Collegium Assistant: Kim Bakker

Posted by admin on Apr 14, 2010 in Featured Articles | 0 comments

“I’ve always had a passion for helping people,” said Kim Bakker, a third year Nursing major and West Coast Collegium Assistant.
From a young age, Bakker wanted to work in medicine. Originally, she studied pre-medicine at the University of Calgary, but she changed her focus to pursue nursing at TWU.

And with that change, Bakker found an alternative for helping and being around people as a collegiums assistant at TWU.
“I really like the atmosphere in the collegiums and that they provide students with a place to feel connected on campus,” said Bakker. “I don’t really know a lot of other schools that cater so well to their commuter students.”

With only a year of experience being a CA, Bakker has already received an award at a retreat for the best CA, called the PAMMY Award. The PAMMY Award stands for “People, Atmosphere and Me” and it’s recognizes collegiums assistants who adopt a mentality to be the best student they can be and create a positive atmosphere in the collegiums. “When I commit to a job like this, I give it my heart,” said Bakker. “It’s a small commitment, with big rewards.”

Working in the West Coast collegiums means that Bakker interacts with first and second year students. “I love to act as a mentor and resource to younger people,” said Bakker. In addition to giving students advice about life or school, Bakker appreciates the flexibility that the collegiums offer. “There are some students I see in there everyday, and others who pop in when they can.”

Her favourite collegium events is Gotcha, but what Bakkers likes even more is when members of the collegiums are proactive and make their own events. “[People] like that step up to make the collegiums better,” said Bakker.

Overall, Bakker has enjoyed her role as a CA, despite how busy her schedule can be as a nursing major. “It’s a really great place to build community and friendships.”