Media Releases

From the Desk of the Vice-President, Academic and Research: Student Centeredness

Nicole Phillips — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:29:30 -0400

With the close of the Fall semester coming soon, I reflect on collaborative efforts this term that have fostered academic excellence and student success. This month’s update highlights recent initiatives that broadly relate to the student experience:

Enrolment Management
Student Life
Draft Academic Plan
Senate Committee on Teaching Evaluation
Senate Committee for a Policy on Academic Units
New Undergraduate Major in Indigenous Studies
First Year Suite of Courses ��ɫ��Ƶ 1010 / 1020 / 1030

Enrolment Management

I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Melissa James as the Senior Advisor on Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM). This term position until August 31, 2026, will lead the coordination and implementation of the University’s SEM plan including recruitment, retention, student experience, and revenue sustainability. Dr. James will be facilitating consultation and stakeholder engagement, while providing advice on enrolment management, key performance indicators, and resource implications.

A new Enrolment Liaison position in the Registrar’s Office will be actively monitoring our “recruitment funnel” and focusing on moving applications from initial touch points of prospective students through to enrolment.

Changes to our Open House this year (annual recruitment event on campus), with support of additional investments, yielded wonderful success on October 25th. Registration numbers were up 13% over last year, with a 5% increase from off-Island attendees. Submitted applications went up by over 300 that weekend—an increase of 32% ahead of the same time last year. Standing room only in our largest lecture theatre (PAC) for presentations was great to see! Special thanks to all in Dalton Hall who contributed to make this event successful, and all faculty and staff who attended to proudly showcase their programs.

Student Life

Significant improvements were made over the past few months to enhance the Campus Life program for students at ��ɫ��Ƶ. A survey was conducted to review the past year of activities and gather feedback from students, faculty, and staff. In response to the feedback, the student affairs team strengthened various areas, including but not limited to recreation opportunities, events, a more active social media presence, and greater engagement at varsity athletics. Initiatives have been directed towards improving the student experience on campus at ��ɫ��Ƶ. For more information, or ways that you can contribute, please contact Jonathan Hewitt, Manager of Student Culture and Community Standards.

Draft Academic Plan

A University draft Academic Plan is currently under development. The plan brings together existing academic components within the ��ɫ��Ƶ Strategic Plan and the Roadmap to Student Success and Institutional Sustainability: ��ɫ��Ƶ Strategic Enrolment Management Plan. It also identifies near-term academic priorities of those plans. This alignment among plans will ensure that priority academic initiatives are effectively coordinated and implemented. Consultation with individual faculties and units on this draft plan is currently in progress.

The academic plan will serve as a framework for the implementation of action items in the SEM plan as recommended by a Prioritization and Implementation Subcommittee (chaired by Dr. Miles Turnbull) of the SEM Steering Committee. It will be a continually evolving and adapting framework to meet the overall goals of the university strategic plan. For more information, or comments on these plans, please contact the Office of the VPAR at vpar@upei.ca.

Senate Committee on Teaching Evaluation

A Senate Committee on Teaching Evaluation is currently investigating alternative holistic approaches to teaching evaluation that continue to include student feedback. The committee will recommend methods to mitigate bias and means of improvement in the evaluation of teaching effectiveness, which include student voices and feedback in that evaluation. During this process, it will undertake University-wide consultation and respond to queries and input from academic units, faculty members, and students concerning the investigation of alternative approaches to teaching evaluation. For further information, please contact the Office of the VPAR at vpar@upei.ca.

Senate Committee for a Policy on Academic Units

This committee is examining the roles, functions, authority, and structure of academic units (departments, schools, and faculties). It considers relevant elements of an academic plan and structure to be developed when proposing the creation of a new academic unit. Also, assessment criteria and factors are considered when establishing a new academic unit, merging existing academic units, or closing an academic unit. For further information, please contact the University Secretary, Pascal Robichaud, at parobichaud@upei.ca.

New Undergraduate Major in Indigenous Studies

A proposal for the creation of a new Bachelor of Arts program (Major in Indigenous Studies) was approved by Senate on November 21st, followed by approval by the ��ɫ��Ƶ Board of Governors on December 2nd! The new program will be launched in Fall 2026 by the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies (IKERAS). It will be distinguished by its focus on land-based education and traditional in-person learning. Students will gain new skills and knowledge that support higher levels of proficiency in addressing Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation. The program responds to the need to learn about the diverse cultures and societies of Indigenous peoples, their histories, languages, and cultures. It further supports the TRC Call to Action #63, which refers to “building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.”

This new undergraduate program is a historic moment for ��ɫ��Ƶ on its journey and commitment to Indigenous reconciliation and the TRC Calls to Action. Many thanks to all who have contributed in significant ways to make this remarkable accomplishment possible, especially the Dean, Dr. Angelina Weenie; interim Deans Erin Reid and Gary Evans; Elder Dr. Judy Clark; Dr. Corinne Chappell; and all faculty and staff in the Faculty of IKERAS.

First Year Suite of Courses ��ɫ��Ƶ 1010 / 1020 / 1030

��ɫ��Ƶ has several graduation requirements common to all ��ɫ��Ƶ students. These requirements stipulate that, before a student can graduate, they must complete IKE 1040, a writing-intensive course, and one of the following three options: ��ɫ��Ƶ/English 1010 (Writing Studies); ��ɫ��Ƶ 1020 (Inquiry Studies); or ��ɫ��Ƶ 1030 (University Studies).
Following an external quality assurance review, recommendation from a Working Group (chaired by Dr. Nola Etkin), and recent approval at Senate, students will no longer have this mandatory requirement among ��ɫ��Ƶ/English 1010, 1020, or 1030, except where it may still apply within individual program requirements. These courses will continue to be offered but based on student choice and enrollment. Also, where they may have interest, students will be permitted to take more than one of the three courses early in their academic programs.

This change will be applied to all previous academic catalogue years at the time of implementation (Fall 2026). For those programs with a defined (prescribed) requirement from this group of courses, no change will be made at this time, as that would require a future curriculum change at the program level.

Greg F. Naterer, PhD, P.Eng. (he/him)
Vice-President, Academic and Research
��ɫ��Ƶ

Important reminders about winter weather and university closures

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:18:24 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ takes the safety and security of its students, faculty, staff, and the entire campus community very seriously.

The decision to "close*" ��ɫ��Ƶ due to weather is not made lightly. However, in weather situations where the potential risk to ��ɫ��Ƶ’s students and employees as well as property, is high, the University may close, meaning that classes and exams are cancelled, and services are reduced.

Here is some important information about how we communicate about storm/weather-related closures and things you should keep in mind about parking on campus when ��ɫ��Ƶ is closed.

How will I know if ��ɫ��Ƶ is closed?

��ɫ��Ƶ uses several channels to communicate about university closures. These include:

A message on the home page of upei.ca
An email via our mass notification system, ��ɫ��Ƶ SAFE, to all students, faculty, and staff to their upei.ca email account (learn more about ��ɫ��Ƶ SAFE  and how to download app from the App Store or Google Play to receive texts/push notifications to your mobile device)
Media outlets (radio, TV, and print news websites) are informed and encouraged to share our status
A message is placed on the ��ɫ��Ƶ Campus Closure and Alert Phone Line (902-894-2882)
A message is placed on the ��ɫ��Ƶ Campus Screen network (there are screens in several buildings across campus).
When will I know if ��ɫ��Ƶ has decided to delay opening or close?

When conditions develop outside of normal operating hours on weekdays, ��ɫ��Ƶ announcements to open, close, or delay will be normally issued no later than 6:30 am with updates at 10:00 am (re: 12 noon change in status) and/or 2:00 pm (re: 4:00 pm change in status). On Saturday or Sunday, the first announcement will be issued no later than 7:00 am.

If a decision to close the University is made during normal operating hours, it will be announced as soon as possible through the University’s various communications channels as outlined above.

What about during exams?

The University considers the same factors when determining a closure or delay during the examination period. If there is a closure or delay impacting the exam schedule, revised information will be posted to the online exam schedule as soon as it is available.

Will the ��ɫ��Ƶ reopen after a closure announcement is made?

When the conditions that caused the closure improve and no longer pose a danger to the University community or prevent the normal operation of the campus, ��ɫ��Ƶ may reopen all or parts of the campus. The change in status will be announced as soon as possible through the University’s various communications channels as outlined above.

Winter Parking Restrictions

From November 1 to March 31, winter restrictions on overnight campus parking are in effect.

Parking Lot “A” is the only lot where overnight parking is permitted for the winter season. Residents of Andrew Hall and Bernardine Hall may park overnight in the Andrew Hall lot or General Parking Lot B, provided that their vehicles are moved to Lot “A” during storm conditions and until plowing operations have been completed after a storm.

If vehicles are left in any parking lot other than those specified above during storms or before snow removal is complete, they will be towed at the owner's expense. Facilities Management appreciates your co-operation to ensure parking lots are cleared safely. If you have any questions or concerns regarding winter parking, contact parking@upei.ca

��ɫ��Ƶ SAFE is the University’s safety app and mass notification system, which helps ��ɫ��Ƶ advise the campus community about university/storm closures and emergencies, as well as other safety-related notifications. Download the app now for free!

https://apps.apple.com/app/id1479466169 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cutcom.apparmor.upei 

If you have questions about ��ɫ��Ƶ SAFE  or need assistance downloading the app, please contact:

��ɫ��Ƶ Health, Safety, and Environment
hse@upei.ca
902-566-0901

For more information, email communications@upei.ca

Devon Lawlor and Keiran Gallant named ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week

Ron Annear — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:32:18 -0400

"Devon had a strong and consistent shooting weekend to help propel the Panthers to two important wins," said Matt Gamblin, ��ɫ��Ƶ Women's Basketball head coach.

Gallant is a third-year science student from Covehead, PEI. His breakout season took another leap forward this weekend, highlighted by his most explosive offensive stretch of the year. In the Panthers' 5-4 shootout win over the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men on November 28, the versatile forward sparked the offence with a goal and an assist. Twenty-four hours later, he delivered his biggest performance of the season, piling up a goal and three assists against the Dalhousie University Tigers. In total, Gallant racked up six points and a +4 rating on the weekend

“Keiran was outstanding all weekend. He always shows up with a tremendous work ethic—he’s one of the hardest-working players on the ice every single night,” said Forbes MacPherson, ��ɫ��Ƶ Men's Hockey Panthers head coach. “This weekend he brought that same energy and was rewarded on the scoresheet.”

Go Panthers Go!

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues–October 2025, Issue 4

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:22:38 -0400

We are thrilled by the incredible response to our Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues program! The month of October saw another 47 incredible submissions, each one highlighting the generosity, dedication, and positivity that make our University such a special place. In just over two months, we have received a total of 107 submissions.

Because of this tremendous response, we will continue to share submissions through the upcoming issues of Campus Connector. Read the fourth set of submissions for October (organized in alphabetical order) below.

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

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

Tammy Ryan, Facilities Management

Tammy is our day lead hand and gives it all, always smiling. She is a trooper! I feel she is not only deserving but she gives 100 per cent!

Doug Stringer, Counselling Services

Doug has been a term/casual/temporary counsellor at ��ɫ��Ƶ off and on since December 2023. He is the nicest and most helpful and kind person you could meet! He is always willing to help students and staff! Students have come to the front desk after appointments with him to comment on how sweet and kind and helpful he is!

Emily Tierney, Facilities Management

Emily goes above and beyond daily to assist anyone coming to Facilities Management, whether that be with work orders, general questions, ordering, general communications, and so much more! This goes from not only internally within the department but also with the greater campus community. She is the cornerstone of our department, and we would definitely be lost without her. She has had a tremendous impact on the department over the last two-and-a-half years, not only with her quality of work (which is outstanding!) but also the environment she helps create in the office. Emily is always willing to listen to a coworker, laugh along with everyone, and has made impactful connections in the office and across campus.

Andrea Trowbridge, Registrar’s Office

Andrea has taken on the role of Registrar during a tricky time with passion and skill and has provided direction and purpose to staff and strengthened relationships with faculty and students. By fostering a positive environment in Dalton Hall, Andrea has contributed to success and engagement in the Registrar's Office through her people skills while also providing professional development opportunities and improving and stabilizing our student growth.

Heather Walsh, Human Resources

Heather is a valued member of the Human Resources team. She brings knowledge, kindness, and a genuine willingness to help wherever needed. Her commitment to her role and the team is evident in everything she does. Thank you for being such a fantastic colleague!

Julia Walsh, Administrative Assistant, Applied Human Sciences, Faculty of Science

Julia has been a big help in preparing for the Faculty of Science’s Fall Open House. Thank you very much for lending me your support and helping to coordinate the AHS event as well as your design skills for the presentations, signage, and handouts for the open house.

Kathy Weatherbie, Development and Alumni Engagement

Kathy is outstanding in her role as Senior Development Officer. She’s incredibly organized and detail-oriented, especially when it comes to donor relations. Her kindness and professionalism shine through in everything she does, and she has tremendous potential to bring her skills to many areas across ��ɫ��Ƶ and beyond. Kathy does exceptional work in maintaining relationships within the ��ɫ��Ƶ community and ensuring scholarships, awards, and bursaries are secured for students. On top of all that, she makes the best caramel fudge and always makes everyone feel welcome and valued!

Karen Younker, Service Worker, Facilities Management

Karen gives it all and takes so much pride in her building (W.A. Murphy Student Centre), and it shows! She always has a warm smile for students, staff, and her co-workers. She appreciates her job, and her work ethic is second to none.

��ɫ��Ƶ recognizes International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:46:06 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ will recognize the 2025 International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3 by flying the Flag of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in front of Kelley Memorial Building from December 2–4.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities seeks to increase awareness of the experience of persons with disabilities in all areas of society. The annual observance of the day was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3, following the International Year of the Disabled Person in 1981 and the UN Decade of Disabled Persons from 1983–1992.

The Flag of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was created by Eros Recio in 2017 and presented to the United Nations that year. The tricolour flag has three equally sized horizontal stripes of gold, silver, and bronze that are meant to evoke the medals of the Paralympics. ��ɫ��Ƶ is committed to flying the flag each year on December 3.

This year, the theme of the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are valued at ��ɫ��Ƶ and are central to its mission and values. The University recognizes that individuals within the campus community are affected by various disabilities—visible or invisible—and it is committed to recognizing, including, and supporting them. Students who have disabilities may access support through Accessibility Services, while faculty and staff members who have disabilities may receive assistance through Human Resources.

The City of Charlottetown is also recognizing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, with a flag-raising at City Hall at 9 am, and a Charlottetown for All—Accessibility and Inclusion Expo from 2 to 6 pm at Simmons Sports Centre. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1525830495205744

��ɫ��Ƶ marks 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with flag event

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:52:19 -0400

��ɫ��Ƶ is marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a Red Flag Green Flag event that involves red and green laminated signs hung across campus. The signs are printed with examples and messages about “red flag” (unhealthy) behaviours and “green flag” (healthy) behaviours in dating and relationships.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that began in 1991 and occurs each year from November 25 to December 10. This campaign calls upon people to act, to speak out, and to renew their commitment to ending violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. To honour this important initiative, the ��ɫ��Ƶ Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO), in partnership with fourth-year ��ɫ��Ƶ nursing students created the Red Flag Green Flag event. This is the second year that the event has been held.

Pamela Atkinson, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator, said that the inaugural event last year, which also involved fourth-year nursing students, was visually impactful and sparked many conversations about healthy and unhealthy behaviours in relationships and dating.

“We knew we wanted to bring it back so we asked the nursing students who were doing their work placement with the SVPRO this year to consider adding new perspectives and context, which will hopefully deepen discussions and ensure that more students feel represented and better understand the event’s connection to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” said Atkinson.

There is also a 16 Days of Activism display at the Robertson Library until December 10, which includes a chance to play the SVPRO’s 16 Days of Activism bingo.

