Jessica is an industry professor and assistant dean — she’s also a mother, podcaster and lover of hugs. Spend a few minutes getting to know her better.
What is your first U of A memory?
I think my first memory is seeing all of the booths in Quad during Week of Welcome and trying to figure out where to go!
What is something your coworkers do not know about you?
I have donated my hair six times.
What is your favorite distraction?
Playing with my kids outside. Biking, hiking, camping, skiing — it doesn’t matter to me as long as there’s fresh air and we’re away from the city!
If you were enrolling in one course, program or degree right now, what would it be?
Theology. I was raised in a Catholic faith but have reconnected with Indigenous heritage and am interested in the intersectionality of spirituality.
What is a weird pet peeve you have?
Tim Horton cup lids where the opening lines up with the cup seam — it shouldn’t do that!
You can invite anyone — alive or dead, real or fictional — to dinner. Who would it be?
Any of my parents that have passed away — I miss them a lot.
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
Wicked on Broadway in New York.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Start your healing journey early — use all the wellness supports you can!
What is one thing you cannot live without?
Hugs.
What three words describe your U of A experience?
Very eye opening.
About Jessica
Jessica Vandenberghe has two engineering degrees and has worked in the regulatory, infrastructure and consulting industries, as well as in the oil sands. She is the Industrial Chair - Indigenous Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She is a mother of two, a podcaster and consultant with her own firm, Guiding Star Consulting.
This article was updated in March 2023.