Have you met Brian Pardell, director of Continuing Education in U of A Online and Continuing Education? Spend a few minutes getting to know him better.
What is your first U of A memory?
It was watching sporting events televised from the Universiade Pavilion (Butterdome) during the 1983 Summer Universiade.
What’s something your coworkers don’t know about you?
I like keeping care of my lawn. I really don’t like weeds and feel that there is no reason to not have a nice looking lawn.
What’s your favourite distraction?
Watching our teenage daughter grow up loving sports. She knows more about U.S. college basketball than any 14 year old should!
If you were enrolling in one course, program or degree right now, what would it be?
I’m interested in taking additional training related to leadership. Given the role and unit that I work in at the university, I think it would be great to take the Advanced Certificate in Leadership that we offer. It would give me additional skills as a leader as well as provide me with a valuable student perspective on our programing.
What’s a weird pet peeve you have?
Having to change from summer to winter tires (and back) on multiple cars 2 times each year!
You can invite anyone — alive or dead, real or fictional — to dinner. Who would it be?
My maternal grandfather. I was 4 years old when he died, so I don’t remember him. He represents a point in time where you worked for everything you have and you didn’t have much. I would love to know what his life was like … in his words.
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
I would see the Rolling Stones. I saw them when I was much younger and loved it! I think about how old I am now and compare that to how old Mick is … simply amazing that he is still going!
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Be kind to your knees and back … they need to last you a lifetime!
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
Spending time with my family.
What three words describe your U of A experience?
Welcoming, changing, relevant.
About Brian
Brian is a trusted leader with over 20 years as a strategic operations professional whose strong business acumen supports organizational needs and sustainable growth by creating opportunities that align key stakeholders. He is passionate and committed to developing and maintaining successful relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders that result in high value exchange for all involved. In his current role as director, Continuing Education, he supports the re-visioning of the Online and Continuing Education focus for the U of A while leading the operational team to continue delivering high quality, in demand Continuing Education training to adult learners.