• Dissertation in Progress: “As Long as I can Live in Peace:” Ethnic German Migrants in Interwar and Post-WWII Canada (in progress) Supervisor: Dr. Ruth FragerMajor Field: Canadian History (Fall 2008)Minor Fields: World War II; Science, Technology and the Environment (Fall 2007)Research Interests: 20th Century Canadian Social & Cultural History, Migration History, Immigration History, Oral History, Memory, World War II, Race & Ethnicity, Labour & Working-class HistoryAWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS:German Canadian Studies Research Scholarship, Spletzer Foundation Inc., 2009; renewed 2010Wilson Graduate Research Scholarship, McMaster University, 2009Graduate Scholarship, History Department, McMaster University, 2007 - 2011Entrance Scholarship, History Department, McMaster University, 2007Research Assistantship, History Department, York University, September 2003 – April 2004Entrance Scholarship, History Department, York University, 2003G.H. Armstrong Scholarship in Canadian History, University of Toronto, 2002SYMPOSIUM & CONFERENCE PAPER PRESENTATIONS:“Do You Want the Truth?” Making Sense of Ethnic German War and Forced Migration Experiences in Post-WWII Canada.” Symposium on Forced Migration. Wilson Institute for Canadian History, 2010 “Freedom is Hell for Some People:” Ethnic German Refugees in Canada, 1945 – 1960. Canadian Association for Refugees & Forced Migrants Annual Conference, 2010

• Prepared and led weekly tutorials for undergraduate students for the following courses at McMaster, University: Canadian History 1885 to present, Introduction to Canadian History to 1885, Introduction to Peace Studies, Canadian History 1885 to present, Modern Chinese History, Canadian History 1885 to present, Science and Technology in World History • Marked term papers and exams for second and third year undergraduate history students• Emphasized mastery of course content and development of critical thinking skills by crafting discussion questions that covered key course concepts, ideas and arguments, challenged students to analyze and evaluate weekly readings, and probed them to make connections to lectures, earlier readings, other courses and ways of knowing from other disciplines. • Encouraged students to develop their essay writing skills by providing extensive feedback on assignments and one-on-one assistance to students who wished to improve writing mechanics• Increased opportunities for students to participate by frequently giving breaking students into small groups for discussion and allowing them the option of handing in reading responses to make up for missed participation marks.List of Courses: 2TT3 Canadian History 1885 to present (Winter 2008)2T03 Introduction to Canadian History to 1885 (Winter 2009)1A03 Introduction to Peace Studies (Fall 2009)2TT3 Canadian History 1885 to present (Winter 2009)3GG3 Modern Chinese History (Fall 2008) 2TT3 Canadian History 1885 to present (Winter 2008)2EE3 Science and Technology in World History (Fall 2007)

-Provide advice and guidance to members and Local Executive on workplace problems, grievances and other legal matters; handle grievances at all stages of process - Administers the local’s five collective agreements and provides contractual support to members and Local Executive- Provide advise with respect to lobbying, public operations of the local and contact with external organizations - Acts as managing editor of the local’s newsletter (The Guardian), bargaining bulletins and other local publications- Acts as a resource and advisor to the Local Executive and assists in the carrying out of its duties

Provided guidance and support to member driven union locals on all aspects of union life including the grievance and arbitration processes, bargaining, organizational development and member mobilizing.Assisted executive members responsible for grievance carriage and union members with their grievances at all stages of the grievance and arbitration process up to and including mediation and arbitration. Negotiated collective agreements, grievance settlements and a wide variety of other contracts for union locals and their members. Worked with union locals to develop strategic plans for the local, in particular strategic bargaining plans.

• Provide initial advice and guidance to AMAPCEO (Association of Management, Administrative & Professional Crown Employees of Ontario) members and representatives on terms and conditions of employment and dispute resolution processes and practices• Assist AMAPCEO in delivering dispute resolution and member representation services to its members; Assist Dispute Resolution Officers with member work-related problems, complaints and disputes; provide support to committees and decision-makers• Advising and Counseling AMAPCEO members on work-related issues, membership development and member mobilization activities; providing staff support to committees; liaising with members, Association elected officials etc. • AMAPCEO Job Evaluation project team lead; works with colleague to coordinate implementation of the new JE system, represents members in meetings with the Employer on their JE appeals; represents AMAPCEO on the Joint Working Group and Joint Steering Committees; makes recommendations to President and Director of Dispute Resolution on courses of action for broader JE-related issues • Works with Director of Dispute Resolution to draft corporate messaging on JE; monitors and makes recommendations for revisions to JE communications on website

• Planned, implemented and oversaw an organizing drive for Postdoctoral Fellows (PDFs) in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University• Developed campaign strategy in consultation with CUPE National; re-assessing and adjusting both in response to new information and changing circumstances• Compiled a database of worker's names, contact information, lab/office locations and conducting research on workplace issues • Recruited, trained, supervised and facilitated the work of organizers engaged in card signing activities Having one on one conversations with PDFs on workplace issues and the benefits of unionizing• Organizied and effectively publicizing various recruitment events such as free lunches at campus pub, holiday party, town hall.• Created informational pamphlets, flyers and posters using Adobe Creative Suite• Ensuring that organizers are aware of, and complied with, relevant Ontario labour law.