During these 16 days, Canada observes three important dates:

November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 10: Human Rights Day

For anyone affected by sexual or gender-based violence, the ��ɫ��Ƶ SVPRO offers confidential support and resources. The office can be reached at 902-620-5090or sv-pro@upei.ca, or visited in person in Rooms 115–118, Kelley Memorial Building, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am–4:00 pm.

Girls Get WISE Challenge Day takes place at ��ɫ��Ƶ on December 6

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:27:21 -0400

On Saturday, December 6, a “Girls Get WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) Challenge Day” is being held at ��ɫ��Ƶ. The day will cover the topics of science, engineering, math, and technology for all female-identifying/two-spirited individuals in grades K-12.

The goal is to expose participants to hands-on science, technology, and engineering activities and careers so that they can make informed decisions about subject choices in future school years. The activities will be led by female faculty and staff from ��ɫ��Ƶ and STEAM PEI staff. There will also be an empowerment activity to address the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.

What they’ll explore:

Interconnected Earth-Food Webs: Discover how ecosystems work and how every
species plays a role.
The Science of Seeing: Hands-on physics activities exploring perception, light, and
optical science.
Coding with Cards: Build coding logic and critical thinking using fun, screen-free
programming challenges.
Adaptive Engineering Studio: Design, create, test, and improve inventions using real
engineering thinking.
Chemistry for a Cleaner Future: Learn how chemical reactions can help create a more sustainable world.

The event is a collaboration between Girl Guides of Canada and STEAM PEI with support from ��ɫ��Ƶ and financial support from Community Foundation of Canada's Gender Equality Fund, Actua, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency.

Students can register online at https://steampei.jumbula.com/Fall2025/GirlsGetWiseCharlottetown.

There is no cost for this event, and lunch is provided.

��ɫ��Ƶ’s Giving Tuesday Campaign focuses on students

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:13:46 -0400

This year, Giving Tuesday is on December 2, and at ��ɫ��Ƶ, the day is all about supporting our students!

“Every gift—no matter the size—plays a part in creating a stronger, more supportive environment where students can reach their full potential,” said Anthony Gill, Director, ��ɫ��Ƶ Development and Alumni Engagement. “When you give to ��ɫ��Ƶ, you are not only supporting today’s students, but you are also shaping the leaders, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow.”

A gift to ��ɫ��Ƶ this Giving Tuesday is an investment in student success and well-being. The generosity of donors touches nearly every corner of campus life and ensures that students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

Anyone donating can choose to direct their gift to an area that resonates most with them, or they can make an unrestricted gift that will go toward the areas of greatest need, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Donations make a lasting impact. Empower ��ɫ��Ƶ students and strengthen the university experience that shapes their future—and ours.

Donate online today or call 902-894-2888 to support ��ɫ��Ƶ students. Your gift. Their future. Our ��ɫ��Ƶ.

Giving Tuesday is a global movement for giving and volunteering that takes place each year after Black Friday. As the “opening day of the giving season,” it is a time when charities, companies, and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes. To learn more about Giving Tuesday, visit givingtuesday.ca.

��ɫ��Ƶ officially opens the new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre

Nicole Phillips — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 17:40:32 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ (��ɫ��Ƶ) marked the official opening today of its new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre, a leading-edge facility designed to support interprofessional education and collaboration across multiple health disciplines.

The 138,000-square-foot, $103-million facility—including $30 million in advanced IT infrastructure—represents the largest capital project in ��ɫ��Ƶ’s history. Construction began in December 2022, and the first cohort of PEI-based medical learners of Memorial University’s regional campus moved in on August 22, 2025. A phased transition plan continues to bring additional tenants and systems online through winter 2026.

The official opening was attended by government partners, donors, stakeholders, and faculty, staff, and student representatives while the broader community was invited to watch the event via livestream.

Tim Walker, ��ɫ��Ƶ Vice-President Administration and Finance, who served as master of ceremonies, formally unveiled the new name of the facility. The official name—Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre—was selected following a consultative process with campus and community stakeholders.

Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor, delivered opening remarks, sharing reflections on the significance of the new centre and the shared vision that brought the project to life. She emphasized the transformative impact the facility will have on health education, research, and collaboration at ��ɫ��Ƶ.

“Today’s opening ceremony is very exciting. It is also our commitment to bring better health care to PEI through teaching, learning, and research across many allied and One Health disciplines. This facility will serve our students in many areas, including nursing, kinesiology, paramedicine, psychology, as well as other first responders and aligns with ��ɫ��Ƶ’s vision to prepare graduates for a rapidly changing world, and our role in making our world a better place. On behalf of the University, I thank all those involved from day one, including our government partners, for their dedication in making today a reality.”

The Honourable Rob Lantz, Premier of Prince Edward Island, recognized the government’s continued commitment to strengthening the province’s health-care system and training future health professionals close to home.

“This facility opens new doors for Island students and strengthens the path toward a stable and skilled health workforce. It brings education, innovation, and patient care under one roof and creates an environment where future health professionals can grow and succeed. Our province is proud to support this work because it will improve care for Islanders and contribute to a healthier, more resilient future for our communities.”

The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Member of Parliament for Malpeque represented the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada.

“Ensuring Islanders, and Canadians, have access to high quality, public, and timely health care is of the utmost priority for our government. Having the ability to train doctors right here, in a state-of-the-art facility will be significant for Prince Edward Island’s healthcare system. This includes strengthening access to care in all corners of the Island. This year, as the school welcomes the first cohort of students, we look forward to our continued partnership with the Government of Prince Edward Island and the ��ɫ��Ƶ to deliver innovative healthcare and increase the capacity of our healthcare system.”

Today’s event recognized the inaugural class of medical learners attending Memorial University’s regional campus at ��ɫ��Ƶ, as well as students from other health disciplines who will learn together in this interprofessional environment. Speakers also acknowledged the collaboration between units under the Office of the President, Office of the Vice-President Administration and Finance, IT Systems and Services, Faculty of Medicine, and the many partners and donors who contributed to the success of this historic capital project which was completed on time and within budget.

The program also included a blessing from Elder Barb Jadis, from Abegweit First Nation, who earlier had smudged a prayer flag that will hang outside the building to bless and protect those who study, teach, work, and seek services within it.

The event concluded with a symbolic moment, the Shared Ribbon of Disciplines, which included students from Nursing, Biology, Sustainable Design Engineering, Climate Change and Adaptation, Paramedicine, Kinesiology, Dietetics/Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Psychology, and Medicine. The ribbon ceremony highlighted the interconnectedness of health professions and the collaborative nature of the new Centre.

A public grand opening and open house will take place in Spring 2026, once the Centre is fully operational, providing the broader community an opportunity to explore the facility and celebrate the next chapter of health education on Prince Edward Island.

The new ��ɫ��Ƶ Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre is one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the country, featuring the following:

a provincial collaborative care centre with a capacity for 10,000 patients,
the provincial adult ADHD clinic,
an expansion of ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Doctor of Psychology program,
dedicated learning spaces for ��ɫ��Ƶ’s nursing, dietetics and nutrition, paramedicine, psychology, kinesiology programs, and more,
a world-class Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre that serves learners and clinicians across PEI and beyond.

Panel of equity, diversity, and inclusion experts conduct review of ��ɫ��Ƶ EDI and Human Rights department

Melanie Anderson — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 14:27:58 -0400

A panel of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) experts made up of three external and one internal reviewer is on the ��ɫ��Ƶ campus from November 26–28, meeting with key stakeholders and conducting a review of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights (EDIHR) department.

Together the panel brings decades of experience leading equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights functions in post-secondary institutions as well as leading the Canadian Association for Harassment and Discrimination in Higher Education.

The group was established with a mandate to consult with select stakeholders and the staff of the EDIHR department on the development of recommendations for the structure and staffing of the unit when fully staffed. The panel has been asked to produce a report that will include recommendations for a structural framework, leadership roles and reporting structure, and staff roles required to meet the needs of the University, prioritizing those identified in the consultation process, as well as the ��ɫ��Ƶ Action Plan and the Rubin Thomlinson Report.

The comprehensive report will guide ��ɫ��Ƶ as the EDIHR department is being further developed to ensure that it has the capacity and expertise to lead the University in systemic and cultural change.

Panel members:

Lisa DeLong is the Director of Human Rights and Equity Services for Dalhousie University. Her office oversees university policies regarding discrimination, harassment, and sexualized violence. Prior to coming to Dalhousie, Lisa worked with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, the Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman, and the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP. She taught the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) course for the Schulich School of Law.

Lisa holds a LL.M. from Dalhousie University, with a thesis focused on restorative approaches in human rights cases. She also holds a LL.B. from the University of Ottawa and a BA (hons.) in Theatre and English from Dalhousie University. She has completed numerous certificates in conflict resolution, human rights, administrative fairness and investigations.

Dr. Tanya (Toni) De Mello has a background in finance, management consulting, and law. She has spent much of her career focusing on and researching equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). She is a human rights lawyer and a certified coach and mediator. She has taught at the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), and several colleges. At TMU, she was the Director of Human Rights and then was the founding Assistant Dean of Students at Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Canada’s newest law school. She is currently Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion at TMU. She has worked with several hundred organizations in training, consulting, and supporting them in the EDI journey and is a leading EDI expert in Canada. She focuses on leadership, relationship building, conflict resolution and creating more inclusive spaces.

In addition to founding two NGOs, she has served in the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the World Food Programme in Geneva (Switzerland), Senegal (West Africa), and Columbia (South America). She holds a dual Bachelor of Economics and Political Science from the University of Waterloo; a double Master’s in Public Policy and Urban and Regional Planning from Princeton University; a dual law degree from McGill University; and a Master of Law from Osgoode Law at York University. She completed her doctorate at the University of Toronto, where she was looking at bias in hiring in Canada.

Milé Komlen is a human rights lawyer, mediator, and workplace investigator, working primarily in the post-secondary sector. He regularly provides guidance to colleges and universities across Canada on administration practices for human rights and equity offices. He is also the Managing Director of Ethical Associates Inc., where he advises institutional clients on conflict resolution strategies and maintains a roster of diverse mediators, adjudicators, and investigators. He has also pioneered the ethical use of AI platforms in conducting investigations and adjudications for institutional clients.

He is formerly the Director of Human Rights and Equity Services at McMaster University and former Senior Advisor on Human Rights and Equity at Brock University. In his other public roles, he was the President of the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education (CAPDHHE) and has served as the Chair of the Equity Advisory Group with the Law Society of Ontario. He holds a Certificate in Workplace Investigations from the Association of Workplace Investigators and an Advanced Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards, and Tribunals from Osgoode Hall Professional Development.

Nola Etkin is the Dean of Science at ��ɫ��Ƶ and is currently serving as the Special Advisor on EDI and Human Rights to the University’s VP, People and Culture. She has served on a number of national EDI committees, including the Canadian Society for Chemistry’s (CSC) Committee Working for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (WIDE), the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat’s Advisory Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy, and she chaired the Canada First Research Excellence Fund EDI Action Plan Review Committee.

Her involvement in equity work began when she was a PhD student at the University of Alberta where she was involved in the local Women in Science and Engineering group and co-chaired the campus LGBTQ group then known as Gays and Lesbians on Campus (GALOC). This involvement has continued throughout her career—she was a founding co-chair of Abegweit Rainbow Collective, which was formed to provide support and advocacy to PEI’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. She is currently a member of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Joint Equity Committee and the ��ɫ��Ƶ EDI Steering Committee. Prior to her appointment as Dean, she served as the President of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Faculty Association and has served on the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) Equity Committee. In 2016 she edited the book Making Chemistry Inclusive: Proceedings of the CSC Symposium on Equity and Diversity in Chemistry, and in 2020 she was awarded the Chemical Institute of Canada’s Chemistry Education Award, recognizing in part her contributions to EDI within chemistry education.

Action Plan IMPACT: Expanded SVPRO ramps up awareness and prevention efforts in visible ways!

Nicole Phillips — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:42:08 -0400

The following article has been distributed to faculty, staff, and students by ��ɫ��Ƶ Communications.

��ɫ��Ƶ’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SV-PRO) was an “office of one” until the ��ɫ��Ƶ Action Plan called for the creation of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights (EDIHR) department.

To support the implementation of the new EDIHR department that would now include the SV-PRO, the positions of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Officer and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator were posted and hired in Year 1 (2024–25) of the Action Plan. Kelly Robinson and Pam Atkinson joined Candice Perry, Sexual Violence Response Navigator, in these roles, and the trio has been advancing the mission of the Office at a furious pace ever since!

The SV-PRO is a safe and confidential space for students, staff, and faculty who have experienced sexual violence to obtain support. The Office is committed to fostering a culture of consent on campus by not only supporting survivors but also by providing the University community with education and awareness around issues of sexual and gender-based violence.

In addition to training, presentations, and distributing information, SV-PRO has been creating this awareness through holding events that result in highly visible exhibits or by posting colourful and/or “catchy” educational materials that people can’t miss!

Here are some (yes, there were more!) of the creative campaigns and activities that were implemented in 2024–2025:

SV-PRO Washroom Signage: In advance of the 2025 school year, SVPRO worked with partners to install discreet signage in every washroom and bathroom stall on campus. This initiative was completed to help better ensure every campus member and visitor knows about SV-PRO and available support. The 4”x 4” signs visually reconfirm the University’s commitment to a safe learning and working environment.
SV-PRO Video: A short video was developed from the ground up, outlining SVPRO services. The video was shot in June 2025 for use in the 2025–2026 year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFWUMyZavng
SVPRO and Residences: SVPRO provided Halloween poster displays for each residence building as well as treat bags with messages of consent and healthy relationships for Residence holiday events. SV-PRO also provided door hangers with comprehensive information about services and supports available for Survivors of sexual violence.
SV-PRO and Athletics and Recreation: As well as the comprehensive training of the varsity teams, SV-PRO also provided training to staff on responding to disclosures as well as developing TV slides and posters to educate on and prevent leering/staring.
SV-PRO Displays:
- Sexual Assault Awareness Week display: Robertson Library and SVPRO partnered on a week-long display. This display included the activity Love Letters to Survivors which allowed campus members to share messages of compassion, community, and care to Survivors at ��ɫ��Ƶ.
- Hallowe’en Eight-Poster “Creepy” campaign: This year’s campaign included a series of eight posters that were displayed in Residences, the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, Robertson Library, and on the EDIHR bulletin board.
- Red Dress Day: SVPRO created a display outside the EDIHR office and issued a call to departments across campus to hang red dresses to recognize Canada’s National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people (MMIWG2S+). We delivered printed red dress flyers to post if areas didn't have an actual dress to display.
SVPRO Events: We hold and collaborate on events throughout the year to increase the SVPRO’s visibility; to allow campus members to meet SVPRO staff and feel comfortable; and to share key messaging about consent, respect, and healthy relationships. Events that have been held since August 2024 that included a visible display:
- Community Quilt for Gender-Based Violence Prevention (November 2024): Students, staff, and faculty were invited to paint small canvases with messages about gender-based violence or healthy relationships that were then made into a “quilt” in a large frame. The quilt now hangs in SV-PRO.
- 16 Days of Activism flag event (November 2024/2025): Nursing students working with SV-PRO developed and hung red flags and green flags across campus, outlining “red flag behaviours” and “green flag behaviours.”
- Love & Sex Week events (February 2025): Collaborating with the ��ɫ��Ƶ Student Union, SV-PRO co-hosted Sex Toy Bingo, provided SV-PRO-branded valentines for Valentine’s Day, and hung posters on consent across campus.
- Consent in Every Corner Collage event (March 2025): Students, staff, and faculty were invited to be creative in collage-making as they shared perspectives on consent, boundaries, and respect across campus. This was in collaboration with the ��ɫ��Ƶ Student Union.
- Scatter Stones (September 2025): Students, staff, and faculty were invited to paint stones with messages of consent, respect, and community that were then scattered across campus to be enjoyed by all campus members. This was in collaboration with the ��ɫ��Ƶ Student Union and Campus Life.
- Photovoice Exhibit (September 2025): Women’s Network PEI and SV-PRO partnered to offer a creative, community-based space for survivors of gender-based violence and individuals navigating life after trauma. Participants were guided through a process of reflection, story-telling, and visual expression, culminating in a photography exhibit. It was displayed at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre and later at the Robertson Library.
- Threads of Consent (October 2025): In collaboration with the ��ɫ��Ƶ Student Union, this was a time for students, staff, and faculty to paint squares on consent at Hallowe’en. Collaboration with the Student Union.

