Celebrating the People Who Make CapU

Peer-nominated and adjudicated, these individuals have gone above and beyond in their roles at CapU – reimagining programs, fostering a sense of belonging and creating opportunities that illuminate what’s possible when innovation meets care.

Negar Elmieh – Community-engaged leadership

Negar was a leader in redesigning the Spring 2025 onboarding program for Squamish faculty. She took full ownership of the project, ensuring that new faculty members felt welcomed, supported and well-prepared for the academic term. Her work created an inclusive, efficient program that fostered both practical readiness and a strong sense of community.

Julia Black – Community-engaged teaching & learning

Julia is committed to advancing early childhood education through community engagement, inclusive programming and strong partnerships, particularly with Indigenous communities.

She led the planning of the 2025 Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Early Years Conference and has been instrumental in curriculum decolonization and the expansion of unique graduate offerings.

Her efforts have directly contributed to significant program growth, increased enrolment and the development of new facilities and delivery models.

AJ Monk – Collaboration, authenticity and belonging

AJ advanced diversity, equity and inclusion through both institutional initiatives and visible acts of support.

They played a key role in aligning CapU’s research practices with the federal Dimensions program and led the update of the Pride flag display to a more inclusive version.

Their efforts reflect a deep commitment to creating a campus where all members feel seen, valued and supported.

Jayne Craig – Innovation

Jayne demonstrated an inventive approach to solving long-standing administrative and scheduling challenges at the School of Motion Picture Arts (MOPA).

She introduced a new course scheduling structure that minimized conflicts and overloading, reducing burnout and improving clarity for students and faculty.

Additionally, she enhanced the MOPA admissions process by researching best practices across departments and implementing the SlideRoom platform, which enabled a more efficient, scalable and user-friendly application system.

Sara Sutherland – Sustainable actions to enable a better place for future descendants

Sara is a visionary leader in early childhood education, particularly in spearheading the planning and development of the new Centre for Childhood Studies.

Her tireless work has elevated the CapU Children’s Centre as both a nurturing community space and a nationally recognized lab school, advancing educator recognition, inclusive practices and accessibility through initiatives like the $10-a-day childcare program.

Sara’s deep commitment to children, families and educators has left a lasting impact on the CapU community and the broader field of early learning.

Shawn Watson – Innovation as a result of curiosity and imagination

Shawn’s expansive leadership at the BlueShore at CapU has invigorated the team and dramatically increased the venue’s operational potential in just eight months.

He led long-overdue initiatives, including upgrades to the ticketing and lighting systems, while also launching student engagement programs.

He also empowered employees through training, goal-setting and inclusive collaboration. Shawn’s clear vision and commitment have brought new energy, purpose and opportunity to the BlueShore at CapU community.

Stephanie Merinuk – Commitment to truth and reconciliation, Indigenization and decolonizing approaches

Stephanie is dedicated to building a strong, supportive student community within the Kéxwusm-áyakn Student Centre.

In less than a year, she has fostered meaningful partnerships across CapU campuses, created opportunities for open dialogue and ensured that the centre’s initiatives align with the needs and desires of students.

Her commitment to student well-being, advocacy and thoughtful collaboration has made her an invaluable member of both the centre and the broader CapU community.

Shout out to this year’s recipients

Join us in congratulating this year’s recipients for their commitment to excellence, leadership and community building at CapU.

Their work embodies the spirit of CapU and serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we all have in shaping the future of education, both on our campuses and in our communities.