Your Educational Team

Alicia is a Student Success Specialist for the Faculty of Health, Public Safety and Community Studies. She completed the 2 year Business Marketing Diploma program at Algonquin College in 2002 and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Social Science with a double concentration in Political Science and Global Studies in 2005. She has experience working with international students and acquired a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) license in 2018 allowing her to provide advice only in the area of Study Permits, Temporary Resident Visas, and how Study Permits relate to other currently available Canadian immigration programs. She is passionate about student success and helping students reach their academic goals.  In her role as a SSS she will advocate on behalf of student experiencing roadblocks when accessing services to overcome academic and personal challenges during your studies.

Tips for Success: Participate in class! This will help keep you involved and engaged with your course content.

I was born in Edmonton, Alberta, but I have been an Ottawa resident almost all of my life.  Before I became a teacher, I worked as a secretary for the Ontario provincial government’s Industrial Health and Construction Health and Safety divisions.  It was a fascinating job, but all my life, I had wanted to teach English.  I made the decision to quit my job in order to attend university, and I got my degree in English Language & Literature from Carleton University in 1998.  After that, I attended Algonquin College to get my TESL Certificate, and my dream came true.  In 1999, I became a certified English teacher.  I have worked with international students ever since teaching English for Academic Purposes at the Algonquin College Language Institute.   Apart from loving to teach, I like to read, to listen to music, to cook and to spend time with my dog.  I have recently begun to travel more, and I am enjoying widening my experience by visiting new places.

Heather joined the Algonquin College community in 2018 and in addition to teaching HLT0225, Multiculturalism and Establishment in Canada, she works as a Student Success Specialist in the School of Business. Heather has a love of travel and has lived in England while studying psychology at the University of Sussex and has spent two years in South Korea, where she taught English in a rural farming village. She has travelled extensively in Europe and Asia and looks forward to exploring South America over the next year.  Heather loves authentic cultural experiences, especially trying local foods and getting to know local residents. She has a great deal of experience working with international students, both in academic and homestay settings and has a great appreciation and understanding of other cultures.

Outside of work, Heather enjoys playing on a volleyball and multisport league and loves spending time with her family at the beautiful beaches in Prince Edward County.  She also enjoys yoga, food styling, photography and do-it-yourself projects like restoring and painting furniture.