Have you met Dr. Melissa Tremblay, Associate Professor in the School and Clinical Child Psychology Program in the Faculty of Education? Spend a few minutes getting to know her better.
What is your first U of A memory?
My first memory brings me back to the beginning of my journey as an undergraduate student. At that time, students had to physically come to campus to take care of a few administrative tasks, like obtaining their OneCard, before classes began since online services were much more limited! I grew up rurally and hadn’t spent much time in Edmonton and I remember feeling so overwhelmed with the big city and bustling campus. And at the same time, I also remember feeling welcomed, excited and encouraged by all of the friendly faces.
What’s something your coworkers don’t know about you?
Many of my coworkers don’t know that I’ve been taking dance classes since the age of three! My favorite style of dance is tap, but I’ve danced with a group for many years where we also do jazz and musical theater. As an adult, I have the same dance teacher as when I was a teenager and I’m so grateful for the creative outlet that dance provides for me.
What’s your favourite distraction?
I am a little embarrassed to say that my favorite distraction is reality TV. When I was awake through the night with each of my children, who slept terribly as newborns, I binged all forms of cringey reality TV.
If you were enrolling in one course, program or degree right now, what would it be?
In the summer of 2021, I had the privilege of sitting in on an Indigenous Summer Institute course taught by Dr. Dwayne Donald before going on to teach a different course myself in the following year’s Summer Institute. It was such a rich learning experience and I would love to learn from other colleagues who teach in the Indigenous Summer Institute.
What’s a weird pet peeve you have?
The sound of teeth clicking on silverware…makes me shudder!
You can invite anyone — alive or dead, real or fictional — to dinner. Who would it be?
My grandparents! They passed away when I was quite young and I think of them often. I would love to chat with them about the most mundane parts of life that I took for granted when I was younger.
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
I would see William Prince! He’s a masterful musician who I haven’t had the chance to see live yet.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
If you live with integrity, trust your instincts and honor the most important relationships in your life, everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
My three beautiful children! I may be slightly biased but I think they’re the most fun and joyful humans I’ve ever met!
What three words describe your U of A experience?
Fulfilling, serendipitous, inspirational.
About Melissa
Melissa Tremblay is an Associate Professor in the School and Clinical Child Psychology Program in the Faculty of Education. A Métis scholar, Melissa’s research takes a relational, community-based participatory approach and has allowed her the privilege of working in partnership with Indigenous peoples, communities, schools and agencies across the country.