body for simulation centres.

“Simulation programs within health disciplines are typically covered under the broader accreditation of their institution or faculty,” said Tammie Muise, Director of the CLSC. “Simulation centre-specific accreditation provides an additional layer of recognition and is considered the gold standard in simulation-based education.”

Dr. Ron Siemens, Medical Director of the CLSC, said pursuing accreditation reflects the centre’s commitment to providing learners with high-quality, evidence-informed training environments.

“The vision of the CLSC is to be a provincial and national centre of excellence in simulation-based education and a dynamic hub where learners thrive,” said Siemens. “Accreditation is our first step toward that vision, and achieving that would reflect the high standard of simulation experiences already taking place at the centre.”

The CLSC submitted its accreditation documents in February and is now preparing for the next stage of the process, which is a virtual site tour and review by SSH assessors. The team expects to receive feedback or a decision on provisional accreditation by late summer.

SSH offers two levels of accreditation: provisional and full. Because centres must provide two years of operational data to achieve full accreditation, new centres typically pursue provisional accreditation first, which is what the CLSC team has applied for.

A major component of the accreditation process focuses on professional development and staff credentialing. Several CLSC staff members already hold the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credential, and the centre is also supporting simulation operators’ pursuit of the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) designation. Standardized patient educators are also encouraged to pursue learning opportunities through their national organizations.

“For us, it’s about creating a culture of excellence and ongoing development,” said Muise. “We want our team to be supported and certified in their respective areas.”

Although many simulation centres operate successfully without formal accreditation, Muise and Siemens emphasize that the process reflects a commitment to continual growth, accountability, and professional excellence.

“For us, it’s about mindset. It’s about wanting to be held to that high standard and knowing we’re knocking it out of the park as a simulation centre, said Muise.”

��ϳԹ� celebrates the achievements of faculty and staff

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 25 May 2026 09:59:00 -0300

Members of the ��ϳԹ� community filled the ��ϳԹ� Performing Arts Centre amphitheatre on May 21, 2026, to celebrate the achievements of their colleagues. During the event, the University Awards of Excellence and Years of Service Awards were presented to faculty, librarians, clinical veterinary professionals, clinical nursing instructors, sessional instructors, and staff members.

Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor, emphasized that all roles across the University are integral to delivering ��ϳԹ�’s mission and for contributing to its success. She said every employee at the University contributes to supporting its academic mission and helping create opportunities for meaningful learning, research, and discovery that can positively impact the world. She added that the University’s greatest strength is its people—staff and faculty who recognize what needs attention and continue to apply their expertise and dedication to ensure the work gets done.

“��ϳԹ� is essential to the Island and to the world. We’re a major economic driver and contributor and more than that, we provide the innovation and the highly educated workforce needed to go out and keep industries moving forward, keeping up with the expectations that change daily,” said Rodgers. “The teachers, the nurses, the health professionals, engineers, business professionals, scientists, historians, and politicians go out there and make their own difference. Also, the artists, musicians and athletes, who are also sometimes the same people, keep the world interesting, beautiful, and competitive. You are ��ϳԹ�. We need you and we need each other. We are grateful for the contributions of every single person. In some way, each and every person in this room benefits from all of the people in this room. Congratulations to today’s honourees!”

Receiving University Awards of Excellence were the following:

Dr. Jeffrey F. Collins, Assistant Professor, Political Science, received the University Teaching Excellence Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to teaching in areas such as teaching effectiveness and innovation, clinical instruction, and scholarship of teaching and learning and educational leadership. An engaging and dedicated educator, Dr. Collins has made an outstanding impact on student learning through his dynamic teaching, innovative approaches, and deep commitment to student success.

Dr. Yulin Hu, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, received the University Research Excellence Award. The award recognizes faculty members for outstanding research and scholarly accomplishments and significant contribution to advancing the University’s national and international reputation for research excellence. Dr. Hu exemplifies excellence in research through her extraordinary scholarly impact, community‑centred innovation, and commitment to developing the next generation of researchers. Through her leadership, innovation, and dedication, she is advancing knowledge and strengthening ��ϳԹ�’s position as a leader in impactful, globally relevant research.

Dr. Caroline Ritter, Canada Research Chair in Socio-Psychological Epidemiology for Healthy Animals, and Assistant Professor, Health Management, received the University Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision for excellence in the supervision, mentorship, and support of graduate students. Dr. Ritter creates a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to explore their ideas, develop their strengths, and grow as scholars and professionals. With a thoughtful and student-centred approach, she balances high expectations with genuine care, guiding each student with patience, insight, and a deep commitment to their success.

Dr. Don Desserud, Chair/Professor, Political Science, received the University Award for Exemplary Service in the faculty category, which is presented to a ��ϳԹ� employee who has demonstrated outstanding service and/or made significant contributions to the University community beyond that normally expected of their position. Throughout his career, Dr. Desserud has demonstrated outstanding and sustained contributions to the ��ϳԹ� community that extend well beyond the expectations of his role. A dedicated scholar and leader, he has served in numerous capacities—including as dean, department chair, and member of both the University’s Senate and Board of Governors—consistently stepping forward to support the institution wherever needed. His willingness to assume additional responsibilities, often at critical moments, reflects a deep commitment to the success and stability of the University and its academic community.

Leslie Cudmore, Research Grants Coordinator, Research Services, received the University Award for Exemplary Service in the staff category. For over 20 years, she has supported faculty, postdocs, and students across all disciplines, guiding them through complex processes with exceptional expertise and care. Her work has helped secure millions of dollars in research funding, coordinate student award processes, and strengthen internal research grant applications—demonstrating sustained, outstanding service, and a deep commitment to the success of others. She is a trusted advisor, tireless advocate, and generous mentor, offering thoughtful guidance, developing impactful workshops, and ensuring fair, transparent, and accessible processes. Whether working late to meet critical deadlines or providing individualized support, she consistently goes above and beyond.

Kylah Hennessey, Career Counsellor, Experiential Education, received the University Award for Support of Student Success Award for making significant contributions to higher education by supporting student success. Through years of dedicated service, Hennessey has made a profound and lasting impact on students across the University community. As the institution’s sole career counsellor, she supports a wide range of undergraduate and graduate students, helping them navigate academic and career decisions with clarity and confidence. Through her holistic and deeply engaged approach, she exemplifies excellence in fostering student success and embodies the very spirit of this award.

Kevin F. MacDonald, Maintenance Repair, Facilities Management, received the University Ambassador Award, presented to a ��ϳԹ� employee who has made a significant positive impact on the University by advancing the strategic priorities of their unit, department, or faculty, or by fostering a sense of excitement on campus and promoting fellowship, goodwill, and belonging within the University community. MacDonald has made a meaningful and lasting impact through his dedication, versatility, and exceptional work ethic. Beginning as an evening painter in 2017, he has steadily expanded his skills to include construction, building maintenance, and seasonal snow removal, consistently stepping up wherever support is needed. He approaches every task with care and professionalism, ensuring work is completed thoroughly and to the highest standard. Through his professionalism, strong character, and positive energy, he advances the work of his unit while strengthening the spirit of the ��ϳԹ� community.

View the event program for the complete list of awards.

Congratulations to all!

��ϳԹ� Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition and Integrated Dietetic Internship programs receive full accreditation until 2031

Melanie Anderson — Fri, 22 May 2026 09:42:32 -0300

The ��ϳԹ� is pleased to announce that its Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition (dietetic stream) and Integrated Dietetic Internship programs recently received full six-year accreditation until December 31, 2031.

The accreditation was awarded by EQual, a program of Accreditation Canada, following a comprehensive two-year review process. The review assessed curriculum, experiential learning, student outcomes, and alignment with national standards for dietetic education.

Students who want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition (Dietetic Stream) degree have two options: they can take all of the courses without an internship, or they can take it with the Integrated Dietetic Internship. Both programs have received accreditation.

“This accreditation reflects the strength of our program and the dedication of our faculty, staff, preceptors, and students,” said Bethany Vessey, Registered Dietitian and Professional Practice Coordinator of the ��ϳԹ� Internship Program. “It ensures that our graduates are well prepared to meet the evolving nutrition and health needs of Islanders and communities across Canada.”

Graduates of ��ϳԹ�’s accredited dietetic program are eligible to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE), a key step toward becoming a registered dietitian in Canada. Dietitians work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, primary care, public health, long-term care, community organizations, and the food industry.

Employment prospects for dietitians remain strong nationwide. According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, demand is particularly high in rural and underserved regions, where employers are offering incentives such as signing bonuses, relocation supports, and access to additional training and professional development opportunities.

Vessey said dietitians are an essential part of the health-care system, supporting the prevention and management of chronic disease and promoting overall health through evidence-based nutrition care. Increased awareness of the profession is important as health systems continue to respond to growing and complex population health needs.

Students in ��ϳԹ�’s Foods and Nutrition programs benefit from a range of financial supports, including provincial and institutional funding opportunities such as the George Coles Bursary, which assists Island students in pursuing post-secondary education.

This accreditation milestone reinforces ��ϳԹ�’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accredited health education and to preparing graduates for meaningful, in-demand careers. Prospective students and academic advisors are encouraged to learn more about the Foods and Nutrition Program’s Dietetic Stream as a pathway into the dietetic profession.

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues–April 2026

Melanie Anderson — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:05:13 -0300

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues continues to be a meaningful way for our community to celebrate one another. Since the program began last August, 219 submissions have highlighted the exceptional work, dedication, and kindness of our colleagues.

Thanks to the ongoing interest and participation, submissions will continue to be featured in upcoming issues of Campus Connector. You can read the submissions for the month of April (organized in alphabetical order) below.

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.

As part of our continued efforts to grow and improve this program, we’ve introduced a new submission form. With this updated process, the colleague being recognized will automatically receive an email notification that they have been recognized and will appear in next month’s Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues issue. For more details on the program, including links to past issues and details about the new submission form, please click here.

Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship Team, Office of the Associate Vice-President, Students
Kudos to the team at the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship—Amy Andrews, Jeremy Heartz, and Reefah Shehnaz—on another amazing MacLauchlan Panther Pitch program and event. The team put a lot of effort and time into preparing and supporting the students in the program and pulled off a super, well-organized event. The quality of students’ entrepreneurial ventures has increased dramatically with this passionate and knowledgeable team supporting them! Well done!

Shara Dianne Clow, Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research
Shara always brings such a positive and upbeat attitude to everything she does and is so patient with answering questions, even when they are repetitive. It is always a pleasure to work with her!

Susan Fitzky, Department of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights
Susan has worked diligently over the last few weeks to implement a new solution for her office to manage information related to human rights-related complaints on campus. Susan is an extremely quick learner. She has embraced new tools and technologies with enthusiasm to meet her office’s commitments to the ��ϳԹ� Action Plan in a manner that complies with privacy requirements and positions it to effectively manage and report on human rights-related issues on campus. She has also been an absolute pleasure to work with while doing so.

Accessibility Services Team, Office of the Associate Vice-President, Students
A HUGE congratulations and job well done to the Accessibility Services staff on a successful final exam period. With over 1,050 exams coordinated and executed over the final exam period, the group’s dedication to support students and each other is greatly appreciated by all who interact with their department. They are all wonderful examples of student-centred staff who come into work each day with smiles on their faces, and commitment to student success. Well done, Sandra, Ashlee, Amanda, Andrea, Jaclyn, Nooshin and the army of student assistants and volunteers!

Alicia MacEachern, Faculty of Medicine
Alicia is the glue that holds the Strategic Priorities and Policy Development Unit at the ��ϳԹ� Faculty of Medicine together. She is bright, kind, helpful, and very detail-oriented. As our administrative assistant, she comes to work with a smile on her face and a goal of making every day better for those around her. I am happy to say she achieves this goal daily. No matter what the request, Alicia carries herself with grace and compassion and always has an eagerness to help others. She handles multiple requests from multiple partners in this unit and across the Faculty. It is a pleasure to recognize Alicia for her excellent contributions to this team, and an even greater pleasure to work with her every day.–Rebecca Gill

Dr. Donna Hardy Cox and Megan MacLean, Office of the Associate Vice-President, Students
Please recognize the amazing work of Dr. Donna Hardy Cox and Megan MacLean. They are both strong, smart, hardworking, and kind women who are excelling in leadership roles. Donna has taken on the temporary Vice-President, Academic and Research role, and Megan has been temporarily helping with AVPS tasks in addition to her permanent role. They are doing a great job at these very busy and complex roles! They are both strong advocates for student issues, as well as the staff members who report to them. ��ϳԹ� is lucky to have them both!

Megan Ratchford, Melanie Peters, and Jane MacIsaac
Please recognize the amazing work of Megan Ratchford, Melanie Peters, and Jane MacIsaac! They and all the admins on this campus do an amazing job of balancing very busy and complex roles. These three admins are always willing to help other admins, staff, faculty, and students. Most of us don't know how they handle all that they do. ��ϳԹ� is lucky to have them!

Jolene Rolle, Office of the Associate Vice-President, Students
Please recognize the wonderful work that Jolene Rolle does as the coordinator of the Mawi’omi Indigenous Student Centre! She works so hard to create a welcoming environment for students; run interesting, inclusive, and culturally important events; and build relationships across the ��ϳԹ� campus and around PEI. She makes a real difference in the lives of Indigenous and other students at ��ϳԹ�!

��ϳԹ� extends condolences upon the passing of honorary degree recipient Robert K. Irving

Nicole Phillips — Wed, 20 May 2026 11:03:43 -0300

The ��ϳԹ� community was saddened to learn of the passing of Robert K. Irving, LLD, on Tuesday, May 19, at his home in Moncton, New Brunswick, after a courageous battle with cancer. ��ϳԹ� extends deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

In 2014, ��ϳԹ� awarded him a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, in recognition of his business leadership, philanthropy, and contributions to the community in various sectors.

Dr. Irving was a well-known Canadian industrialist and Co-Chief Executive Officer of J.D. Irving, Limited, responsible for several businesses within the Irving Group of Companies including consumer products in tissue and diapers, frozen food processing, transportation, and courier services, as well as industrial human resource services.

He was also president of Cavendish Farms, PEI’s largest private-sector employer and North America’s fourth largest producer of frozen potato products, and he owned the Moncton Wildcats team, which plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Highly involved in the community, Dr. Irving supported a wide variety of youth education and literacy programs and was also an active fundraiser and champion for community health and development. In recognition of his vast contributions, he received the “Builder of Youth Lifetime Achievement” award from the Boys & Girls Club of Moncton (2011); was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Clubs of Greater Moncton (2014); and received the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick’s Champion of Literacy Award (2016) and the rare centennial Paul Harris Fellowship Award (2020). He was inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame and the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame and will be inducted posthumously into the PEI Business Hall of Fame on May 21.

