UAT profiles: meet Orsi Kertesz

In this new series, get to know some of the people who have taken on new roles as part of the university's operating model.

Orsi Kertesz

• Current position: Team Lead, Student Service Centre
• Time with the university: 10 years
• Former position: Specialist, Student Services (Student Connect)

What do you like most about your current position?

Building our team and getting to work with so many amazing new people! It has been so inspiring to see everyone come together to create our team and support each other and the students during such a busy and challenging time. It has also been great to be able to support my team in working towards their goals — they have so many incredible ideas!

How was the transition into your new position?

When I transitioned into my new role we onboarded a large group of new advisors and specialists and also launched the new Student Service Centre (based on what we built in Student Connect) all during the university’s restructuring and amidst a pandemic, so it was an incredibly busy time. I am grateful to each and every person on our team because we could not have done it without everyone pulling together.

Has your unit experienced any successes or progress as part of the UAT initiative?

I am so proud of our team for continuously focusing on what’s best for our students and how to support each other while everything around us was changing. We had to pivot so many times (sometimes daily) and have been incredibly resilient. Through the UAT initiative, we hired and trained 16 new advisors and six specialists who learned the ropes so quickly; who were supported by our continuing staff, the rocks and glue of our unit.

What aspect of UAT has been more challenging than you expected?

It has been difficult to see colleagues leave and to see those remaining handle the workload and the loss. At the same time, I have seen people pull together like never before!

When you think of the U of A of Tomorrow, what are you most looking forward to?

I’m really looking forward to the time when the transition phase is over and we can start to settle into the new reality. The changes that are being implemented are good and will bring benefits in the long run, but getting there is the difficult part.

The Student Service Centre is a navigation hub for prospective, current, and former students and a one-stop-shop for enquiries. As a brand new entity established under the UAT initiative, the Student Service Centre provides information and access to services to support students' academic, financial, mental, and physical well-being. It also aims to improve the student experience by increasing awareness and accessibility to services that can support students throughout their university journey.

If you'd like to be featured in the UAT profile series, or would like to nominate someone, please contact uat@ualberta.ca.