• Executive "book off" position at CUPE 3906, which represents more than 3,000 academic workers at McMaster University (now a permanent administrative position at the local)• Coordinated and administered a premium based dental plan (jointly administered with the employer) and a range of cost-plus benefits collectively valued at around $1,000,000 for more than 3,000 academic workers• Chaired the benefits committee; facilitated consensus decision-making on allocation and use of benefits funds; organized educational workshops around benefits for members and administrators• Provided key membership services including: assisting members with their benefits claims, advising members of their collective agreement entitlements, ensuring that the Employer complies with its collective agreement obligations, and working with the Employer and insurers to solve benefits-related problems at both the individual and policy levels.• Day-to-day administrative tasks including: processing and approving cost-plus benefit claims and change of coverage forms, collaborating with payroll to calculate premium deductions and ensure their accuracy, bookkeeping tasks.• Assisted on benefits-related grievances in collaboration with staff representatives and grievance officer • Ensured that Employer meets its collective agreement obligations; liaise with Employer to solve problems• Performed first-ever internal audit of the union’s benefits accounts in 2010 (going back five years) in order to establish responsible fiscal management practices for the local’s benefits funds

• Elected member of bargaining team representing Teaching and Research Assistants (in lieu) • Played active role in drafting bargaining priorities and proposals, writing language, and negotiating • Leadership on benefits-related issues at the table; presented benefits proposals to the Employer• Presented union and employer packages to the membership in simple language • Made significant gains for members in difficult bargaining climate created by the province’s compensation freeze mandate including: three additional hours per appointment for health and safety training; $50,000 in new benefits funding over 5 years; new family dental offset fund • Team created conditions for negotiated settlement by rebuilding relationships damaged by 2009 strike• Organized and participated in highly successful strike vote member mobilization drive modeled after a voter contact strategy; involved talking to members what was at stake in bargaining at their offices or on the phone, training volunteers to talk to members, and getting out the “yes” vote on the day of the strike vote• Achieved strong strike vote and demonstrated to the Employer that we were in touch with the membership

• Developed and implemented campaign plan for the provincial election candidate• Set-up and managed campaign office; supervised campaign staff and all facets of the campaign• Drafted, reviewed and amended the campaign budget in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer• Crafted and executed a communications plan in collaboration with the communications director • Assembled, directed and motivated a campaign team to achieve the campaign’s goals• Organized weekly canvass blitzes that kept volunteers engaged and put their time to maximum effect• Managed candidate’s time and put it to maximum effect; prepared candidate for media interviews, events and seven all candidate’s debates • Improved party’s results in the riding by 30% from 2007 general election

• Developed and implemented campaign plan for the provincial election candidate• Set-up and managed campaign office; supervised campaign staff and all facets of the campaign• Drafted, reviewed and amended the campaign budget in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer• Crafted and executed a communications plan in collaboration with the communications director • Assembled, directed and motivated a campaign team to achieve the campaign’s goals• Organized weekly canvass blitzes that kept volunteers engaged and put their time to maximum effect• Managed candidate’s time and put it to maximum effect; prepared candidate for media interviews, events and seven all candidate’s debates • Improved party’s results in the riding by 14% from 2008 general election

• Elected member of bargaining team representing Sessional Faculty and Music Faculty• Played active role in drafting bargaining priorities and proposals, writing language, and negotiating • Leadership on benefits-related issues at the table; presented benefits proposals to the Employer• Lobbied for, and helped execute, highly successful strike vote mobilization based on voter contact strategy • Fought off concessions tabled in the wake of the province’s compensation freeze mandate and made gains including: job security language that prevents Employer from breaking-up and pro-rating appointments, $25,000 and $5,000 increases to benefits and professional development funds, improved hiring practices

• Elected Volunteer Position representing Teaching Assistants and some Research Assistants at McMaster University• Performed a variety of tasks related to negotiating a new collective agreement such as drafting bargaining priorities and proposals, writing language, and negotiating with the Employer.• Acted as the “Media point person” during deadline bargaining and a week-long strike. This involved giving interviews with local newspapers, radio and television stations, writing press releases for various media outlets in Hamilton and across the province, writing daily messages to members (such as bargaining and strike bulletins), and supervising a communications team.

• File review and analysis of documents for the purpose of preparing Affidavits of Documents, medical, income loss, and accident benefits briefs• Provided technical support for office computers and Microsoft network for around 50 staff including: installation of software and hardware on office computers, troubleshooting, management of office mailings via regular mail and email• Managed, updated and wrote copy for internal website• Creation of desktop publishing documents for office events and desktop publishing documents for office events and • Technical writing: developed, wrote and maintained office IT and procedures manual ;

• Researched and located archival footage and prepared reports of secondary source material for use in two historical documentaries, The Five Cent War and Seeking Salvation.• Responsible for day to day management of the office, greeting guests and reception duties.• Arranged the clearance and licensing of archival material and stock footage.• Provided customer service and technical support for website that matched film producers with cast and crew.• Preformed general administrative duties including reception, scheduling meetings and appointments, maintenance of financial records and filing system, preparation of cost reports, organization of financial paperwork for end of fiscal year, and office upkeep.

• Assisted postdoctoral fellow with various research and editorial tasks including locating articles in newspapers, transcribing an interview and editing footnotes in a manuscript for publication.

• Used knowledge of 19th Century Canadian history to transcribe handwritten 19th correspondence for litigation purposes• Analyzed and coded legal documents using descriptive coding software• Identified document breaks and relationship between documents for litigation purposes; prepared documents to be scanned by a computer.

* Researched information for use in an educational CD-Rom and entered results in a database* Edited and removed British references from text of career matchmaking software to meet requirements of Canadian market.