Arlette Stewart has been a long-time member of the SFU community, both as a student and an employee. In my research, I found that she was one of six SFU Surrey moms who all gave birth to boys within a span of 4 weeks in 2008. More recently, she completed her M.A. in educational psychology where she examined responses to bullying in the education system.
After first working in the public sector with marginalized communities, Arlette was drawn to SFU because she believes in environments where “people can empower themselves through knowledge.” When an opportunity came up at the SFU Surrey campus over 15 years ago, she jumped at the chance to work with students. And she stayed at SFU because she has met many good people who share her desire to contribute to a common good.
Arlette has built her career at SFU helping students. She worked as an academic advisor, a co-op coordinator, and is currently the Coordinator for Academic Integrity. Arlette chose to volunteer for APSA because she believes that people's working environment significantly impacts both them and their families' overall well-being. She explains her interest in APSA, saying, "There is a well-known Aesop’s fable on how a bundle of sticks is much harder to break than an individual twig. Over the years, I have admired the work of previous and current APSA volunteers who have worked together to represent the membership." On a personal note, she feels that this will be a valuable opportunity for her to learn from others as well as share her experience and skills. She will work with other board members to promote a respectful and collegial workplace for all APSA members.
When not at work, you'll find Arlette enjoying gardening in the summer or reading a good book over many cups of hot tea in the winter. Throughout the year, the antics of her two kids and her dog keep her amused.