Other ways to learn how the SV-PRO is making a visual IMPACT and creating awareness about issues around sexual and gender-based violence, follow the Office on Instagram @upeisvpro or visit upei.ca/svpro

We will be telling more stories of important progress on the ��ɫ��Ƶ Action Plan on a regular basis, under the “Action Plan IMPACT” banner. Articles will share how the Action Plan implementation activities are being operationalized, becoming entrenched in our culture, and living on long past the plan, making real IMPACT.

To submit your own Action Plan IMPACT story, contact communications@upei.ca.

Message from the Vice-President, Academic and Research: John Bragg Chair in Entrepreneurship

Nicole Phillips — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:29:21 -0400

The following message has been distributed by ��ɫ��Ƶ Communications to faculty and staff on behalf of the Office of the Vice-President Academic and Research.

The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship at ��ɫ��Ƶ provides exceptional learning opportunities for student entrepreneurs at ��ɫ��Ƶ. It coordinates student entrepreneurship activities across faculties; provides spaces for collaboration between students and mentors; and develops new experiential learning opportunities.

The Centre was supported by gifts and funding from supporting organizations and agencies, including a $2.25M contribution from the River Philip Foundation, led by John Bragg. As part of this initiative, a new John Bragg Chair in Entrepreneurship will be established to support the mandate and vision of the Centre.

Overview of the Chair Program

The Chair will conduct research in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in the context of PEI’s ecosystem, and provide leadership and mentorship of student activities at the Catherine Callbeck Centre. They will also provide input to the Centre’s strategic direction.

The development of a model that maps and tracks the health of the PEI entrepreneurship ecosystem can lead to better targeting of services in areas of identified gaps. For example, the use of metrics to characterize the health of the PEI entrepreneurial ecosystem at each stage of the “entrepreneurship funnel” will identify barriers in the system and areas of improvement. These results can then be incorporated into student activities in the Catherine Callbeck Centre.

Terms of Appointment

The chairholder will receive a research grant of $40,000 per year over a three-year duration of the Chair appointment. The grant funds may be used for research-related expenditures which are deemed eligible under Tri-Agency guidelines on financial administration. If the Faculty Member or Librarian wishes to use the grant to fund release from their teaching responsibilities, upon the Faculty Member’s request, a portion of the grant funds can be used to directly fund a stipend to backfill a teaching release.

Selection Process

Selection of the John Bragg Chair in Entrepreneurship is made by an Internal Research Chair Selection Committee (IRCSC). The IRCSC consists of eight Faculty Members and Librarians, including the VP, Academic and Research (or designate), as Chair. The IRCSC determines its own procedures for evaluating applications and making determinations regarding the selected candidate(s).

Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, letter of interest, and brief one-page summary of their proposed research program, to the Manager of Entrepreneurship, Amy Andrews, at abandrews@upei.ca by January 9, 2026.

All applications will be forwarded to the IRCSC for consideration.

To meet the criteria of the John Bragg Chair in Entrepreneurship program, the successful candidate will have the following preferred experiences and qualifications:

Tenured or probationary Faculty Member or Librarian;
An active program or past record in entrepreneurship or related fields of innovation, ideally in the context of Atlantic Canada;
Experience in curriculum design and delivery related to entrepreneurship; and
Demonstrated commitment to community and/or industry engagement.

The Chair program is committed to the ��ɫ��Ƶ EDI Strategy, which advances equity, diversity and inclusion within the University community. The assessments follow the Tri-Agency’s best practice assessment guidelines to ensure that determinations of excellence are not limited to traditional and narrow perspectives (including in the review of Indigenous research).

Erin Cabaday and Kyree Thompson named ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week

Ron Annear — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:37:38 -0400

Second annual Pitch Battles competition deemed a success

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:17:55 -0400

From November 6 to 15, 48 students took part in “Pitch Battles,” a competition offered by the ��ɫ��Ƶ Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship (CCCE) that is open to all ��ɫ��Ƶ and Holland College students.

Over eight days, participants came up with business ideas, developed business models around them, and pitched their ideas and plans to a panel of judges on November 14 for a chance to win $4,000 in prize money. The catch? Students had to sign up without knowing the theme of the competition, who their team members would be, and who their industry mentor would be.

The participants worked tirelessly around their classes, exams, projects, assignments, work schedules, and other extracurricular activities to meet with their teams and mentors to develop business ideas to pitch to a panel of judges. All teams pitched their ideas on Friday, November 14, for a chance at making the finals on Saturday, November 15.

Teams were formed with the intention of placing interdisciplinary students on each team: Students from 11 different programs were placed on 16 teams, with each team being provided a mentor from the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Atlantic Canada.

“I genuinely loved my experience in Pitch Battles because it showed me that entrepreneurship is more achievable than I once believed and gave me the confidence to pursue it,” said Chloé de Carvalho, Bachelor of Business Administration student at ��ɫ��Ƶ and member of the 4SPACE team. “During the eight-day program, I learned how to communicate and pitch ideas clearly and effectively under time constraints. Through working with my team, connecting with other participants, and learning from my mentor, I also learned the true value of collaboration in building both skills and growing business ideas. I truly believe Pitch Battles to be an enriching and unique opportunity that every student should consider!”

The theme of the Pitch Battles competition changes each year but is kept broad so that students from any program can approach the theme and envision business ideas that can relate to their area of study. This was the second year the competition was offered by the CCCE, and this year’s theme was “water.”

The students were evaluated on the following for their three to five minutes pitches plus a three-minute Q and A: problem solving and relevance; value proposition; customer segments; market entry strategy; financials; team needs; delivery; scalability; and Q and A performance. The top eight finalists were 4SPACE, AquaTrack, ByeBycatch, EcoQuest, HarbourClear, HydraClip, Plant Panels, and SentiShell.

Winning first prize of $2,000 was SentiShell for a tensile-tension attachment to oyster, mussel, lobster, and seaweed lines to provide preventative notifications to fishers of the risk of lines snapping due to crop overload or storm conditions. The team members were Oluwatobi Oriade, BSc in Sustainable Design Engineering; Daniel Odoom, BSc in Computer Science; and Demba Cisse, BBA.

4SPACE won second prize of $1,000 and a breakthrough award of $250 for a hinge-based collapsible shipping container design to enable the 41 per cent of all shipping containers being sent empty to take up less space, saving shipping companies money. Team members were Chloé de Carvalho, BBA specializing in Marketing; Omar Maamoun, BBA; and Hicham Barouti, BSc in Biology, specializing in Life Sciences.

ByeBycatch won third prize of $500 for a catch-and-release mechanism on trawl nets using internal machine learning and AI systems to identify unintended species entering the net, cordoning them off, and releasing them. The team members were Jonathan Zul Luna, BSc in Computer Science; and Ana Kwon, BSc in Computer Science.

HydraClip won the Audience Choice Award of $250 for an optical sensor that would connect to the collars of nurses’ uniforms and notify them when they are reaching dehydration levels. The members of this team were Mary Ejairu, BScN; Hadiqa Sulman, BBA; and Ditthi Chatterjee, BSc in Computer Science.

The qualifier judges, who evaluated all 16 teams to pick the top eight for the final, were Amy Andrews, Manager of Entrepreneurship, Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship; David McNally, Founder and CEO, Agyle Intelligence; and Stacey Goldberg, PhD, Co-Founder and CSO, PhyCo Technologies Inc.

The judges for the Pitch Battle final were Natasha Legay, Director, Ocean Startup Project; Doug MacDonald, Senior Investment Officer-Aerospace and Defence, Marine and Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Technology, Innovation PEI; Kyle Woods, Venture Manager and Oceans Stream Lead, Creative Destruction Labs.

The mentors for this year’s Pitch Battle competition were

Bennett McCarvill, Business Development Officer, Innovation PEI
Richard Jones, Coach, Propel ICT
Rachel Cox, Coach, Propel ICT
Ryan Reid, Manager, International Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, UNB
Edward Francis, Business Development Associate, PEI BioAlliance
Dr. Kim Johnstone, Director, Commercialization Programs, Natural Products Canada
Shelley Hessian, IP Counsellor, Springboard Atlantic
Randy Gillespie, Senior Consultant, Windover Group
Ryan Filsinger, Co-Founder and CEO, Iron Fox Games
Brian Stewart, President, RedFox Consulting Inc.
Bethany Deshpande, Startup Coach and Innovation Advisor
Rob Bowness, Partner, Bonus Consulting
Jared Perry, Regional Lead, Experience Ventures
Brent Byrnes, Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada
Daniel Ohaegbu, Executive Director, WorkSource Alliance
David Stirling, Director of Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) and Integrated Resource Management, Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI

Amy Andrews, Manager of Entrepreneurship, CCCE, said Pitch Battles is all about giving students a starting point and is focused on ideation and communication so that anyone, no matter what their background is, can step into entrepreneurship with confidence.

“When students from different faculties come together, the ideas that emerge are rich, creative, and practical,” said Andrews. “Our judges and mentors are a crucial part of that experience. The CCCE is incredibly proud of the work these students put in. They accomplish so much in a relatively short time, and it is truly impressive to see what they create.”

Congratulations to all!

��ɫ��Ƶ to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:29:01 -0400

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women was established in 1991 by the Canadian Parliament in response to the murder of 14 women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal on December 6, 1989. Twelve of the women were engineering students.

The ��ɫ��Ƶ Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) will host a candlelight vigil on Friday, December 5, at 10:00 am, at the Academic Staircase in the FDSE building in recognition of this day.

Engineering students, staff, and faculty will light candles in memory of the women who died 35 years ago: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, and Annie Turcotte.

A commemorative display will be set up near the entrance of the FSDE building all day for those who wish to write messages of reflection and hope. Light refreshments will be provided following the ceremony, and all are welcome.

Members of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women will host their annual Charlottetown Memorial Service on Friday, December 5, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, in Memorial Hall, Confederation Centre of the Arts. The vigil is also an opportunity to remember the 10 women murdered on PEI since 1989 by someone who knew them, as well as murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls in Canada. The event is open to the public.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women falls during the Purple Ribbon campaign, which started in 1992 as a collective show of support to end gender-based violence during which everyone is encouraged to wear purple and purple ribbons during the 16 Days of Activism from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).

The flags near Kelley Memorial Building will be flown at half-mast on December 5 and 6 to commemorate and honour victims of gender-based violence.

��ɫ��Ƶ faculty member participates in 2025 Warsaw Security Forum

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:16:58 -0400

Earlier this fall, Dr. Jeff Collins, assistant professor of political science, represented ��ɫ��Ƶ at the 2025 Warsaw Security Forum where he participated in the New Security Leader program.

He was one of 44 mid-career officials from 18 countries who were selected to learn together and have discussions with world leaders like former CIA Director David Petraeus, former US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, financier and political activist Bill Browder, and Dr. Hsu Szu-Chien, Deputy Security General for Taiwan's National Security Council.

He also participated in discussions under the Chatham House rule about the major conflicts and tensions facing Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including cyber attacks, the war in Ukraine, and tensions between China and Taiwan. Under the Chatham House rule, participants can use information from a discussion but cannot reveal identities or affiliations of speakers.

��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers this Week (November 24–30)

Ron Annear — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:11:01 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers are looking forward to a weekend of competition at home and on the road.

Friday, November 28
AT HOME:
6:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Basketball Panthers play the Memorial University Sea-Hawks at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

Immediately following the game, Colin MacAdam, former ��ɫ��Ƶ Track and Field head coach, will be recognized for his contributions to track and field, basketball, and sport culture.

7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Hockey Panthers play the Mount Allison University Mounties at MacLauchlan Arena.

8:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Basketball Panthers play the Memorial University Sea-Hawks at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

AWAY:
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey Panthers play the St. Francis Xavier X-Men in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Saturday, November 29
AT HOME:
2:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Basketball Panthers play the Memorial University Sea-Hawks at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

4:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Basketball Panthers play the Memorial University Sea-Hawks at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

AWAY:
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey Panthers play the Dalhousie University Tigers in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Ticketing
Tickets can be purchased at panthertickets.ca.

Gold Rush
��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers Gold Rush can be played through the app—��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Recreation—found on Apple and Android, or via upei.goldrush.causable.io.

To view the full season schedule, visit gopanthersgo.ca.

Action Plan IMPACT: Audit report shows, yes, we successfully implemented years 0 and 1 of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Action Plan!

Nicole Phillips — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:11:04 -0400

��ɫ��Ƶ President and Vice-Chancellor Wendy Rodgers hosted a town hall on October 17 regarding the results of the recent independent audit by Deloitte Canada on the implementation of years 0 and 1 of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Action Plan.

At the Town Hall, we learned that ��ɫ��Ƶ has completed over 95% of the defined actions, thus leading Deloitte to confirm ��ɫ��Ƶ’s commitment to the implementation of the Action Plan. The entire ��ɫ��Ƶ community, including the 28 Action Plan implementation leads and program manager Kate Richard, should be Panther proud for supporting culture change and contributing to this progress.

Both in-person and online attendees participated in some interactive word clouds. The first word cloud asked “what are your initial reactions to these audit results?” As the infographic above demonstrates, there were some mixed feelings—to be expected with such a broad culture-change initiative—but the three words garnering the most responses were “hopeful, progress, and positive.”

For the second word cloud activity, participants were asked “What is your role in creating the culture of trust, safety, and inclusion at ��ɫ��Ƶ? In this case, the top three responses were “lead by example, participate, and support."

These activities, like the Audit results themselves, illustrate that the ��ɫ��Ƶ community is committed to fostering a university environment built on trust, safety, and inclusion, and that many see themselves playing a role in achieving success.

Now in year two of our six-year ��ɫ��Ƶ Action Plan, we are beginning to see tangible progress. Some community members have yet to personally observe this progress and are asking, “What has been accomplished? Are we actually moving forward?” The answer is: yes! Years 0 and 1 included many foundational activities such as developing policies and hiring our inaugural Vice-President People and Culture.

We will be telling the stories of important progress on the ��ɫ��Ƶ Action Plan on a regular basis, under the “Action Plan IMPACT” banner. Articles will share how the Action Plan implementation activities are being operationalized, becoming entrenched in our culture and living on long past the plan, making real IMPACT.

To submit your own Action Plan IMPACT story, contact communications@upei.ca.

113 ��ɫ��Ƶ student-athletes achieve U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian status

Ron Annear — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:40:08 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ congratulates the 113 student-athletes who earned U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian (AAC) status for the 2024–2025 season. This number represents 51.4 per cent of ��ɫ��Ƶ’s 220 varsity student-athletes.

��ɫ��Ƶ student-athletes strive for excellence in sport, academics, and the greater community. This level of academic achievement speaks volumes about their work ethic and the quality of the coaches, faculty, staff, volunteers, and others who support them throughout the year.

“We’re incredibly proud of our ��ɫ��Ƶ student-athletes for their commitment to achieving excellence both in the classroom and in competition,” said Jane Vessey, director of ��ɫ��Ƶ Athletics and Recreation. “This national recognition reflects their dedication and effort, and we’re thrilled to honour their accomplishments as they continue to reach new heights.”

To receive this national recognition, student-athletes must achieve academic standing of 80 per cent or higher during the 2024–2025 academic year.

Congratulations to ��ɫ��Ƶ’s U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians!

