Through employee giving, a growing number of Holland College faculty and staff are creating opportunities for students and enriching the overall student experience. Read inspirational stories about some of our many colleagues who are investing in the success of our students and our college.
Rebeca Aghdasy
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GLORIA WOOLDRIDGE
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Gloria Wooldridge graduated from Holland College in 1983 and was thrilled to return to campus in 2009 for a short-term contract in the Registrar’s Office, followed by another short-term contract in Human Resources. In 2010, she began to work for the Holland College Foundation where you will find her today, raising awareness and money for annual and planned giving, and for scholarships, bursaries, and awards. Gloria has also been a Holland College Foundation donor for 13 years. Continued here |
KATI MCCARVILL
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Kati grew up in Kensington where she participated in both sport and community activities. After high school, she attended UPEI to obtain a business degree. While she was at UPEI, she was a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Academic All Canadian, Atlantic University Sport All Star, and captain of the varsity rugby team. Continued here. |
JOLENE CHAN
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Jolene Chan, Director of International Joint Ventures, grew up in Hong Kong but has lived in Canada for 27 years. She moved to Canada to improve her work-life balance and provide a better life for her daughter. Continued here. |
TRISH MACLEOD
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Holland College has changed the life of Trish MacLeod – not once, not twice, but three times. The first time was when Trish began her journey with Holland College as a student in the Marketing and Advertising Management program. It was there, as a young single parent, that she found exactly the right place for her to learn new skills and make connections. She graduated in 2001 at the age of 23 and started working immediately in her field. Continued here. |
RONNIE MACKINNON
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Over 40 years ago, Ronnie accepted a six-month position at Holland College’s Royalty Centre to work as an engineer in the boiler room. One of the job descriptors included the infamous line “other duties, as required” which, Ronnie soon learned, could be anything from painting whatever needed to be painted, to cutting grass. Continued here. |
CHRISTINE CLEMENTS
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It’s that time of year again. The time that all of us start looking for that “perfect gift” for loved ones. That is exactly what was on Business Administration Learning Manager, Christine Clements’s mind this time last year. Christine and her sister, Jody, were brainstorming things their dad, Jim, might like as a Christmas gift. Continued here. |
TRACEY CAMPBELL
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A graduate of Holland College’s Administrative Assistant program, Tracey started her Holland College career in an administrative position in the Tourism and Culinary Centre 22 years ago. A dedicated lifelong learner, she returned to post-secondary as a mature student to earn her Certificate of Adult Education and then completed her Bachelor of Education at UPEI. Continued here. |
CHRIS STEWART
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Chris is in his second year of instructing students in Holland College’s Data Analytics Post-Graduate Certificate program. He is currently a student as well, working on his Certificate in Adult Education. |
JEAN LYKOW
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Jean Lykow was born in Nova Scotia and moved with her family to Illinois when she was six years old. Her father had family ties to PEI, so they enjoyed family vacations on the Island which created many fond memories. Because of those memories, Jean chose to come back to the Island to attend university. It was there that she met her husband, and she has been here ever since. Continued here. |
GAYLENE CARRAGHER
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Gaylene Carragher comes from a long line of teachers and began her own career as an educator with Holland College in 1997. Over the years, in her roles as a learning manager, a program manager, and currently Director of Retention, Part-time Studies, and Career Services, she has had the rewarding opportunity to work with hundreds of students, faculty, and staff. Gaylene’s life has been shaped by her experience as a single mother at 17, leaving school to focus on work and raising her son. It wasn’t until years later, when she was married with three children, that Gaylene returned to school to fulfil her dream of becoming a teacher. Continued here. |
CHERYL ISLEY
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Cheryl is from Charlottetown and is a graduate of the Holland College Accounting Technology program, Class of 2005. Following graduation, she kept in touch with the program’s lab assistant, Wendy Corrigan, and the two became good friends. Over the next few years, Cheryl worked as a bookkeeper and on several short-term contracts with Holland College. In February 2014, Wendy suddenly and tragically passed away. With a heavy heart, Cheryl stepped into Wendy’s role to help finish the program for that academic year. The following fall she became the Accounting Technology’s new lab assistant. Continued here. |
GAYLENE NICHOLSON
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When Gaylene Nicholson was hired by Holland College as a lab assistant in the fall of 2008, she felt like she had won the lottery. I was so excited to be at the college, it was a dream come true, said Gaylene. The best thing about my job is being with the students. Continued here. |
DEBBIE KING
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Debbie is a graduate of the Holland College Secretarial Arts program, Class of 1973. She began her career at Holland College not long after graduation. Over her almost 50 years at the college, she has seen a lot of changes, but her attitude keeps her on the job. Continued here. |
CHERYL JEWELL
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When Cheryl and her five brothers and sisters were growing up in Brooklyn (near Montague), P.E.I., their mother instilled the importance of education as a gateway to meaningful employment in them. We were all expected to get an education, said Cheryl. My father passed away when I was very young, but we knew it wasn't only our mother's wish, it was his as well. Continued here. |
ERROLL AFFLECK
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Erroll Affleck is a familiar face around Holland College. He began walking the halls of Holland College in the 70s as a student, and graduated from the Hospitality Management program in 1979. Today, many of you may know Erroll as an educator, volunteer, mentor, colleague, family man, and friend. But what you may not know is that at the Holland College Foundation we also know him as a loyal donor. Continued here. |
MARK BETTS
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If you’ve been to the Tourism and Culinary Centre in Charlottetown, you’ve likely been greeted by Mark Betts. Mark has been the parking booth attendant at the Tourism and Culinary Centre for 23 years and over that time he has welcomed countless colleagues and guests with a warm smile and friendly conversation. Continued here. |
ALBERT ROCHE
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When you think of Hurricanes Athletics, Albert Roche is likely a face that quickly comes to mind. Albert began his career at the college 23 years ago as an instructor in the Golf Management program, and has been Director of Athletics and Recreation since 2010. Continued here |
KEN HECKBERT
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Ken Heckbert has been a vital part of Holland College’s management team as Chief Financial Officer for over 22 years. One of the most recognizable faces and names at the college, Ken is preparing to begin a new chapter in life – retirement - in February 2022. Continued here. |
MARY ANN MISENER
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Mary Ann Misener became part of the Holland College alumni family when she graduated from the Office Studies program in 1983. Following graduation, Mary Ann moved to Ottawa and worked for five years on Parliament Hill, after which she returned to P.E.I. to work with the 1991 Canada Winter Games Committee. In 1992 she came full circle, returning to Holland College as Campaign Assistant for the Foundation’s Partners in Value campaign. Continued here. |
Meet Rebeca Aghdasy, Student Services Advisor, Outreach & Awards. Rebeca is originally from Mexico and came to PEI to realize a dream – to travel abroad to study. She picked Holland College after falling in love with the Island through tourism videos while she was researching colleges. The colours of summer, and the thoughts of a quieter place, along with amazing descriptions of food (she is a self-described “foodie”) were all factors that played into her decision.