University College of the North stresses flexibility

As a student recruiter for University College of the North (UCN), Melissa Constant travels all across Manitoba and into Saskatchewan doing what she loves – promoting higher education to the public.

“Education has always been my passion and now I get to do it as my job,” says Constant, who began working part-time for UCN in 2012 while still a student. “Before becoming a recruiter, I was very shy and really didn’t like being in the public spotlight. Now I can speak to 400 people at a women’s trade conference or one-on-one with anybody. I never thought I’d be doing these kinds of things.”

Located in northern Manitoba, UCN seeks to bring out the potential of its students and the local community, which consists of a young and growing population that’s more than 70 per cent Indigenous. What Constant appreciates most is the support and flexibility she’s given to do her job, as well as the institution’s shared purpose.

“UCN is small enough that we all know each other, so it feels like a family,” says Constant. “We have the flexibility to work in whatever way is best for us. They’re trusting of you and that you’re out there doing your job.”

When she’s not travelling, Constant enjoys the welcoming atmosphere of the university’s updated facilities, featuring natural light, comfortable seating and USB ports in the main lobby and mezzanine.

“It’s a home away from home for me,” says Constant. “They’ve done a lot of renovations to make it more pleasant for students and staff. It’s just a great environment. I was always proud to be a student here before I became an employee and I’m still proud to wear their clothes.”

President and vice-chancellor Doug Lauvstad says UCN has a very open and friendly feeling – when he walks the halls, everyone is waving to say hi.

“People are genuinely proud of the work they do here,” says Lauvstad. “We’re educating the future and that’s an important job. Everybody here has a role to play in that outcome, meaning that every occupation in the building contributes to making sure the student experience is positive.

“Clean classrooms, well-organized schedules, good coffee in the cafeteria – those kinds of things are all part of an ethic. Everybody recognizes that they’re part of a team striving for a worthwhile goal and that their contribution is valued.”

Since UCN provides educational services across northern Manitoba, teaching by distance is a fact of life. But while many employees work remotely or have hybrid work arrangements, Lauvstad believes instructors need to teach in person whenever possible.

“We’re very flexible; however, our students really want the teacher to be in the classroom,” says Lauvstad. “But we offer the option to work at home whenever it’s appropriate. I think it really does improve the quality of life.”

While technology has streamlined a lot of things, Lauvstad encourages the kind of creative energy and interaction that comes from getting together face-to-face, including industry nights with speakers like Indigenous former cabinet minister Jody Wilson-Raybould.

“We’re a place where great people talk and share good ideas,” says Lauvstad. “We’ve got some very innovative programs, such as one we’re doing for Indigenous women and technology, in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan and Waterloo universities and Dell – that’s been a real success story.

“We’re here as a very supportive organization,” he says. “We’re going to get some students who have academic, financial and cultural challenges, so we tend to attract people who have that noble heart. Our mission is to help everybody succeed.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing the winners of this year's Manitoba Top Employers competition, published March 19, 2024 in the Winnipeg Free Press. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, who did not write or review the content.