MEN’S CURLING: Luke Butler, Liam Kelly, Chase MacMillan

WOMEN’S RUGBY: Charlotte Branchflower, Rowan Gallagher, Sara Hanlon, Ria Johnston, Alanna Mabey, Emily-Anne MacQuarrie, Emily McKenna, Lauren Misener, Jasmine Mohtadi, Abbey Morice, Carla Stewart, MacKenzie Stewart, Deirdre Studer

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Juliette Bader, Kate Campbell, Emma-Grace Carrier, Tessa Dodds, Alice Dorsey, Samantha Garvey, Olivia James, Roselyn Kushko, Abby Locke, Hannah Loeb, Claudia Mazzei, Grace McQuaid, Emma Parker, Heather Williams

MEN’S SOCCER: Will Campbell, Rio Crystal, Lachlan MacEachern, Jeremiah Osorio, Jacob Tweel, Max VanWiechen

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY: Anna Harris, Ella Jenkins, Grace Richard, Katie Richard

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY: Jacob Dalton, Ryan MacDonald, Jack Roberts, Baleyon Wolfe

WOMEN’S TRACK and FIELD: Bianca Boutilier, Clare Bowie, Sophie Crabbe, Ella Jenkins, Grace Richard, Katie Richard

MEN’S TRACK and FIELD: Colin Blanchard, Jacob Dalton, Scott Davis, Sidiki Diakite, Divine Ekwealo, Matthew Koughan, Ryan MacDonald, Jeremy Norman, Daniel Onunwor, Jack Roberts, Baleyon Wolfe

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY: Elizabeth Beiersdorfer, Sadie Brown, Sophie Bujold, Erin Cabaday, Julia Cey, Renée Chapman, Anya Epp, Chiara Esposito, Sarah Forsythe, Sarah Fraser, Brooke Henderson, Jazbey Hrynyk, Hayden Lilly, Ruby Loughton, Orianna MacNeil, Chloe McCabe, Ashley McCutcheon, Jessica Mercer, McKinley Nelson, Avery Penner, Rachel Richards, Anjali Simms, Kierra St. Peter, Carly Thompson

MEN’S ICE HOCKEY: Logan Kelly-Murphy, Cole Larkin, Cameron Morton, Joe Ranger, Noah Sedore

WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY: Carly Acorn, Sophie Crabbe, Julie Hall, Ella Hennessey, Ashlyn Kelly, Livi Lawlor, Ella Macdougall, Melia Mason, Maria McLane, Maggie McNeil, Sarah Peters, Jenaya Ross, Charlotte Thompson

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Deborah Aboagye, Sydney Cummins, Mya Hines, Grace Lancaster, Devon Lawlor, Sydney Lawlor, Abby Miller, Elise Plaschka, Lauren Rainford, Lily Vrugteman, Samantha Zoffranieri

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Sam Chisholm, Daniel Gonzalez Longarela, Nicolás Gonzalez Longarela, Grant Schell, Kamari Scott, Owen Smith, Nathan Whitnell

Stay up to date with our ��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers at gopanthersgo.ca.

��ɫ��Ƶ to host Research on Tap on December 3

Anna MacDonald — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:16:52 -0400

��ɫ��Ƶ will host a Research on Tap event on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 6 pm, at the Salvador Dali Café, 155 Kent Street, Charlottetown, PEI.

Dr. Malcolm Murray, professor of philosophy, will give a talk titled “Can Morality Accommodate Supererogation?” His talk will be followed by a question-and-answer discussion.

“A supererogatory (or super nice) act goes beyond moral duty, is morally approved, and carries no moral condemnation for failure to comply,” he said. “This demarcation raises the following puzzle: ‘How can we morally praise an action that is not morally required?’ Conversely, we may wonder how acting outside the set of morality is still moral.”

Here is an example of supererogation: During a heavy snowstorm, your neighbour is safe in their home, but their driveway becomes buried in snow. You have no obligation to help—your neighbour didn’t ask, and it isn’t your responsibility. But you decide to shovel their entire driveway for them. Shovelling the driveway was a generous, above-and-beyond act—a classic example of supererogation: something morally good but not required.

Research on Tap is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend.

CBC Maritime Noon live at Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Nov. 20

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:35:19 -0400

��ɫ��Ƶ faculty, staff, and students are invited to participate in CBC Maritime Noon’s live show at the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, St. Peter’s Bay, on Thursday, November 20, from noon to 1 pm.

Maritime Noon host Bob Murphy will ask the question: How do we tackle climate change while trying to rebuild the economy? Panelists will be Dr. Aitazaz Farooque, associate dean, ��ɫ��Ƶ School of Climate Change and Adaptation, and Dr. Xander Wang, professor, ��ɫ��Ƶ School of Climate Change and Adaptation, and director of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Climate Smart Lab and NSERC CREATE–CLImate Smart Agriculture (CLISA) Network.

Also being interviewed will be Donald Killorn, executive director of the PEI Federation of Agriculture, and Heather Laiskonis, executive director of the PEI Watershed Alliance.

You are welcome to contribute your questions and thoughts in person at the CCCCA, by calling the show at 1-800-565-1940, or by emailing marnoon@cbc.ca

Learn more about the live show at https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/maritime-noon-canadian-centre-for-climate-change-pei-9.6976482

��ɫ��Ƶ economic impact report: University boosts provincial GDP by over $228M

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:45:32 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ has released “A Catalyst for the Island’s Economic Transformation – Economic Impact Report”, demonstrating how the provincial institution plays a strategic role for the Island’s economy by turning out trained graduates, supporting research and development, and helping to grow key industry clusters across the province.

The report was released to the members of the University and broader Island community during a presentation and panel discussion hosted by Dr. Wendy Rodgers, ��ɫ��Ƶ President and Vice-Chancellor, on Monday, November 17. Economist David Campbell, President of Jupia Consultants Inc., who was commissioned by ��ɫ��Ƶ to undertake the analysis, presented key findings and insights from the report, highlighting how the University’s GDP impact is among the highest in Canada as a share of the provincial economy.

“��ɫ��Ƶ has been a key catalyst in support of the Island’s recent growth spurt and the development of key clusters including biosciences.” said Campbell. “The University is one of the top employers in the province and is a major influence in the advancement of the economy and society on PEI.”

The report quantifies the University’s direct and indirect contributions to PEI through the recruitment and retention of highly qualified workers, contributing to the education level of the workforce on the Island, and leveraging every dollar invested by the provincial government to $3.03, the 3rd best leverage ratio among the 10 Canadian provinces.

The session was moderated by Kim Griffin, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Maritime Electric; panelists included Dr. Jim Sentance, Professor of Economics, ��ɫ��Ƶ; Katie Arsenault, Partner, Island Capital Partners; Lauren Ledwell, Chief Executive Officer, PEI BioAlliance; and Kevin Ladner, Executive Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Doane Grant Thornton.

Dr. Wendy Rodgers emphasized how the University’s impact will continue to grow with and lead in the economic development of the province. After this period of significant growth of the university it will be important to stabilize sustainable growth trajectory in the years ahead. Dr. Rodgers also noted that the impact of the university is so much more than economic. It influences culture, politics, and community, and attracts talent and ambitious young people to the Island, and develops the skilled workforce needed to sustain industries and innovation.

“We are pleased to release this economic impact report, just ahead of launching our new five-year strategic plan, ‘Making our World a Better Place’, also this week,” said Dr. Rodgers. “We are focusing on opportunities to leverage University-developed initiatives into larger-scale community and industry partnerships and impacts.“

The full report is now available on the Publications page of the upei.ca website.

Key Findings

Total economic impact on provincial GDP from ��ɫ��Ƶ operations and associated with students living off campus: $232.4M
Economic impact of ��ɫ��Ƶ’s capital investment program
>Direct investment of $170M (new Faculty of Medicine/Health Sciences facility, AVC expansion, and other campus upgrades) on provincial GDP: $137.8M
>Labour income: $78.5M / Person years of employment: 1,376
>Taxes: $31.6M
The higher education sector on PEI accounted for $44M worth of R&D in 2022, performing 48% of the total R&D in the province between 2014 and 2022.
University enrolment on PEI grew faster than all other provinces between 2017–18 and 2022–23, with many graduates supporting industries such as biosciences, information technology, and health care
There has been an 53% increase in enrolment in master’s and doctoral programs between 2012–13 and 2022–23.
Between 2019 and 2024, PEI ranked first in Canada among the 10 provinces for the growth in university-educated people participating in the workforce.
In recent years, no other province has seen a faster decrease in the gap between male and female academic staff.
��ɫ��Ƶ leveraged provincial funding well, generating $3.03 in total revenue for every $1.00 of provincial government revenue, which is the third best provincial funding leverage ratio among the 10 provinces.
��ɫ��Ƶ supports sport tourism in Charlottetown, by attracting and hosting national events at its campus sport venues.
As one of the Island’s largest employers, ��ɫ��Ƶ supported $157.6M in total labour income across the Island in 2024, and total employment of 1,806 (estimated). This is an amount equivalent to one out of eery 28 workers in the Charlottetown region.

Bren Simmers wins prestigious Writers’ Trust of Canada award for poetry

Anna MacDonald — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:51:40 -0400

Bren Simmers, publication coordinator at the Island Studies Press, the publishing arm of the Institute of Island Studies at ��ɫ��Ƶ, was awarded the Latner Griffin Writers’ Trust Poetry Prize during the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s annual awards ceremony in Toronto on November 13.

Valued at $60,000, the Latner Griffin Writers’ Trust Poetry Prize is awarded annually to a Canadian poet in mid-career who has published at least three collections of poetry that demonstrate mastery of the art. Poets are recognized for a remarkable body of work and for their anticipated future contributions to Canadian poetry.

Simmers is the author of five books, including the poetry collections Night Gears (2010); Hastings-Sunrise (2015); If, When (2021); and The Work (2024), and her first book of non-fiction, Pivot Point (2019). She won the League of Poets’ 2025 Pat Lowther Memorial Award for The Work, which was also nominated for a 2024 Governor General’s Literary Award.

She also won CBC’s 2022 Poetry Prize for her collection of poems Spell World Backwards, which is included in The Work; she was the first person from Prince Edward Island to win this prize. Her work has also won The Malahat Review Long Poem Prize and the Arc Poem of the Year Award and has been widely anthologized.

“We here in Island Studies and at ��ɫ��Ƶ are thrilled for Bren,” said Dr. Laurie Brinklow, chair of the Institute of Island Studies and a published poet herself. “Her dedication to her poetry has been tremendously inspiring these past several years. Everyone who comes into her orbit will attest to her artistry as well as her generosity and kindness. This recognition is so well deserved. Congratulations, Bren!”

Simmers has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Victoria and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree from the University of British Columbia. She has received grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Innovation PEI, and the Squamish Arts Council.

Ingrid Khuong and Kyree Thompson named ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week

Ron Annear — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:13:51 -0400

Every week, ��ɫ��Ƶ Athletics and Recreation recognizes student-athletes for their achievements and contributions to their respective sports. The ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week for November 10–16 are Ingrid Khuong (women’s basketball) and Kyree Thompson (men’s basketball).

Khuong is a first-year sustainable design engineering student from Québec City, Quebec. During the November 15 game against Acadia University, she set the tone in the second-half surge, spearheading a defensive effort that sparked a 47-19 run, powering the Panthers to an 80-61 victory—their fifth straight. She capped the night with an impressive line of eight points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block.

“Ingrid is currently leading the AUS in offensive rebounding, and she leads our team in rebounding, blocks, and assists, and is second in steals,” said Matt Gamblin, ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Basketball Panthers head coach. “We haven’t seen someone impact the game in so many ways since Panther great Carolina Del Santo. Ingrid’s impact is undeniable and totally based on grit and toughness.”

Thompson is a fourth-year arts student from North Preston, Nova Scotia. He delivered his best performance of the season when the Panthers needed it most. In the November 15 matchup with Acadia University, ��ɫ��Ƶ turned to Thompson off the bench, and he answered, matching a career-high 29 points with four rebounds, three steals, and an assist to steer the team to a 70-67 win.

“Kyree was outstanding on Saturday and gave us a big boost offensively,” said Darrell Glenn, ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Basketball Panthers head coach.

Go Panthers Go!

��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers this Week (November 17–23)

Ron Annear — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:56:32 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers are looking forward to a week of competition at home and on the road.

Wednesday, November 19
AT HOME:
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey Panthers host the University of New Brunswick Reds at MacLauchlan Arena.

Friday, November 21
AWAY:
6:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Basketball Panthers play the Dalhousie University Tigers in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Hockey Panthers play the St. Thomas University Tommies in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
8:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Basketball Panthers play the Dalhousie University Tigers in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Saturday, November 22
AWAY:
6:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Basketball Panthers play the St. Francis Xavier University X-Women in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Hockey Panthers play the University of New Brunswick Reds in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey Panthers play the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus in Moncton, New Brunswick.
8:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Basketball Panthers play the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Ticketing
Tickets can be purchased at panthertickets.ca.

Gold Rush
��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers Gold Rush can be played through the app—��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Recreation—found on Apple and Android, or via upei.goldrush.causable.io.

To view the full season schedule, visit gopanthersgo.ca.

��ɫ��Ƶ political science students meet with ambassadors from three Baltic countries

Anna MacDonald — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:00:22 -0400

Students in Dr. Jeffrey Collins’s Comparative Politics course at ��ɫ��Ƶ recently had an opportunity to learn about life in three Baltic countries.

Last month, the students hosted a discussion with Kaspars Ozoliņš, Ambassador of Latvia; Egidijus Meilūnas, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania; and Margus Rava, Ambassador of Estonia. During the discussion, which was led by student moderators Isadora de Souza and Josh Sobrecaray, they heard first-hand accounts about what life was like under Soviet totalitarianism and how the Baltics continue to be preoccupied with their national security and existence.

The ambassadors reiterated the appreciation people in their countries have for Canada, saying that Canada refused to recognize the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1991, and this principled stance is not forgotten.

“It was an important reminder of how Canadian diplomatic decisions today can last generations,” said Dr. Collins.

During their visit to PEI, the ambassadors also met with Dr. Wassim Salamoun, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island; Premier Rob Lantz; Paul Ledwell, Deputy Minister of Veteran Affairs Canada; and Mayor Philip Brown. They also met with a wide range of business representatives from PEI and visited the Charlottetown Library and Learning Centre.

President's Town Hall: Help us launch our new Strategic Plan!

Nicole Phillips — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:24:31 -0400

The following message was also emailed to students, staff, and faculty on November 4, 2025.

Dear ��ɫ��Ƶ Community,

Next week, we will launch our new strategic plan, Making our world a better place: ��ɫ��Ƶ Strategic Plan (2025–2030). This new five-year plan is the result of a year-long community discussion on ��ɫ��Ƶ’s future.

To help launch the plan, we hope you will join us at the town hall on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at 2:30 pm at the Performing Arts Centre and Residence amphitheatre (PAC 121S). If you are unable to attend in-person, you can join us via this Teams link.

This plan reflects consultation and input from more than 700 people across the university and broader community. We are grateful to all ��ɫ��Ƶ students, faculty, staff, and alumni for contributing to this effort.

Our strategic plan focuses on delivering outstanding learning and experiences for our students in a welcoming environment—one that values integrated and inspiring teaching, education, and research. Institutional success in teaching, research, and scholarship supported by effective operations will be our focus. Our core values of Academic Freedom; Accountability and Integrity; Pursuit of Excellence, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and a Sense of Belonging; and Reconciliation will guide our decision-making and actions as we move forward together.

By focusing on our strengths, with the sustainability of our finances in mind, we can be the top choice for Islanders as well as a top destination in Atlantic Canada for students across the country and around the world.

Our focus on strengthening our foundation is purposeful. We are charting a new course at ��ɫ��Ƶ—one that is grounded in accountability and responsibility among all of us to live our values as shaped by the voices of our community.

Every step we’re taking now is meant to ensure academic quality, support our students, faculty, and staff, and build a stronger university for the years ahead.

As we move forward, we remain committed to open consultation, clear communications, and regular updates on our progress. This includes sharing how decisions are made, how they align with our values, and how we’re working to strengthen our campus culture.

We hope to see you next week.

