Welcome, Elicia La Valle!
Emmanuel College is pleased to welcome Elicia La Valle as the new executive assistant to the principal. La Valle was previously on an 18-month contract with Victoria University’s Office of Alumni Affairs & Advancement. Before joining the University, she worked as a product marketing manager for a wine importing agency. She attended the University of Waterloo and has a BA Hons in English literature.
La Valle says she came to Victoria University at an unusual time. “I began in January 2020 and just as I was beginning to get my bearings, the pandemic hit, and all of us had to quickly pivot to working from home. It was a stressful and uncertain time for many, but I felt fully supported by my colleagues as well as the Vic community at large, as we all navigated through the new normal. I’m fortunate to live downtown, so I enjoy walking or cycling between home and the campus when it’s possible to do so. I also love being able to take a break and sit under a tree or on a bench overlooking the greenery around Old Vic.”
When asked about what attracted her to Emmanuel College, La Valle says, “I worked with some of the staff, faculty and alumni at Emmanuel during my contract at the Office of Alumni Affairs & Advancement, and I feel that it’s a very special place. I loved hearing stories of multiple generations of families who’d attended Emmanuel College and shared their memories of weddings in the chapel or studying in the library. The people who make up Emmanuel College are warm and caring and I already feel at home. Architecture is also one of my interests, so I love being able to work in a building so full of history and characterful architectural detail.”
In terms of interests, she is keen on Japanese culture and spent five years teaching English there. She has studied Japanese and has thoroughly enjoyed travelling around the country and learning about the culture. La Valle volunteers for Kensington Health and is currently undergoing re-training before returning to visit with the residents in the long-term care facility. “I haven’t been able to visit since the pandemic restrictions began over a year ago and I’ve really missed the residents,” she says.
Welcome to Emmanuel, Elicia!