UBC Library employs a team of administrative professionals who provide valuable support to the organization’s various departments and initiatives. In celebration of Administrative Professionals Week, we highlight their diverse backgrounds, education and life experience.
Tara Simonetta, the latest addition to the administrative support team, graduated from UBC with a BA in English Literature last spring, after having completed three co-op work terms with the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure, Vancouver Coastal Health and UBC Faculty of Arts. Tara loves keeping everyone organized, and, as a bibliophile, thrives at the Library. In her spare time, Tara enjoys bouldering, cooking, reading and travelling.
Chrissy Johnson has a BA in International Development from Guelph and a Certificate in HR Management from BCIT. Another seasoned traveller, Chrissy has spent two years working and travelling in China, India, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. She enjoys all the wonderful people she has met and worked with at the Library. Her favourite thing to do off-hours is to explore new places – restaurants, cities, roads or parks. Anything different!
Jennifer Martens has taught ESL in Canada, Japan and Mexico, and has a BA in History with an emphasis on Russian history. She also has her Library and Information Diploma and a TESL Certificate. Jennifer’s experience at UBC Library includes roles at the Education Library and in Technical Services, and she appreciates interacting with staff from all areas of the Library in her current position as receptionist for Library Administration. Outside of work, Jennifer loves to take photos of nature.
Alicia Munro studied at UBC and has a BFA in Visual Art with a focus on painting. As a student, she worked for the Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory. After graduation, she worked for UBC Staff Finders before applying for her position at the Library. Alicia enjoys the creative problem-solving aspect of her job, and finds it rewarding to work with staff from the Library and UBC Building Operations to resolve issues and contribute to improvements for Library spaces. In her spare time, Alicia can be found exploring the Greater Vancouver area on her bike.