Wendy

Wendy M. Rodgers, PhD (she/her)

President and Vice-Chancellor

��ɫ��Ƶ

902-566-0400 president@upei.ca

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues–October 2025, Issue 3

Melanie Anderson — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:28:23 -0400

Because of this tremendous response, we will continue to share submissions through the upcoming issues of Campus Connector. Read the third set of submissions for October (organized in alphabetical order) below.

Kristy McKinney, ��ɫ��Ƶ Teaching and Learning Centre

Kristy kindly welcomed me to her team and helped me connect with the staff union, fostering a sense of belonging from the start. Her support didn’t end there—she quickly invited me to co-create a collaborative Lunch and Learn event, welcoming campus faculty to explore reflection practices for Truth and Reconciliation Day through the creative process of making zines. Kristy’s commitment to activism and inclusive engagement is truly inspiring, and her welcoming nature has made me feel at home on my new team.

Dr. Martha Mellish, Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College

Dr. Mellish plays an integral role in the DVM students’ learning as well as the care and welfare of the resident horses. Her willingness and ability to adapt while changes are happening within the courses is greatly appreciated. Her dedication to student learning and success is exceptional. Her unwavering support of her staff and colleagues does not go unnoticed. Dr. Mellish makes my days brighter.

Spencer Merz-Wood and Rosie Le Faive, Robertson Library

Rosie and Spencer brought forward a policy change for community borrowers registration for using the Robertson Library. The previous registration policy, which required proof of a permanent address, created a barrier for unhoused Islanders. The policy change was proposed with a goal of increasing accessibility and equity. Kudos to Rosie and Spencer for increasing access for equity-seeking groups to the Robertson Library! - Kim Mears

Dianne Malone and Larry Kelly, Facilities Management

I’ve included Dianne and Larry together in this submission because they both make our days in Don and Marion McDougall Hall a little brighter. They care about their work and the connections they make with us in Marketing and Communications. They always say hello when passing by our office doors or ask if we need anything. I feel like they’re a part of our team here, and we’re lucky to have them working in our area. Their positivity goes a long way!

Tracy Manning, Department of English, Faculty of Arts

I am recognizing Tracy Manning for her outstanding kindness, mentorship, and unwavering support during my first role as a casual staff member at ��ɫ��Ƶ and the Faculty of Arts. Tracy embodies the true spirit of ��ɫ��Ƶ, fostering inclusion, teamwork, and excellence through her daily actions. Her genuine care and consistent willingness to help others create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Tracy not only does her job but also makes a lasting impact on the people around her. - Leticia Chimah

Edwin Mfone, Marketing and Production, Marketing and Communications

I want to recognize Edwin for the incredible difference he has made since joining our team (Marketing and Production). He brings such depth of skill and curiosity to every project, and his thoughtful, steady approach has already improved how we work. Edwin is the kind of teammate who listens, collaborates, and quietly makes everything run smoother, all while keeping a sense of professionalism and calm even when things get complex. He has earned everyone’s trust and respect in a short time, and it’s clear that he’s here to make a lasting impact. We’re lucky to have him at ��ɫ��Ƶ. - Emi Abou Wafia

Debbi O’Brien, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts

Debbi has immense understanding and kindness for her fellow colleagues, faculty, and students at the Psychology Training Clinic (PTC) within the PsyD program. While recently taking on the role as director of the PTC, which is a brand-new role within the department, she is also still supervising students. Debbi continues to ensure that the daily routines of the PTC run smoothly while addressing issues or problems, serving on the committee; working through processes and procedures, and supporting admin staff, fellow supervisors, and faculty. She wears many hats as director, but she really supports the program as a whole! Debbi’s kindness shows through each day no matter how hectic things might be!

Nicole Phillips, Communications and University Relations, Marketing and Communications

Nicole, ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Director of Communications and University Relations, exemplifies remarkable leadership, integrity, and dedication. Tireless in her commitment to the University, she is often among the first to arrive and the last to leave, ensuring ��ɫ��Ƶ’s reputation is not only protected but elevated across every platform and audience. Under her guidance, a small but mighty team manages an extraordinary volume of work—executing with precision and professionalism that rivals much larger institutions. Known for her honesty, strategic insight, and extensive network of contacts locally, regionally, and nationally, Nicole is a true ambassador for ��ɫ��Ƶ and a driving force behind its respected public voice.

Ellery Richardson, Marketing and Production, Marketing and Communications

I want to take a moment to recognize Ellery for his incredible resilience and positivity over the past months. During a period when our team was understaffed and the workload was especially heavy, Ellery never wavered. He handled every challenge with composure, professionalism, and an unfailingly positive attitude. Beyond his steady presence, Ellery brings true creative talent and a fresh approach to design. He’s not afraid of feedback; in fact, he welcomes it and continually pushes himself to deliver stronger, more refined work every time. Thank you, Ellery, for guiding us through a difficult stretch with such grace, dedication, and creativity. ��ɫ��Ƶ is lucky to have your talent and spirit on the team. - Emi Abou Wafia

Kelly Robinson, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights (two submissions!)

Kelly organized the creation of Love Letters to Survivors, a campus community-made art piece that features letters of hope, love, and support written by campus community members to survivors of sexual violence. This piece is now beautifully displayed in the SVPRO so that survivors/victims will see these notes as they access services offered at the SVPRO. As a survivor myself, I felt very emotional seeing this piece; it gave me profound hope to read the words shared by our campus community—to see that WE are a community that believes survivors; WE are a community that can transform something heinous into something hopeful; bit by bit, day by day, WE will fight to eradicate gender-based violence in all of its wretched forms. I feel so humbled to work alongside Kelly. I am grateful for her creativity and the demonstrable care she instills into her work here at ��ɫ��Ƶ. Though change can be painfully slow, actions from folks like Kelly remind me that there are many people on campus who approach our work as more than just a checkbox—these actions do not go unnoticed and WILL amount to the changes we need and hope to see in the world!

Kelly is skilled at building and strengthening relationships and will go out of her way to make you feel valued and understood. She puts 150 per cent of her effort into her work and is effective at her job as Education Officer. From August until October, Kelly hustles to coordinate and facilitate educational presentations to our Athletics and Recreation department and student-athletes, our Residence Life Advisors, managers, faculty members, student leaders, and more. Within that same time frame, she partners with various groups to ensure students, faculty, and staff are aware of the SVPRO during Welcome Back Week, Consent Week, and Sexual Assault Awareness Week. She manages the SVPRO social media, collaborates with many departments, and is engaging for both students and staff. She is thoughtful in her words and actions, is generous with others, has a kind heart, and a soft smile for everyone. Outside of the department and even outside of the campus community, I often hear about the great work SVPRO is doing and more often than not, Kelly has had a major role in that work.

Dr. Wendy Rodgers, Office of the President

I want to take a moment to recognize Wendy for the remarkable leadership she has brought to ��ɫ��Ƶ. When she first stepped into her role, many of us weren’t sure if things could truly change; there were issues that felt deeply entrenched and were difficult to name. But through her integrity, fairness, and steady presence, Wendy has made it possible for people to speak up and be heard, and trust that action will follow. Her leadership has created space for honest conversations and accountability, and we’re already seeing real, positive change because of it. Wendy leads with a focus on both people and progress, a balance that inspires confidence and strengthens our community. We’re deeply grateful for her guidance and the example she sets every day.

��ɫ��Ƶ President hosts panel discussion on University's impact on the provincial economy

Nicole Phillips — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:24:54 -0400

Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor, ��ɫ��Ƶ, invites the ��ɫ��Ƶ community and members of the public to learn more about ��ɫ��Ƶ’s impact on PEI’s economy on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 3:00–4:30 pm in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, on the ��ɫ��Ƶ campus.

Hosted by Dr. Rodgers and moderated by Kim Griffin, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs with Maritime Electric, the event will include a presentation and panel discussion based on the economic impact report that was recently prepared by Jupia Consultants Inc.

In addition to Dr. Rodgers and Ms. Griffin, panelists include David Campbell, President, Jupia Consultants Inc.; Dr. Jim Sentance, Professor of Economics, ��ɫ��Ƶ; Katie Arsenault, Partner, Island Capital Partners; Lauren Ledwell, Chief Executive Officer, PEI BioAlliance; and Kevin Ladner, Executive Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Doane Grant Thornton.

All are welcome to attend in-person or to join via this Teams link.

Take Our Kids to Work Day at ��ɫ��Ƶ a success for 25 grade nine students

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:24:00 -0400

��ɫ��Ƶ Human Resources welcomed 25 Grade 9 students from schools across the province for Take Our Kids to Work Day on November 5, 2025.

Take Our Kids to Work Day is an annual event that introduces Grade 9 students to the world of work and provides a day of exploration and inspiration. At ��ɫ��Ƶ, the day offered a special opportunity for students to explore the University, learn about different career paths, and imagine the kind of future they want to build.

This year’s national theme, “Lift Up the Future,” chosen by the Student Commission of Canada, is a call to support young people as they explore their paths and envision the world they want to create. By encouraging this journey, leaders not only help students uncover their potential but also help to strengthen communities and create a better future for all.

The Take Our Kids to Work Day at ��ɫ��Ƶ began with the Human Resources department where students reflected on their future ambitions by sharing their career aspirations and how they hope to “lift up” the future.

They then went on a campus tour led by Jane DiCarlo, Manager of Recruitment, visiting highlights such as the Robertson Library, Performing Arts Centre and Residence, and Don and Marion McDougall Hall. They also experienced what it feels like to sit in a university classroom.

At the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE), Dave Taylor, Manager of Operations, guided the students through the state-of-the-art building. They joined FSDE staff and students for a hands-on activity—taking apart and rebuilding broken toys, which is part of an engineering student fundraiser titled Makers Making Change.

The group then visited the Interprofessional Health Education Facility, where Jeff Clow, Director of Academic Affairs, and Heather Howatt, Director of Communications, for the Faculty of Medicine, led a tour of the new facility, including the networking and administration spaces, the Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre, and medical laboratories. Students learned about the innovative spaces, advanced technologies, and collaborative environments that support hands-on learning, interprofessional education, and team-based health-care training at ��ɫ��Ƶ.

The day wrapped up at the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall where students enjoyed lunch and participated in a fun activity with Kylah Hennessey, Career Counsellor, Experiential Education, and Krissi Ewing, Student Coordinator, Co-operative Education. They explored career “myth-busting” and reflected on the challenges and opportunities that excite them most about the future.

Reflecting on their experience, Hannah Peters, East Wiltshire Intermediate School, and Isla Richardson, Queen Charlotte Junior High School, agreed that Take Our Kids to Work Day exceeded their expectations.

“Coming to ��ɫ��Ƶ for this day was amazing! I got to see how big and welcoming the campus is. Everyone was so friendly, and there was so much happening everywhere I looked. I really liked walking through the buildings and seeing the labs and classrooms where students learn,” said Peters. “It made me excited to think that one day I could be studying here too. ��ɫ��Ƶ feels like a place where people really care about learning and about each other. I hope I get to call it my University in a few years. Thank you to everyone who organized such a fun day for us!”

“The University was amazing! The lecture halls looked straight out of a movie, and the new medical facility had lifelike manikins and special-effects makeup,” said Richardson. “Seeing all the tools and projects in the engineering building really opened my eyes to how people solve real-world problems. I didn’t expect to see such cool technology and stuff like that right here in our province!”

Thank you from ��ɫ��Ƶ Human Resources:

We wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the students who participated. We hope you left inspired and excited for the possibilities ahead!

A sincere thank you to all ��ɫ��Ƶ staff and students who contributed their time and enthusiasm to make this day a success. Your support helped create a memorable and meaningful experience for these young visitors.

Human Resources: Cassie Driscoll, Heather Walsh, Hadiqa Sulman, Tara Watters, Beth Doucette, Lindsay Albert, and Jessica Field

Recruitment and First Year Advising: Jane DiCarlo and Cindy Peng

Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering: Dave Taylor, Tin Nguyen, Sandy Doucette, and Lilly O'Rielly (student)

Faculty of Medicine: Jaclyn Sanderson, Meghan Cheverie, Daniel Scott, Ross Doucette, Tammie Muise, Paul Charles, Elliot Christopher, Nicole MacDonald, Jeff Clow, Apryl Munro, Heather Howatt, and Paul Young

Experiential Education: Kylah Henessey, Krissi Ewing, and Megan MacLean

We would also like to thank those behind the scenes who supported this day, including the Office of the Vice-President, People and Culture; Dana Catering; and all those who fielded questions to support a smooth day.

Grace Richard and Luc Doucette named ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week

Ron Annear — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:02:55 -0400

Every week, ��ɫ��Ƶ Athletics and Recreation recognizes student-athletes for their achievements and contributions to their respective sports. The ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week for November 3–9 are Grace Richard (women’s cross country) and Luc Doucette (men’s cross country).

Richard is a fifth-year science student from Charlottetown, PEI. She turned in a strong performance at the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships at Stade de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec on November 8, finishing 70th overall with a time of 30:35.

“Grace capped off her ��ɫ��Ƶ cross country career in style with her best race of the year. Finishing 71st in a field of 193 top-calibre runners is truly outstanding and sets her up for an awesome indoor season,” said Mike Peterson, ��ɫ��Ƶ cross country head coach.

Doucette is a first-year arts student from Charlottetown, PEI. He capped off his debut year as a U SPORTS All-Rookie Team selection after finishing 61st overall (26:05) at the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships in Sherbrooke.

“Luc capped off an amazing rookie season by being named to the U SPORTS All-Rookie team,” said Peterson. “He showed a lot of heart when he got pinned in the back of the pack early on but then clawed his way back to finish 61st among the 174 fastest runners in the country.”

Go Panthers Go!

��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers this Week (November 10–16)

Ron Annear — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:16:30 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers are looking forward to a week of competition at home and on the road.

Thursday, November 13
AWAY:
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Hockey Panthers play the Saint Mary’s Huskies in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Friday, November 14
AT HOME:
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey Panthers host the Saint Mary’s Huskies at MacLauchlan Arena.
AWAY:
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Hockey Panthers play the Dalhousie University Tigers in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Saturday, November 15
AT HOME:
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey Panthers host the Acadia University Axemen at MacLauchlan Arena.
AWAY:
6:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Basketball Panthers play the Acadia University Axewomen in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
8:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Basketball Panthers play the Acadia University Axemen in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Ticketing
Tickets can be purchased at panthertickets.ca.

Gold Rush
��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers Gold Rush can be played through the app—��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Recreation—found on Apple and Android, or via upei.goldrush.causable.io.

To view the full season schedule, visit gopanthersgo.ca.

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues–October 2025, Issue 2

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:09:51 -0400

Because of this tremendous response, we will continue to share submissions through the upcoming issues of Campus Connector. Read the second set of submissions for October (organized in alphabetical order) below.

Sharon Clark, Development and Alumni Engagement

Sharon does incredible work as Research and Prospect Coordinator. She’s amazing at research, no matter the topic, and she knows how to find what she needs and make the most of every tool available. A big part of her role involves identifying donors and helping create more scholarship and award opportunities for ��ɫ��Ƶ students. She’s deeply connected to the ��ɫ��Ƶ community, always celebrating student accomplishments and going out of her way to congratulate both current and past students. Her positivity makes people feel genuinely appreciated. Sharon’s kindness stands out. She takes time to chat with others and make them feel valued. She often jokes that she’s not a “people person,” but she’s truly one of the most wonderful and kind people I’ve ever met.

Marcus Cusinato, Athletics and Recreation

He is dedicated, hardworking, and technical, and he has tactical proficiency. The student-athletes respect and value him.

Adrienne Fudge, RN, ��ɫ��Ƶ Health and Wellness Centre

Adrienne leads a number of initiatives for our campus including mass immunization clinics for flu and COVID-19, rabies immunization and titre clinics for AVC, MenB vaccine clinics to ensure students have access to free MenB vaccine if they wish, and our sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) program to normalize testing for those at risk of STI’s. Adrienne is conscientious, knowledgeable, and non-judgmental in her approach. She keeps up in her practices, is very approachable, and leads the team in their hand hygiene practices.

