On November 30, at the Annual General Meeting, Irene Mihalik
will begin a three-year term with APSA’s Board of Directors.

“It’s a little bit like walking into the unknown. It seems
like I’m the newbie of the group,” Mihalik says chuckling, “but I’m excited to
learn.”

Of the four members elected to the Board this year, Mihalik
is the only new Director. While she is aware of the learning curve, she’s also
prepared for it.

As Human Resources Liaison for Lifelong Learning, Mihalik manages
all human resource activities for the department’s approximately 100 staff. APSA policies? She works with them. Recruitment
and retention issues? She’s experienced them firsthand. Leadership training?
She knows it's needed.

“Because of my role, I know the issues people struggle with.
Members are looking for improvements. They want to develop. They want to grow.
I want to help them do that.” Mihalik says.

Mihalik always had a desire to help people. Growing up
in South Africa, she wanted to study psychology, but was persuaded to join the popular
information technology industry. After completing her studies, she worked as a computer programmer in South Africa for a number of years, and
left to work in the United States for 18 months before returning home again
to her first passion.   

“My love for people and being interested in people never
really stopped. When I moved back to South Africa, I started rethinking my
career.” Mihalik recalls.

She went on to complete a business degree in Human Resources
Management before emigrating to Canada. She worked at BC Place for seven years before
coming to SFU in 2013.

“One of my greatest achievements has been working at this
institution. I value education and believe that education is the key to success
in life because it opens doors for people of all backgrounds."

Mihalik is eager to continue learning. Joining the APSA
Board gives her the opportunity to expand her knowledge of what APSA does.

Once
settled in, Mihalik will determine how her HR experience can help APSA improve
members’ workplaces. Her areas of
interest are learning and development, competitive salary rates, work-life
balance, and succession planning.

“I think I’ll bring another perspective. It’s a new
opportunity to learn, to meet new people and be a voice for members,” says Mihalik.

When she’s not thinking about work, she can be found
spending time with family and friends and enjoying the great outdoors.