CMU - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Enrolment Communications Coordinator
Abigail helps develop communications for prospective and applied students, school counsellors, parents, church leaders, and more. Contact Abigail if you want to be added to our department's mailing list.
Job Titles:
- Communications & Marketing Coordinator
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- Lead Maintenance Technician
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- Manager, CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre
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- Director, CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre
Austin Tillett is a storyteller who is interested in the narratives people construct about themselves. He believes the stories people tell themselves directly impact how they derive meaning from pursuing a career. Ultimately, Austin sees career development as a mode of taking control of one's personal story. This includes defining and pursuing "work" in a way that aligns with a person's values.
What draws Austin to CCV is not only the chance to help people craft their personal stories around "work", but he is drawn to CCV's equity commitment. Austin is committed to searching for career resources that seek to bridge employment barriers for people from equity-seeking communities. He is a fourth-year Communications & Media student from Belize and is particularly dedicated to helping international students navigate international student specific barriers to employment.
Job Titles:
- Executive Coordinator, Offices of the President & VP External
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- Archivist, Mennonite Heritage Archives
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- Accounts Receivable Clerk
In his research, Craig Martin has prepared extensive analyses of the demand for dairy products in Canada. His academic interests include the challenges facing family-owned businesses, having himself grown up in an entrepreneurial family. He is interested in the dynamics of non-profit organizations. "The same principles that govern businesses apply to non-profit groups," he says. He is especially interested in how business and financial, monetary, and government policies affect economic development in both the developed and developing world. Contact: cmartin:@:cmu.ca or 204.487.3300, ext. 365
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director
- Assistant Director: Enrolment Information Services
CMU's Slate (CRM) Captain. Contact Danielle if you have questions about your application, the application process, or admissions requirements.
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Community Life
Danielle is excited to have joined the practicum team for the year. Having worked in Student Life for over six years, Danielle brings lots of experience working with and walking alongside university students as they learn about what they are curious about, where they want to go, and who they want to be in this world. As Practicum Coordinator Danielle gets to work with students as they ask big questions of themselves and their world, and as they begin to find places to begin to find possible answers for those questions. In working to find Practicum Placements with students, Danielle has the opportunity to see students become excited about where their academic work can come to life in new ways.
Danielle holds a BMus from CMU and is working towards a MA. She also works as a Chaplain at St.Boniface Hospital on a casual basis. She is an avid creator who lives for opportunties to learn new skills and then make those come to life. She can often be found renovating her house, planting and tending to far too many vegetables, or trying to learn a new hobby.
Job Titles:
- Media Production Coordinator
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- Community Engagement Coordinator
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- Student Life Program Assistant
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- Director, Human Resources
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- Associate Professor of History / Dr
- International Development
- Professor of New Testament / Dr
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Physics
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Director
Christine is a listener, finder, and teller of stories. Her academic training has focused on the connection between language and identity and how the stories we tell about ourselves show what we believe about ourselves. At the Centre for Career and Vocation, she combines her background in Applied Linguistics and her belief in hope-centred career development to support student vocational discernment. She does this through taking a life design approach to developing programming and working individually with students.
A design thinking approach to career development means accepting and empathizing with where we are right now so that we can listen to the calls from God, from our community, from the world, to try things out and reflect on our experiences together so that we can build lives and careers that align with our values and our calling. Coming alongside students as they navigate this process is something Christine finds motivating and meaningful.
She holds a student-designed Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Winnipeg, and a Master's and PhD in German Studies from University of Waterloo, and has received training in narrative career counselling from the Stanford Life Design Lab and CERIC. When she's not working with students, Christine is probably reading a German detective novel or dancing terribly in her living room, just for the joy of movement.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Biology / Dr
- Associate Professor of Bible / Dr
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of New Testament / Dr
- Associate Professor of Music / Dr
Job Titles:
- Dean, School of Music Associate Professor of Music
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- Assistant Professor of Biology / Dr
- Associate Professor of English / Dr
Job Titles:
- Business and Organizational Administration Studies
- History and Theology and Director of the Graduate School of Theology and Ministry
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor of Theology and Anabaptist Studies
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies
- Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies
- Associate Professor, Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies Academic Director, Canadian School of Peacebuilding
- PACTS Program Advisor / Associate Professor, Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies
Wendy specializes in community conflict transformation processes as Associate Professor in CMU's peace and conflict transformation studies department and in locations around the globe. She has over 25 years of experience as a community mediator, conflict transformation trainer, peace program consultant, program manager for international development projects and university instructor. The Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, and Palestine are some of the locations in which she has worked over the past two decades with indigenous groups, NGO staff, community and religious leaders, and various educators.
The focus for Wendy's teaching is upper level Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies (PACTS) courses such as: Models for Peace and Conflict Transformation, History and Strategies of Nonviolence, The Art of Peacebuilding and Building Workplace Conflict Transformation Systems. Wendy is also contributing to the new MA in Peacebuilding and Collaborative Development program. In addition to her teaching in PACTS, Wendy is the Academic Director of the Canadian School of Peacebuilding, an annual teaching institute of CMU, bringing students from around the globe for credit/professional development courses in the fields of development, conflict transformation and peacebuilding.
