Staff
Alex Brzezinski: Undergraduate Advisor (on leave)
Monique Cloutier: Administrative Coordinator (on leave)
Brady Cranfield: Communications
Andrew Curtis: Resource Specialist (611 Alexander)
Samantha Diamond: Graduate Program Coordinator
Kay Higgins: Professional Development Coordinator
Taha Nejad: Computer & Technology Assistant
Emily Neumann: Manager, Production & Events
Beth Ren: (Acting) Manager, Academic & Administrative Services
Aimee Rigor: New Student Advisor & Recruiter
Corbin Saleken: Film and Video Resource Specialist
Uroš Šanjević: SCA Technician
Suze Shore: Director's Assistant
Stefan Smulovitz: Manager, Technology & Resources
Gary Wong: (Acting) Administrative Coordinator
Alex Brzezinski
Undergraduate Advisor (on leave)
E: sca_adv@sfu.ca
P: 778-782-5733
Alex Brzezinski first joined SFU ten years ago as a student, and is excited to be back and working with the School for the Contemporary Arts! Alex graduated SFU with a BA in Communications and a Minor in Print and Digital Publishing. Before joining the SCA team, she worked with the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program at UBC. Alex is an avid traveller and has been all around the world.
What I do
Please check back!
Monique Cloutier
Administrative Coordinator (on leave)
E: scabudget@sfu.ca
P: 778-782-3724
A BCIT alumna, Monique started working at SFU as a graphic designer developing websites and databases. Prior to coming to SCA, she worked in the FCAT Dean’s Office, the School of Communication and in other departments providing administrative and financial assistance. She is an avid astronomer and world traveler.
What I do
- Research grants administration
- Tri-Council funding use guidelines
- Grant funding and Research contracts funding use guidelines
- Hiring Research funded Personnel (RA's and Post Docs)
- Purchasing requisitions and payment requisitions
- Online business and travel expense claims
- C-card reconciliation
- Internal fund transfers (JVs)
- Timekeeping for SCA staff and RAs
- Paperwork for TSSU (TUG, TA evaluations, TA/SI contracts)
Brady Cranfield
Communications
E: scaweb@sfu.ca
Brady Cranfield is a sound and visual artist, musician, and writer. He has an MA in Communications, an MFA from the SCA, and is currently a PhD student at the SCA, too.
What I do
- Website management
- Social media management
- Graphic design and support
- Promotion strategy and support
- News stories and weekly updates
- Weekly News & Events Newsletter
- Internal and external communication
- Public relations
Andrew Curtis
Resource Specialist (611 Studios)
E: acurtis1@sfu.ca
P: 604-254-3557
Andrew studied visual arts at Capilano College, Emily Carr, and SFU. He is a practicing artist in sculpture and painting.
What I do
- Facilitating creative output
- Assisting with classroom set up
- Maintaining and managing equipment and materials
- Shop training and orientation
- Gallery installation
- Technical assistance in woodshop, sculpture, darkroom, and experimental visual arts
- Assist with studio maintenance, renovations, and health and safety
Samantha Diamond
Graduate Program Coordinator
E: sca_gpa@sfu.ca
P: 778-782-9593
With several years of experience working in academic environments, Samantha is happy to be back at SFU after completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005. She started working in SCA in May 2013. Before this, she was working in SFU’s School of Communication and Faculty of Health Sciences and Alumni Relations at The University of Melbourne and UBC.
What I do
- Primary resource for the SCA Graduate Programs
- Graduate admissions process
- Graduate student record, registration policy, leave terms, procedures and fees
- Graduate scholarship and fellowship application process
- Graduate programs and thesis defence requirements, event coordination and process
- Graduate student orientation
- Teaching Assistant appointments
- Graduate course planning
- Graduate public information sessions
- Graduate weekly bulletin
Kay Higgins
Professional Development Coordinator
E: scapdev@sfu.ca
Kay Higgins is a cultural worker and artist based in Vancouver on the unceded, traditional, and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. She is co-proprietor (with Kathy Slade) of the press Publication Studio Vancouver and has co-founded and directed several artist-run organizations during her career. Her work has included manufactured publications, handmade artist books, public inscription, photography, and internet-based projects. She has been a curator, editor, factory and warehouse labourer, technology consultant, and candidate for municipal office. She is also one half of the electronic music duo Vomit Fraud (with Brady Cranfield).
