The former NC president – who made history as the first woman president of any postsecondary institution in Ontario when she was at the helm of Niagara College from 1978 to 1990 – recently passed on her experience and advice with students from the College’s Recreation Therapy program.
The meetings were organized by Recreation Therapy alumna Heather Kane, who currently works as a Recreation Coordinator in the Care Centre of The Community of Lookout Ridge, where Robarts resides.
“When I mention Niagara College to Jackie, now 91 years old and living with dementia, she stands up tall, clasps her hands behind her back, smiles, and says, ‘That’s my home.’ If Niagara College is referenced as her home, then surely the students and faculty are her family, as she takes great joy in helping to raise them up to be the best they can be,” noted Kane.
Kane described Robarts’ life as one fully lived and rich in diverse experiences. She noted that Robarts has made lasting impressions and changes for the good wherever she has gone – from excelling in her nursing program to winning awards for contributing to the well-being of her classmates, to advancing in her career to becoming the first woman president of a college in Ontario.
“Jackie has worked extremely hard her whole life. She values courage and determination, but she also values the offering and obtainment of love and support. She is never short on words of encouragement for others and is always wanting to offer assistance to make sure the job is done well,” said Kane.
“When I realized this about Jackie, I was able to properly engage her in programs because I realized she needed a role that allowed her to lead, encourage, and care for others. Opportunities like assisting with serving refreshments or leading programs alongside me, were gladly taken up and allowed her a chance to feel purposeful.”
Kane noticed that Robarts was filling her days with routines of checking in on everyone, making sure they were doing their jobs, and providing motivational speeches to anyone who will lend an ear.
Recognizing that Robarts still had much more to give to those around her, Kane looked to her alma mater, hoping to arrange an opportunity for the former president to connect with current students. She reached out to Recreation Therapy Professor Christine Wilkinson – who was her professor as well when she attended the College – to find out if students would be interested in connecting with Robarts via virtual meetings through which she could impart her wisdom and advice.
The answer was a resounding “yes!”
Wilkinson embraced the initiative with enthusiasm. Noting that it would be a fabulous learning opportunity for students who recently completed her Therapeutic Approaches for an Aging Populations course, she worked with Kane to organize one-on-one virtual 30-minute meetings between Robarts and students throughout the month of June. Student involvement was completely voluntary.
To make the meetings even more meaningful, Wilkinson, with the help of many NC staff, gathered College memorabilia and delivered a package of items to Lookout Ridge prior to the meetings. Robarts proudly showed off those items to students during the meetings and they remain on display in her room at Lookout Ridge, where she often looks at them and reminisces.
Meaningful experience
For student Kaitlyn Gomme, speaking to Robarts was akin to speaking with a legend. She loved asking her about her past role as president, and what it was like to be a woman at that time in that role. She found it insightful that Robarts never gives up, and that she still wants to help and encourage others around her.“She’s an extremely strong-willed woman with a heart of gold; that’s not a combination you often get,” said Gomme.
Gomme valued the advice that Robarts shared. She asked the former president what to do when encountering difficulty at work or school with a group of people not working together well. Robarts said the best thing to do was to ask that person what they would do differently or change, that way the person feels engaged, heard, and valued as you get to the bottom of the issue at hand. She also went over the idea of being professional, what that means and should look like in everyday life.
“I found her very encouraging about my future in what I could do and the endless possibilities I could have if I put my mind to it.”
Student Kyle Kuzyk described Robarts as an amazing woman, who is down-to-earth, approachable, and eager to share her wisdom and knowledge with those still searching for their way in the world.
“Jackie Robarts is as committed to community building, leadership, stewardship, and helping others get to where they need to be, as her storied career suggests she was,” said Kuzyk. “She was bright and attentive and really enjoyed sharing a laugh over puns, and for sure she did not take herself too seriously, which I think is a unique quality among people of her calibre and historical importance.”
Student Destiny Lacasse noted how Robarts still has the mind of a leader. She advised Lacasse to be confident, research whatever she is seeking, and spoke about the importance of communication with those she works for or with. When asked about the most important characteristic of a good leader, Robarts simply said, “patience.”
“The experience was very meaningful. I appreciated having the time to talk to Miss Robarts,” said Lacasse. “I was able to gain such great information on how to be a great leader. Within this time, I could see how much she still cares about students and how important it was to share some advice based on her experiences.”
Exceeding expectations
Gail Hilyer, who is Robarts’ designated caregiver, began regular Saturday afternoon Zoom sessions with Robarts, at Kane’s encouragement several months ago.
“This gave us an opportunity, in the midst of the COVID pandemic and resulting lockdown, to visit regularly. It also provided the impetus for this project, which matured into an exciting opportunity for the retired president to engage with students whose career focus is Recreation Therapy,” said Hilyer.
While the meetings became a positive learning tool for the students, Hilyer’s role was to ensure that Robarts would be a valued and active contributor to the process.
“It worked! Jackie engaged directly, one on one, with students,” she said. “The students had a unique opportunity to meet and converse with the first woman to become a president of a college in Ontario.’
Wilkinson applauded the initiative, and the efforts of Kane, Hilyer and the students who embraced the opportunity to participate.
“All of this tells the story of a remarkable woman (Robarts), a remarkable NC grad (Kane) who brought this to life, and the compassion and commitment of our remarkable Recreation Therapy students who brought so much thought, compassion, and dedication to this,” said Wilkinson. “This has really been beyond our expectations. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been involved.”
Arleen Mosley, a close friend of Jackie Robarts and fellow resident of The Community of Lookout Ridge said, “through your efforts, respect, and dignity shown to her, it was obvious she could recall memories of 40-plus years ago. Observing her facial expressions during your interviews reminded me, despite all her cognitive losses there is still a person inside – one to be honoured and respected in her remaining years.”
“Jackie Robarts is a marvel, like so many other residents at The Community of Lookout Ridge,” said Mosley. “She continues to learn and to teach: before bed, I tell myself, ‘don’t worry, we will get there!’