Wendy completed her MA Theology at the Mennonite Brethren Seminary in California. After significant years of practice within the conflict transformation field, she entered the Peace and Conflict Studies PhD program at the Arthur Mauro Centre in the University of Manitoba and graduated in January 2018.
Wendy's contributions to the conflict transformation and peacebuilding field include years of teaching and course development at the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute (the Philippines), the Resolution Skills Centre/Mediation Services (Winnipeg), the Ukranian Evangelical Theological Seminary (Kyiv) and at the Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute in Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia, China and Japan. Her work with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has seen her and her family spend 5 years working in the Philippines, assisting in strategic planning and training for the peace programs in India and Bangladesh and most recently resourcing the program in Palestine and Laos.
In addition to her other research projects, Wendy's significant research into the role of local and everyday peacebuilding has been published by Lexington Press (2020). It is entitled: Multidimensional Peacebuilding: Local Actors in the Philippines.
Wendy, her partner Gordon Zerbe, and two children are all active in the CMU community.
Emma is an enthusiastic, hard worker who joins the CCV while completing her music degree with the aim of becoming a professional composer. You can often find Emma huddles over several musical scores searching for ideas for her latest piece of music. She is currently in her fourth year at CMU and brings her wide set of academic and practical skills to the table. She hopes to bring her special brand of outside-the-box thinking into her work in the CCV which includes resource development and research as well as assisting in other areas.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist ( North Side )
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Academic Advising
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant, Mennonite Heritage Archives and MHC Gallery
Job Titles:
- Executive Coordinator, Office of the Vice - President Academic
Job Titles:
- Co - Director of the CMU Centre for Resilience
James Magnus-Johnston's research falls within the transdisciplinary field of ecological ec onomics, and he teaches in a number of relevant subject areas across politics and business. He is presently a PhD researcher at McGill University, where he is studying the roles that collective emotional processing, grief, and anxiety play in fostering or preventing social change; he also holds an MPhil from Cambridge University, where he studied the social and ecological dynamics of the debt-based money system.
Outside of teaching, James is the Co-director of the CMU Centre for Resilience and a Board Director with the Assiniboine Credit Union. He previously worked as a financial counsellor and business advisor, in public policy positions, and as a social entrepreneur - co-founding a food cooperative (The Farm Fresh Food Hub), a coffee shop (Fools + Horses), a composting service (Compost Winnipeg), and an off-grid cohousing community.
Job Titles:
- Head Coach of Canadian Mennonite University's ( CMU ) Women 's Volleyball Team, Has Been Inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletes Hall of Fame
- Women 's Volleyball Head Coach
Menzies is a decorated and celebrated individual within Manitoba sports. She is recognized for her achievements as both athlete and coach, as well as her outstanding leadership both on and off the court.
Job Titles:
- Professor of International Development Studies
Jerry Buckland has been a Professor of International Development Studies for over 25 years and before that time worked for as an Socio-economist for an NGO in Bangladesh for five years. Jerry's research and teaching is in an area that encompasses community-economics and includes financial wellbeing studies (micro-finance, financial inclusion, financial literacy), research and evaluation methods, community-based development, and rural and Indigenous Peoples' development.
Contact Jocelyn if you are from Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan or the Territories, if you have been homeschooled, or if you are a transfer student and are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree at CMU.
Job Titles:
- Vice - President, Administration & Finance
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Athletics Programs
- Coordinator of Sports Info and Communications
Job Titles:
- Social Media Coordinator Communications & Marketing Coordinator, CommonWord
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator
- CSMA Program Coordinator
Judith Oatway is happy to join CSMA in an administrative capacity and connect with parents and students of all disciplines. Along with her administrative duties, Judith teaches voice with CSMA.
Job Titles:
- IT Infrastructure Support Technician
Justin Neufeld's academic interests concern how the human person has been understood by ancient, medieval, and modern writers as they have contemplated the question of justice, which is the question of what we owe others and what is owed to ourselves. Students in business will engage this history of reflection on justice in order to bring its resources to bear on the question of what constitutes good business today.
Katrina Lengsavath is a second year Arts & Sciences student at CMU. She sings with CMU Singers and Women's Chorus, and was selected as one of the school's Leader Scholars in 2020. She feels honoured and happy to work with the Centre for Career & Vocation staff as a Student Program Assistant specializing in Communications. This is the perfect space for her to exercise her creativity and apply her passion for interdisciplinary academic and career possibilities. Her goals are to help develop the program's online presence and highlight resources for students on the CCV Instagram page (@cmu_ccv). Katrina also serves as VP Communications on CMU Student Council's Exec this year. When she's not studying, sending emails, or volunteering, Katrina enjoys baking, warm cups of tea, and dancing to good tunes.
Kayden is an optimistic patient listener. He joins the CCV staff while in the midst of studying psychology for his undergrad at CMU. Kayden looks to integrate his learning by helping fellow students find practicum and job placements that are meaningful and finish their degrees with experience from outside of the classroom.
