New international field school opportunities established

Mount Allison is developing a triad of new accessible international field school opportunities with partner universities in the Netherlands [Dr. Lisa Dawn Hamilton, Psychology], Ecuador [Dr. Andrea Morash (’05), Biology], and South Korea [Dr. Susie Andrews (’01), Religious Studies]. These field schools are funded by a $500,000 grant through a $95-million national mobility program called the Global Skills Opportunity Program, recently announced by Employment and Social Development Canada.

Applying the principles and practices of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) at every stage of design and implementation, the programs will eliminate many barriers preventing students with documented disabilities and those who identify as low-income from participating in impactful outward mobility experiences.

Dr. Lisa Dawn Hamilton’s field school will launch first in the Netherlands in Spring 2022. It is a collaboration with Utrecht University and will focus on sex education from a cross-cultural lens.

Photo caption: (L-R): Vice-President International and Student Affairs Anne Comfort, Dr. Andrea Morash (Biology), Dr. Lisa Dawn Hamilton (Psychology), Dr. Susie Andrews (Religious Studies), and International Affairs Co-ordinator Robin Walker.

Tara Bursey visits campus as first Lassonde School Artist-in-Residence

The Pierre Lassonde School of Fine Arts at Mount Allison University has welcomed Tara Bursey as its first Lassonde Artist-in-Residence this month. Bursey, an interdisciplinary artist and museum educator from Hamilton, ON, will be on campus working with students and faculty members over the six-month residency.

“I am thrilled to be at Mount Allison as the inaugural Lassonde Artist-in-Residence,” says Bursey. “I look forward to working and connecting with students and faculty members, sharing art and experiences. I feel well-equipped to make connections and build mentorships, even through the unpredictability of COVID.”

Selected from nearly 60 applicants for the residency, Bursey’s artistic work is influenced by a keen interest and background in labour history and working-class identity. Over the course of the residency, she will draw from personal experiences in art production, mentorship, gallery education, programming, and curatorial practice to develop a project on campus.

Long-time Owens preparator receives 2021 Purdy Crawford Staff Award of Excellence

Roxie Ibbitson, registrator/preparator of the Owens Art Gallery, is the 2021 recipient of the Purdy Crawford Staff Award of Excellence. The award is presented annually to a staff member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, displaying exceptional service to both their department and the University community.

Ibbitson has worked and studied on campus for more than 40 years, the majority of that time at the Owens Art Gallery. Known nationally for his innovative approach as a preparator and installation technician, he has co-ordinated logistics for art exhibitions of all sizes and media over the course of his career.

“Roxie is an irreplaceable member of the team at the Owens. While I could go on at length about his many positive attributes, I think one of his most significant contributions has been mentoring students,” says Emily Falvey (’97), director and curator of the Owens Art Gallery. “His impact on former student interns is so great, one of them is currently writing a book about him.”

Tasia Alexopoulos returns to Mount Allison as sexual violence prevention and education co-ordinator

Mount Allison welcomed Tasia Alexopoulos as the new sexual violence prevention and education co-ordinator this fall. Working within the Student Affairs team, Alexopoulos will play a leadership role in programming and support focused on prevention and education related to sexual harassment and violence on campus.

Alexopoulos, who holds a PhD in gender studies, has taught at several universities including Mount Allison, and has also worked for community organizations focused on sexual health and gender equity. Her research area focuses on the historical understanding of law and policy around sexual violence in North America.

Under Alexopoulos’s co-ordination, Mount Allison recently partnered with REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors), a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week centralized online reporting and information platform that provides increased options for students, staff, and faculty to report sexual violence.

The University is currently working to hire a second full-time individual, in the role of sexualized violence response, equity, diversity, and inclusion advocate. Partnerships between local counselling agencies and the University’s Wellness Centre have continued to ensure students have resources during this period.