In 2021, J.D. Irving, Limited donated $2.5 million to the Canadian Cancer Society to establish the Excellence in Cancer Research Fund, affirming the company’s and Dr. Irving’s longstanding commitment to invest in research in Atlantic Canada.

Dr. Suzanne Kresta, Dean of Sustainable Design Engineering at ��ϳԹ�, said, “Dr. Irving’s support of a transformative gift to the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering in 2017 laid the foundations for outstanding and leading research in agriculture and potato processing by our two Cavendish Research Chairs, Drs. Aitazaz Farooque and Senthilkumar Thiruppathi. This contribution also supports our many design clinic projects, which bring young engineering students into direct contact with the business culture at Cavendish Farms and other Irving enterprises.”

The gift from Cavendish Farms also provides funding to the Faculty’s Engineering Success Centre, which was a key factor in 10 per cent of the FSDE student body qualifying for the national Canadian Engineering Competition this past year. These students returned home with three first place finishes across the eight competitions at the event.

Dr. Thiruppathi, Assistant Professor and Cavendish Farms Research Chair in Sustainable Food Automation, added, “I would like to express my sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Irving. His vision and leadership, along with his strong belief in industry–academia collaboration, have had a lasting impact on engineering research at ��ϳԹ�.

“With the support and continued commitment of the Irving family, my research program has grown into a very active and productive effort, enabling meaningful applied research in potato storage and processing. His legacy will continue through the strength of the research programs, partnerships, and people he supported. He will be deeply missed.”

The official obituary released by J.D. Irving, Limited, can be read here. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

��ϳԹ� celebrates signing of new collective agreement with IBEW Local 1928

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 19 May 2026 11:47:52 -0300

The ��ϳԹ� (��ϳԹ�) marked an important milestone on Monday, April 27, 2026, with a special event held to celebrate successful negotiations and the signing of a new collective agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1928.

IBEW Local 1928 represents utility workers, maintenance repairmen, electricians, and service workers at ��ϳԹ�. University leaders and union representatives and members gathered to acknowledge the positive impact the renewed agreement will have on employees and the broader campus community, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative workplace.

Dr. Jane Ngobia, ��ϳԹ� Vice-President, People and Culture, opened the celebration, expressing her gratitude to the union members and the bargaining teams involved.

“Signing this agreement today that stipulates how we shall work together, it occurred to me that we are truly Treaty people. We are signing to work in peace, friendship, honour, and respect because that’s who we are,” said Dr. Ngobia. “On behalf of the University, I want to extend my sincere thanks to IBEW members and the bargaining teams for a positive, cordial, and respectful process.”

In thanking the union members for everything they do for the campus community and all they have accomplished, Dr. Ngobia shared that their contributions matter and the impact that they have on students and others is significant and lasting.

Jim Sponagle, IBEW Local 1928 Business Manager, said that this was the first signing of its kind between ��ϳԹ� and IBEW Local 1928 in more than 11 years, and he credited Dr. Ngobia for helping bring the agreement together.

Sponagle expressed appreciation to the ��ϳԹ� senior administrative team, ��ϳԹ� Human Resources, and both negotiating teams, emphasizing that all parties approached the process with clear mandates and a shared understanding of what needed to be accomplished. He highlighted the speed of the negotiations—completed in less than two days—as particularly impressive. He described the outcome as a strong collective agreement.

Todd MacInnis, IBEW Agent, shared that he had been in involved in several collective agreements, and this is the first time there has been a ceremony for the occasion.

“This celebration is excellent and so great to see, and I thank you all for being here,” he said. “It was also great to see such a respectful negotiation process. Every part of it was very open and honest, and there was good communication on everything that we needed to discuss. It was very refreshing.”

Kelly Drummond, Associate Vice-President Human Resources, echoed that sentiment, saying that, as a member of the ��ϳԹ� bargaining team, working with the IBEW team through the process was a positive experience. She thanked both teams and acknowledged other union members in attendance for supporting their colleagues and coming to celebrate together in unity.

��ϳԹ� Spring-into-Wellness Challenge, Wellness Check, and Fitness Open House!

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 19 May 2026 11:05:12 -0300

The ��ϳԹ� Spring-into-Wellness Challenge is designed exclusively for ��ϳԹ� staff and faculty to prioritize well-being through fun, themed, daily activities. This exciting four-week individual challenge starts on Monday, May 25, and ends on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

Each week, registered participants are sent a form outlining the associated wellness activities for the week under a daily theme. Participants are encouraged to complete at least one activity per day related to the themes of wellness for that day and then submit their completed wellness activities form by noon the following Monday. These activities will correlate with the themes of:

Mindful Mondays
Tasty Tuesdays
Wellness Wednesdays
Thoughtful Thursdays
Fitness Fridays

Participants who submit their forms will be entered into a Weekly Draw of a gift bag valued at over $50. At the end of the challenge, all participants will be entered in a Grand Prize Draw (valued at approximately $500) for either a Mysa Nordic Spa and Resort package (one-night accommodations and two Thermal Spa passes) OR a Mill River Resort Golf package (one night stay for two people and two rounds of golf per person)—winner’s choice!

For detailed information and to register, please visit Spring-into-Wellness Challenge.

Coffee Break and Wellness Check: Take a moment for yourself to visit a couple of wellness booths and enjoy a coffee break with colleagues on Wednesday, May 27 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre. Coffee, tea and snacks provided and there will be draws for door prizes!

��ϳԹ� Panthers: Move More @ Lunch: ALL ��ϳԹ� staff and faculty have free access to the Fitness Centre on the second floor of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre from June 9–11 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. No registration is required and there will be demonstrations and draw prizes for those who attend!

(Note: ��ϳԹ� staff and faculty do not have to be registered for the Spring-into-Wellness Challenge to take part in the Wellness Check or Open House sessions).

These events are brought to you by the ��ϳԹ� Healthy Campus Committee and ��ϳԹ� Athletics and Recreation. For any questions, contact Angela Marchbank, ��ϳԹ� Fitness and Wellness Coordinator at amarchbank@upei.ca.

We hope you can participate and good luck!

��ϳԹ� Convocation 2026 honours determination and accomplishment

Melanie Anderson — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:20:14 -0300

The ��ϳԹ� was filled with excitement and celebration this past week as more than 1,300 members of the Class of 2026 crossed the stage to receive their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The Convocation ceremonies took place in the ��ϳԹ� Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on May 12 for graduates of the faculties of Nursing and Veterinary Medicine (Atlantic Veterinary College); May 13 for the McDougall Faculty of Business and Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering; May 14 for the faculties of Arts and Education; and May 15 for the Faculty of Science.

In her remarks to the graduates, Hon. Diane Griffin, ��ϳԹ� Chancellor, who presided over the ceremonies, acknowledged that the graduates embarked on their education journey during some of the most turbulent years in recent history.

“With geo-political upheaval around the globe, climate change impacting so many facets of society, the advent and growth of new technology like AI…here you are, after weathering so much uncertainty, and you are graduating from ��ϳԹ�. You have persevered through the disruption, and you made it,” said Griffin. “You have all had people who helped you achieve your goal of being at this Convocation today, whether they be parents, professors or other mentors, but it is your own effort that got you across the finish line. This enables you to join our ��ϳԹ� alumni who now exceed over 30,000 graduates of this University.”

Receiving honorary degrees during Convocation Week were Mark Arendz, one of Canada’s most accomplished Paralympic athletes, community leader, and youth sports advocate; Ron Keefe, lawyer, entrepreneur, mentor, and philanthropist; Hazel Robinson, teacher, community leader, volunteer, philanthropist, and proud ��ϳԹ� alumna; and the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, one of Canada’s longest serving federal politicians and passionate driver of economic and community development on PEI.

Conferred with the title of Professor Emeritus on May 12 were Dr. Michael Cockram and Dr. Gregory Keefe, retired Faculty of Veterinary Medicine professors; and on May 14, Dr. Richard Lemm and Dr. Henry Srebrnik, retired Faculty of Arts professors. On May 15, Faculty of Science professor Dr. H. Carolyn Peach Brown, who will retire later this year, was granted the designation of Professor Emerita.

The valedictorians were Andrew Clow, Faculty of Nursing (May 12); Luciana Quiroa Parades, McDougall Faculty of Business (May 13); Grace McQuaid, Faculty of Arts (May 14); and Songobele Mulenga, Faculty of Science (May 15).

Each of the four valedictorians spoke about the challenges, growth and resilience that shaped the graduates’ journeys at ��ϳԹ�. They expressed deep gratitude for professors, friends, and family support systems, and celebrated perseverance, discipline, and the quiet determination that carried students through the difficult moments that eventually led them to success.

During the May 13 ceremony, valedictorian Luciana Quiroa Parades, McDougall Faculty of Business, reminded fellow graduates that determination and commitment brought them to graduation.

“What carried us through was not luck. It was discipline. It was choosing, on the hard days, to keep going. To continue, when giving up would have been so much easier. That kind of quiet, steady perseverance—the kind that nobody sees but you—is not a small thing. It is everything,” she said. “My fellow graduates, what a privilege it has been to walk this road beside you. We came as strangers from different corners of the world—from small towns and big cities, from islands and mountains. We arrived speaking different languages, carrying different traditions, holding different dreams. And we leave as something far more meaningful than strangers. We leave as proof that it is possible. Congratulations, Class of 2026!”

Among numerous highlights during Convocation 2026, 20 students across various faculties and programs graduated with a minor in Indigenous Studies—the largest number to do so since the minor was first offered in 2022.

During the Convocation ceremony on May 13, Dr. Hassan Afzaal, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, was awarded the Governor General Medal (Graduate) and the Faculty of Graduate Studies Award of Distinction as well as his doctoral degree. Bachelor of Science with Honours graduate Alexander Trainor was awarded the Governor General’s Medal (Undergraduate) on May 15. Click here to see the complete list of prizes awarded during Convocation Week.

Tentative agreement reached with CUPE 1870

Nicole Phillips — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:35:38 -0300

The following statement was also issued to ��ϳԹ� faculty and staff by email on May 14, 2026.

��ϳԹ� has reached a tentative agreement with CUPE 1870, following 3.5 days of negotiations this week. We want to thank both bargaining teams for their work to reach a timely agreement, and their professionalism and mutual respect throughout the process.

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by both parties. Once ratified, it will form the new collective agreement between ��ϳԹ� and CUPE 1870.

��ϳԹ� remains committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment for all members of our campus community, and we look forward to continuing our work together.

Details on our collective bargaining approach and agreements can be found on our website: Collective Bargaining.

Updates will continue to be shared with the ��ϳԹ� community as the ratification process moves forward.

Negotiations commence with CUPE 1870

Nicole Phillips — Mon, 11 May 2026 13:12:03 -0300

��ϳԹ� begins negotiations today towards a new collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees 1870 (CUPE 1870). Meetings are scheduled to take place from May 11–15.

We will continue to share updates throughout the collective bargaining process. For more information, please visit ��ϳԹ�’s Labour Relations web page.

��ϳԹ� engineering student Ethan Drake receives Frank Saunders Memorial Award for Nuclear Excellence

Melanie Anderson — Fri, 08 May 2026 06:51:32 -0300

Ethan Drake, ��ϳԹ� Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) student, was among five post-secondary students honoured on April 29, 2026, with a Frank Saunders Memorial Award for Nuclear Excellence at this year’s Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) Conference by the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) and Bruce Power.

Established in memory of Frank Saunders in 2025, the awards celebrate emerging talent in the nuclear sector and encourage the next generation of innovators. Saunders, a respected industry leader, was the founding President of NII, a long-time executive at Bruce Power, and a chair of the Canadian Nuclear Association. He was known for his commitment to nuclear innovation, mentorship and education. He passed away in July 2020, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and deep dedication to the advancement of nuclear science. For more information, see the full release by the Nuclear Innovation Institute.

Drake was selected for the award as one of the top five essayists for their insightful analysis of Canada’s path toward large-scale nuclear energy deployment by 2050. Their essay demonstrated a deep understanding of the complex policy, regulatory, and financial frameworks required to expand nuclear energy sustainably and safely. Combining strong research with forward-thinking recommendations, Drake proposed practical reforms to align national energy goals with environmental and economic priorities. The clarity, originality, and depth of their argument distinguished their submission among over one hundred essays from across the country.

Drake is known for their strong communication skills, leadership, and academic achievement. They have demonstrated excellence in engineering competitions, earning a third-place finish in the communications category at the 2026 Atlantic Engineering Competition alongside teammate Nathan Belanger, which helped ��ϳԹ� secure an impressive share of top placements across the region.

In addition to their competition success, Drake has been recognized for academic excellence, receiving the Allan Curran Engineering Award in March 2025, which highlights outstanding performance and commitment within the program. Their involvement in the ��ϳԹ� engineering community also extends to student leadership, serving as Vice-President Advocacy with the ��ϳԹ� Engineering Society and as the engineering representative for the ��ϳԹ� Student Union during the 2024-25 academic year. They also served as the Engineering Society VP External during the 2025-26 academic year.

With a growing record of achievements in both academics and extracurricular leadership, Drake is an emerging talent in sustainable design engineering and a strong representative of ��ϳԹ�’s collaborative, hands-on engineering program.

“On behalf of ��ϳԹ�, I congratulate Ethan on receiving the Frank Saunders Memorial Award for Nuclear Excellence,” said Dr. Donna Hardy Cox, interim Vice-President, Academic and Research. “This honour reflects their strong academic performance, leadership, and commitment to innovation. We are proud to see Ethan recognized among Canada’s emerging leaders in the nuclear sector.”

Congratulations, Ethan!

L.M. Montgomery Institute issues new publication to coincide with Canadian Mental Health Week

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 05 May 2026 10:02:33 -0300

The L.M. Montgomery Institute has published a new online publication titled A Celebration of Montgomery’s Legacy: Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies Mental Health Collection Revisited to coincide with Canadian Mental Health Week, which takes place from May 4–10, 2026.

Authored by Montgomery scholars Drs. Lesley Clement, Rita Bode, and Margaret Steffler, this collection revisits the L.M. Montgomery and Mental Health Collection, published between 2022 and 2025 in the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies (JLMMS). In late 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jean Mitchell, professor of anthropology at ��ϳԹ�, and Clement, an independent Montgomery scholar, issued a call for submissions for a publication on the topic of "L.M. Montgomery and mental health." Out of that call came eight creative pieces and scholarly papers that comprise the L.M. Montgomery and Mental Health Collection.