Chris Gallant, Deryl Gallant, Graham Nixon, and Doug Burton, IT Systems and Services

Despite the request coming to them unconventionally and during an extremely busy time, the ITSS team jumped into action and supported ��ɫ��Ƶ Communications with the recent successful live broadcasts of CBC Radio’s Island Morning and Radio-Canada’s Le Reveil from The Fox and Crow. Chris met with numerous representatives from the two media outlets and was extremely helpful in ensuring their testing of the internet connection went smoothly in advance of the broadcasts. Thank you! - Nicole Phillips

Sydney Gaudet, Faculty of Nursing

It is a privilege to work alongside Sydney. She approaches teaching with creativity and intention, encouraging students to think critically about mental health and the broader contexts of nursing practice. Her teaching is both innovative and deeply human, blending critical inquiry with genuine care for her students’ growth. As a colleague, she is generous with her time and ideas and is always open to conversation, collaboration, and reflection. Her presence brings a sense of thoughtfulness and integrity to the team, and I am grateful for her mentorship, support, and generosity.

Neal Gillis, Marketing and Production, Marketing and Communications

I want to recognize Neal Gillis for the tremendous impact he has on our team. Neal brings such smart, thoughtful perspectives to every conversation and approaches everyone with care and respect. He’s a strong, steady anchor for the entire team, someone we all count on. Neal leads major projects with skill and creativity, and his work plays a vital role in helping the marketing team make evidence-based decisions. Our marketing to prospective students simply wouldn’t be the same without his insight and talent. He’s also genuinely fun (and funny!) to work with, the kind of colleague who makes even the busiest days lighter and better. We’re so fortunate to have him on the team. - Emi Abou Wafia

Yuqin Gong, Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research

Yuqin works quietly and tirelessly day after day for ��ɫ��Ƶ ensuring that data collected is accurate and reflective of student life here at the University. Her job and the work she does often goes unnoticed, and it is a great time for Yuqin to be recognized for all that she does!

Tina Halliwell, Human Resources

Tina is a pivotal member of the Human Resources payroll team. She is primarily responsible for processing student hiring paperwork across the entire campus. Hardworking, diligent, and meticulous, Tina consistently goes above and beyond her core responsibilities to support others. Whether it’s catching something that has been missed in a hiring package, guiding students through tax forms, or helping staff and faculty with approving hours, Tina approaches every task with patience, kindness, and a supportive attitude. She is a joy to have around the office, and we genuinely look forward to seeing her each day. Human Resources is incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.

Simon Lloyd, Robertson Library

Simon creates a connected and supportive working environment. He regularly highlights and shows his gratitude for the staff. As Interim University Librarian, he is leading the Library through a busy transition, and he is doing so with kindness, always making himself available.

Erin Martin, Faculty of Nursing

I am new to the team in the Faculty of Nursing. When I first joined the team, Erin immediately made me feel welcome. She’s the kind of colleague who never hesitates to help. She has answered my dozens of questions, talked through situations, and let me shadow her during a shift so I could get a better sense of the work. None of this was expected of her, but she did it all with patience and kindness. I’m truly grateful for her generosity and the guidance she’s offered along the way.

Dr. Jo-Ann MacDonald, Faculty of Nursing

Dr. MacDonald is a dedicated, compassionate, and thoughtful nursing leader and educator who consistently takes the time to listen and share with her colleagues and students. Jo-Ann’s wealth of knowledge and experience supports her nursing colleagues who are both new and experienced in their educator roles. Her kind gestures of writing short notes of encouragement and words of celebration (and slipping them under colleagues’ office doors) strengthen our faculty’s team spirit and are a wonderful reminder of the great work that we are all doing as we educate student nurses and nurse practitioners for tomorrow’s health-care system. - Nancy Clark

Kevin Macdonald, Maintenance, Facilities Management

Kevin goes above and beyond every day in his job. He is always there to lend a helping hand to others as well.

Breanne McInnis, Finance, Comptroller’s Office

Breanne has played an important role in helping me reorganize and align the financial procedures and systems within our department (Ancillary Services), helping to lay a stronger foundation for our department’s business activities. Her ongoing support and guidance have been invaluable to me and my team as we work to embed the University’s values and strategic objectives into our priorities and forward vision. Breanne consistently goes above and beyond her responsibilities to ensure that our transition is not only well-managed but also sustainable. Her deep commitment to ��ɫ��Ƶ is evident in her willingness to support colleagues across departments and in her ability to foster the relationships needed to navigate this period of change. Breanne’s contributions continue to strengthen our campus community, and we are grateful for her dedication.

Martine McKay, Undergraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine (two submissions!)

Martine has a background in medical education, having worked with two other medical campuses, so we are extremely lucky to have her with us now. When you undertake the establishment and implementation of a new regional medical campus, there are many moving pieces and much learning that has to take place, so having someone who has experience in this area has been invaluable. Martine is always willing to take on any task and to help others learn from her experience. She goes above and beyond to ensure that the medical learners, faculty, and support staff are prepared to deliver the curriculum to the highest standard, and she does it all with a smile! The learners recently had their first exam, and Martine was right there to make sure they understood every part of the process, eased their anxiety, and made the entire process appear seamless. Although Martine could work from home at times, she chooses to be in the workplace in person to engage with her colleagues, learners, and faculty. She values relationships and takes great pride in the work she does, and we see and appreciate the value she brings daily. Thank you, Martine!

Martine is always willing to help out other colleagues when they are in a bind. She’s great fun to work with, and she makes the day fly by. We’re very lucky to have her.

Island Lectures Series features Kate MacQuarrie on November 18

Anna MacDonald — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:49:31 -0400

Award-winning botanist, naturalist, and author Kate MacQuarrie will give a talk titled “The Wild Side of PEI” on November 18, 2025, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge (Room 201), SDU Main Building, ��ɫ��Ƶ.

MacQuarrie’s talk is part of the Institute of Institute’s 2025 Island Lecture Series. The lecture is free, and all are welcome.

Prince Edward Island is known as the “million-acre farm” and “Canada’s food island,” but there is so much more to the province than farming and fishing! In this illustrated presentation, MacQuarrie will take the audience on a tour of some of PEI’s best remaining natural landscapes—from iconic coastal sand dunes and red sandstone cliffs to wetlands, ancient peat bogs, and old growth forests.

MacQuarrie has more than 30 years of experience working with the plants, wildlife, and natural history of PEI. In addition to her role as director of PEI’s Forests, Fish, and Wildlife division, she runs PEI Untamed, a business dedicated to helping people learn, explore, and reconnect with the natural world around them. She has conducted research in the province’s upland hardwood forests and coastal sand dunes, found plants not previously known to exist on the Island, published papers in national and international peer-reviewed journals, and has just published her first book, Wild Foods of Prince Edward Island, with Acorn Press. She is currently working on another book due to be published in the fall of 2026.

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

��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers make history with bronze medal win at national field hockey championship

Ron Annear — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 13:37:17 -0400

November 2, 2025, will go down as a landmark day for the ��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers and the sport of field hockey in Prince Edward Island. The Panthers earned their first-ever national medal with a 2-0 victory over the Dalhousie University Tigers to capture bronze at the 2025 Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS National Invitational Championship, hosted by ��ɫ��Ƶ from October 30 to November 2.

The historic win capped off a breakthrough season for the Panthers who were competing in only their second appearance at the national championship.

Third-year forward Kayla Batchilder, who was named Atlantic University Field Hockey League (AUFHL) Most Valuable Player and a U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadian, led the way for ��ɫ��Ƶ with two second-half goals. Goalkeeper Bria Matthews, alongside Livi Lawlor, Miah Lawlor, Carly Acorn, and Katie-Grace Noye, had stellar performances all weekend long. It was truly a team effort across the board for ��ɫ��Ƶ as they secured a U SPORTS bronze medal on home turf in front of family and friends.

The tightly contested match remained scoreless through the first half, with both teams coming up empty on penalty strokes. A key turning point came when Matthews made a crucial save on a Dalhousie penalty stroke, deflecting the shot off the post. Minutes later, Batchilder broke the deadlock in the 54th minute and another goal just one minute later to seal the victory.

The bronze-medal match was a rematch of the AUFHL championship game, which ��ɫ��Ƶ also won 3-0, in Halifax on October 19.

All games at the national championship were played at ��ɫ��Ƶ’s turf field. The York University Lions (Ontario University Athletics champion) defeated the University of Victoria Vikes (Canada West champion) 1-0 in the gold-medal match, with York scoring the decisive goal in the 58th minute.

With the Panthers’ journey from going winless (0-4) in their national debut last year to standing on the podium this year, the progress speaks volumes about the program’s growth. The team knew what to expect this time around, and they were ready.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Lacey MacLauchlan, ��ɫ��Ƶ field hockey head coach, said the result shows that the ��ɫ��Ƶ Field Hockey Panthers can compete with the best in the country, and it signals a bright future for the sport on the Island.

“To compete and win the bronze medal at home,” she said in the interview, “it’s a testament to the potential of field hockey and the potential of our athletes in PEI.”

Congratulations, Panthers!

Message from the V-P Academic and Research: Appointment of the University Librarian, Dr. Svetlana Kochkina

Nicole Phillips — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 10:46:09 -0400

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

On behalf of the Search Committee, I am pleased to share news that Dr. Svetlana Kochkina has been appointed as the University Librarian, for a five-year term, effective March 1, 2026.

Dr. Svetlana Kochkina was the Acting Head of the Osler Library of the History of Medicine at McGill University in 2024–2025. In this role, she oversees a broad portfolio that includes collections management, fundraising, donor engagement, and digitization initiatives. Her collaborative projects at the university have included museums and international partners.

Previously Dr. Kochkina was the Head of Lending and Access Services of the Humanities and Social Sciences Library at McGill, where she led numerous projects, including preparing a 1.5 million-item HSSL collection for relocation to remote, high-density robotic storage. Dr. Kochkina played a key role in implementing Quebec’s Network Loan service at the McGill Library. At McGill, she has taught courses in the School of Information Studies, including Government Information, Law Information, and the History of Books and Libraries. She also held leadership positions at the Bibliographical Society of Canada (BSC), including serving as BSC President in 2023–2025.

Dr. Kochkina received an MA in Philology at St. Petersburg State University, followed by MLIS and PhD degrees from the School of Information Studies at McGill University.

Many thanks to Simon Lloyd for serving as the interim University Librarian since July 1, 2025, and continuing in this interim role until February 28, 2026. Under Simon’s leadership, the Library renovation and fundraising projects have moved ahead successfully. Since July, Simon has made significant leadership contributions including a Quality Assurance Review (a key objective of the Library’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan), collection acquisitions, and overall services and supports from the Robertson Library to the University community.

Special thanks to the members of the Search Committee for their efforts during the search process, particularly Kim Mears who chaired the committee during periods of my absence during the summer. Our gratitude also goes to all who provided input during this search process. This feedback was carefully considered by the committee in its deliberations.

Greg F. Naterer, PhD, P.Eng. (he/him)
Vice-President, Academic and Research
��ɫ��Ƶ
Charlottetown, PE Canada C1A 4P3

From the Desk of the Vice-President, Academic and Research: Advancing Together

Nicole Phillips — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:34:39 -0400

I am pleased to introduce a new regular email that shares updates on recent academic and research initiatives, keeps us connected with their ongoing progress, celebrates success, and invites feedback. Your ideas are welcome—please send any comments or suggestions for future topics to the Office of the VPAR, Donna Lawless, at vpar@upei.ca.

Enrolment Updates

The Association of Atlantic Universities recently reported that enrolments of international students across Atlantic universities have declined by nearly 28% (-6,431) year over year. When the federal government (IRCC) announced a ‘cap’ on international students in January 2024, its goal was to reduce the total enrolment of international students by 35 per cent. Since imposing this restriction, international student enrolments across Atlantic universities have declined by 36 per cent or 9,425 fewer students.

Like most universities in Canada, ��ɫ��Ƶ has experienced a decline in enrolment because of the decrease in international students. As of mid-October, year-over-year total international student enrolment is down by 14.1%. On a positive note, total domestic enrolment is up by 2.7%, and considering both, total university enrolment is down by 2.9%.

Compared to other universities, ��ɫ��Ƶ has done reasonably well. For example, comparing ��ɫ��Ƶ/Atlantic region: full-time undergraduate and graduate students: -2.3% (total Atlantic region: -4.8%); and international students: -14.2% total (total Atlantic region: -27.7%). We remain concerned when enrolments decline so we are focusing on numerous initiatives currently underway in the strategic enrolment management plan. Special thanks to all who are contributing to these initiatives, particularly the offices of recruitment, admissions, academic support, student culture and community standards.

Roadmap to Student Success - Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) Plan

As communicated previously, the Steering Committee seeks input from the University community on the draft SEM plan. View the latest draft version of this plan. Feedback and comments were previously invited to be sent to the Chair of the Steering Committee, Dr. Melissa James, at mjames@upei.ca, or to vpar@upei.ca. All feedback will be considered by the committee as it finalizes the SEM plan in coming weeks. Various new initiatives are currently active in the SEM plan to help as we move ahead to address enrolment challenges, such as expanded recruitment, forthcoming new academic advising model, curriculum coherence initiative, and better retention analytics capabilities, among others.

Early Academic Assessment

As one of the initiatives underway to improve student persistence and completion (Goal 1 of the SEM plan), the Academic Planning and Curriculum Committee has proposed early assessment in academic coursework. Early assessment—involving a minimum proportion of graded work by a prescribed date in the semester—is relevant to student success. Past research studies have shown that timely feedback on academic performance identifies at-risk students early enough to seek advising and other support that helps students navigate their academic challenges. When early feedback is provided, past studies have reported that students can adjust their study strategies before performance gaps become too difficult to overcome. Any feedback on this initiative is welcome—please send comments to vpar@upei.ca.

Faculty of Medicine

The first Faculty of Medicine Orientation was held successfully in late August and early September. It served as an introduction for the first incoming class of 20 Island medical learners at Memorial University’s regional campus, located at ��ɫ��Ƶ. The orientation provided students with insights into the medical profession, academic resources, and fostering a sense of community among peers. A staff appreciation event was held on October 21 to express gratitude to ITSS, Facilities Management, and the Faculty of Medicine, for their exceptional work in bringing the new building from a vision to life. It has been a pleasure to welcome students in this first medical school class—the beginning of a new chapter at ��ɫ��Ƶ and a historic moment for the province of PEI!

Office of Commercialization, Industry and Innovation (OCII)

The OCII office has recently undergone a rebranding exercise with support and assistance from Marketing and Communications. Tentatively it will be changing its name to Research, Partnerships, and Innovation (RPI). The team has reworked the mission, vision, tagline and core values. The new vision is “to be the beacon of collaborative research, delivering real-world solutions nurtured locally and impactful globally.” Thank you to the Associate Vice-President Research and Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, the Director of Marketing and Production, Emi Abou Wafia, and the entire team for their work on this rebranding effort. If there is any feedback on this rebranding, please contact researchservices@upei.ca or eabouwafia@upei.ca.

Greg F. Naterer, PhD, P.Eng. (he/him)
Vice-President, Academic and Research
��ɫ��Ƶ

Making our world a better place: ��ɫ��Ƶ Strategic Plan (2025–2030)

Nicole Phillips — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 11:46:29 -0400

The following message was also emailed to students, staff, and faculty on November 4, 2025.

Dear ��ɫ��Ƶ Community,

In the fall of 2024, ��ɫ��Ƶ began a consultative process to develop a new strategic plan.

Over the course of 10 months, more than 700 members of our campus and broader communities engaged in conversations about the future of a strong ��ɫ��Ƶ and our role in making meaningful contributions in an increasingly complex world.

We are pleased to announce that Making our world a better place: ��ɫ��Ƶ Strategic Plan (2025–2030) was approved at the October 7, 2025, ��ɫ��Ƶ Board of Governors meeting.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed to this effort.

