Jocelyne Morin
They’re young, bilingual and at the head of two new popular programs offered by the Department of Political Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences. Monica Gattinger and Jacqueline Best have been professors for barely two years, and the University is already putting them to the test.
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Monica Gattinger is in charge of the undergraduate and graduate certificates in public management and governance. Since those certificates were developed especially for current public servants, the material covered in the courses is more extensive. As well, the schedule is adapted to the students’ special needs: courses are given mostly evenings and weekends.
Jacqueline Best was asked to run the program in international studies and modern languages. This multidisciplinary program examines the international challenges of our world through the study of economy, religion, politics and culture.
“It’s a little easier, because they’re new programs,” admits Best. “I can be inspired by what is being done in other multidisciplinary programs just as I can contribute my own ideas. Also, before coming to the University of Ottawa, I was working with a director at another university, helping him manage his program. So, this isn’t completely new to me.”
And even though they administer each their own programs, they’re not left to fend for themselves. Members of the Department welcomed them with open arms and continue to offer their generous support. Best and Gattinger quickly earned the respect of their peers.
“I’m really lucky to work with such wonderful people,” says Gattinger. “The spirit of absolute collaboration in this team allows for exceptional two-way communication.”
Even with this invaluable support, they still had to learn how to balance managing a program at the University and gaining the students’ respect while working toward their program objectives. Among those objectives, Best and Gattinger wish to establish strong, well-structured programs that will offer superior-quality education and gain an enviable reputation among students and employers.
Best also wants to create a sense of community in the multidisciplinary programs and encourage students to enrich their studies by spending a semester or a year abroad.
Gattinger wants to implement a program where the concepts taught will not only be easily applied to the workplace, but also draw on students’ creativity.
“We have to aim high if we want to accomplish a lot,” Gattinger says.