A Celebration of Montgomery’s Legacy: Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies Mental Health Collection Revisited profiles those eight pieces and the research that occurred before and after their publication. The authors explore how Montgomery’s life, works, and adaptations have supported mental well-being in times of turbulence and calm, and crisis and peace. From motivation and inspiration to new ways of rethinking mental health, the pieces highlight the enduring impact of her stories.

“Montgomery’s works often reflect early twentieth-century attitudes toward mental health, sometimes challenging them, questioning societal measures of well-being, and highlighting the importance of equitable access to resources and support,” says Clement. “Her life reminds us that self-worth and meaningful connection remain central to mental health.”

In the collection, the authors identified three key areas of often overlapping exploration: “Gender, Sex, and Sexuality,” which lays the foundation of relevant and important changes society was undergoing that called into question suppositions about mental health; sources of “Loss and Trauma”; and changes that society was undergoing and how these changes affected “Therapies and Healing Practices.” These topics are explored in the final section, which revisits the “Eight Reflections on Montgomery and Mental Health: Montgomery’s Legacy” in the JLMMS collection.

The theme for this year’s Canadian Mental Health Week is “Come Together, Canada,” a call to spark the everyday social connections that are essential to strengthen mental health, build healthier communities, and help more people feel connected.

“As always, Montgomery looks back through her present to the future, and one staple that always emerges as integral to mental health is a sense of self-worth and meaningful connection,” says Clement. “Montgomery was truly a woman of her own time and of our time. The theme for the CMHA’s Mental Health Week 2026 is one that Montgomery understood well.”

��ϳԹ� kicks off Robertson Library renovations

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 05 May 2026 09:53:16 -0300

When patrons walk into the Robertson Library’s lobby this fall, they will see a more welcoming space with new flooring, lighting, furniture, paint, millwork, stair banister, and signage, and renovated bathroom facilities.

About 80 people gathered in the lobby of the ��ϳԹ� Robertson Library on May 1 to kick off the first phase of a renovation project designed to transform the building into a more modern, accessible, and inspiring space that will enrich the experience of students, faculty, and community members who rely on it as a vital hub for learning, research, and connection.

Because of the generous support of donors to the Robertson Library’s $15-million “Love our Library” Revitalization Campaign, phase one of the renovations began on Monday, May 4, 2026, and will continue through the second half of August. In this stage, the lobby will be renovated, and the University Archives and Special Collections unit renovated and expanded. To date, over $6.2 million has been raised for the renovations.

Present at the event were representatives of the Saint Dunstan’s University (SDU) Board of Governors, which donated $1,050,000 to the project. In recognition of the board’s generosity, the lobby will be named the SDU Lobby.

Dr. Donna Hardy-Cox, Interim Vice-President, Academic and Research, thanked donors for supporting the Library, saying that through their contributions, they are making a statement of belief in the University, its students and faculty, and in the enduring value of knowledge.

She noted that the University library has always been a place where students go to find knowledge, quiet study spaces, and assistance. Libraries have changed dramatically over the years, but “the heart of the library has not changed. It remains a knowledge centre: a place of discovery, study, and for some a place where they have met a life partner and best friends.”

Dr. Svetlana Kochkina, University Librarian, said the project represents not only physical renewal but also a renewed commitment to learning, research, preservation, and community.

“Libraries have always been places of connection—between people and ideas, past and future, scholarship and discovery,” she said. “Our redesigned lobby will become a more welcoming, accessible, and vibrant space: one that better reflects the central role the library plays in the life of the University. At the same time, the new facility for Archives and Special Collections will provide the proper environmental controls, security, and infrastructure needed to preserve our most valuable and unique materials, while expanding access for researchers and students.”

She also thanked the donors to the Love our Library campaign for their support, saying that their contributions have made this project possible in its entirety, and their confidence in the mission of the library has been transformative.

“You believed in the library—not just as a building, but as a living institution that supports academic excellence, stewardship of knowledge, and shared cultural memory. This renovation is the direct result of that belief. It is a direct testament to your vision and commitment…. Your partnership lays the foundation for the future transformation of this entire library into a bright, welcoming space for our students and researchers!”

She also praised the library staff for their professionalism, creativity, and resilience in finding ways to ensure continuity of service for users during the renovation.

George Morrison, Executive Director of the SDU Board of Governors, said the board is “more than happy” to contribute to the project. He noted that the board has supported ��ϳԹ� over the past 20 years to the tune of $3,550,000.

��ϳԹ� student representative Noah Mannholland said the library is essential to students’ education, but it is also a safe and supportive place where they can find help with their academic studies and their physical and mental wellness.

Peter Doiron, ��ϳԹ� Facilities Management and an alumnus, said Architects 4 and East Point, the architectural firms involved in the renovation of the lobby and the renovation and expansion of the University Archives and Special Collections unit respectively, have been great to work with.

Doiron added that the project has personal significance for him. When the Robertson Library opened in 1975, his father, Ken Doiron, was among the students and faculty who formed a human chain to move the books from the old library in Kelley Memorial Building to the new building.

To learn how the Robertson Library will function during the renovation period, visit https://libraryupei.ca/renovations-2026

��ϳԹ� nurse practitioner graduate excited about new role in health care

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 05 May 2026 09:17:37 -0300

Calvin Murray has been interested in the health-care profession since he was a child growing up in Elmsdale, PEI. He graduated from ��ϳԹ� with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 2021 and has worked as a registered nurse at the Western Hospital in Alberton ever since.

He worked briefly in the hospital’s in-patient unit after graduation and then transitioned to the emergency department (ER). For the past year and a half, he has worked as a nurse educator primarily for the ER, doing new staff orientation and managing best practices, which includes interacting with quality assurance teams, ensuring accreditation standards are met, and facilitating and providing education for staff.

During his time in the emergency department, he has seen many people who do not have a primary care provider or have difficulty accessing care. While he loved the work he was doing as a registered nurse, he decided that he wanted to do more, so he came back to ��ϳԹ� to become a nurse practitioner and complete a Master of Nursing degree.

Murray will graduate on May 12 as one of 11 newly minted nurse practitioners—the largest class to graduate from ��ϳԹ� to date. Ten of the 11 graduates, including Murray, have been hired by Health PEI. They will join health care teams across the province, starting in May and June. Seven will work in primary care settings in Charlottetown, Summerside, and Montague, helping more patients and families access timely, team-based care closer to home. The other three will serve in specialty nurse practitioner roles, expanding clinical expertise and strengthening support in key areas across the Island, which includes pediatric care, emergency care and a specialty care service.

After he writes his licensing exam in May, he will start his new position as a nurse practitioner at Western Hospital—only the second to work in that facility. To start, he will work with Peggy Buote, the nurse practitioner already in place at the hospital.

Murray is excited about this new chapter in his career in health care. As a nurse practitioner, he will work collaboratively with primary health care providers to give residents in West Prince the care they need.

“I want to be there for people when they are having a hard time,” he said, “You’re not generally going to see anyone in health care in any setting on your best day. There have been times when it’s been difficult for me and my family. It’s even rewarding to be able to support someone else, knowing how much it meant to me then.”

Nurse practitioners are increasingly playing a crucial role in expanding access to primary health care on PEI, said Dr. Gail Macartney, an associate professor in the ��ϳԹ� Faculty of Nursing and Medicine and a nurse practitioner herself.

“Nurse practitioners can independently assess, diagnose, and manage health conditions for individuals and families across the lifespan,” said Macartney. “They are an integral part of the collaborative health team providing care across a variety of settings.”

��ϳԹ� business start-up winners announced at annual MacLauchlan Panther Pitch Competition

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 05 May 2026 09:02:03 -0300

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 15 ��ϳԹ� student teams presented their business concepts to a live audience, competing for a share of $75,000 in prize money at the annual MacLauchlan Panther Pitch Competition.

The competition for entrepreneurial undergraduate and graduate students is coordinated each year by ��ϳԹ�’s Student Entrepreneurship Hub and is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program. Over the past five years, the program has awarded $300,000 in funding to student ventures at ��ϳԹ�. This year saw participation grow to 110 students representing 52 ventures, compared to 71 students and 29 ventures in 2025.

“The MacLauchlan Panther Pitch provides students with practical entrepreneurial skills through workshops and mentorship that extend well beyond graduation,” said Amy Andrews, manager of entrepreneurship at ��ϳԹ�. “Participants identified real-world challenges and developed innovative solutions to address them. Thanks to the support of the MacLauchlan family, these emerging entrepreneurs are better equipped to navigate early-stage obstacles and move forward with confidence on their path to success.”

For the two months leading up to the final event, participants took part in workshops, networking events, and coaching sessions to prepare them for the written and pitching portions of the program.

To mark the program’s fifth anniversary, a new stream, “Aspire,” was introduced. Open to first- and second-year ��ϳԹ� undergraduate students, Aspire provided an opportunity to present business ideas, concepts, and ventures, with $6,000 in prize funding available.

The program’s primary stream, “Accelerate,” was geared toward third- and fourth-year undergraduate and graduate students at ��ϳԹ�, who competed for the remaining $69,000.

The Aspire stream featured 16 students representing 10 ventures. From this group, seven students across six ventures were selected as finalists for the Panther Pitch.

The top three winning companies in the Aspire stream are as follows:

Aspire First Place: Yeo’s Painting Co., $3,000 (Will Yeo)
Yeo’s Painting Co. is a one-stop shop solution for exterior and interior home finishing services, including pressure washing, exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, deck staining, and gutter cleaning. Pitch funding awarded: $2,500, Dynamic Pitch Delivery Pitching Award: $500

Aspire Second Place: LazyDay Eats, $1,750.00 (Oghenevoke “Voke” Iyomi)
LazyDay Eats is a meal app that eliminates the decision fatigue standing between exhausted users and a home-cooked meal. Users select their current energy level, scan their fridge with one photo, add in any optional preferences or restrictions, and receive one perfectly matched recipe in under a minute. Pitch funding awarded: $1,250, Q&A Specialist Award: $500

Aspire Third Place: Think Green, $1,250 (Ilakiza Jackson)
THINK GREEN addresses a growing reality in Tanzania where plastic waste, deforestation, and unsafe environments have become part of daily life. Through school eco-clubs, community cleanups and tree planting, youth-led initiatives, and a growing digital platform for engagement and impact tracking, the organization makes environmental action simple, measurable, and engaging. Pitch funding awarded: $750, Most Effective Slide Deck Award: $500

In the Accelerate stream, 94 students, representing 42 ventures, participated. From this group, 23 students with nine ventures were selected to present at the Panther Pitch.

The winners of the written and pitching awards are as follows:

Accelerate First Place: LimbRise, $27,000 (Richard Hetherington, Noor Abdelhamid, and Elijah Dodd)
LimbRise is the developer of RevoStep, the world’s first hands-free crutch designed for non-weight-bearing knee injuries, offering a safer and more practical alternative to traditional crutches. RevoStep helps users return to work up to four weeks earlier, saving more than $2,000 in lost income; reduces physiotherapy demand from reduced muscle loss; and replaces the costly combination of crutches and knee braces with one affordable device. Pitch funding awarded: $22,000, Most Innovative Written Award: $2,500, Positive Impact Written Award: $2,500

LimbRise was awarded the largest single prize in the competition’s history, and their success extends well beyond this competition. The venture achieved a perfect score of 100/100 at the Atlantic Engineering Competition and went on to win the Innovative Design category at the Canadian Engineering Competition, outperforming more than 200 engineering students from across the country. They were also selected as finalists in the Canadian division of the Hult Prize, a prestigious international competition.

This summer, the team will travel to Boston and Germany, two global hubs for medical technology, to attend conferences, connect with investors, and further expand their presence in the international med-tech sector.

Accelerate Second Place: WAVE, $9,500 (Wangwei Han & Claire Dejong)
WAVE designs and manufactures premium direct-to-consumer streetwear, with a focus on creating high-quality apparel that resonates with the digital era. WAVE doesn’t just sell clothes; they have built a brand that connects with their audience. In the past two years, WAVE has shipped over 1,600 orders and generated $268,000 in revenue. Pitch funding awarded: $7,500, Dynamic Pitch Delivery Award: $2,000

Accelerate Third Place: Avoxify, $8,500 (Ilyas Aderbaz)
Avoxify is an AI front-office infrastructure platform that helps service businesses capture more revenue by answering calls, qualifying leads, and automating follow-up 24/7. It is deployed across industries such as construction, med spas, clinics, hospitality groups, and automotive businesses. By replacing missed calls and inconsistent response times with an intelligent, human-sounding voice and workflow automation, Avoxify turns customer interactions into structured, scalable systems that drive measurable growth. Pitch Funding Awarded: $7,500, Scalability Excellence Written Award (second place): $1,000

Accelerate Fourth Place: AquaPath AI, $7,500 (Jonathan Zul Luna, Camille Cortes Neri, Ana Kwon, and Daniel Alejandro Lopez Landaverde)
AquaPath AI is a B2B diagnostic platform that automates the detection of MSX disease in eastern oysters using a novel cascading AI architecture. By pre-screening whole slide images and generating explainable, text-based clinical reports, pathology review time is reduced, which helps to address a critical labour shortage in aquaculture health. Developed in collaboration with the Atlantic Veterinary College, this solution leverages a proprietary dataset to provide a commercially viable, biologically validated triage tool for high-volume diagnostic labs with a focus on explainability and transparency. Pitch Funding Awarded: $3,000, Scalability Excellence Written Award (first place): $2,500, Most Innovative Written Award (second place): $1,000, Best Financial Written Award (second place): $1,000

Accelerate Fifth Place: Prommmt, $7,500 (Oluwatobi Oriade)
Prommmt is an AI-powered creative platform that replaces the entire fragmented workflow with one system. Brands upload their guidelines and campaign goals, and Prommmt generates images, video, and copy—all on-brand, in one place—with collaboration, approvals, and analytics built in. Prommmt was originally built for Oriade’s own marketing agency, reducing their own campaign production time by 50 per cent. Pitch Funding Awarded: $5,500, Most Effective Slide Deck Award: $2,000

Accelerate Sixth Place: Second Circle Collective, $3,500 (Kristen Perry)
Second Circle Collective is built on three pillars: Borrow, Mend, Preserve. Second Circle Collective is a membership-based clothing library and textile recycling centre; members gain access to a curated library of quality second hand garments that they can borrow, exchange weekly, mend, and purchase, while also supporting young PEI creatives access recycled materials, tools, and education. Best Financial Plan Written Award (first place): $2,500, Positive Impact Written Award (second place): $1,000

Accelerate Seventh Place: TurtleProof, $2,500 (Arin Thapa)
TurtleProof is a mobile-friendly web platform focused on improving how student housing decisions are made. With its landlord-focused revenue model, TurtleProof reviews and standardizes listings before they reach renters, while also streamlining the evaluation process of inquiries and applications received. Best Market Research Written Award (first place): $2,500

Accelerate Eighth Place: Spendary, $2,000 (Wanhar Aziz, Mohammed Sahm, Louis Lee, Caitlyn Sallavo, and Temi Adisa)
Spendary is a comprehensive financial literacy platform that automatically analyzes and categorizes expenses from bank statements and receipts, with optional secure bank account syncing. It empowers users to track spending, identify subscriptions, and generate professional financial reports tailored for banks, lenders, and landlords. Q&A Specialist Award: $2,000

Accelerate Ninth Place: TechLend, $1,000 (Daniel Odoom & Tomiwa Ayomide Adebowale)
When devices fail, individuals and organizations experience immediate disruptions, with no reliable short-term solutions available. TechLend addresses the problem by offering affordable, flexible, on-demand short-term access to essential devices through smart lockers that provide 24/7 self-service access. Best Market Research Written Award (second place): $1,000

The Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program is dedicated to the development of students having an entrepreneurial outlook who will create and lead new ventures on PEI. Harry W. MacLauchlan (1926–2002) combined his entrepreneurial initiative, work ethic, business judgment, and people skills, with a deep commitment to his family, community, and province. The MacLauchlan family endowed this award to help advance and encourage entrepreneurial students at ��ϳԹ� to build innovative ventures that will grow and benefit Prince Edward Island communities.

