Convocation 2020: Colleen Doucette, BA

In 2001, I decided to start my path to a bachelor degree and chose AU because I was a single mother, working full time, and had big dreams. It was the perfect opportunity, and time, to learn and study in the off hours. I believed the structure of the courses and the way they were delivered were just what I was looking for, so I chose AU as my university.

My husband and sister have been there for me throughout most of my journey. They were there when I bounced theories around, or when I asked them to review papers that I had written. They always had words of encouragement and knew that I was driven and dedicated to see the completion of my Bachelor of Arts degree.

My absolute favourite memory is a conversation I had one evening with Audrey O’Brien, my tutor in French. She had always spoken so eloquently and beautifully making me feel very comfortable whenever we had any type of conversation. I asked her one time why she went so far as to get her doctorate in French, and what would someone do with something like that. She said, “Because I love the language and the only thing to do with this doctorate is to become a scholar.” It’s my favourite memory because she was so passionate about the language, about helping me learn, and it inspired me, and continues to inspire me each day to continue my education and perhaps go so far as to become a scholar as well. I will never forget Audrey and the influence she had.

Completing my degree has transformed my life in terms of major achievements. I set the bar high for every task that I put in front of myself, and this was a big one. Completing this degree means that I can go on to bigger challenges, like a masters or a PhD. Anything is possible!

Taking a course in accounting was just the right opportunity to help me understand that part of my role as president for the company I work for. It gave me excellent insight and ideas to be able to understand the ins and outs of the accounting world and better explain this to the Board of Managers. It wasn’t really a challenge to overcome, but the course at AU was the right one for me at that time of my life.

I will be working towards my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree to delve a bit deeper into the psychology of organizations and the behaviour of their employees. I’d like to help people work better together.

I started AU in 2001. It has been 19 years of studying, working, raising my son, moving across the country, and climbing the ladder of success. With my UCFLP and my Diploma in Arts being achieved along the way, I am so proud to have chosen AU to help me attain my Bachelor of Arts degree. There is no other school that would have allowed me to do what I did and the courses, in my opinion, were all so well laid out, that it seemed to make everything easier.