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An Instructor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Ms. Anne LeLacheur has made significant contributions to both the Faculty of Agriculture’s international activities abroad and to internationalizing the student experience here at home.

She has supported many of the Faculty’s international projects and activities by leading workshops for visitors from around the world, including those from Mexico, Cambodia, Korea and Ethiopia. Her warm and friendly approach to our international guests has helped make their visits to campus memorable and enjoyable. Her practical laboratory skills training and focused knowledge transfer were appreciated by all who learned from her.

“Anne LeLacheur is a valued contributor to the internationalization activities at the Faculty of Agriculture. Her calm nature and excellent cross-cultural skills combined with her technical skills and her knowledge of our campus have been used effectively in her international activities on our campus with both domestic students in the WUSC campus group as well as with our international students. Anne’s on-going involvement in international development projects has also been part of her notable contribution to the internationalization of our campus.” Said Dr Nancy Pitts, Assistant Dean International.

In 2010 and 2012, she extended her involvement in international activities by travelling to Ethiopia to deliver 2 week customized training to the Faculty’s partners in the Post-Harvest Management to Improve Livelihoods project. Her work there helped the Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine to increase their capacity to maintain and utilize their lab equipment.

Perhaps the most significant contribution Ms. LeLacheur has made to internationalization on campus has come through her work on our campus, serving as the advisor for the campus World University Services of Canada (WUSC) program. This student group works together every year to sponsor a refugee student, who comes directly to campus from a refugee camp somewhere in the world.

“From making sure that they have proper clothing for the Canadian weather to ensuring that they have a place to go for the holidays, she has earned the nickname “Mama Anne” from many of the WUSC students, explained Dr. Nancy Pitts, Assistant Dean International.

As students graduate and move on, Anne has maintained the history and ensured that there is continuity from one year to the next. In addition to helping students navigate the complex processes of both WUSC sponsorship, adaptation to life in Canada and university studies, Ms. LeLacheur has also served as a mentor for each WUSC student for the last decade. She takes the time to learn about each student’s culture so that she can help them understand the differences they encounter in Canada and she gets to know them as individuals. Many return years later to visit Anne, which is a testament to her real mentorship in their lives.

Through her commitment to extending the Faculty’s reach internationally, as well as her work to internationalize our campus, Ms. LeLacheur has made a significant impact within the Faculty of Agriculture and around the world.  In consideration of her dedication and effectiveness in promoting internationalization at the Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture, she was presented the 2015 Internationalization Award.

Congratulations!