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues—March 2026, Issue 2

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:52:09 -0300

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues continues to be a meaningful way for our community to celebrate one another. To date, 211 submissions have highlighted the exceptional work, dedication, and kindness of our colleagues.

Thanks to the ongoing interest and participation, submissions will continue to be featured in upcoming issues of Campus Connector. You can read the second set of submissions for March, 2026 (organized in alphabetical order) below.

Roxanne Johnston, Engineering

I’d like to recognize Roxanne for her outstanding expertise. Roxanne's deep knowledge of administrative processes, exceptional attention to detail, and impeccable record-keeping have been invaluable to our team. She has also been an incredible support during the onboarding of the newer staff members. Thank you for consistently going above and beyond; you truly make a difference.

Donna Lawless, VP Academic & Research
Wonderful co-worker who consistently contributes to a positive and productive work environment. She approaches responsibilities with professionalism, reliability, and a sense of accountability. When tasks need to be completed, she follows through on commitments and maintains a high standard of quality in her work. It's a pleasure working with Donna.

Marla MacDonald, Faculty of Medicine
Marla recently ran a 4-workshop series for graduate students on building resilience. The care and kindness that she brought to this workshop series created a safe space for vulnerability, and an important feeling of being supported and cared for. Marla went out of her way and beyond the typical confines of her role to develop and deliver this series, and it was immensely appreciated.

Synthia MacEachern, Music
Syndi has worked diligently to create alignment between the Faculty of Education and the Department of Music for the Music Ed students. Her advocacy and support for these students are noticed and appreciated. They are lucky to have you in their corner!

Amanda MacGregor, Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Amanda is crucial to the success of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH). She is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) who wears many different hats and remains steadfastly committed to gold standard patient care, to the success of her colleagues and to the longevity of the VTH as a whole. Amanda embodies the sentiment of teamwork we strive to promote at the VTH. She is a true joy to work with, and we are lucky to have a technician with her skills. – Marina John

Roland MacSwain, Facilities Management
Rollie is the hardest worker on the maintenance team. He is a role model for all the younger maintenance crew. He puts everything into his work every day. Rollie goes the extra mile for the students to make them feel at home.

Nora Mallett, Student Health Centre
Nora is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at the ��ϳԹ� Health and Wellness Centre. She is always willing to lend a hand, is kind and gentle and a great baker! She works hard to contribute positively to the morale at the Health and Wellness Centre and we are lucky to have her.

Kristine Martin, Animal Resources
I would like to recognize Kristine Martin for her consistent willingness to support multiple departments, always stepping in with a genuine desire to do what is right. She demonstrates exceptional adaptability, readily learning new skills and seamlessly transitioning between aquatics, small animal, and large animal areas as needed. Most notably, her outstanding care and compassion for the animals in all facilities reflect a deep sense of responsibility and respect for their well-being. We are lucky to have her here at AVC!

Cheryl Ramsay, Facilities Management
Cheryl is a cherished and dedicated colleague who works hard to keep the library clean daily. The library building has its quirks, but she is diligent in keeping our building looking good - from our offices to bathrooms and study rooms. Thanks for all you do in keeping our building hospitable for students, faculty, and staff! – Kimberly Mears

James Sentance, Economics
I would like to recognize Jim Sentance for the support and guidance he provided when I joined ��ϳԹ�. As Chair of the Department of Economics at the time, Jim consistently made himself available and offered all the support he could to help me navigate my early years at the university. His willingness to share his experience, answer questions, and provide encouragement made a meaningful difference in my transition and development as a faculty member. Having colleagues like Jim at ��ϳԹ�, who are generous with their time and support, truly makes a difference in the workplace. In addition, Jim is highly involved at both the university and PEI community levels through his dedicated service to others. – Justin Kakeu

Reefah Shehnaz, VP Academic & Research
Reefah has been integral to the successful organization and execution of the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship's events this semester. Her backend work on the Campus2Market Validate program, in addition to the assistance provided with competition planning and coordination of our social media channels, has enabled the entire department to have deeper, more meaningful impact for our students! Reefah's passion and pride for her work is evident and infectious, and she is always expedient when communicating with students and community partners.

Karen Turner, Associate VP Student
Karen has been a dedicated member of the Experiential Education team for nearly five years, serving as the Job Development Coordinator for Co‑operative Education. Throughout her time there, she has successfully supported and placed hundreds of students in meaningful Co‑op opportunities. One of her greatest strengths is her commitment to working closely with both students and employers to ensure the best fit for every placement.

Karen’s strong attention to detail, thoughtful listening skills, and genuine interest in student success make her a valuable asset in this role. Her diverse career background and analytical approach enable her to ask insightful questions and identify connections that lead to high‑quality opportunities for both students and employers.

Karen is a pleasure to work with—collaborative, reliable, and consistently positive. She is always willing to partner on projects and contributes meaningfully to team initiatives.

Patti Wheatley, EDI and Human Rights
Patti's leadership is strong and compassionate. I appreciate all she does to keep our team on track with her knowledgeable guidance, perseverance, adaptability, and kindness. I don't know where we'd be without her! She works hard and keeps calm, and her team is so thankful for her!

Isaac Williams, IT Systems and Services
Isaac provides AV/IT support across campus and plays a vital role in the success of so many events. From the moment a request is submitted, he communicates promptly and offers helpful resources and guidance to ensure everything is well prepared. On the day of the event, Isaac is always punctual, organized, and able to adapt to whatever challenges arise. He brings both expertise and a calm presence that makes a real difference. Isaac, we would truly be lost without your support - Thank you!! – Jessica Field

��ϳԹ� to confer four honorary degrees during Convocation 2026

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 04 May 2026 12:21:09 -0300

Four outstanding leaders will be conferred with honorary Doctor of Laws degrees, and four graduates will deliver valedictory addresses during four Convocation ceremonies at the ��ϳԹ�, May 12–15. Each ceremony will begin at 10:00 am in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on the ��ϳԹ� campus. Over 1,300 students comprise the Class of 2026.

This year’s honorary degree recipients are Mark Arendz, celebrated Paralympian and inspirational role model; Ron Keefe, successful lawyer, and business leader and mentor; Hazel Matchett Robinson, community leader, volunteer, and philanthropist; and the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, PC, farmer, dedicated Member of Parliament and federal cabinet minister, and community changemaker.

“We are excited to recognize each of these honorary graduands for their achievements and accomplishments, and to celebrate the significant impact they have made in their respective fields and to their communities,” said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, ��ϳԹ�’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “��ϳԹ� congratulates these remarkable leaders, who will be receiving the University’s highest honour—not only because they bring distinction to our University, but also because they represent our values and provide inspiration to our graduates.”

On May 12, Mark Arendz, will be presented with an honorary degree, and Andrew Clow, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, will give the valedictory address to the graduates of the faculties of Nursing and Veterinary Medicine.

On May 13, Ron Keefe will receive an honorary degree, and Luciana Quiroa Paredes, Bachelor of Business Administration, will speak to the graduates of the McDougall Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering.

On May 14, Hazel Matchett Robinson will be awarded an honorary degree, and Grace McQuaid, Bachelor of Arts, will address the graduates of the faculties of Arts, Education, and Graduate Studies.

On May 15, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, PC, will be conferred an honorary degree, and Songobele Mulenga, Bachelor of Science, will give the valedictory address to graduates of the Faculty of Science.

Due to safety regulations, seating at the Convocation ceremonies is limited to guests with invitations, which must be presented at the door. Guests are asked to arrive early to ensure everyone is seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony start time as there will be no admittance once the academic procession enters the Sports Centre.

Parking is available within a five- to ten-minute walk of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Please refer to the campus map for the location of general parking areas on campus. There are several accessible parking spots, designated by the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair), located in front of the Sports Centre and the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

Convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed at upei.ca/live.

About the Honorary Graduands

Mark Arendz
Mark Arendz lost his left arm in a farming accident at seven years old. Rather than allowing this life-altering event to limit his aspirations, he transformed adversity into purpose, rising to become one of the most successful Paralympic winter athletes in Canadian history. Over the course of four Paralympic Games, he earned 12 medals in biathlon. His record-setting performance at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, where he won six medals, stands as a testament to sustained excellence at the highest level of international competition. In the recent IBU World Cup season, he claimed gold medals in all three of his events as he prepared for his fifth Paralympic Games, where he won a silver and bronze medal. This remarkable achievement reflects not only elite performance, but also longevity, adaptability, and an enduring pursuit of personal and professional growth. While his athletic contributions have been widely recognized, his greatest legacy may be the inspiration and support he provides to young people and individuals with disabilities.

Ron Keefe
As a partner with Stewart McKelvey, Ron Keefe was a key architect of the merger which formed Atlantic Canada’s largest law firm. In 2004, he left the law firm to become CEO of Diagnostic Chemicals Limited, leading global operations and negotiating the successful transition to Genzyme/Sekisui. Also in 2004, he became CEO of BioVectra Inc, and, over the next decade, oversaw ten-fold revenue growth and an expansion from <100 to 300+ employees. He also guided the successful sale and post-acquisition growth of the company, positioning BioVectra as a leading contract development and manufacturing organization in North America. After leaving BioVectra in 2016, he became president of Regis Duffy BioScience Fund Inc., which leads investment initiatives in bioscience ventures. He is a founding partner of Island Capital Partners GP Inc., a venture capital fund investing in innovative Atlantic Canadian start-ups. He has also found time to mentor entrepreneurs and serve on many boards, both corporate and volunteer.

Hazel Matchett Robinson, CM
Music educator Hazel Matchett Robinson has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to building stronger communities, supporting numerous endeavours in education, health care, and the arts. Her ongoing volunteerism, mentoring, service efforts, and philanthropy are hallmarked by her ability to see the larger picture—she works to anchor change that makes a lasting difference, benefiting generations of community members, including PEI’s newest residents and refugees. As a graduate of ��ϳԹ�, she is a proud alumna. In addition to being a donor, she has been an active volunteer of ��ϳԹ�-led seniors’ fitness, music, and cancer-related research projects. She has generously donated her L.M. Montgomery – Anne of Green Gables book collection to the ��ϳԹ� Robertson Library. Recognized as a pillar of her community, along with her late husband, John Robinson, they pioneered innovative practices on their fifth-generation family farm, promoting environmental, financial and social sustainability in Island agriculture and forestry.

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, PC
Lawrence MacAulay has had an unparalleled journey serving his community, province, and country over his remarkable lifetime: from achieving success as a farmer in eastern Prince Edward Island to getting elected to Canada’s House of Commons in 1988 and winning eleven straight federal elections, becoming Prince Edward Island’s longest serving Member of Parliament in 2014, and then surpassing that milestone by another eleven impressive years. He has served in the federal Cabinets of two Prime Ministers over four different decades, while always maintaining incredibly strong ties to his constituents and his broader community. He was instrumental in bringing economic development to the Island over his career, including playing a pivotal role in championing ��ϳԹ�’s Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation. He will go down in history as one of Prince Edward Island’s most iconic, hard-working, dedicated, and transformational politicians, always focused on making his province and his community a better place to live.

��ϳԹ� Faculty of Medicine reaches key accreditation milestone

Heather Howatt — Mon, 04 May 2026 11:40:20 -0300

The ��ϳԹ� Faculty of Medicine has reached an important milestone in its development, achieving applicant status with the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS). This marks a significant step toward establishing an independently accredited MD program designed for and in Prince Edward Island.

The faculty continues to build on its valuable working relationship with Memorial University of Newfoundland. Through this collaboration, the Memorial regional campus model has enabled learners to begin their medical education in PEI, and the relationship is expected to evolve as ��ϳԹ� progresses through the accreditation process.

Planning is also advancing across the full continuum of medical education, including post-graduate training. Over the coming year, ��ϳԹ� will pursue accreditation through the Canadian Residency Accreditation Consortium at the institutional level and for a proposed PEI-based family medicine residency program, in coordination with partners Health PEI and Dalhousie University.

��ϳԹ�’s progress was recently highlighted at the International Congress on Academic Medicine (ICAM) 2026, where the Faculty of Medicine was warmly received as an applicant medical school, underscoring growing national interest in its collaborative model.

Faculty of Medicine representatives also contributed to the national conversation through presentations at ICAM 2026. Dr. Preston Smith, Dean, and Rebecca Gill, Director of Strategic Priorities and Policy Development, presented “From Vision to Integration: Mapping Medical Education into the Health System in Prince Edward Island Using a Collaborative Model.” Dr. Ron Siemans and Tammie Muise, respectively, Medical Director and Director of the Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre, also presented “Development of a Culture of Simulation-Based Education across Healthcare in PEI.”

“This work reflects a phased, collaborative approach to building a sustainable, locally grounded model of medical education that will support the future health of Islanders,” said Dr. Smith.

