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By: Mikaela Stevenson

For �Ӱ�ԭ�� University retiree Linda Cruz, community involvement isn’t just a value — it’s a way of life.

The first in her family to attend university, Linda arrived at �Ӱ�ԭ�� as an undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

“Psychology had always been an interest,” she says. “I remember being a young teen and begging my mom for a subscription to Psychology Today.”

As a student, Linda immersed herself in campus life, joining the outdoors club and the rowing team and working as a spotlight operator at Sock ‘n’ Buskin. �Ӱ�ԭ�� also became the place where she met her husband, cementing a lifelong connection to the university. After graduating, she built a career in marketing before returning to �Ӱ�ԭ�� in 2015.

What began as a casual role evolved into 10 years of event leadership, first as an event and conference coordinator and later as manager of Conference Services. Overseeing countless meetings, conferences and special events, Linda became a friendly, familiar face to students, faculty, staff and external partners planning gatherings on campus.

Linda’s many event highlights include organizing a two-day youth conference for then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, hosting a Rubik’s Cube competition presided over by Ern? Rubik, inventor of the iconic handheld puzzle, and supporting several events for the Special Olympics.

Outside of events, Linda was actively involved across campus with the Health and Safety Committee, Healthy Workplace, United Way and CUPE 2424, the local union representing �Ӱ�ԭ��’s administrative, technical and library staff.

“Volunteering is just part of my DNA,” she says. “My mom used to say I had ‘volunteer’ tattooed on my forehead.”

Linda is using some of her newfound time in retirement to grow her volunteer portfolio, Shopping with Neighbours at the Parkdale Food Centre (pictured in the image to the left), making deliveries for Feed The City and helping out at the upcoming Ottawa International Writers Festival.

As her philanthropic efforts expand beyond campus, community is still the first word that comes to mind when Linda thinks of �Ӱ�ԭ��.

Linda recalls reading a recent online thread by a prospective student who was trying to decide between attending �Ӱ�ԭ�� and the University of Ottawa.

“The responses were consistent: pick �Ӱ�ԭ��,” she says. “�Ӱ�ԭ�� is more supportive, they have more systems in place to help students succeed. The supports that are available, the range of offerings is really great. I love things like this new nursing program, that they [�Ӱ�ԭ��] are looking for things to make the community better.”

Supporting the student experience is the main way Linda chooses to give back to �Ӱ�ԭ��.

Throughout her years as a staff member, Linda volunteered with the university’s annual Campus Community Campaign and gave regularly through payroll deductions to the and the , which provides financial support for students who have experienced homelessness, as well as made donations to the and the .

While Linda’s connection to �Ӱ�ԭ�� has evolved from student to alumna to employee and now retiree, her commitment to community stays the same. Linda is embracing her new role as a member of the general campus community and continues to support funds dedicated to providing financial assistance and making a meaningful and immediate difference in the lives of �Ӱ�ԭ�� students and researchers.

“Anything to try and make life easier,” she says. “Life is stressful enough as it is. It’s my little bit to support it.”