Thirty Years <strong>of</strong> Enhancing Education Through Invaluable Work ExperienceThis year marks <strong>Mount</strong><strong>Saint</strong> <strong>Vincent</strong> <strong>University</strong>’sCo-operative EducationProgram’s <strong>30</strong> th year. Thisprogram exemplifies everyquality <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Mount</strong> itself– beneficial, collaborative,personalized and accessible.Co-operative Education is first andforemost about relationships. The <strong>Mount</strong>is extremely fortunate to have manysupporters <strong>of</strong> the program far and wide.One <strong>of</strong> those is Nova Scotia BusinessInc. (NSBI). Many former co-op studentsand <strong>Mount</strong> alumnae alike work within itswalls today. They all share in mentoringand guiding co-op students during theirtime there to ensure the most robustand meaningful experience possible.The <strong>Mount</strong>’s Co-operative EducationProgram is a story <strong>of</strong> tenacity andsuccess. All programs were originallydesigned to meet the standards setby the Canadian Association forCo-operative Education (CAFCE). Today,100 per cent <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>’s programsare accredited by CAFCE. Since themid-80s, the <strong>Mount</strong> has beenrepresented on the board <strong>of</strong> theNational Accreditation Council <strong>of</strong> CAFCEwhich sets standards for co-operativeeducation programs in Canada, and onCAFCE’s National Board <strong>of</strong> Directors.8 Folia Montana
Shani Pearson, Manager, Alumnae Relations, visits with <strong>Mount</strong> alumnae at NSBI, a strong supporter<strong>of</strong> the Co-operative Education Program. Also pictured are (left-right) Sarah Levy, BPR (Co-op) ’04,Lisa Bugden, BPR ’88, Lauren MacDonald, BPR ’03, Kelli MacDonald, BPR (Co-op) ’98 (seated, front),and Lisa Bond, BPR (Co-op) ’07 (also seated).FeatureBeginning with business students in1979, the program has evolved toinclude the current complement <strong>of</strong>Business Administration, InformationTechnology, Public Relations, andTourism and Hospitality Management.Ann MacGillivary, Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor,Business Administration & Tourism andHospitality Management, was teachingin the BBA program when co-op wasfirst introduced. She also later servedas the business faculty co-op advisorfrom 1985-89. MacGillivary recalls howquickly the co-op ‘trial’ caught on.“The students were so eager forco-op and were excited about thepossibility <strong>of</strong> being away from home.They were so focused on what theyhad in mind career-wise and co-opjust reinforced that.”Today, the co-op team has six staffmembers, led by Sonya Horsburgh, BBA’91, Manager, Co-operative Education,who received the Albert S. BarberAward from CAFCE in 2008 – its highesthonour. Horsburgh served as president<strong>of</strong> CAFCE from 2004 to 2005.Horsburgh and her team work closelywith co-op students and employersto provide valuable opportunitiesto enhance students’ educationalexperiences at the <strong>Mount</strong>. On average,80-100 students graduate with theco-op distinction on their diplomasannually.So, what’s next for co-op? A newhome is in sight. The construction <strong>of</strong>the Co-operative Education Centre isan integral goal <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Mount</strong>’s currentcapital campaign – Building TomorrowTogether. The move from Seton Annexto the new Teaching, Learning andResearch Centre will mean enhancingthe technology <strong>of</strong> the co-op process.With many employers outside theregion, the ability for students tointerview using video conferencingtechnology will improve the delivery<strong>of</strong> co-op services for students andemployers alike.As degree programs at the <strong>Mount</strong>continue to grow and change,co-op will evolve with them. As newdegree programs develop, they will beevaluated to determine if co-operativeeducation will be a part <strong>of</strong> their future.In order for co-op education to thrivein the next thirty <strong>years</strong>, employers mustcontinue to show their unwaveringsupport. A huge component <strong>of</strong> thisinvolves the commitment <strong>of</strong> alumnae,and in particular, former co-op students.In 2007, 37 per cent <strong>of</strong> co-op studentswere being supervised by alumnaeand/or co-op alumnae on their workterms. This is a true testament to theco-op experience and that the <strong>Mount</strong>community continues to give back.Co-op Accolades432221111=3nationally accredited cooperativeeducation programsCAFCE Service Awards(Horsburgh, twice, andMausi Reinbold, BTHM ’90)Albert S. Barber Awards(Horsburgh and Shani Pearson)CAFCE Presidents(Horsburgh and Pearson)CAFCE Atlantic Chairs (ScottDaniels, BBA ’03 and Pearson)CAFCE Co-op Student <strong>of</strong> theYear (Andrea Baldwin, BPR ’98)and a couple HonourableMentionsCAFCE Research Award(Daphne Lordly, MAHE ’93)Partnership Recognition Award,Veterans Affairs CanadaResearch project spearheadedfor the Maritime ProvincesHigher Education CommissionDecades <strong>of</strong> SuccessWhat employersare saying...For the past two <strong>years</strong>, Mary-Eleanor Walker has managed theNSBI Annual Report – a significantproject involving many <strong>of</strong> our staff,our clients and contract serviceproviders – from concept to finalproduct. I am pleased to tell youthat under her leadership andguidance, NSBI’s Annual Reportshave received internationalrecognition for both <strong>years</strong>! Thisrecognition is a testament to thequality <strong>of</strong> <strong>Mount</strong> <strong>Saint</strong> <strong>Vincent</strong><strong>University</strong> graduates and yourco-op program.You should be very proud! NSBIstrongly believes in co-operativeeducation. We look forward tocontinuing our partnershipwith you.Stephen Lund, President & CEONova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI)What ouralumnaeare saying…Mary-Eleanor Walker, BPR ’06,Communications Officer, Editorial,NSBI and former co-op student, ispaying it forward.I have supervised four co-opstudents during my time at NSBIand feel it has been a tremendouslyrewarding experience. With eachmentoring experience, I amreminded <strong>of</strong> the invaluable lessonsco-operative education had for me.Folia Montana 9
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