Innovative projects showcased at the ��ϳԹ� Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering annual Student Design Expo

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:26:41 -0300

The ��ϳԹ� Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) showcased a wide range of innovative design projects by its students at the annual Student Design Expo on Friday, April 24, 2026.

During the expo, the students highlighted their design skills and networked with design clinic partners, and they were recognized for their hard work as aspiring engineers. Thirty-eight teams participated in the expo, five for Year 1, twelve for Year 2, eight for Year 3, and thirteen for Year 4.

“We had a fantastic turnout for our design expo this year, and many animated conversations lighting up the ways that engineering design is improving the lives of Islanders,” said Dr. Suzanne Kresta, Dean of the ��ϳԹ� FSDE. “The third- and fourth-year students showcased some impressive technical solutions for local engineering challenges—enough to keep our partners probing the extent of what can be done for the full afternoon. Thanks are due to everyone in the FSDE for delivering this wonderful celebration.”

The FSDE’s 2026 Student Design Expo organizing committee welcomed approximately 700 junior high and high school students from across the province to the expo. The students viewed the projects and learned about the engineering design process.

Also attending the event were Hon. Rob Lantz, Premier of PEI; Philip Brown, Mayor of Charlottetown; Dr. Wendy Rodgers, ��ϳԹ� President and Vice-Chancellor; and Dr. Donna Hardy Cox, Interim Vice-President, Academic and Research.

The awards and their sponsors were announced following the event, including the Parks Canada Awards, Engineers PEI Awards, Research Partnerships and Innovation Award (most innovative project), Cleantech Award (most commercial project), FSDE Awards, CSME Gold Medal Awards, and FSDE Graduate Student Awards. A complete list of awards and winners can be found at 2026 Student Design Expo.

The Student Design Expo committee included Dr. Libby Osgood, Interim Associate Dean Academic; Wayne Simmons, Business Development Engineer; Tin Nguyen, Student Success Centre Coordinator; Dylan Jubinville, Assistant Professor; and Lisa Sanderson, Industry Partnerships.

For more information about the annual event, visit ��ϳԹ� FSDE Student Design Expo.

Celebrating Women in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:21:52 -0300

While ��ϳԹ�’s Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) aims year-round to build a community that reflects the various branches of society it serves, there are several dates between February and June when they intentionally consider how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)—in particular, the representation of women—can be integrated into engineering education and research. These dates include February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science; the month of March, which is National Engineering Month; and June 23, the International Day of Women in Engineering.

Women make up more than half of the Canadian population but are significantly underrepresented in engineering education and in the engineering profession. Over the past decades, the number of women enrolled in post-secondary engineering programs has risen, as has the number of women in the engineering profession. Yet despite steady increases in the representation of women, men still vastly outnumber women in engineering.

��ϳԹ� is starting to see a positive shift in the representation of women students and faculty in the FSDE, and these women are not only achieving great success in the profession but are also contributing to further improving the participation rates of women and girls in STEM. Five of FSDE’s professors are women, exceeding the national average: Drs. Stephanie Shaw, Yulin Hu, Libby Osgood, Amy Hsiao, and Suzanne Kresta. Drs. Kresta and Hu are on the Stanford top 2% list for impact in their research areas.

On the student front, 50% of the Atlantic Canada contingent competing at the recent Canadian Engineering Competition were from ��ϳԹ�, and of the FSDE students who attended, 50% identified as women or from visible minority groups.

The University would like to take the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the achievements of some of these women to bring even more attention to the need to continue this important EDI work throughout the year.

Student superstars

While not a complete list, here are a few FSDE women students making their mark.

Kaitlyn Smith, current Engineering Student Society president, was recognized with one of 20 national leadership awards from the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students. Kaitlyn was very active in the organization of the Canadian Engineering Leadership Conference hosted at ��ϳԹ� in 2025.

Lilly O’Rielly was recognized with the Address Root Causes for Impact/Living our Values award from Engineers Without Borders Canada and the CD Howe Award.

Abby Chapman has a number of accolades, mostly recently the OPTICA Women Scholar 2026 award. This international award is given to 20 women students on merit to empower the next generation of women leaders in optics and photonics. Abby competed with MSc and PhD students for this honour and was the only Canadian selected. She works with Sundeep Singh (FSDE) and Bill Whelan (Physics).

Leah MacPhail, a student-athlete, is currently studying at Arizona State University as a Killam Fellow.

Professors breaking the EDI glass ceiling

Dr. Libby Osgood is a 3M National Teaching Fellow and the longest serving faculty member in the FSDE. She was part of the original design team for our forward-looking, design-centered program, which was perhaps the first across Canada to realize the importance of relationships with community, partners, and clients in engineering design courses. She has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Design Assessment Techniques in Engineering Education) from Dalhousie and has published extensively (21 journal papers) in this area, frequently with undergraduate co-authors. Her scholarship has been recognized with four international awards: two from the American Society for Engineering Education and two best book awards. The inclusive design of the Engineering Success Centre has evolved from a COVID-support concept to student-led successes that include professional certifications in CAD (CSWA–31 students and CSWP–5 students), our extraordinary success over three years in the Atlantic and Canadian Engineering Competitions, and our annual Career Fair. Her fondest memories are of the early days in the program, where she led robotics clubs with 10 to 14-year-olds as a form of outreach and engagement. Since 2014, Libby has co-organized Girls Get WISE—a full day STEM event for initially 80 grade 7–9 students, and now 100 K-12 female-identifying students, with several FSDE students, faculty, and deans participating as volunteers—a moment that affirms the volunteers’ identity as well as provides many positive role models for the participants. This event is offered in partnership with the Girl Guides and STEAM PEI.

Dr. Suzanne Kresta, Dean, identifies as a champion for inclusive engineering education, with a particular personal interest in neurodivergent learners. While she has slowly become known as a feminist, she prefers to keep her feminism in action rather than in activism. As a dean, she holds allyship for over 15 different vulnerable groups as a core responsibility. She has been recognized with national and international awards in teaching, leadership, and research excellence, an Honorary Doctorate from McMaster University, and a Queens Jubilee Medal from the Province of Saskatchewan. In Saskatchewan, she was part of the design team for RE-ENGINEERED, a competency-based and student-centered first-year engineering program. As part of this program, she co-created and co-taught a six-week module in which the practice of engineering is placed in an Indigenous context. This was a deep dive into one of the most complex EDI challenges faced by our country, and she was honoured to engage with 500 first-year students every year as they grappled with these difficult conversations. The many ways in which their own identities had been shaped deepened her own commitment to inclusion and belonging. She sees the shape of consultation, which is laid out in UNDRIP (the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples), as a statement of respect and engagement that all communities want and deserve. She sees the program in the FSDE as giving life to these values and is very proud to be leading this group of scholars, talented technical and administrative staff, and emerging student leaders.

Dr. Amy Hsiao, Professor, holds an undergraduate degree from MIT and an MS and PhD from Carnegie Mellon, an MBA from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and was a Chateaubriand Postdoctoral Fellow. She is recognized as an expert in crystallization kinetics and sustainable, novel metallic materials for energy and manufacturing and is an established researcher, with industry collaborations, peer-reviewed and research funding over $8M in her career. She is one of the inaugural Fellows in the Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA), for which she served as president from 2021–22. The CEEA conference that year, which marked the end of her presidency, sparked a movement to "retool" the Iron Ring Ceremony—an obligation ceremony for engineers entering the profession—to be more inclusive in content and purpose for the future of the Engineering profession in Canada. While this conversation had been active in the community for close to 30 years, this act of advocacy was perhaps the final straw that sparked meaningful action. Dr. Hsiao is recognized as a champion for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and has been active in several initiatives with Engineers PEI, Engineers Canada, and NSERC, and a number of other grants in support of promoting underrepresented groups in engineering. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Engineering Qualifications Board for Engineers Canada and is a Fellow of Engineers Canada. She was one of two individuals selected by Engineering Deans Canada as EDI experts to serve on a working group that produced a report mandated by the board of Engineers Canada on advancing equity through engineering accreditation. She has served on the Board of the Wind Energy Institute of Canada since 2015 and chaired the first Research Committee. She created and leads the five-week summer research opportunity for female and non-binary students in Grades 11 and 12 called ProGRES: Promoting Girls in Research in Engineering and Sustainability at ��ϳԹ�, which led into also creating and leading FIRES: Fostering Indigenous Representation in Engineering and Sustainability and IDEaLS: Inclusion of Diversity in Engineering and Leadership in Sustainability. These initiatives have impacted the Island community since 2017 (including current students Leah and Lilly, mentioned above, who are ProGRES alumna, and Kaitlyn and Abby, who have been ProGRES student mentors). Dr. Hsiao has led Go Eng Girl and Go Code Girl events at ��ϳԹ� and is the Engineers Canada 30-by-30 University Champion for PEI. At ��ϳԹ�, she was the inaugural FSDE Graduate Studies Coordinator and spearheaded the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs for the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, as well as introducing the first EURA—Engineering Undergraduate Research Awards to promote undergraduate research. Her awards for educational and engineering leadership include the Janet Pottie Murray Award for Leadership (2025, ��ϳԹ� Faculty Association), Engineers PEI Excellence in Engineering Award (2022), Engineers PEI Advancement of Diversity in the Engineering Profession Award (2018), IEEE Canadian Atlantic Section 2020 Outstanding Engineering Education Award, and Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador Teaching Award (2014).

AVC Class of 2026 leaves legacy gift for students and staff as part of a longstanding tradition

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:14:55 -0300

The Atlantic Veterinary College’s (AVC) Class of 2026 has raised approximately $7,000 to support the purchase of new audiovisual equipment for surgical facilities in the College’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

The Class of 2026’s gift is in keeping with the long-standing tradition at AVC whereby each graduating class gives the College a legacy gift. The annual class gift is intended to reflect students’ experiences at AVC while making a meaningful contribution to the College’s future. These gifts not only commemorate each graduating class but also enhance teaching and learning opportunities and improve the day-to-day experience of students, faculty, and staff.

To carry on this tradition, the Class of 2026 executive invited input from their peers to identify a priority area for support. Based on this feedback, the class collectively chose to contribute to a dedicated fund that enabled the acquisition of the new equipment, which will support surgical education and training for years to come.

By supporting the implementation of new audiovisual technology, the Class of 2026 hopes to expand opportunities for students to observe and engage with surgical procedures taking place in the operating room. Additionally, this equipment will allow clinicians to record and share procedures, creating valuable resources for teaching, discussion, and student-led learning initiatives. They hope this contribution will foster continued collaboration, curiosity, and growth for the many classes that follow.

“As students who have had the privilege of learning alongside clinicians such as Dr. Katie Hoddinott, Dr. Adam Ogilvie, and Dr. Peter Moak, as well as talented surgical residents and interns, we recognize the importance of increasing access to a wider range of surgical experiences,” said Anya M. Nowicki, AVC Class of 2026 treasurer and graduating Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student. “Not all students have the opportunity to observe less common or more complex procedures firsthand, and this gift aims to help bridge that gap.”

Over the past four years, the class worked diligently to raise funds for this gift. The total donation reflects a combination of dues from members of the class and proceeds from numerous fundraising initiatives. These efforts included bake sales, AVC-wide events such as pub crawls, themed parties, the class’s annual Suture Review event, and merchandise sales featuring student-designed artwork.

“The Class of 2026 would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the entire AVC community—students, faculty, clinicians, and support staff—who supported our fundraising efforts,” said Nowicki. “This gift would not have been possible without the strong sense of community that defines AVC. Likewise, our success as a class is a direct result of the encouragement, mentorship, and support we have received throughout our journey.”

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues—March 2026, Issue 1

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:05:34 -0300

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues continues to be a meaningful way for our community to celebrate one another. Since the program began last August, 211 submissions have highlighted the exceptional work, dedication, and kindness of our colleagues.

Thanks to the ongoing interest and participation, submissions will continue to be featured in upcoming issues of Campus Connector. You can read submissions for March 2026 (organized in alphabetical order) below.

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. More information about how to make a submission can be found at Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues.

Admissions, Registrar’s Office
This “behind the scenes” team works tirelessly to assess applications and support applicants to all of ��ϳԹ�’s programs. They are so smart and so kind! Our applicants are in the best hands.

Charity Allen, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Atlantic Veterinary College
Charity is a bright light in the large animal department. She is hardworking and earnest, and she always has a smile for her colleagues, students, and anyone who encounters her. She is a role model and a valued member of the team. –Marina John

Koren Bogle-Glenn, Athletics and Recreation (two submissions!)
I am nominating Koren for the ��ϳԹ� Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues Award because of her unwavering commitment to student success, teamwork, and workplace positivity. She consistently goes the extra mile to ensure all varsity student-athletes have the support they need to thrive, offering thoughtful guidance, accessible hours, and timely feedback that builds confidence and resilience. Her work extends across our entire varsity program, providing mentorship, academic tutoring, and resource connections that help student-athletes balance sport and study while maintaining peak performance.

As a teammate, Koren is reliable, collaborative, and proactive. She readily lends a hand during busy periods, shares materials and best practices, and communicates with empathy and clarity. In particular, her role as a mentor with our men’s basketball program demonstrates her ability to foster growth, teamwork, and leadership among student-athletes. Koren truly embodies the spirit of this award by elevating both student outcomes and workplace morale. – Bruce Donaldson

Koren is known as the glue of Athletics and Recreation. She spends countless hours in the lead up to the academic year ensuring that every single student-athlete has completed all of their requirements to be eligible to participate. You will also see Koren in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre day or night and over the weekends, as she spends countless hours volunteering with the men’s basketball team. Koren goes above and beyond in all she does for the betterment of the green and white. – Jane Vessey

Jaime Lynn Clarke, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Atlantic Veterinary College
Jaime always has a smile ready when you’re having a hard day. She tackles challenges head-on and is eager to learn while working with the admin team to improve systems on a regular basis. – Marina John

Shara Dianne Clow, Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research
Shara is an outstanding co-worker who treats colleagues with kindness and professionalism, even during challenging situations. She brings a constructive mindset to problem-solving, helping to maintain morale and encouraging others to do their best work. Her presence helps create a workplace culture built on mutual respect, trust, and shared purpose.

Rebecca Coffin, Health and Wellness Centre
Becky is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the ��ϳԹ� Health and Wellness Centre. She is very accepting of people as they are versus how they could be. She is kind, compassionate, and supportive. She does not look for recognition (she probably would prefer not to be recognized) and is reliable and dependable. She also has a great sense of humor and makes tasty treats!