As a community, ��ɫ��Ƶ has emerged from a period of challenges and changes with a renewed vision for the future. Together, we will transform lives and communities through lifelong learning, scholarship, research, discovery, and partnerships. At ��ɫ��Ƶ, we will build on the power of education and research to unlock potential by connecting people and ideas to one another, to our province, and to the world.

Simply put, at ��ɫ��Ƶ we are all committed to making our world a better place.

With a vision that is clearer than ever, as well as a new senior executive team and stronger governance processes, ��ɫ��Ƶ is committed to being an institution that embodies its values. With the input of our community, ��ɫ��Ƶ’s core values of Academic Freedom, Accountability and Integrity, Pursuit of Excellence, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and a Sense of Belonging, and Reconciliation will serve to guide our decision-making and actions as we move forward together.

Our strategic pillars, Thriving People and Communities; Innovative and Connected Teaching, Research, and Scholarship; and Sustainability, will encompass many strategic priorities to be revisited annually for a strong, sustainable future.

��ɫ��Ƶ must work toward ensuring positive growth and engagement for our students, faculty, and staff. We must work towards genuine and relational reconciliation with Indigenous communities, and constructive and productive relationships with communities and industry partners. We need to bring our best ideas and scholarly and scientific approaches and findings to these interactions and to the world. We must do all of this in sustainable ways.

As operational plans are developed annually to implement priority goals, measurable outcomes will be monitored, allowing us to track our progress and impact.

Our vision is aspirational and will challenge our community to do better, not necessarily more. Just as collaboration has been key to developing our strategic plan, the efforts of our entire University community will be needed to effectively implement our strategies for a stronger future for our students, faculty, staff, volunteers, and community partners.

We invite you to join us on this journey! Please help us launch our ��ɫ��Ƶ Strategic Plan (2025–2030) at the town hall on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 2:30 pm (more details to come.)

Together, we can make our world a better place.

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

Wendy M. Rodgers, Ph.D. (she/her)
President and Vice-Chancellor

��ɫ��Ƶ Canada Research Chair in Socio-Psychological Epidemiology for Healthy Animals renewed

Anna MacDonald — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:41:30 -0400

Dr. Caroline Ritter, assistant professor in the ��ɫ��Ƶ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, has been renewed as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Socio-Psychological Epidemiology for Healthy Animals for five years ending June 30, 2030.

Dr. Ritter’s chair, valued at $500,000, was included in an announcement of more than $690 million to support science and research made by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, on October 22.

As CRC, Dr. Ritter will investigate antimicrobial use (AMU) in the dairy industry and how prudent use can mitigate the development of resistant pathogens. Antimicrobials are used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

“Antimicrobial resistance driven by AMU is a major threat to human, animal, and environmental health worldwide,” she said. “While scientific inquiry in recent years has helped to understand motivators and barriers that affect dairy farmers’ decisions to transition to more selective AMU, more research is needed to understand how they can be better supported during the transition phase.”

Dr. Ritter will work with her graduate student Tunmise Faith Ehigbor and Banting postdoctoral fellow Dr. Katie Koralesky, among other researchers, to explore why the transition to selective AMU worked well on some dairy farms while others decided to return to less selective management. This approach will provide a deeper understanding of the context and mechanisms that contribute to a successful transition to selective AMU.

In collaboration with Dr. Dave Renaud and Havie Carter, researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College, the team will also investigate a train-the-trainer educational model through which veterinarians are trained to educate farmers about selective AMU.

“Veterinarians are trusted farm advisors and are uniquely positioned to promote and support selective AMU,” said Dr. Ritter. “The train-the-trainer model—where experts from industry and academia train veterinarians who then train farmers—can efficiently share knowledge and strengthen local capacity.”

Ultimately, she said, the lessons learned from the research will provide recommendations for selective AMU that are practical, beneficial, and acceptable to veterinarians and farmers, thus enhancing the potential for widespread implementation.

Dr. Greg Naterer, Vice-President, Academic and Research, congratulated Dr. Ritter on the renewal of her CRC.

“Dr. Ritter is a world-renowned researcher who has made significant contributions to the fields of dairy cattle and equine health and welfare,” he said. “Her work will result in the development of best practices that will benefit the health and welfare of animals. Through this CRC program, she will also make important contributions to the education of future veterinarians and the veterinary medical profession.”

��ɫ��Ƶ acknowledges the assistance of Canada’s tri-council of federal granting agencies—the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)—through its Research Support Fund, which helps fund services and infrastructure that support research activities at the University. In 2025–2026, ��ɫ��Ƶ’s RSF allocation is $1,168,176.

Kayla Batchilder and Jakob Robillard named ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week

Ron Annear — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:21:43 -0400

Every week, ��ɫ��Ƶ Athletics and Recreation recognizes student-athletes for their achievements and contributions to their respective sports. The ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week for October 27–November 2 are Kayla Batchilder (women’s field hockey) and Jakob Robillard (men’s hockey).

Batchilder is a third-year kinesiology student from Charlottetown, PEI. She scored all three goals for the Panthers during the Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Invitational Championship over the weekend. She played a pivotal role in the bronze medal game against Dalhousie University on November 2 where she scored goals in the 54th and 55th to seal the victory.

“Kayla came up clutch all weekend just as she has done all season long,” said Lacey MacLauchlan, ��ɫ��Ƶ field hockey head coach. “She scored with just two minutes left in our first game to tie it and then found the back of the net twice in the final seven minutes to help us capture bronze.”

Robillard is a third-year business student from Rockland, Ontario. He started both games for ��ɫ��Ƶ this weekend, allowing just two goals. In the 9-2 win over Dalhousie University on October 31, Robillard denied 17 shots. During the game on November 1, he recorded a 26-save shutout in a 7-0 win over St. Francis Xavier University.

“Jakob had a very good weekend and has really stepped up his game this season,” said Forbes MacPherson, ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey head coach. “He was solid in both games and made some big saves when we needed him to.”

Go Panthers Go!

Self-Care Fair and Soup for the Soul on November 19

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:04:17 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ Healthy Campus Committee invites all students, faculty, and staff to attend the annual Self-Care Fair on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at MacMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre. This is a celebration of wellness, balance, and community with the opportunity to explore campus and community resources that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Enjoy informative booths featuring handouts, giveaways, and engaging wellness activities, including interactive fitness and health testing at the ��ɫ��Ƶ Kinesiology Program booth where you can test your grip strength, balance, and flexibility.

Some of the wellness vendors include

��ɫ��Ƶ Foods and Nutrition
Women and Gender Diverse Peoples Division
PEI Gambling and Gaming Support Unit
Live Well PEI Health Promotion Unit
��ɫ��Ƶ Athletics and Recreation
Lung Association of NS and PEI
��ɫ��Ƶ Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office
PEI Pharmacy Association
��ɫ��Ƶ Health and Wellness Centre
Provincial ADHD Program
Canadian Mental Health Association
Dairy Farmers of Canada
��ɫ��Ƶ Human Resources
Workplace Learning PEI (ADAPT)

Complimentary food, door prizes, and a prize spin wheel will be available.

Donations of non-perishable food will also be accepted in support of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Campus Food Bank.

As part of the day’s wellness activities, ��ɫ��Ƶ students, staff, and faculty are invited to enjoy Soup for the Soul at the Chaplaincy Centre from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, hosted by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Services. Enjoy the soup of the day with bread, rolls, and dessert.

Join us to learn, connect, and celebrate self-care at ��ɫ��Ƶ!

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues–October 2025, Issue 1

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 09:49:51 -0400

Because of this tremendous response, we will continue to share submissions through the upcoming issues of Campus Connector. Read the first set of submissions for October (organized in alphabetical order) below.

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

Accessibility Services, Student Affairs

Please recognize the amazing work that everyone in the Accessibility Services unit does: from the admin to the manager, to the exam coordinators, to the learning strategists, to the adaptive technologists! They do such important and necessary work in assisting and advocating for students with visible/invisible and permanent or temporary disabilities. They also are getting busier and helping more students, but do not have the staffing or resources that they require. They do such amazing work with how little they have. They all care deeply about assisting students, and that shows in all they do each day.

Jen Alabiso, Registrar’s Office (two submissions!)

Jen joined ��ɫ��Ƶ as the Manager of Admissions not that long ago and has already covered significant ground in updating many processes, with an eye to efficiency, transparency, and EDI principles. She is a remarkable leader and manager who supports her team and others around her. She constantly checks to see how other staff are doing and shows a great deal of kindness and compassion. I’m so happy to have Jen as part of the ��ɫ��Ƶ team!

I want to take a moment to recognize Jen for her incredible dedication and the positive impact she’s making on campus. Jen is exceptionally smart and has been working tirelessly to streamline the admissions process, making it easier and more efficient for everyone—students and staff alike. She is deeply student-centred and brings an impressive depth of knowledge about how to make the student journey the best it can be. Beyond her expertise, Jen is genuinely warm, fun to be around, and brings a sense of joy to every interaction. ��ɫ��Ƶ is truly lucky to have her.

Jessica Bard, Learner Wellbeing and Success (LWS) Office, Faculty of Medicine

As the LWS Office’s Event Coordinator, Jessica is passionate about her job. And that passion shines through in everything she does. She is always prepared and organized, doing it all with a smile. The Faculty of Medicine is so lucky to have Jessica who cares thoroughly about her work and brings a positive presence to the office.

Melissa Bender, PsyD Program, Faculty of Arts

Melissa is very dedicated to the PsyD Program at ��ɫ��Ƶ. She works extremely hard to balance clinic-focused work as well as academic-based work. The PsyD Program and PTC are unique places to work. She always strives to support not only fellow staff members, but faculty and students to the highest standard she can. She is kind, caring, hardworking, and has the best sense of humour! Melissa is truly a staff member who deserves to be recognized for her remarkable role within the program.

Shawn Bernardi, School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Faculty of Science

Shawn goes above and beyond the call of duty to keep Cass Science Hall clean. This is a man who takes his work seriously. More than once, I’ve found myself saying: “Thank you, Shawn, for the offer, but I really don’t think my office floor needs another waxing.” And Shawn’s diligence is by no means limited to floor waxing. He does a phenomenal job. Respect.

Inara Bhalesha, Student Culture and Community Standards, Student Affairs

I would like to recognize Inara Bhalesha for her outstanding contributions to our Fall Open House event. Although this event does not fall within her official responsibilities as Student Engagement Officer, Inara has gone above and beyond to ensure its success. When planning challenges arose, she stepped in with initiative, creativity, and remarkable organization. She recruited and coordinated volunteers, developed schedules and communications, created volunteer guides and campus tour scripts, and even prepared printed maps, schedules, and welcome bags—ensuring every detail was thoughtfully managed. Her dedication, kindness, and student-focused approach have made a tremendous impact on the coordination of this year’s event. Quite simply, we could not have done it without her. Inara exemplifies reliability, leadership, and teamwork, and I am truly grateful to have her as a colleague on the ��ɫ��Ƶ team.

Dr. Susan Brown, History and Classics, Faculty of Arts

Dr. Brown teaches in a way that feels more like storytelling than lecturing. She never just reads off slides; she brings history to life, recalling names, events, and dates right off the top of her head. Her passion for teaching made me fall in love with Irish history. She’s also incredibly supportive outside the classroom. Even during a hectic semester, she went out of her way to teach me a directed studies course so I could stay on track to graduate. I think she’s a star!

Katelyn Browne, Robertson Library

Semester after semester, librarian Katelyn Brown provides exceptional support to the 1030 instructional team as we seek to help first-year students gain the skills they need for university. Katelyn creates a site of curated materials for assignments, runs multiple library sessions and custom tutorials, and encourages students to reach out to her for support. Her positive and open approach is greatly appreciated by instructors and students alike and is a model of dedication and expertise. Katelyn really does go above and beyond and has become an integral part of our success as teachers. – The ��ɫ��Ƶ 1030 Teaching Team (Alaina, Brenton, Callum, Christina, Jill, and Mark)

Dr. Gabriela Arias de Sanchez, Faculty of Education

I feel incredibly lucky to have had Dr. Gabriela Arias de Sanchez as my postdoc supervisor. From the very beginning, she created a space that was safe, respectful, and full of trust. I never felt micromanaged. Instead, I was given the freedom to explore ideas, take risks, and grow into my own way of working. What stood out most was her quiet steadiness. She always showed up with calmness, care, and kindness, especially during moments of uncertainty. I knew I could count on her support, not just as a researcher but as a whole person navigating life and work. That kind of mentorship is rare, and I will carry it with me for a long time. I’m so grateful for everything she offered—not just the guidance but the way she made me feel seen and encouraged. It truly made all the difference in this chapter of my life. – Ling Li

Colin Campbell, Psychology Training Clinic (PTC), Faculty of Arts

Colin is a Clinical Supervisor at the PTC within the PsyD Program. Every day, Colin shows empathy and caring for his fellow colleagues, faculty, and students at the PTC. PsyD is a busy and intense program. Colin always makes time to connect and address any ideas, processes, issues, or concerns with all students, staff, and faculty. He brings a bit of light to the end of each week by providing an email with various events, important holidays/national days, addressing the students’ accomplishments from the week, as well as other fun information! As a Clinical Supervisor, he helps teach and provides guidance to those completing the PsyD Program. Colin’s kindness is at the front of all his interactions with students, staff, and faculty.

Jess Cameron, Experiential Education

Jess is a bright light on campus; they are always positive and helpful in every interaction, and I can’t think of anyone better for a role in community and industry outreach for ��ɫ��Ƶ. Jess recognizes the impact of a collaborative and inclusive approach to everything they ask of our team, and they’re an important part of ��ɫ��Ƶ’s exceptional Experiential Education department.

Dr. Anne Marie Carey, Atlantic Veterinary College

Dr. Anne Marie Carey is an outstanding leader at the AVC, consistently going above and beyond to understand and respond to student needs. Her compassionate and proactive approach has created an environment where all students feel supported, valued, and heard. Dr. Carey has been especially instrumental in advocating for and addressing the concerns of students with disabilities, ensuring that their voices are recognized and their learning needs are met with care and diligence. Her dedication to fostering equity and inclusion will have a lasting positive impact on the AVC community, setting a remarkable standard for student support and engagement.

��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers this Week (November 3–9)

Ron Annear — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:37:34 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers are looking forward to a week of competition at home and on the road.

Friday, November 7
AT HOME:
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey Panthers host the University of New Brunswick Reds at MacLauchlan Arena.

AWAY:
6:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Basketball Panthers play the Cape Breton University Capers in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Hockey Panthers play the University of New Brunswick Reds in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
8:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Basketball Panthers play the Cape Breton University Capers in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Saturday, November 8
AWAY:
12:00 and 1:15 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Cross County Panthers compete at the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships at Stade de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec. Luc Doucette, Joel Gallant, and Jack Roberts will represent the men’s team. Stefania Angona, Katie Richard, and Grace Richard will represent the women’s team.
2:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Basketball Panthers play the Cape Breton University Capers in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
4:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Basketball Panthers play the Cape Breton University Capers in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
7:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey Panthers play the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Sunday, November 9
AT HOME:
3:00 pm: The ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Hockey Panthers host the St. Thomas Tommies at MacLauchlan Arena.

Ticketing
Tickets can be purchased at panthertickets.ca.

Gold Rush
��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers Gold Rush can be played through the app—��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Recreation—found on Apple and Android, or via upei.goldrush.causable.io.

To view the full season schedule, visit gopanthersgo.ca.

��ɫ��Ƶ to provide degree pathway for Holland College School of Performing Arts graduates

Melanie Anderson — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:37:01 -0400

The ��ɫ��Ƶ (��ɫ��Ƶ) and Holland College have formalized a music transfer agreement providing a degree pathway for graduates of the Holland College School of Performing Arts (SoPA). Students will study two years at Holland College and two years at ��ɫ��Ƶ, earning a Bachelor of Music.

