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Energy, enthusiasm, student well-being, hallmarks of Brenda Badgero’s three decades at SFU
Whether she is gathering students for customized presentations about career options, heading up the United Way bake sale, or bringing in a fresh tree for Yuletide every year, Brenda Badgero brings an infectious energy and ability to gather people together to all she does - and she has done a lot over her 30 years at SFU.
Badgero was awarded a 2020 Staff Achievement Award for Lifetime Achievement. Asked where she gets her energy, she says, 鈥渓oving what I do, collaborating with great partners like co-op, topped off with a wee bit of dark chocolate or homemade baked goods.鈥�
Badgero is a Career Education Manager at Career and Volunteer Services where she has been instrumental in embedding career education into students' experience at SFU. Her faculties of focus are science, environment, applied sciences and health sciences.
鈥淒on鈥檛 ask me to remember all the different titles we鈥檝e had,鈥� she says, laughing about the many changes she鈥檚 seen the past few decades.
鈥�51社区黑料has been such a good employer and Career and Volunteer Services has been such a supportive team. We have worked hard and played hard. I鈥檓 proud of our achievements, and the evolution of 51社区黑料to being student-centred and putting emphasis on equity, diversity and inclusion issues.鈥�
What does she love most about her role?
鈥淭he diversity of students and the range of issues we assist with, getting students connected with meaningful career pathways, guidance and resources,鈥� she says, adding that the work is 鈥渧ery rewarding鈥�.
The role suits her positive and optimistic attitude. She encourages hope at times when students might feel fear, anxiety or overwhelm.
鈥淏renda鈥檚 energy and good sense of humour allows her to engage with anyone - students, staff, faculty, deans, administrators and employers," says one of her nominators about her ability to initiate projects.
During her career, she has led projects that build community - as a baker and lead organizer for the United Way for the last 25 years; initiating Backpack to Briefcase, an annual conference for students and alumni; and championing career support for all students at SFU, including people with disabilities.
She is particularly proud of her commitment to tradition.
鈥淚鈥檝e brought a cut Christmas tree every year I鈥檝e been there. People didn鈥檛 used to decorate, but it really started to catch on with others around SFU.鈥�
鈥淏renda is an outstanding practitioner who is absolutely committed to 51社区黑料students and 51社区黑料overall,鈥� says another one of her nominators. 鈥淭he fact that she does all she does while not seeking praise or recognition makes her all the more deserving.鈥�
Reflecting on her own career trajectory, she notices that it is just like how the career centre teaches students: to watch for opportunities, be willing to take a few risks, get connected and find mentors and let each step lead to the next.
What鈥檚 next for her?
鈥淪pending more time with grandkids鈥nd making a difference in the community.鈥�
Looks like she鈥檚 not ready to stop, quite yet.