Jeremy Dallaire, Facilities Management
I would like to recognize Jeremy Dallaire for consistently going above and beyond his role. He is quick to step in, dig into issues, and find effective solutions that benefit both the University and his team. His dedication, professionalism, and willingness to help colleagues—often before being asked—make a tremendous difference in our daily work. His commitment and positive attitude truly exemplify what it means to support and strengthen our University community.

Lucy De Jong, Human Resources
Lucy is someone who truly makes a difference behind the scenes at ��ϳԹ�. She has an incredible ability to step into complex or tense situations and help people feel heard while guiding conversations toward positive outcomes. Her calm presence, thoughtful approach, and genuine care for the people involved create space for collaboration and understanding. Lucy’s work may not always be visible, but its impact is huge! She helps colleagues reconnect, move forward, and work better together. ��ϳԹ� is very lucky to have her.

Ashton Dougan, Faculty of Nursing
Ashton is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Nursing. She is currently working on her PhD with a focus on virtual simulation. For the last two years, she had students in the third-year Ethics course do an arts-based project. She invited members of the faculty who have specific personal interests in the arts to adjudicate the projects. As an adjudicator last year and again this year, I am astounded at the outstanding projects these students produced. There have been full recordings of original songs and music, poetry, sculptures, paintings, and elaborate drawings, all with a written piece explaining the projects and how they connect to issues in nursing ethics. This effort by Ashton to incorporate non-traditional methods into her teaching expands the learners’ thinking, promotes self-care, and causes them to think critically and outside the box—all essential components in becoming a nurse. Ashton is the hardest working instructor I know. She cares deeply about the success of every student while balancing a very busy personal life, including multiple athletic interests and raising two little ones. I believe she should be recognized for her effort, innovation, expertise, and commitment to student success.

Crystal Doyle, Financial Services
Crystal works in Student Accounts in Dalton Hall. She is so helpful, patient, kind, and always generous with her time for both students and staff when we have questions. Have a wonderful day, Crystal! You’re the best!

Ryan Drew, Faculty of Arts
Ryan Drew, along with Angie Petty, Jason Hogan, and Joel MacDonald (��ϳԹ� Teaching and Learning Centre), are collaborating on the development of a new online, asynchronous course titled “Big Ideas in Arts: AI and Society.” Observing the synergies of this group as they a) incorporate the five dimensions of the DEC AI Literacy Framework; b) infuse best practices in UDL into the group and individual learning activities; c) get excited about the thought-provoking topics; and d) thoughtfully map out the student experience in navigating both specific elements and the course as a whole has been inspiring. The summer semester students registered for this course are in for a fabulous learning experience!

Alanna Felix-Fortin, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Atlantic Veterinary College
Alanna is an institution unto herself here at the VTH. She has given years of service to the hospital and remains a committed and hardworking staff member. She is a pleasure to work with! – Marina John

Carolyn Garro, Procurement Services
Carolyn Garro is one of the hardest working, compassionate, and conscientious ��ϳԹ� employees that I know. Carolyn is always volunteering for campus events. She sits on the Healthy Campus Committee and numerous HCC sub-committees, is the co-chair of the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, past chair and perpetual member of the Main Health and Safety Working Group, a Chaplaincy Centre regular volunteer—the list goes on... What I’d like to point out is that Carolyn has been a constant advocate for health and safety. She has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help ensure the safety of the campus. Having done too many to count health and safety inspections, she is always willing to help HSE when the need arises. Carolyn is truly a beacon of kindness and altruism! Carolyn, your support has not gone unnoticed. Thank you for all that you do!! - Liz MacArthur

Pamela Harris-Stewart, History Department, Faculty of Arts
Yoga classes are a heaven where we get to reboot, think positive, are loved. Pam is the gem of my week. - Marie Pascal

Rachel Hasan, Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research
Rachel is an excellent co-worker with a collaborative spirit who communicates openly and listens to others’ perspectives. Rather than focusing only on her own tasks, she recognizes that success often depends on teamwork. Rachel offers helpful support when colleagues need assistance and serves a key role in the quality assurance of ��ϳԹ�’s programs.

��ϳԹ� instructor wins SSHRC Exchange Publication Award

Anna MacDonald — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:00:49 -0300

Dr. Callum Beck, a sessional instructor in religious and university studies at the ��ϳԹ�, has been awarded a $7,000 SSHRC Exchange Publication Award for his book, The Bridging of the Protestant–Catholic Divide on Prince Edward Island.

The SSHRC Exchange Publication Award is given out annually to support the publication of a manuscript written or edited by ��ϳԹ� faculty in the social sciences and humanities. The book will be published by Island Studies Press in 2027.

The divide between Catholics and Protestants on PEI once permeated everyday life—from which school Island residents attended and which hospital they would go to, to which businesses they would fraternize, and, above all, who they would date or marry.

Beck writes, “If you ask an Islander under 60 today if they have ever considered a doctor’s religious denomination in choosing a doctor, they will consider you and your question quite daft; but for residents of Charlottetown and certain other parts of the Island prior to 1970, it was perhaps the first factor considered.”

In this new book, Beck traces the early origins of this divide from the pioneer years when the two groups got along reasonably well, to the sectarian wars of 1847–77, the gentlemen’s agreements that led to the province having a de facto separate school system and electing 21 Protestants and 9 Catholics in every provincial election, to the bridging events of the 1960s. True integration was not reached until 1969 with the amalgamation of the public schools and the creation of ��ϳԹ� as the provincial university. These were the key factors in the breaking down of the friendship and fellowship barriers between the two main faith groups on the Island, leading to the more integrated society in the province today.

Beck is the author of The Belfast Riot of 1847, published in 2025 by Island Studies Press. He was born and raised in Charlottetown, PEI. He completed a BA in Philosophy at ��ϳԹ�, a Master of Arts in Religion at Emmanuel School of Religion in Tennessee, and a PhD at the Open University in the UK. Professionally, he has served as a pastor and sessional faculty member at ��ϳԹ�. He and his wife Lorraine have three children and six grandchildren.

Island Studies Press congratulates Beck and thanks Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, associate vice-president research and dean of graduate studies at ��ϳԹ�, for supporting faculty publications.

For more information, please contact Bren Simmers at ispstaff@upei.ca or call (902) 566-0386.

��ϳԹ� Co-operative Education program announces award winners for 2025

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:58:07 -0300

Each year, the ��ϳԹ� Co-operative Education Program recognizes its exceptional students and employers with the ��ϳԹ� Co-op Awards. The winners of the 2025 awards were Jehaan Cooper, Science Co-op Student of the Year; Feyisayo Adediran, Arts Co-op Student of the Year; and Darshanaa Madoo, Business Co-op Student of the Year.

The awards were presented on March 25, 2026, at Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall, with Co-op employers, fellow students, deans, staff, faculty, and other supporters in attendance. The event was an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships and collaboration that enable valuable co-operative education opportunities.

Environmental Studies student Jehaan Cooper was nominated by Raena Parent, coordinator of the Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association (WRTBWA), who recognized that he was capable of more significant tasks that could benefit their organization and provide further skill development opportunities after his first summer as a watershed technician.

Cooper added, “As I grew more confident and capable, I was given opportunities to lead field teams, coordinate volunteer events, and eventually independently design and implement a pilot bat acoustic monitoring program for the association—something that had never been done at WRTBWA before. Identifying that conservation gap, reaching out to contacts, sourcing equipment, designing protocols, and successfully bringing bat population monitoring to the organization taught me more about initiative, leadership, and perseverance than any course ever could.”

Feyisayo Adediran, an Economics and Statistics student, was nominated by the Provincial Credit Union. Her manager, Johanna Jorgensen, highlighted Adediran’s eagerness to learn and her desire to make sure each member she assisted was taken care of to the best of her ability. She noted that Adediran is an excellent team player who has made connections with several colleagues throughout the organization.

“This work term strengthened my confidence, communication skills, and professional mindset. Interacting with colleagues and learning from experienced professionals allowed me to grow both personally and professionally,” said Adediran. “It reinforced my interest in the financial sector and strengthened my desire to pursue a career where I can contribute to financial empowerment and economic development. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with an organization that not only values professional excellence but also remains deeply committed to supporting the community it serves.”

Business Administration student Darshanaa Madoo was nominated by Janette Gallant, a manager with the PEI Field Unit of Parks Canada. Madoo worked as an administrative assistant at Green Gables Heritage Place in 2025, a record-breaking year for visits.

“Darshanaa demonstrated tremendous growth over the course of her two work terms and became a valued and well-integrated member of our team. She brought enthusiasm, curiosity, and a strong willingness to learn, which allowed her to quickly develop confidence and independence in her work. Key strengths she demonstrated throughout her placement were versatility and adaptability. She supported a wide range of responsibilities and consistently adjusted to changing priorities and operational needs,” said Gallant.

Madoo said this experience strengthened her adaptability and independence.

“Navigating a new professional environment required initiative, problem-solving, and the ability to manage responsibilities with confidence. Through this process, I developed stronger self-discipline and resilience. The supportive environment at Parks Canada also reinforced my commitment to community and environmental service. Seeing how employees contribute to protecting natural heritage inspired me to continue engaging in initiatives that promote sustainability and social responsibility.”

Project ART, represented by Ayo MacDonald-Ogunleye and Jane Mallard, received the Co-op Employer of the Year award for 2025. Business Co-op student Gia Han Truong spoke about the support she received from Project ART as she navigated her responsibilities, the opportunities to develop various business skills and make new connections, and the positive work environment. Project ART (Addressing Red Tape) is part of the PEI Government’s Department of Economic Development, Trade and Artificial Intelligence.

Co-op scholarship recipients were also recognized at the event. Saniya Mary Jojo received the Wayne Cutcliffe Computer Science Co-operative Education Award, and Gia Han Truong the ��ϳԹ� Administration and Finance Award in Business Administration.

The Co-op Program is grateful to work with many outstanding students and employers. For more information about the program, visit upei.ca/co-op or upei.ca/hire-co-op.

You’re Invited to Convocation 2026!

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:43:19 -0300

Convocation is almost here! ��ϳԹ� faculty and staff are invited to attend the Convocation exercises being held from May 12 to 15, at 10:00 am each day at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

May 12—Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Faculty of Nursing
May 13—McDougall Faculty of Business and Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering
May 14—Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Graduate Studies
May 15—Faculty of Science

Although the format of holding four ceremonies allows more flexibility in terms of seating, guests must present invitations (i.e., tickets) to be admitted to the Sports Centre. Staff/faculty members can request an invitation(s) by filling out the Staff Ticket Request Form. Those who RSVP will be advised when the invitations are available to be picked up.

For Faculty Members
All faculty members are invited to participate in the Academic Procession for each Convocation ceremony. Faculty members who have regalia and wish to participate are asked to RSVP via this form to confirm which ceremony they will be attending. Faculty members will line up with the graduates in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building concourse 45 minutes before each ceremony. 

For those faculty members who would like to order regalia online through ��ϳԹ�’s official gown supplier, GradCo, they are encouraged to do so ASAP at http://gradco.ca/upei. The deadline for ordering is Wednesday, April 22, at 11:59 pm. 

Any faculty members who wish to purchase their regalia may contact GradCo at info@gradco.ca for information.  

For Staff Members
Staff members who are available to volunteer during the Convocation ceremonies may express interest by emailing Katherine MacDonald, Communications and Events Officer, at katmmacdonald@upei.ca.

Can’t attend the ceremony?
Each ceremony is preceded by a procession of graduates across campus. Faculty and staff who are unable to attend the ceremonies are encouraged to line up along the Academic Procession route each day to cheer on and congratulate the Class of 2026. The Procession departs the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering between 9:35 and 9:45 am and travels in front of SDU Main Building on its way to the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

Each ceremony will also be available to watch via livestream at upei.ca/live.

Stay tuned!
For more information about Convocation 2026, please visit: upei.ca/convocation.

Also, stay tuned for more information about "Convocation Countdown Events," in the lead up to Convocation. The entire Panther community is invited to come together, celebrate our graduates, and give them a wonderful sendoff.

For questions about Convocation Countdown Events, please contact the Student Engagement Officer Krissi Ewing at kewing@upei.ca.

��ϳԹ� English student earns prestigious chess title

Anna MacDonald — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:30:10 -0300

Jorge Moreno, a third-year English student at ��ϳԹ�, qualified for the prestigious title of International Chess Federation (FIDE) Candidate Master at the 2026 Canadian Closed Chess Championship held in Montreal, Quebec, from April 2–7.

Moreno is PEI’s number one-ranked classical player and two-time provincial champion, said Chess PEI in a news release. He scored five out of nine points against some of the strongest competitors in Canada to earn the title of FIDE Candidate Master.

At present, he is the only player in the province eligible for this title and, based on Chess PEI’s records, the first to attain it while representing PEI. The last time PEI had a representative in the Canadian Closed Chess Championship was in 1999.

Originally from Peru, Moreno has been a competitive chess player since he was 17.

“I love the mental challenge that chess presents. It is a game that combines creativity and logic. To succeed, you must improve and use your memory, calculation skills, and visualization abilities. It is an immense game, and even with years of experience, there is always something new to learn.”

Since he arrived on PEI in 2022, he has become very involved in the Charlottetown chess community while keeping up with his studies at ��ϳԹ�.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped me since my arrival on Prince Edward Island. Here at ��ϳԹ�, my professors were incredibly supportive even before the semester began. When I informed them of my plans to compete in Montreal this April, they understood how meaningful it was for me, which allowed me to travel with peace of mind. Maintaining a balance between my studies and my competitive activity is essential to me, and the support of my professors has been a key element for that. My sincere thanks to Dr. Anne Furlong, Dr. John McIntyre, Dr. Shannon Murray, and Dr. Esther Wohlgemut.”

He plans to work toward obtaining the next title, that of FIDE Master, but for now, he is prioritizing completing his degree in 2027 and then applying for a post-graduate program.

��ϳԹ� PhD graduate and Honorary Degree recipient Dr. Olive Bryanton receives Top 7 Over 70 Atlantic Award

Melanie Anderson — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:06:11 -0300

Dr. Olive Bryanton (��ϳԹ� LLD 2000) is one of seven Atlantic Canadians who will honoured for significant new achievements after the age of 70 at the inaugural Top 7 Over 70 Atlantic Awards Gala on May 14 at the Halifax Convention Centre, Nova Scotia.

Turning 70 marked a new chapter of leadership and academic pursuit for Dr. Bryanton. In 2013, at the age of 76, she decided to pursue a doctoral degree after having already earned her Bachelor of Arts and master’s degrees. She graduated with her PhD in Education in 2019 at the age of 82. Her research examined the lived experiences of rural women aged 85 and older, amplifying voices often absent from research and policy and advancing understanding of aging in place.

