Today@Dal

After a 26-year career at TUNS and Dalhousie, Anne Marie Coolen, Director of the Science, Information Technology, Engineering Co-operative Education program, will be retiring February 1st.

Anne Marie’s career with co-op began in 1982 as a public relations co-op student at Mount St. Vincent University, where she completed her first work term with the United Way. Thus began a quarter-century of helping students enrich their learning through hands-on experience and launch their careers through over 13,000 Co-op work terms. Those who have had the pleasure of working with Anne Marie will attest to the fact that she is a proud advocate for the significant value that co-operative education can contribute to academic syllabus and learning outcomes for students.

Anne Marie managed the growth of the co-op program from 35 students in three disciplines to 1500 students in 23 disciplines. She has been involved in many Dalhousie community activities including co-chairing the inaugural Dalhousie Open House Committee and the United Way Campaign for three years, and was recognized for these achievements with the Dalhousie Community Award. As president of both the provincial and national levels of the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education, she has made significant contributions to the development of co-operative education in Canada and provided mentorship to colleagues within Dalhousie and across the country.

Anne Marie's legacy lies in her consistent efforts to ensure that Dal's co-op students had the best learning experience possible. Her tireless work to promote the academic merit of Co-operative education was always motivated by the best interests of Dalhousie's co-op students. Her Co-op staff, colleagues, and the Dalhousie community, will fondly remember Anne Marie for her tremendous leadership and compassion toward the students.

Please join us in extending best wishes to Anne Marie as she begins her next chapter.