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Meet Bert Annear – Mount Allison’s Registrar

24 Aug 2024

The Registrar is a key part of the academic experience for Mount Allison students supporting their academic journey, from application until after graduation. 

1. Tell us a bit about your professional background and what interested you about coming to Mount Allison?
I have worked in post-secondary institutions for over 30 years, working in universities in British Columbia. I have experience in many of the functional as well as leadership areas in the Registrar’s Office. I am a certified facilitator and provided workshops for not-for-profit organizations on team building, organizational behaviour, and creativity. 

I was drawn to Mount Allison because of its location, reputation, and the people I met who work here. I saw an opportunity to join an excellent organization supporting students. I look forward to upholding the University’s traditions while working towards the necessary changes leading to the continued success for students at Mount Allison. 

2. How do you see your role impacting students at the University? 
I have always worked from a student-centric lens and hope that through my work with the University, we can keep the good things working and look at those things that aren’t working as well to create a seamless and transparent interface with the students, that respects the policy and process that are needed to make a university work. 

3. Can you describe the main functions of the Registrar’s Office and how it supports students? 
The Registrar’s Office upholds policy and practice and acts as the keeper of the student records. The Registrar’s Office also handles academic advising, degree audit, transfer credit, financial aid and awards, and Convocation. In this way we support students to understand the administrative processes they need to complete in their journey, their change of plans, and when they have challenges. We provide information to support the students in person, by phone, and email with an excellent team of helpful staff. 

4. What does a typical day look like for you as the Registrar at Mount Allison? 
On a typical day, I will have meetings with leadership and staff to discuss current planning, emergent issues, and ongoing projects. I will meet with students who have more in-depth questions about their academic path and respond to emails and other inquiries that require my attention. 

5. Are there any key initiatives or projects on the horizon that you are particularly excited about? 
I am still getting a better understanding of how Mount Allison works and hope to get involved in projects on local, provincial, and regional levels. 

6. What is your personal philosophy or approach when it comes to this role in PSE? 
The Registrar’s Office is not well known and over the years has been the keeper of the rules for many decades. This has led to being the office of “No.” I hope for the Registrar’s Office to be a facilitator for student success and we will work to support students to understand how to work within our policies and regulations.  

I want the Registrar’s Office to be a place where we can look for opportunities to help support students on their path to a successful career supported by their learning in the classroom and on campus. 

7. What are some of your personal interests or hobbies?  
My hobbies include music, gardening and hiking. 

8. Do you have any words of wisdom for students as they navigate their academic journey at Mount Allison?  
You get out of university as much as you put into it. Get involved, ask questions, and participate whenever you can. Don’t be afraid to reach out to get the support you need. Many other students have or are experiencing the same things you are and have the same questions and hopes. Everyone who works here wants to see you succeed. 
 
 

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