A lifelong advocate for older adults, she has contributed extensively at the local, national, and international levels to challenge ageism and promote aging with dignity. Her work was featured in the CBC documentary Never Too Old, which followed her doctoral journey. Her dissertation, Pioneers in Aging: Voices of Women 85 Years and Older Aging in Place in Rural Communities, highlights the realities of older women in rural settings.

Dr. Bryanton continues to influence policy and practice beyond academia. As a commissioner with the Lancet Commission on Person-Centred Long-Term Care for Older People, she helped establish the Older Persons Advisory Group to elevate lived experience in global policy discussions. She is also active with the Canadian Coalition Against Ageism and leads the PEI Network to Confront Ageism.

Dr. Bryanton’s work underscores that later life can be a period of meaningful leadership, discovery, and lasting impact. She has been recognized for her contributions with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from ��ϳԹ� in 2000 and the Order of Prince Edward Island in 2020. She also received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Queen’s Platinum Medal in 2022.

Tickets for the gala are available through Eventbrite. For more information, visit www.top7over70.com

Top 7 Over 70 is a national initiative founded in Calgary in 2017 that celebrates individuals who embark on remarkable new achievements after the age of 70. The program highlights innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, artists, philanthropists, and community leaders whose work demonstrates that later life can be a time of creativity, leadership, and bold beginnings.

Congratulations, Dr. Bryanton!

Health PEI Welcomes 10 New Nurse Practitioners Graduates

Anna MacDonald — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:46:13 -0300

The following news release was issued by the Province of Prince Edward Island on April 13, 2026:

Health PEI is pleased to announce the hiring of 10 newly graduated Nurse Practitioners (NPs), who will begin joining health care teams across the province in May and June, with additional hiring anticipated in the coming months.

As part of Health PEI’s ongoing commitment to connecting Islanders to care, seven of the newly hired NPs will work in primary care settings in Charlottetown, Summerside and Montague. Their work will help more patients and families access timely, team-based care closer to home.

The remaining three NPs will serve in specialty Nurse Practitioner roles, expanding clinical expertise and strengthening support in key areas across the Island which includes seniors care, acute care and specialty care services.

“We are so pleased to be welcoming these 10 new NPs into our system this spring,” said the Honourable Cory Deagle, Minister of Health and Wellness. “We want Islanders to have better access to primary care. Bringing more Nurse Practitioners into our system will strengthen services across the province and help connect more people to a primary care provider.”

The addition of these NPs supports Health PEI’s broader work to build strong, interdisciplinary care teams and ensure Islanders receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“These Nurse Practitioner graduates represent meaningful progress in our efforts to strengthen primary care and improve access for Islanders,” said Shannell MacKinnon, Director NP Clinical Practice and Education at Health PEI. “Nurse Practitioners play a vital role in our health system, and their addition will strengthen care teams and support patients, families, and communities throughout the province.”

“The ��ϳԹ� is proud to be graduating its largest cohort of Nurse Practitioners in our program’s history,” said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, ��ϳԹ� President and Vice-Chancellor. “With their expanded scope of practice, NPs are essential in primary care environments, which is why we are so pleased that 10 of our 11 graduates will be contributing to health care right here on PEI.”

Health PEI remains committed to ongoing recruitment to strengthen the workforce and enhance access to high-quality care.

Island Lecture Series features a presentation by MAIS faculty member Andrew Halliday on April 21

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:03:02 -0300

Andrew Halliday, a faculty member in the ��ϳԹ� Master of Arts in Island Studies program, will give a lecture titled “Borders, Boundaries, and Jurisdictional Islanding: Placemaking in Atlantic Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic” on April 21, 2026, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge (Room 201), SDU Main Building, ��ϳԹ�.

Halliday’s presentation is part of the Island Lecture Series, hosted by the Institute of Island Studies.

The interdisciplinary field of Island Studies continues to reflect upon island understandings. Halliday will explore placemaking that occurred on a regional level in Atlantic Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic through the creation of the Atlantic Bubble in the summer of 2020. New conceptual island constructs of “COVID-islands” and “COVID-archipelagos” are introduced as frames of inquiry and explained as policy constructs, which occurred at both micro and macro levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID-islands” and “COVID-archipelagos” are defined by their relativity to other places, spatial and temporal aspects, social construction, and the permeability and interaction with their borders and defined boundaries.

Halliday is cross-appointed in the Island Studies and Cleantech Leadership and Transformation interdisciplinary graduate programs at ��ϳԹ�. He is an interdisciplinary scholar with an academic and public service background across various domains under the broad umbrella of political science. He has extensive government experience through the provinces of PEI and Alberta and the Government of Canada. He is a member of the International Small Islands Studies Association, the Small Islands Cultural Research Initiative, and the International Geographical Union’s Commission on Islands.

The lecture is free, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.

��ϳԹ� engineering students win gold in national competition

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:23:44 -0300

Students in the ��ϳԹ� Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering brought home three gold medals from the Canadian Engineering Competition (CEC), held at the Université de Sherbrooke from March 20 to 23, 2026.

This win comes on the heels of an excellent showing by ��ϳԹ� students at the 2026 Atlantic Engineering Competition (AEC) in January. Twenty-one of the 34 students who competed in the Atlantic competition qualified for the CEC.

Of the eight categories at the CEC, six teams from ��ϳԹ� competed in five and won gold in three—the most of any school in Canada.

Richard Hetherington, Elijah Dodd, Morgan Maclean, Luke Jennings, and Noor Mazhar won gold in the Innovative Design category for inventing a brace that allows people with knee injuries to perform daily tasks hands-free. In this challenge, teams had to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit by designing an innovative product.

In the Re-Engineering category, Syed Imran Ali and Syed Daniyal Ali took gold for a plan they developed for a data centre in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Teams in this challenge were asked to redesign AI data centres for increased computing power and improved thermal management.

Myah Van’t Veld and Emma Ledgerwood (missing from photo) won gold in the Communications category for a presentation about biomimicry in engineering. Biomimicry is the emulation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. Teams had to demonstrate thorough understanding of a topic and were judged on the clarity and consistency of their presentation, oral communication skills, and their ability to make an engineering topic accessible to all.

Ledgerwood’s win this year makes her the first ��ϳԹ� engineering student to win two medals at the CEC; last year, she was on a team that won bronze in the consulting category.

Since its inception in 1985, the CEC has been an annual celebration of engineering excellence, bringing together Canada’s best engineering students to tackle real-world challenges. The event brings together over 200 students for a weekend of competition and networking with some of the top engineering companies in the country.

Balanced operating budget of $231.5 million approved by ��ϳԹ�’s Board of Governors

Nicole Phillips — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:20:39 -0300

The ��ϳԹ� Board of Governors approved a balanced operating budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year at its meeting on March 31, 2026, despite a challenging financial environment primarily caused by federal immigration policy affecting international enrolments and significant, but normal, inflationary cost pressures. The 2026–2027 Operating Budget is at $231.5 million, representing an increase of 3.8 per cent over the previous fiscal year.

In a joint message to the campus community, Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor, and Tim Walker, Vice-President Administration and Finance, outlined that the $231.5 million budget is spread across three budget packages which are treated independently and for which each has its own special funding model:

Atlantic Veterinary College at $59.6 million
Faculty of Medicine at $26.6 million
Main operating budget at $145.3 million

“We have managed to achieve a balanced budget by managing costs as well as reflecting increased revenue from our government partners; tuition and fees; and ancillary revenues,” said President Rodgers. “The main operating budget remains aligned with University values, supporting Making Our World a Better Place: ��ϳԹ� Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and our ��ϳԹ� Action Plan. While clearly focused on constraint and restraint, the 2026–2027 budget also includes targeted investments in several key strategic priorities, including student recruitment and retention.”

Maintaining the focus on student success was paramount throughout the budget process. As of October 1, 2025, the official enrolment was 5,503 students, including 1,630 international students. This represented a 2.9% decrease compared to the 2024 count. With federal policy decisions related to international students still impacting ��ϳԹ� (as with all Canadian post-secondary institutions), the 2026–2027 Operating Budget reflects an overall projected enrolment decrease of 4.8% from enrolment in fall 2025.

��ϳԹ� will increase tuition by 6.5% and international fees by 7.5%. The equivalent of 1.0% of the increase in international fees will be deployed toward increased emergency bursaries for international students. The Atlantic Veterinary College will increase tuition and unsubsidized fees by 4.0%. Medical learners studying at the Faculty of Medicine Regional Campus are subject to tuition rates set by Memorial University of Newfoundland. Those tuition rates are not yet known for 2026–27.

Despite the increases, ��ϳԹ�’s undergraduate annual tuition for domestic students remains one of the lowest in the Maritime Provinces. Island students also benefit from the George Coles Student Bursary, which significantly offsets the tuition costs experienced by students attending ��ϳԹ� in the amount of $3,500 annually to a maximum of $14,000 over four years.

As in previous years, ��ϳԹ� must await final enrolment figures—particularly as they relate to international student enrolment—and to assess how strategic enrolment management efforts are affecting ��ϳԹ�’s student attraction and retention rates. In addition, this budget has been approved prior to the Government of Prince Edward Island’s announcement of annual operating and restricted grant funding for the 2026–27 fiscal year and beyond. ��ϳԹ� will adjust, as required, to the resulting financial realities as those details become known.

“Many thanks to the University leadership, budget managers—both academic and non-academic, and to the Government of PEI for their ongoing efforts and support in what has been a particularly challenging budget cycle,” said Walker. “As the provincial university, together, we will address the challenges presented by 2026–27 and ready ourselves for more adjustments so that we can stabilize, and then strategically grow in the future, to support our students, employees, and communities.”

View the 2026–2027 Operating Budget Plan

2026–27 OPERATING BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

Operating budget – $231.5M, reflecting an increase of 3.8% ($8.5M) compared to 2025–2026 Operating Budget (restated)
Budgeted salary and benefits – $154.9M, reflecting an increase of 5.2% ($7.5M) compared to the 2025–2026 Operating Budget (restated)
Unrestricted operating grant (Main budget) provided by Government of PEI – $49.9M, reflecting an increase of 3.5% ($1.7M) compared to 2025–2026 Operating Budget (restated)
Faculty of Medicine Operating Grant – $26.0M, reflecting an increase of 15.6% ($3.4M) compared to the 2025–2026 Operating Budget (restated)
Annual Undergraduate Domestic Tuition – $8,130, among the lowest undergraduate tuition rates in the Maritimes

Message from the President: Living our values

Nicole Phillips — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:03:46 -0300

The following message was also emailed to ��ϳԹ� faculty and staff on April 9, 2026.

As Winter 2026 winds down, we welcome the renewal of the warmer weather and the opportunities to reset and prepare for the next academic year. Spring also brings new energy to campus as we welcome new students, conference attendees, and visitors—each an important part of our ��ϳԹ� community.

We are continuing to implement our strategic plan, including the refresh of our University values: academic freedom; accountability and integrity; pursuit of excellence; equity, diversity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging; and reconciliation. Over the last few months, we have engaged broadly with our University community through town halls, student sessions, leadership sessions, and sessions focused on members of our professoriate to explore what it means to live our values.

What we heard was both thoughtful and consistent. Several themes emerged from these conversations including open-mindedness, kindness, humility, compassion, and respect. Community members also identified how these qualities come to life within each of our values:

Accountability and Integrity: self-awareness and taking responsibility
Academic Freedom: best practices and curiosity
Pursuit of Excellence: standards and quality and a growth mindset
EDI and Belonging: listening, learning, and taking action
Reconciliation: taking on self-learning and education

Recently we asked what tiny thing might help people feel better. We heard responses including ‘said thank you’, ‘bought me a coffee (or another treat)’, ‘smiled’, and ‘listened’. I invite everyone to think about how we can each enact our shared values day-to-day, in small and meaningful ways.

There are so many reasons to be proud of our University. In recent months, ��ϳԹ� was recognized by Forbes as one of Canada’s 2026 best employers; our students won top prizes at national academic competitions; and our Panther student-athletes competed at regional and national championships—all attesting to the foundational strength and spirit across our institution.

In all we do, we strive for inclusion, and we seek to equitably support all members of our community. Thank you to our students, faculty, and staff for your ongoing contributions to continue to strengthen our University. Congratulations to our graduating class on this significant achievement—we are very proud of all you have accomplished and wish you every success.

Best wishes to all for an enjoyable and restorative spring!

Wendy

Wendy M. Rodgers, PhD (she/her)

President and Vice-Chancellor

��ϳԹ�

902-566-0400 president@upei.ca

��ϳԹ� Message: Board of Governors approves balanced 2026–2027 Operating Budget

Nicole Phillips — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:21:47 -0300

Dear ��ϳԹ� Community,

On March 31, 2026, the ��ϳԹ� Board of Governors approved the 2026–2027 Operating Budget, fee schedule, and capital budget. The planning process started in October 2025 and included consultation with University leaders (i.e., Deans and Directors) and account authorities across campus.

��ϳԹ� has a long record of balanced budgets, and the 2026–2027 Operating Budget is no exception. However, while the budget is balanced, it reflects the second of at least four years of continued recalibration caused by lower international student enrolment and our collective efforts to address the significant, but normal, inflationary cost pressures that all post-secondary institutions in Canada face.

We have managed to achieve a balanced budget by managing costs as well as reflecting increased revenue from our government partners; tuition and fees; and ancillary revenues. In this context, the University continues to explore and budget incremental revenues and cost recoveries. We also continue to challenge traditional service models hoping to enhance the student and employee experience and reduce costs wherever possible.

The main operating budget remains aligned with University values, supporting Making Our World a Better Place: ��ϳԹ� Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and our ��ϳԹ� Action Plan. While clearly focused on constraint and restraint, the 2026–2027 Operating Budget also includes targeted investments in several key strategic priorities. These include strategic enrolment management, expanded investment in the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development, and support for faculties seeking to develop or expand ��ϳԹ�’s online course offerings.

��ϳԹ�’s 2026–2027 Operating Budget totals $231.5 million across three budget packages, which are treated independently and for which each has its own special funding model:

Atlantic Veterinary College at $59.6M
Faculty of Medicine at $26.6M
Main operating budget at $145.3M

As of October 1, 2025, the official enrolment was 5,503 students, including 1,630 international students. This represented a 2.9% decrease compared to the 2024 count. With federal policy decisions related to international students still impacting ��ϳԹ� (as with all post-secondary institutions across Canada), the 2026–2027 Operating Budget reflects an overall enrolment decrease of 4.8% from enrolment in fall 2025.

