Emma MacFarlane worked as a Learning Commons Coordinator at UBC Library from November 2018 to August 2022.
Emma MacFarlane has been with UBC since 2018 and is currently the Learning Commons Coordinator at the Chapman Learning Commons (CLC). As the Learning Commons Coordinator, Emma is responsible for managing the development and delivery of various programs and services in the CLC. These programs and services support and enhance students’ learning and academic growth, leadership, involvement, and engagement.
Before joining UBC Library, Emma was enrolled in the Curriculum and Instruction Foundations master’s program at Simon Fraser University (SFU). During the two-year program, she worked part-time in numerous roles closely related to her current position, including research assistant, program assistant, teaching assistant and workshop moderator.
Upon graduating, Emma brought her advanced knowledge in research and teaching to the Learning Commons Coordinator position at UBC Library. Her undergraduate experience at UBC encouraged her to apply for this position. “I really loved being a student at UBC. When I saw this job posting I felt an affinity towards the university,” she says. “I was involved at UBC in different student affairs and student support related roles, and so with a background in student affairs as well as research, teaching and instruction, I really felt the library environment would be a place where all of those skills could intersect.”
One of Emma’s highlights of working at the Chapman Learning Commons has been the relationships she has developed with her student-staff team. “It’s amazing seeing them reflecting on their learning and their development as they’re creating projects for the ultimate purpose of helping other people. It feels like a reciprocal benefit between the students who are creating and facilitating the projects, and the students and community members who are benefiting from them. That’s what appeals to me about conducting and overseeing the project work.”
“Everyone is so unique, everyone has different backgrounds, areas of studies, skill sets, former job experiences, passions, personal interests, and different stories. I’ve learned so much from all of the students I work with. It’s a privilege to be able to hear their stories and build relationships with them.”
Emma has always looked for new ways to enhance her skills in leadership and beyond with the ultimate goal of improving services at the library. She has joined many professional development courses at UBC such as the Management at UBC Program, project management courses at UBC Sauder, and the Program for Open Scholarship and Education (POSE) through CTLT. “I’ve really developed a strong sense of professional identity and have learned countless skills through my day-to-day work and also through participating in external professional development opportunities through UBC.”
Emma encourages new UBC Library hires to be flexible and to build connections. “Focus on connecting with other people and building relationships. It’s okay to take your time learning things, it takes time to grow that confidence and that sense of capability, and so I think being patient with yourself as you settle in a role is really important.”
She thrives on multi-tasking in both a professional and personal environment. In her free time she enjoys sewing, reading, writing, camping, traveling, cooking and music. She especially enjoys being creative, even creating custom outfits from full-length coats to overalls.
Learn more about UBC Library’s Chapman Learning Commons.