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Three questions, each answered in 150 words or less. One-Minute Meeting is a quick, easy way to get to know more about your colleagues.

Today's meeting is with Gillian Hatch, a Student Success Advisor at Dal.

What’s your favourite thing about working at Dal?

The students! Meeting and supporting students is my favourite thing about my job. We have students from all over, all with their own goals and experiences. Student’s all have their own unique story to share about what brought them to Dal and where they hope to be following their degree. Sometimes they encounter road blocks and need someone in their corner to help them navigate their way around. Universities have their own languages and processes — it can be a tough system to navigate for students, but it’s a great feeling to be able help make a student’s academic journey a little easier by supporting them in piloting that system.

Which has been more valuable in your career, your education or your experience, and why?

That’s a tough one as my education is definitely a big part as to how I started working at the University, being a graduate from the Faculty of Agriculture. However, it was my experience in the Registrar’s Office with Recruitment and Admissions that really helped me find my career path in Student Affair. Having the opportunity to work with student and support them in those early stages of their academic journey opened my eyes to a future career in Student Affairs. It wasn’t a career I had ever considered while a student. If you had have asked me at the end of my degree where I would be in 10 years, I never would have answered Student Affairs, but based on my experience, I can’t see myself anywhere else.
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When you're feeling tired out, what is your go-to strategy for regaining balance?

My go-to form of self-care is to connect with nature and unplug. Sometimes I need the barrier of not having internet to help me disconnect from work and social media. I love hiking and camping, in fact I camp year-round, though less frequently in the winter. During my free time I can be found in Victoria Park, or other local trails, with my husky, Nani. This summer I’m scheduled to complete the Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne, and couldn’t be more excited! It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a few years now.

Now, nominate someone you'd like to see on One-Minute Meeting.

Is there someone at Dal you'd like to know more about? Email today@dal.ca to suggest them for a One-Minute Meeting. Please provide contact information for the person you are nominating and let us know if you are comfortable with them knowing you nominated them (in case they ask). We'll then send the nominee an email seeing if they'd like to participate.

Previously on One-Minute Meeting:
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Lana Bos, Curriculum Development Specialist with Extended Learning in the Faculty of Agriculture Ìý

Paul Manning, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Dawn Morrison, Director, Communications and External Relations for the Faculty of Health

Darnelda Renzelli, Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Dean of Libraries of the Killam Library

Michelle Patrick, Student Success Career Advisor, Bissett Student Success Centre and President, Dalhousie Professional & Managerial Group