What I do
- One-on-one career advising, self-employment strategies, information on grants and residencies, and proposal writing, grant writing, and pitch writing
- Student internship opportunities with local arts organizations
- Professional skills development for undergraduate and graduate students
Taha Nejad
Computer & Technology assistant
E: scahelp@sfu.ca
Taha is an IT professional and artist with a MA degree from SFU's School of Interactive Arts & Technology.
What I do
- Troubleshooting Labs
- Classroom Audio-Visual Equipment
- Computer support
Emily Neumann
Manager, Production & Events
E: scaprod@sfu.ca
Emily (they/she) graduated from SFU's SCA with a BFA in Theatre Production, focus: Stage Management. She has worked inter- and multi-disciplinary her whole career. Emily’s professional journey doesn’t fit a single title, as they’ve been a technical stage manager, producer, event planner on a civic scale, wedding coordinator, sound operator, lighting designer, venue manager and site coordinator. If you need someone genuinely kind, well-organized and personable, Emily’s a good bet. She’ll come to the table with an eclectic set of skills and uses her range of experience to inform how to creatively approach what’s asked of her. Often tapped for trauma-informed and/or anti-oppression based work, their professional practice focuses on establishing safe, collaborative teamwork.
Living and working in Vancouver, Emily is an uninvited guest on the unceded (stolen) traditional territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
what I do
- Drafting and sharing detailed production schedules for all SCA events
- Forecasting and troubleshooting production and event requirements, including advising on timelines, resource management, labour needs, equipment tracking, and the legal procedures and policies relevant to the use of GCA spaces
- Coordinating venue access, schedules, equipment and other resources
- Facilitating communication between individuals, areas, and departments
- Post-event evaluation for improvements in terms of planning, management, and realization
Beth Ren
(Acting) Manager, Academic & Administrative Services
E: sca_manager@sfu.ca
P: 778-782-3534
Having worked in student-facing units in BC post-secondary institutions for 14 years, Beth is grateful to have had a diverse career journey, which includes operations management, career development, program design and delivery, event management, advising and project management. She advocates well-being as the top priority at work and values lifelong learning. She loves traditional Chinese tea and enjoys running along the seawall. She holds a BA in Chinese Language and Literature from BISU, a Master of Education from SFU, and a CPHR Candidacy.
what i do
- All financial, budget, and expense approvals and related matters
- APSA, TSSU, CUPE collective agreements and departmental HR matters
- SFU and SCA Academic and Administrative policies and procedures
- Course offering, planning, and scheduling
- Hiring staff and sessional instructors
Aimee Rigor
New Student Advisor & Recruiter
E: scanew@sfu.ca
As an accomplished Student & Admissions Advisor, I have a proven record of evaluating student performance, suggesting educational programs, and coordinating at-risk students to increase students’ career credibility. By collaborating with university staff and faculty, I am an expert in recruiting international students, providing specific consultations, eliminating discrepancies, making the best recommendations, and responding to students’ inquiries.
What I do
- Undergraduate academic advising
- First-year and new student recruitment initiatives
- New student transfers from university/college into SCA
- Undergraduate recruitment strategies, analytics and event coordination
- Registration, course add/drops, course substitute, letter of permission
- Internal transfers to SCA
- Degree planning
- Important SFU academic deadlines and dates
- Referrals to other support services at SFU
Corbin Saleken
Film and Video Resource Specialist
E: csaleken@sfu.ca
P: 778-782-4466
O. Corbin Saleken is an award-winning, Vancouver-based filmmaker whose films have screened at festivals around the world. He has a BA in film from the University of British Columbia. In 2010, he attended the Werner Herzog Rogue Film School in New Jersey. In 2013, he won the Most Promising Filmmaker award at the Spokane International Film Festival. In 2015, he released his first feature film, Patterson’s Wager, which was acquired by Indiecan Entertainment for distribution. The Dummy Factor – which he also wrote, directed, produced, edited, and self-funded, as well as photographed, production designed, sound designed, coloured, and mixed – is his second feature.
