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SFU employees achieve the best of both worlds
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Contact:
Jana Milloy, 604.291.4149; jana_milloy@sfu.ca
Hilary Jones, 604.291.4128; hilary_jones@sfu.ca
Jana Milloy, 604.291.4149; jana_milloy@sfu.ca
Hilary Jones, 604.291.4128; hilary_jones@sfu.ca
October 5, 2004
There is a saying: the truly educated never graduate. For SFU employees Jana Milloy and Hilary Jones, who successfully juggle full-time work and education, this month's convocation is a continuation, not the end, to a lifetime of learning.
As a program assistant in the faculty of education's professional development program, Milloy provides administrative support to nearly two dozen faculty and 300 students.
A decade ago, Milloy, a native of Czech Republic and now a Port Moody resident, achieved an undergraduate degree in fine arts at SFU. She joined SFU's education faculty as an administrator, which allowed her to take advantage of a policy that waives tuition for employees.
She later entered the masters program. Highly structured time management allowed Milloy to finish her degree in two years, while continuing to run a household and work at SFU. Milloy has just started a PhD in education and hopes to eventually teach.
Jones, a West Vancouver resident, is a departmental assistant and student adviser in the department of geography. She began working at SFU in 1965. Since then, she has worked as a secretary in the department of languages, taken time off to rear two children, and returned to the university. Jones could never shake off the urge to continue her formal education. She finally took the plunge three years ago and started a bachelor of general studies in the liberal and business studies program at Harbour Centre, a degree specially designed for those who hold down full-time jobs.
The program is small; about 30 students take the same courses together, three semesters a year. “That was the best part of the program, getting to know everybody; the support you get from the other students is pretty incredible, ” says Jones, who is particularly grateful to the geography department for allowing her to take every third Thursday and Friday off work to attend classes.
Jones and her cohorts are planning to start an alumni group for graduates of the program, now in its 10th year. “It will allow us to extend our learning experiences as well as our professional and social contacts,” says Jones, who is in her early 60s. “It's never too late to learn,” she adds.
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As a program assistant in the faculty of education's professional development program, Milloy provides administrative support to nearly two dozen faculty and 300 students.
A decade ago, Milloy, a native of Czech Republic and now a Port Moody resident, achieved an undergraduate degree in fine arts at SFU. She joined SFU's education faculty as an administrator, which allowed her to take advantage of a policy that waives tuition for employees.
She later entered the masters program. Highly structured time management allowed Milloy to finish her degree in two years, while continuing to run a household and work at SFU. Milloy has just started a PhD in education and hopes to eventually teach.
Jones, a West Vancouver resident, is a departmental assistant and student adviser in the department of geography. She began working at SFU in 1965. Since then, she has worked as a secretary in the department of languages, taken time off to rear two children, and returned to the university. Jones could never shake off the urge to continue her formal education. She finally took the plunge three years ago and started a bachelor of general studies in the liberal and business studies program at Harbour Centre, a degree specially designed for those who hold down full-time jobs.
The program is small; about 30 students take the same courses together, three semesters a year. “That was the best part of the program, getting to know everybody; the support you get from the other students is pretty incredible, ” says Jones, who is particularly grateful to the geography department for allowing her to take every third Thursday and Friday off work to attend classes.
Jones and her cohorts are planning to start an alumni group for graduates of the program, now in its 10th year. “It will allow us to extend our learning experiences as well as our professional and social contacts,” says Jones, who is in her early 60s. “It's never too late to learn,” she adds.
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