Paula MacKay

Background

About Paula MacKay

Strategic and collaborative leader & relationship builder bringing 20 years of proven success in making a positive impact on Secondary and Higher Education across the Maritimes; within school classrooms and public service with the Department of Education, and within academia, including UPEI, Dalhousie, NSCC, & Saint Mary’s University. A pioneer in driving excellence in experiential learning, demonstrating an evidenced-based, innovative approach to designing, directing, and evaluating educational programs in concert with provincial and federal initiatives, including CEWIL, STEM, Apprenticeship, and DEIB. Managed program evaluation processes (research, analysis and reporting). Trusted Manager & Coordinator with progressive experience in leading Career Services, Cooperative Education, Work Integrated Learning, and Service Learning, at both the Manager and Director level. Diligently managed program budgets of up to $1M, and put forth successful proposals for funding in excess of $75K to delivery programming to support women exploring/engaging in STEM career fields. Developed and executed strategic marketing and communications plans within government and higher education. Extensive experience building solid relationships with key stakeholders, industry partners, faculty, community organizations, committee executives, and the business community. Fostered solid outcomes, effective frameworks, and strategic initiatives that promote cultural diversity and inclusion of designated groups, to enhance the student experience and ongoing success for all. Successfully led a provincial project to establish Nova Scotia as a leader in experiential learning, conducted research in best practices in the structure and delivery of service learning (SL) programs at universities across Canada, and co-developed a pilot framework in concert with Saint Mary’s Service Learning Committee. Utilized formal Project Management Methodology throughout my career and taught it to my students within my courses at UPEI.