People's careers, studies and work become part of who they are which is why Kayden is excited assist students while they make decisions about their futures and help them to achieve their goals. As part of the Centre for Career and Vocation and the Practicum team, Kayden looks to integrate his interpersonal and presentation skills with his growing knowledge around the programs to help fellow students to pursue their goals.
When he's not working or studying, Kayden is likely playing folk music with a few friends or organizing a spike ball tournament.
Job Titles:
- History
- Instructor in International Development Studies
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications & Marketing
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- Assistant Professor of Music Therapy / Dr
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- Coordinator of Student Advising
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- Director of Food Services
Job Titles:
- Director of Enrolment Services
Michelle Nguyen
Director of Enrolment Services
Phone: 204.594.0529
Email: mnguyen@cmu.ca
Contact Michelle if you wish to speak to the director of the department.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Music Therapy
Job Titles:
- Payroll and Benefits Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Dean of Student Life
- Interim Director of the Centre for Career and Vocation Interim Director of Practicum
Renee is excited to be working with students through the Centre for Career and Vocation! She joins the Centre for Career and Vocation team having previously co-directed CMU's travel service-learning program (Outtatown), where she developed a love for experiential learning, community, and doing hard things.
As Practicum Coordinator, her role is primarily about listening to student stories, and helping them think about and explore who they want to be in the world both at CMU and beyond. She does this through advising and coordinating work integrated learning placements, as well as building partnerships with organizations and supporting the overall mission and vision of the Centre for Career and Vocation Renee also works as an instructor at CMU, leading the practicum seminar where she thinks collaboratively with students about vocation, professional development and life design.
Renee holds an honours degree in History from Brock University and is currently an MA Candidate at Regent College, UBC. When she's not working or studying, she's probably walking and on the phone with long distance friends and family, drinking coffee, or asking people what they've read/listened to/watched lately that she should add to her never-ending list.
Job Titles:
- Director of Alumni, Church, and Donor Relations
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of International Recruitment and Advising
Job Titles:
- Information Technology Administrator, AV
Job Titles:
- Academic Advisor & Student Services Coordinator
River (pronouns: they/them) is the person to talk to if you have questions about the Conflict Resolution Studies and International Development Studies programs offered at the University of Winnipeg through Menno Simons College, a program of CMU.
River's office is on the main campus at CMU, but starting September 12, 2023, they can be found in the Aboriginal Student Services Centre at 2LO2 in Lockhart Hall at the UW on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. River is available for in-person appointments and drop-ins during these times.
The best way to reach River is by email: rwoods@cmu.ca
Job Titles:
- Director of Information Technology
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Member of the CCV
Sabrina Shaw is an ardent member of the CCV team with a passion for helping students navigate their career goals. She is an astute student, an enthusiast, organizer, a leader and communicator. Her cross-cultural experiences combined with her zest and adaptability have propelled her in becoming a versatile individual. As a current student of CMU she balances her time between taking final your courses in Psychology and working at the Centre for Career and Vocation in the research portfolio.
Sabrina believes research is important because it is in research that we gather the facts to make the right decision which fits seamlessness with the goal of the CCV which is ultimately to help you make the right career decisions for you! It is therefore no surprise that her interest in serving the students at the Canadian Mennonite University as a Program Assistant (Research) has become one of her major priorities. As program assistant her duty is to serve the students at CMU in exploring, communicating and soliciting valuable information so that students may have a clearer directed career path.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of International Student & Accessibility Programs
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- Vice - President External
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- Coordinator of Financial Aid & Awards
Job Titles:
- Men 's Basketball Head Coach
Job Titles:
- Accounts Receivable Clerk
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice - President Academic Program Development and Associate Registrar Student Data
Job Titles:
- Finance Operations Consultant
Job Titles:
- Director of Estamos, Practicum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Associate Registrar for Graduate Studies
Contact Valerie if you are interested in graduate studies at CMU.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of the Community School of Music and the Arts
- Instructor at Canadian Mennonite University School of Music
Verna is an Instructor at Canadian Mennonite University School of Music. She has been key to the establishment and leadership of an innovative and collaborative teaching and performance program. She teaches theory, keyboard skills and solo piano. She is also the Director of CMU's Community School of Music & the Arts.
Verna Wiebe is well known in the Winnipeg community for her fine work as a collaborative artist with singers, instrumentalists, and choirs. Verna is the pianist for the Winnipeg Singers, with whom she recently recorded a CD of choral works by Sid Robinovitch.
She has also performed as pianist with the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, Pembina Trails Voices, CMU Choirs, Mennonite Festival Chorus and Mennonite Oratorio Choir, among others. Verna performs as part of Orgiano, a piano-organ duo devoted to original works, and as part of the CMU Faculty Piano Duo.
Verna has operated a private studio including piano and theory students and Music for Young Children classes. She is a member of the Registered Music Teachers Association of Manitoba and the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Verna holds a degree in Piano Performance from Brandon University where she served as faculty accompanist and instructor. Included in her extensive collaborative work were numerous recitals, competitions and a CBC recording with trumpeter Professor Alan Ehnes.
Verna is active in leading worship music at Charleswood Mennonite Church. She and her husband Bob have three grown children.