Michele Jessop (‘82 BSc OT) began her volunteer journey with the University of Aberta in 2014 while still balancing a full-time job working with seniors. Seeking flexible opportunities that allowed her to pick and choose activities fitting her schedule, Michele was able to experience various volunteer roles both on and off campus that allowed her to give back on her terms. After a few years of general volunteering with the University, she joined the Alumni Student Engagement Team (ASSET) in 2019.

The Alumni Student Support & Engagement Team is a diverse group of alumni volunteers who support U of A students on both North and Augustana campuses. Volunteers, such as Michele help out on campus in a variety of ways, from passing out snacks in the libraries during exam time to being a supportive listener at student events throughout the year. Every month brings something a little different as the year cycles on, and Michele enjoys the variety of experiences volunteering with the ASSET program offers.

With a background in continuing care for seniors, Michele’s career naturally lent itself to her volunteer work. Her professional experience in mental health and supporting individuals seamlessly transitioned into her volunteer efforts and she genuinely enjoys being a listener and providing support. She finds immense satisfaction in seeing the smiles on people's faces and witnessing their positive experiences and believes that those seemingly small connections can make a significant difference in someone's day. Service is vital for Michele, and she recognizes the importance of a volunteer role, especially as a way to stay active and engaged after transitioning out of a full-time career.

Michele appreciates her time as a member of ASSET, as it provides a sense of consistency and community. Being part of a team allows her to build deeper relationships with other volunteers and get to know both new and familiar faces better. A recent notable experience with ASSET was participating in a career networking event at RATT with current students. While she was initially worried that the event might be over her head, she found the presenters to be inspiring, and her one-on-one interactions with students were meaningful; including a conversation with a student who was studying in a field very different from her own. She was able to relate to the student,
offer advice, and learn something new about their experiences. Michele believes that it’s important to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. She feels well-supported in her volunteer roles at the University and encourages others to join in.

She wants others to know that: “You don’t need super skills to be part of the team - you just need to want to do it, and some people skills. Actions speak louder than words - just being there can be so important.“
In her spare time, Michele enjoys walking her dog Zoey, playing with her grandkids, and working in her garden.