“This agreement is a win-win both for students and for the partner institutions,” said Dr. Dale Sorensen, Chair, Department of Music, ��ɫ��Ƶ. “We are delighted to provide this option for graduates of the SoPA Music Performance program who can now choose to continue their studies by pursuing a music degree at ��ɫ��Ƶ.”

The music transfer agreement allows for a smooth transition from Holland College to ��ɫ��Ƶ and gives students access to a unique combination of specialized training at both institutions. The streamlined process allows SoPA graduates with a 70% average to receive up to 60 credit hours towards the Bachelor of Music degree.

Liam Corcoran, Program Manager, School of Performing Arts, Holland College, said the college is thrilled to partner with the Department of Music at ��ɫ��Ƶ to offer this degree pathway to their students.

“Graduates of the SoPA program can now remain on PEI and work towards either a Bachelor of Music or a Bachelor of Music Education degree, earning credentials from both institutions in the process. Students who complete this pathway will benefit from a wide spectrum of musical topics and approaches,” said Corcoran.

��ɫ��Ƶ and Holland College have partnered on a number of transfer and articulation agreements to provide degree pathways to graduates of specific college programs. For more information, see the complete list at ��ɫ��Ƶ Transfer Agreements.

Robertson Library to host public lecture by collector of PEI books on November 6

Anna MacDonald — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:15:54 -0300

The Robertson Library at ��ɫ��Ƶ will host a public lecture titled “The Other Island Diaspora: PEI Books Abroad” by the Reverend Edward Rix, collector of Island books, on Thursday, November 6, at 7 pm. The lecture will take place in Room 308, the Library’s upper-level reading room.

During the lecture, which is part of the Library’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebration, Rix will share highlights from his PEI collecting adventures, and how the careers of many Island authors in the 1800s and 1900s underscored the observation of Island essayist Sir Andrew Macphail (1864–1938), who is well represented in his collection, that the province’s chief export for many years was “brains.”

Special selections from Rix’s library and from the Robertson Library’s own PEI Collection, the centrepiece of its University Archives and Special Collections, will be displayed at the talk.

An Islander with deep family roots in West Prince, Rix studied at the University of King’s College in Halifax, the University of Toronto’s Wycliffe College, and Dalhousie University. During his university days, he built his passion for books into a successful venture as an independent bookseller and collector, learning from some of Canada’s leading rare and antiquarian book dealers. Since 2001, he has served as priest in charge of the Parish of All Saints Episcopal Church in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, where he has continued to build a remarkable personal library, including some 2,000 titles relating to Prince Edward Island, including the works of noted Island novelist Basil King (1859–1928) and famous Island poet Milton Acorn (1923–1986).

All are welcome, and admission is free. Donations to the ongoing Love Our Library fundraising campaign will be gratefully received. Light refreshments will be served.

��ɫ��Ƶ researchers collaborating with partners to develop novel drug therapy to potentially slow ALS

Anna MacDonald — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 11:30:58 -0300

Two researchers from ��ɫ��Ƶ are collaborating with colleagues at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) and Neurodyn Life Sciences Inc., a PEI-based biotechnology company, on a project to develop a novel therapy to slow, or potentially functionally stabilize, the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

A news release recently issued by the Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM) and Brain Canada says that the project, led by Dr. Andrew Bateman at The Institute, in partnership with ��ɫ��Ƶ and Neurodyn Life Sciences Inc., has been awarded $881,122. The funding partners for the project are the Quebec government via CQDM, Brain Canada, and Neurodyn Life Sciences Inc.

Working with Dr. Bateman are Dr. Andrew Tasker, Professor Emeritus, Neuropharmacology, and Dr. Jay Penney, Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Genetics, both with ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

“The project explores the neuroprotective properties of granulins to counteract the toxic effects of the TDP-43 protein involved in disease progression,” said the news release. “Two therapeutic formulations will be evaluated to support future clinical trials. By combining expertise across disciplines, this initiative seeks to improve the quality of life of patients while strengthening Canada’s leadership in neuroscience.”

Granulins are active fragments of a larger protein called progranulin that plays important roles in maintaining healthy brain function but is not suitable as a therapy for various reasons. Because different granulins have different effects on cells, the researchers from The Institute and ��ɫ��Ƶ will use different granulin combinations and two different methods to develop the therapeutic formulations.

Dr. Bateman’s lab will test granulin formulations using motor neurons, which are cells in the brain and the spinal cord that send commands to the muscles regulating movement, speech, swallowing, and breathing. Dr. Penney’s lab will test the same formulations using microglia, which are key cells in brain development, maintenance of neuronal networks, and injury repair. Dr. Tasker will oversee testing of the most promising formulations in an animal model of ALS.

“The most effective formulation will hopefully move on to further trials,” said Dr. Penney.

Dr. Tasker said that ALS is primarily treated with therapeutic measures such as physiotherapy and language training as well as surgical techniques to aid swallowing and breathing that are mainly designed to keep patients comfortable as much as possible. Current drug therapy is limited in effectiveness.

“ALS is a progressive and inevitably fatal disease,” said Dr. Tasker. “As ALS progresses, patients lose use of their voluntary muscles first and ultimately their involuntary muscles, which control functions such as swallowing and breathing. The goal of this project is to find a way to slow, or in an ideal world, stop the progression of the disease.”

Dr. Greg Naterer, Vice-President, Academic and Research, congratulated Drs. Penney and Tasker on their collaboration in the project.

“This project has promising potential to improve the lives of people who have ALS,” he said. “It is also a prime example of the excellent collaborative research that is happening at ��ɫ��Ƶ—between faculty members on campus and with external partners.”

The project was one of five large-scale collaborative research projects that received funding totalling $5.4 million from CQDM and Brain Canada. The five projects are funded through grants from the Government of Québec, administered by CQDM, totaling $2,452,745, with additional support from several industry partners, matched by a $2,961,693 contribution from Brain Canada, through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF).

To learn more, read the complete news release issued by CQDM and Brain Canada.

Private showing of philosophy movie for ��ɫ��Ƶ faculty, staff, and students on November 7

Anna MacDonald — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:03:20 -0300

The ��ɫ��Ƶ Department of Philosophy has rented Tivoli Cinema, 155 Kent Street, Charlottetown, for a private showing of Edward Yang’s film, Yi Yi (A One and a Two), on Friday, November 7, at 1:00 pm.

The showing is open to all students, staff, and faculty at ��ɫ��Ƶ. Please contact Dr. Max Schaefer at mschaefer@upei.ca for further details on how to claim a seat.

Please see the following reviews and trailers for more information about the movie:

“When it’s over, you’ll wish it weren’t. You will also feel better about being alive. Do yourself a favour, don't miss this one!” - John Leonard

“The extraordinary, internationally embraced Yi Yi, directed by the late Taiwanese master Edward Yang, follows a middle-class family in Taipei over the course of one year, beginning with a wedding and ending with a funeral. Whether chronicling middle-aged father NJ’s tentative flirtations with an old flame or precocious young son Yang-Yang’s attempts at capturing reality with his beloved camera, the filmmaker deftly imbues every gorgeous frame with a compassionate clarity. Warm, sprawling, and dazzling, this intimate epic is one of the undisputed masterworks of the twenty-first century” -The Criterion Collection

4K restoration trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxgrzNFwyqY

Original trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SCs_jbdHwg

2025 U SPORTS Field Hockey Championship hosted by ��ɫ��Ƶ starting October 30

Ron Annear — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:29:28 -0300

Field Hockey Canada, in partnership with U SPORTS, recently announced the 2025 University Championship, to be hosted by the ��ɫ��Ƶ (��ɫ��Ƶ) from October 30 to November 2, 2025. This is the first time since 2002 that Canada’s top university field hockey event returns to Atlantic Canada.

Qualified Teams
Four conferences are represented at the national championship:

Host and AUFHL Champion: ��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers, four-time Atlantic champions and tournament host
Canada West Champion: University of Victoria Vikes, seventh-straight Canada West title
OUA Representative: York University Lions, back-to-back appearance at the final four event
AUFHL Qualifier: Dalhousie Tigers, first time back at nationals in over a decade

��ɫ��Ƶ returns to the national stage boosted by its fourth straight Atlantic crown and the momentum of competing in last year’s revitalization of the national final-four tournament. Dalhousie came second at the Atlantic University Field Hockey League’s championship weekend, only losing to ��ɫ��Ƶ in the finals. They return to the university championship for the first time in over a decade.

A news release issued by Field Hockey Canada said the York University Lions topped the OUA this season with a win over the University of Toronto Blues in the finals. York won the east conference this season with a 7-1-2 record and defeated Guelph in the playoff semifinals prior to taking down U of T in the finals. York is back to the big show after winning a silver medal last year on home soil.

The perennial battle of the west between UBC and UVIC was thrilling to the bitter end this season. UBC won the first of two games on the weekend in Victoria and needed a win on day two as well to take the title belt from UVIC. The game ended in a draw and UVIC retained the championship with the best record in the west and advances to their seventh consecutive national final.

The championship format features four round-robin games setting the stage for the medal matches. Each team will compete twice before the bronze and gold medal contests. The ��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers will look to capitalize on home-field advantage and the energy of local supporters, while the UVic Vikes aim to extend their dynasty by chasing another national title. The York Lions enter the tournament riding the momentum of an impressive OUA campaign, and the Dalhousie Tigers are eager to make the most of their first finals appearance in over a decade.

SCHEDULE:
Thursday, October 30:
2:00 pm: Victoria vs York
4:30 pm: ��ɫ��Ƶ vs Dalhousie

Friday, October 31:
12:00 pm: Victoria vs Dalhousie
2:30 pm: York vs ��ɫ��Ƶ

Saturday, November 1:
12:00 pm: Victoria vs ��ɫ��Ƶ
2:30 pm: Dalhousie vs York

Sunday, November 2:
12:00 pm: Bronze Medal Game
2:30 pm: Gold Medal Game

TICKETING AND BROADCAST INFORMATION
Tickets can be purchased from the ��ɫ��Ƶ Panthers website at panthertickets.ca. There are full-event and day passes available. Watch from anywhere in the country via live stream on CBC Sports YouTube Channel and on CBC Gem.

Members of the ��ɫ��Ƶ community and the public are welcome and encouraged to attend the games at the ��ɫ��Ƶ Artificial Turf Field.

Go Panthers Go!

��ɫ��Ƶ engineering students design lobster holding tank for local company

Melanie Anderson — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:29:45 -0300

A collaboration between ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) and Bait Masters, a growing Prince Edward Island company, has resulted in a creative, cost-effective, and sustainable solution that is helping the company expand its lobster storage capacity threefold.

When Bait Masters, founded in 2017 by Mark Prevost and Wally MacPhee, experienced rapid growth and needed to double the capacity of its holding tank system for lobsters, they turned to Innovation PEI for support. Innovation PEI recommended that they talk to Wayne Simmons, business development engineer at the FSDE, about partnering with ��ɫ��Ƶ’s engineering students through the faculty’s design clinic program, an initiative that pairs students with real-world industry challenges.

During the 2023–2024 academic year, under the guidance of faculty and staff, then fourth-year students Victoria Yates, Jerry Oriade, and Taylor Gallant developed a prototype sustainable spray or “rainfall” spray storage tank system that not only met the company’s goals but exceeded them. The system allows the storage facility to hold up to 30,000 pounds of lobster and uses less water, electricity, and manual labour than traditional tanks.

“The students followed the sustainable engineering design process of defining the project scope, researching existing technologies, applying their technical knowledge, identifying knowledge gaps, designing innovative solutions, developing drawings, and building and testing a prototype,” said Simmons. “Their challenge was to find a way to safely store lobsters for up to 48 hours between arrival at the pier and long-haul transport.”

To tackle this problem, the students identified a key knowledge gap: how to keep lobsters healthy while in storage. With guidance from experts at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), they learned that maintaining wet conditions and high levels of dissolved oxygen are essential to the health of the animals. But without being able to test the spray system on live animals, the students devised a clever alternative—using long narrow balloons to simulate lobsters during their spray system tests.

“It’s fantastic to watch students come up with these kinds of creative solutions,” said Simmons. “They’ve learned so much by fourth year, and seeing them innovate, develop prototypes, and test ideas like this is really rewarding.”

Bait Masters took the students’ tested design and put it into action. Prevost and MacPhee hired a contractor to build the system using the students’ drawings. The results exceeded expectations as storage capacity tripled, and the company’s payback period dropped from four years to under two.

Prevost and MacPhee said they would like to market the new rainfall tank system because it is a Canadian innovation, and, until now, there have not been many changes in the storage methods used for lobster and other shellfish.

“This is a great example of how student innovation can directly impact industry,” said Simmons. “Our students are solving real problems and delivering real results even before they graduate.”

��ɫ��Ƶ’s Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering regularly partners with local and regional businesses through its design clinic program, giving students valuable hands-on experience while helping companies innovate.

The 2023–2024 project was not the first time Bait Masters has partnered with ��ɫ��Ƶ. In 2019, Dr. Krishna Thakur, assistant professor in the AVC Department of Health Management, tested a bait sausage developed by the company in a field study during the PEI lobster seasons. The study found that the bait sausage catches as many lobsters as traditional baits such as herring and mackerel.

Kierra St. Peter and Colby Huggan named ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week

Ron Annear — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:21:33 -0300

Every week, ��ɫ��Ƶ Athletics and Recreation recognizes student-athletes for their achievements and contributions to their respective sports. The ��ɫ��Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week for October 20–26 are Kierra St. Peter (women’s hockey) and Colby Huggan (men’s hockey).

St. Peter is a fourth-year kinesiology student from Craig Flats, New Brunswick. On October 22, the veteran forward had a hat trick against Mount Allison University. She then capped off an incredible stretch with a goal and an assist in a win against St. Francis Xavier University on October 25.

“Kierra had a phenomenal week for us,” said Sean Fisher, ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Hockey head coach. “She utilized her strengths as a player and leader and was great for us both on and off the ice.”

Huggan is a first-year business student from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The rookie forward earned five points in two games—scoring twice in a 5-4 overtime win over Acadia University on October 24 and adding a goal and an assist in a 3-2 victory over first-place Saint Mary’s University on October 25.

“Huggy had a great weekend. We are seeing him adjust to our league and adapt to our style of play, while using his natural skill and ability to help contribute offensively,” said Forbes MacPherson, ��ɫ��Ƶ Men’s Hockey head coach.

Go Panthers Go!

Media Releases

From the Desk of the Vice-President, Academic and Research: Student Centeredness

Important reminders about winter weather and university closures

Devon Lawlor and Keiran Gallant named ��ɫ����Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week

Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues–October 2025, Issue 4

��ɫ����Ƶ recognizes International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3

��ɫ����Ƶ marks 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with flag event

Girls Get WISE Challenge Day takes place at ��ɫ����Ƶ on December 6

��ɫ����Ƶ’s Giving Tuesday Campaign focuses on students

��ɫ����Ƶ officially opens the new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre

Panel of equity, diversity, and inclusion experts conduct review of ��ɫ����Ƶ EDI and Human Rights department

Action Plan IMPACT: Expanded SVPRO ramps up awareness and prevention efforts in visible ways!

Message from the Vice-President, Academic and Research: John Bragg Chair in Entrepreneurship

Erin Cabaday and Kyree Thompson named ��ɫ����Ƶ Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week

Second annual Pitch Battles competition deemed a success

��ɫ����Ƶ to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

��ɫ����Ƶ faculty member participates in 2025 Warsaw Security Forum

��ɫ����Ƶ Panthers this Week (November 24–30)

Action Plan IMPACT: Audit report shows, yes, we successfully implemented years 0 and 1 of the ��ɫ����Ƶ Action Plan!

113 ��ɫ����Ƶ student-athletes achieve U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian status

��ɫ����Ƶ to host Research on Tap on December 3

CBC Maritime Noon live at Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Nov. 20

��ɫ����Ƶ economic impact report: University boosts provincial GDP by over $228M