��ϳԹ� will increase tuition by 6.5% and international fees by 7.5%. The equivalent of 1.0% of the increase in international fees will be deployed toward increased emergency bursaries for international students. The Atlantic Veterinary College will increase tuition and unsubsidized fees by 4.0%. Medical learners studying at the Faculty of Medicine Regional Campus at ��ϳԹ� are subject to tuition rates set by Memorial University of Newfoundland. Those tuition rates are not yet known for 2026–27.

Despite the increases, ��ϳԹ�’s undergraduate annual tuition for domestic students remains one of the lowest in the Maritime Provinces. Island students also benefit from the George Coles Student Bursary, which significantly offsets the tuition costs experienced by students attending ��ϳԹ� in the amount of $3,500 annually to a maximum of $14,000 over four years.

This budget is not without risk. As in previous years, ��ϳԹ� must await final enrolment figures for 2026–27—particularly as they relate to international student enrolment—and assess how our strategic enrolment management efforts are affecting ��ϳԹ�’s student attraction and retention rates before we can confirm our current assumptions.

In addition, the 2026–2027 Operating Budget has been approved prior to the Government of Prince Edward Island’s announcement of annual operating and restricted grant funding for the 2026–27 fiscal year and beyond. ��ϳԹ� will adjust, as required, to the resulting financial realities as those details become known.

Of course, our facilities are aging. We begin to see signs that some of our infrastructure is reaching a critical point. Investment will need to be made to sustain our campus as a healthy, safe environment worthy of the student experience toward which we strive.

��ϳԹ� remains confident that it can, and will, navigate this risk. We will, as the provincial university, address the challenges presented in 2026–2027 and ready ourselves for more adjustments so that we can stabilize—and then strategically grow—to support our students, employees, and communities.

We thank the University leadership, and our broader community and partners for ongoing support in our efforts to enhance our student experience, our campus culture, and our academic and financial sustainability.

Sincerely,

Wendy Rodgers, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor

Tim J. Walker
Vice-President Administration and Finance

2026–27 OPERATING BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

Operating budget – $231.5M, reflecting an increase of 3.8% ($8.5M) compared to 2025–2026 Operating Budget (restated)
Budgeted salary and benefits – $154.9M, reflecting an increase of 5.2% ($7.5M) compared to the 2025–2026 Operating Budget (restated)
Unrestricted operating grant (Main budget) provided by Government of PEI – $49.9M, reflecting an increase of 3.5% ($1.7M) compared to 2025–2026 Operating Budget (restated)
Faculty of Medicine Operating Grant – $26.0M, reflecting an increase of 15.6% ($3.4M) compared to the 2025–2026 Operating Budget (restated)
Annual Undergraduate Domestic Tuition – $8,130, among the lowest undergraduate tuition rates in the Maritimes

Message from the Chair, ��ϳԹ� Board of Governors: Finishing What We Started

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:25:54 -0300

The following message was also emailed to faculty, staff, and students on April 7, 2026.

As the Chair of the Board of Governors, I have been reflecting on what it actually takes for an institution to change in a meaningful way—not simply to acknowledge shortcomings, but to respond in a way that is visible, durable, and worthy of trust.

The Rubin Thomlinson report (��ϳԹ� Review) marked one of those moments. It asked this University to confront difficult realities and to do more than recognize them; it required us to act in ways that would lead to real and lasting improvement for those who had come forward, often at significant personal cost.

In the time that followed, I saw many people across the University engage seriously with that responsibility. The work was deliberate and, at times, difficult. Faculty, staff, students, and external advisors spent months working through what a better system should look like, not in theory but in practice. There were differences of view, as there should be especially in an academic institution, but there was also a shared understanding that the outcome mattered.

One of the most important results of that effort was the development of a new Harassment and Discrimination Policy, along with a companion Sexual Violence Policy. These were not rushed documents or symbolic gestures; they were built carefully, through sustained engagement and revision. They are clearer, more coherent, and more responsive than what came before, and they reflect both current legal standards and what members of this community have said they need in order to have confidence in the system.

That work is now complete, and there is no meaningful dispute about the substance of these policies. Concerns were raised, revisions were made, and what remains is a framework that reflects a serious and collaborative process.

Under ordinary circumstances, that would be the point at which implementation follows. This would be the point where we could, after years of diligence, truly address a fundamental weakness in our foundational policies.

In this case, however, it has not reached that point, yet.

The consequences are not abstract. For the women who came forward more than a decade ago and those who came forward in the Rubin Thomlinson review process, these policies were part of a commitment to them—that their experiences would lead to change, and that the institution would take what they shared seriously enough to improve its systems. I know we honour that commitment and I know that we are very serious about improving systems, but I fear our shared demonstration of this commitment is not coming through in the way I would like to see it.

For students, and for others who may need to rely on these policies in the future, what matters is whether those systems are clear, accessible, and capable of being trusted when they are needed. The policies need to be there and ready for use. We are beyond overdue for providing that security to our community.
A policy that cannot be put into practice cannot meet that expectation for our community.

Over the past several years, the University has made genuine and tangible efforts to move forward. Governance has been strengthened, processes have been refined, and there has been a clear attempt—imperfect but real—to align institutional action with institutional commitments. That kind of work requires consistency, discipline, and, at times, restraint.

It also requires follow-through. What is difficult to reconcile in this moment is not the presence of disagreement, but the fact that something built through such a careful and collaborative process can remain stalled even after the substance has been settled. At a certain point, the continued delay becomes less about the complexity of process and more about what we are prepared to prioritize.

Universities inevitably operate at the intersection of competing interests and perspectives, and that tension is part of their strength. But not every issue can be treated as a question of balance in the same way. Policies that govern how an institution responds to harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence are foundational; they are part of the conditions under which people are asked to study, work, and participate in the life of the University.

My hope is that the University community will choose together to complete what it has started, not because it is convenient, but because it is necessary—it is owed. The work that followed the Rubin Thomlinson report was never intended to end with the drafting of policies; it was intended to result in systems that people could rely on in practice.

We are very close to that outcome.

The remaining question is whether we are prepared to take the final step. We all have a part to play in the future of our community. As a Board of Governors, we are at a point of full endorsement of the policy work of this community. As a community, we await the Faculty Association’s express written consent. Also, as a community, I expect everyone can now reflect on the role that each member can play to become familiar with the board-endorsed (not approved) Harassment and Discrimination Policy and the Sexual Violence Policy, and champion their final approval and ultimate implementation. We all have a role to play, and we truly owe this respect to each other at a very personal level.

I am so proud of the work that has been done by everyone and on the eve of the final step, I want to thank this truly impressive community in all that you do for caring so much about a future environment of safety and security for all.

Sincerely,

Shannon MacDonald, FCA, CPA, ICD.D (she/her)
Chair, ��ϳԹ� Board of Governors

��ϳԹ� graduate students captivate audience at 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:01:53 -0300

Big ideas took centre stage at the ��ϳԹ� on March 20 as graduate students transformed complex research into compelling three-minute stories at the 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, held at The Fox & Crow in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

Taking first place was Owen Brown (Master of Applied Health Services Research) for his presentation, “A Different Kind of Virtual Care: Simulating an Emergency Department.” He will represent ��ϳԹ� at the regional 3MT® competition, which will take place at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on June 5, 2026.

Second place was awarded to Kaushik Raj Bengahalli Kundu Raja (MSc, Sustainable Design Engineering) for “Industrial Vision for Frozen Fries: Measuring Blemish Severity, Enabling Automated Sorting.” Third place went to Mukhayyo Sultonova (PhD, Molecular and Macromolecular Sciences) for “Developing New Strategies to Find Protein Targets.”

The competition brought together an outstanding group of graduate student researchers who delivered fast-paced, engaging presentations to faculty, staff, students, and community members. Each presenter was challenged to communicate their research clearly and creatively in three minutes using just one slide, demonstrating academic excellence and exceptional storytelling.

The students in this year’s competition showcased an impressive range of topics, including drone-based agricultural decision-making, wildfire risk mapping, virtual emergency care simulations, machine learning applications in food quality assessment, protein targeting strategies, neurodegenerative disease research, sustainable crop protection, using the arts to help future teachers make students feel included and engaged, renewable energy challenges, and climate impacts on wild blueberry production in Atlantic Canada.

The competition highlighted not only the diversity of research at ��ϳԹ� but also the ability of graduate students to translate complex ideas into accessible, impactful messages for a broad audience.

The judges included Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, Associate Vice-President Research and Dean of Graduate Studies; Nancy Russell, CBC reporter and ��ϳԹ� alumna; and Doug Keefe, Senior Director, Cyber, Information Management and Data Service, Veterans Affairs Canada.

Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor of ��ϳԹ�, welcomed everyone in attendance and also announced the winners.

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition is an internationally recognized academic event that challenges graduate students to present their research in just three minutes. It celebrates research excellence, creativity, and the ability to connect with diverse audiences.

Agreement with IBEW 1928 ratified

Nicole Phillips — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:41:44 -0300

Last month, ��ϳԹ� reached a tentative agreement with IBEW 1928. This new collective agreement has now been ratified by both parties and is in place. We are grateful to the bargaining teams for their hard work and their constructive, respectful approach to negotiations.

As ��ϳԹ� prepared for collective bargaining this winter, we conducted a comparative analysis of salaries in the context of relevant comparators. While the salary scales for all other unions were comparable to their market, IBEW 1928 salaries had fallen behind local comparators. Therefore, as part of this agreement, these employees will receive a market adjustment.

IBEW 1928 members are utility workers, maintenance repairmen, electricians, and service workers. We are committed to maintaining fair and comparable salaries for these employees and all employees at the University.

We will continue to share updates on collective bargaining with the ��ϳԹ� community on our Labour Relations web pages.

��ϳԹ� students succeed at RBC Student Pitch Competition

Anna MacDonald — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:07:26 -0300

��ϳԹ� students excelled at the RBC Student Pitch Competition held at the J Herbert Smith Centre for Technology, Management, and Entrepreneurship, University of New Brunswick-Fredericton, on March 16, 2026.

Twelve groups totalling 20 students were accepted into and pitched in the ideas stream, which is intended for undergraduates. In total, 23 teams from across Atlantic Canada pitched their ventures in the ideas stream. The RBC Student Pitch Competition is intended for post-secondary students who are developing or have recently launched start-up ventures.

AquaPath AI, founded by Jonathan Zul Luna (BSc Computer Science), Ana Kwon (BSc Computer Science), Daniel Lopez (BBA), and Camille Neri (BSc Environmental Sciences), finished first in the ideas stream and received $3,000. Currently under development, AquaPath AI is a B2B diagnostic platform that automates the detection of MSX disease in eastern oysters using a novel cascading AI architecture. By pre-screening whole slide images and generating explainable, text-based clinical reports, pathology review time is reduced, which helps to address a critical labour shortage in aquaculture health. Developed in collaboration with the Atlantic Veterinary College, this solution leverages a proprietary dataset to provide a commercially viable, biologically validated triage tool for high-volume diagnostic labs with a focus on explainability and transparency.

Avoxify, founded by Ilyas Aderbaz (BSc Computer Science), finished second in the ideas stream and received $2,000. Avoxify is an AI front-office infrastructure platform that helps service businesses capture more revenue by answering calls, qualifying leads, and automating follow-up 24/7. It is deployed across industries such as construction, med spas, clinics, hospitality groups, and automotive businesses. By replacing missed calls and inconsistent response times with an intelligent, human-sounding voice and workflow automation, Avoxify turns customer interactions into structured, scalable systems that drive measurable growth.

AquaPath AI and Avoxify are finalists in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program and will pitch at the Panther Pitch on April 15. All 12 teams were participants in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program and saw the competition as an opportunity to practice and prepare for the Panther Pitch.

“Preparing for and participating in the RBC Student Pitch Competition was a great learning experience for our students—one they took to heart and ran with,” said Amy Andrews, manager of entrepreneurship, ��ϳԹ� Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship. “They worked hard and performed very well. We are so proud of them.”

This was just the second year that teams from ��ϳԹ� participated in the RBC Student Pitch Competition. In 2025, Purely PEI, a start-up venture that makes healthy pet treats from local products, finished second in the ideas stream, winning $2,000.

The ��ϳԹ� Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship provided transportation and support for all teams who attended the event.

Notice to Bargain Received from CUPE 501 and ��ϳԹ�FA BU #1

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:25:46 -0300

��ϳԹ� has now received Notice to Bargain from the Canadian Union of Public Employees 501 (CUPE 501) and the ��ϳԹ� Faculty Association Bargaining Unit #1 (��ϳԹ�FA BU #1). Negotiations are anticipated to commence in the coming months.

We are committed to respectful, collaborative negotiations, and to reaching an agreement that is fair for employees and sustainable for the long‑term health of the institution.
Consistent with our bargaining principles, we will continue to engage in good‑faith discussions and focus on shared priorities that support our employees, uphold a strong student experience, and maintain the overall stability of the institution.

As discussions progress, we will continue to share updates to keep the ��ϳԹ� community informed. To view previous updates or for details on our approach to collective bargaining, visit the Labour Relations web pages on upei.ca.

New children’s book about food discovery to be launched on April 4

Anna MacDonald — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:46:08 -0300

Basil Bunny, a children’s book co-written by Dr. Misty Rossiter, professor of foods and nutrition at ��ϳԹ�, and Leah Ellis, a member of the performance group Tunes and Tales, will be launched on April 4 from 10 am to 12 noon at the Charlottetown Learning Library, at 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown.

Suitable for ages two to nine, Basil Bunny is a gentle, playful story about curiosity, food exploration, and the joy of discovering favourite foods—perfect for young readers, picky eaters, and families who love stories filled with warmth, humour, and heart.

“Leah Ellis, who is an author and music teacher, heard about the research Dr. Jessie-Lee McIsaac and I were doing through the CELEBRATE Feeding Project,” said Dr. Rossiter. “She approached me to see if I was interested in a creative collaboration, and together we wrote Basil Bunny, a children’s story that aligns with some of the key themes of the CELEBRATE Feeding project.”

The CELEBRATE Feeding research team has created many different resources for educators and published a variety of academic papers, she said

“Basil Bunny complements the resources that have been created and is an opportunity for younger audiences to engage with some of the key messages of our work.”

The event will include a book reading with music and crafts and opportunities to engage with the themes of the book through food exploration and sensory fun. Books will be available for sale at the event and also can be purchased on Amazon.

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