What I do
- Loaning sound, film, and video equipment for class project use
- Mentoring on which equipment to use (lenses, lights, microphones, etc.)
Uroš Šanjević
SCA Technician
E: scatech@sfu.ca
Uroš Šanjević completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus on glass studies at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. He also holds a Master's degree in the same field from the National Korean University of Arts in Seoul, South Korea.
Šanjević has actively participated in various international exhibitions and programs, including showcasing his work at the Stedelijk Contemporary Museum of Art in Amsterdam. He has contributed to numerous publications in journals, news outlets, books, and online media.
His extensive experience in the arts and culture realm includes serving as the artistic director of the Culture Center on the South Korean island of Nami. He has worked as an assistant scenographer for various theatrical productions and contributed to the scenography of the Beijing Expo 2009.
Currently, Šanjević draws inspiration from the Ebru technique, also known as "The Art of Marbling." He combines this traditional method with digital print, video work and performance to create a contemporary expression of his spiritual exploration and research into the traditional medicine experiences originating from aboriginal cultures of Brazil and Peru.
What I do
- Scheduling faculty and student access to the FaB2Shop on B2
- Mentoring students on projects during shop drop-in hours, or booked class time, including the safe operation of shop equipment
- Specialized training for art project fabrication at the SCA at 149 W. Hastings St., Vancouver
- Support exhibition installations in the Audain Gallery
- Maintaining the materials and equipment in the FaB2Shop
Suze Shore
Director's Assistant
E: scasec@sfu.ca
Suze Shore is a queer mixed-media artist from Ontario, currently living and working in Burnaby, BC. They specialized in painting at Mount Allison University (Sackville, NB) where they obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and hold a certificate in Professional Illustration from Algonquin College (Ottawa, ON).
What I do
- Meetings with the Director
- Signature requests for the Director
- Faculty appointments
- Contract renewal, tenure, and promotion
- Salary reviews
- Teaching load tracking
- Outside Activities reports
- Study leaves and other leaves
- Committee lists
- GCA room bookings and key requisitions
Stefan Smulovitz
Manager, Technology & Resources
E: ssmulovi@sfu.ca
P: 604-879-4013
Stefan Smulovitz is a true innovator known for his creative use of technology and mastery of sound manipulation. He skillfully uses violin, viola, theremin, electronics, and his game-changing software Kenaxis, to create vast sonic worlds. Stefan’s craft has been honed creating nearly 100 live film scores, innumerable dance and theatre scores, and hundreds of live performances with top improvisers from around the world.
MFA – Simon Fraser University
What I do
- Computer and AV issues
- Creative use of technology in your projects
- Allocation of tech resources for projects
- Ordering and purchasing technology gear
What I do
- Research grants administration
- Tri-Council funding use guidelines
- Grant funding and Research contracts funding use guidelines
- Hiring Research funded Personnel (RA's and Post Docs)
- Purchasing requisitions and payment requisitions
- Online business and travel expense claims
- C-card reconciliation
- Internal fund transfers (JVs)
- Timekeeping for SCA staff and RAs
- Paperwork for TSSU (TUG, TA evaluations, TA/SI contracts)
Alex Brzezinski: Undergraduate Advisor (on leave)
Monique Cloutier: Administrative Coordinator (on leave)
Brady Cranfield: Communications
Andrew Curtis: Resource Specialist (611 Alexander)
Samantha Diamond: Graduate Program Coordinator
Kay Higgins: Professional Development Coordinator
Taha Nejad: Computer & Technology Assistant
Emily Neumann: Manager, Production & Events
Beth Ren: (Acting) Manager, Academic & Administrative Services
Aimee Rigor: New Student Advisor & Recruiter
Corbin Saleken: Film and Video Resource Specialist
Uroš Šanjević: SCA Technician
Suze Shore: Director's Assistant
Stefan Smulovitz: Manager, Technology & Resources
Gary Wong: (Acting) Administrative Coordinator
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