Susan Craig Bieganek (‘89 BA), is a dedicated U of A volunteer with a passion for organizational development, public service, and making a difference. Susan has been involved with the U of A community on several fronts, getting her start with the Green and Gold Garden and Trick-or-trEAT with the Campus Food Bank. She joined the Alumni Student Support and Engagement Team (ASSET) in 2020 and is just starting her second year on Alumni Council. 

 

After trying various courses during her undergraduate studies, Susan discovered her interest in governance, realizing her fascination with how systems operate and how public services are delivered. This interest has shaped her career and she now leads a strategic engagement team in continuing care with the provincial government. She thrives on transforming information into meaningful insights to guide decisions, always focused on the ultimate goal and how to achieve it. This passion in particular drove her to Alumni Council where she can use this skillset to help make a difference in her community.

 

For Susan, volunteering is an opportunity for continuous learning that allows her to experience new perspectives and ways of doing things. She feels that the U of A is a natural place for alumni to return as a place of growth with many options to find what suits someone best be it connection to your Faculty, supporting current students, or contributing to the future of the greater organization. 

One of Susan’s favorite aspects of volunteering with the U of A is being back on campus, and experiencing the feeling of walking through the University again. She loves seeing the changes from when she was a student, and her work with ASSET in particular allows her to provide meaningful support to the student community. One of her favorite activities is the Unwind Your Mind Snack Hand-Out, where alumni volunteers pass out snacks and encouragement to students studying for their exams. 

Susan offers the following advice to prospective volunteers: 

“Volunteering is such a great way to live your values,” says Susan. “If something appeals to you, think about why and how it connects to your values. Start slowly so you aren’t overcommitted – test it out, shadow someone - so it can be a successful experience.“ She also recommends thinking about the community you want to support as another way to guide your interest. 

 

In her spare time, Susan loves rowing, recently participating in the Race Around the Rock relay race around Salt Spring Island. She also enjoys reading and creative activities such as working with glass and a range of textiles.