News

By: Casey Spears  

Someone who has provided outstanding service, other than teaching, to students.

That is the main qualification for the distinguished Rosemary Gill Award. The award is presented annually to a faculty or staff member who has been making a positive difference on campus to the students and their experience at university.

The award is in memory of Dr. Rosemary Gill, director of Student Health Services, who exhibited a high level of commitment of service to students during her time. Since its establishment in 1995, deserving individuals from Dalhousie’s faculty have been honoured with the award. And this is exactly what Keltie Jones has offered to the Faculty of Agriculture’s students and campus and why she has become the AC’s very first recipient of this award.

Since starting at the AC in 2009, Keltie has been going above and beyond in every aspect of her role as assistant dean to students. Whether this is helping students with academic issues, performance concerns, helping out with the Student Association or being a mentor and lending advice, Keltie has been staying connected to the students since day one.

“I like to stay engaged with the students. I try to be out and about on campus. I eat in the dining hall, I get coffee in Cox and I attend sporting events and take pictures of the athletes,” Keltie explains. By engaging with students on their own time and in community spaces, she has a chance to get to know them and they have a chance to get to know her. Out of the office and in relaxed environments allows everyone to open up and give Keltie the opportunity to hear her students’ personal stories.

“I’m touched the students thought enough of me to nominate me for the award,” Keltie thoughtfully explains. “It was a complete surprise. I was in Ethiopia doing work for the Faculty and I had no idea!”

This is likely because Robyn McCallum, president of Dalhousie Agricultural Student’s Association, nominated Keltie in secret. “Quite simply, Keltie cares about the community around her and goes above and beyond to make it an inclusive, welcoming and fun place to be. She takes the time to actually ask students how they are doing and gets to know them on a first-name basis,” Robyn admirably shares. “I am so pleased that Keltie's hard work and dedication to this campus and its identity have been recognized through the Rosemary Gill Award.”

It’s clear that Keltie adds significant value to the Faculty of Agriculture and is deserving of this award.

Keltie discovered a passion for working in higher education at University of California when working in coordinating services for students with disabilities.

“It’s rewarding to help a student figure out what they need to do to become successful. We figure out the problem, put them in touch with resources and overcome the issue together.”

Keltie makes the university environment an inviting place for students to come talk to her by learning about their stories and engaging with them personally. Having a mentor like this on campus is crucial to students’ success in post-secondary education. It’s important to have a safe place to go and ask for help. Keltie provides a great atmosphere for students to feel comfortable and is committed to ensuring student success as soon as they enter university and every year after that.

Congratulations!