This member highlight was written by Mariam Alaverdashvili, ASPA Communications & Public Relations Committee member
Lecia Ellis currently serves as an Admissions and International Education Officer with the International Students and Study Abroad Center (ISSAC) and the Admissions and Transfer Credit Department since October 2023. Her journey is made even more inspiring by the perspective she brings as an international student from the vibrant island of Jamaica and as a PhD candidate in USask’s College of Education, where her studies are expected to conclude in 2026.
Recognition for Lecia has been earned through her thoughtful support of university-wide initiatives designed to encourage and uplift the international student community, including programs that respond to food security concerns. A spirit of welcome and care has been felt by many students, who have affectionately come to know her as “Ma,” reflecting the appreciation for the nurturing presence she offers beyond her official responsibilities.
At USask, Lecia has often expressed how deeply she values the institution’s dedication to inclusive opportunities for people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Continued growth in her work has been supported under the mentorship of Charlene Brown’s leadership, while confidence in her academic path has been strengthened through guidance from Dr. Michael Cottrell, her PhD supervisor, in the College of Education. Through these relationships, a sense of empowerment and belonging has been fostered, helping Lecia flourish as both a scholar and an engaged member of the campus community.
As an International Education Officer, her unconditional care is often felt in the way Lecia approaches her work as an International Education Officer, where steady efforts are made to help Saskatoon feels like home for international students. Speaking from her own experience, she has shared that “the struggles faced by students are understood deeply through my perspective as both a mother and a current learner”. She also brings a wealth of knowledge from Jamaica, where her earlier service as a college registrar and involvement in student-wellness initiatives helped build a meaningful foundation in student support. From the moment of arrival, guidance is offered by Lecia as a familiar and reassuring presence on campus. Support is provided in many forms: assistance with housing/accommodation, connections to cultural similarities, and gentle navigation through food-security or financial concerns so that no student is left feeling alone. Even the simplest questions, such as how children may be enrolled in school or how a spouse can be prepared for work, are treated with patience and importance, and clear information about resources both on- and off-campus is always shared. Community has been strengthened through the creation of welcoming spaces like Conversation Circles and Conversation Groups, where a sense of belonging to the USask community and beyond is quietly nurtured. Through these initiatives, students are encouraged to settle in, to thrive, and to feel supported as their new chapters in Saskatoon begin.
As an Admissions Officer, Lecia, along with other team members, ensures every step of the admissions process runs smoothly for international students. From verifying new student records for government partners to managing Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs), they keep compliance and accuracy at the forefront. Additionally, through presentations at recruitment events and curated assistance, the team empowers students with knowledge and confidence. Lecia believes that for many international students, these efforts mean more than compliance; they mean opportunity. Thus, through both roles, Lecia plays a vital role making USask a welcoming home for students from around the world. Lecia enjoys both roles equally, however “the best part is the opportunity to work directly with the international students to help them to seamlessly transition to USask and working with them to ensure their successful journey” as an International Education Officer.
She still finds it challenging to break the news to students that they haven’t been accepted to USask or hearing from them that their study permit application was denied by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Lecia also highlighted the need for guidance on securing jobs beyond the campus. Strengthening USask’s partnerships with industry could help students “overcome the hurdles they often face when seeking off-campus employment”.
Establishing partnerships with Second Harvest Canada, COBS Bread, STAR Eggs, ReRoute Canada, and Cobs Bread have been a special source of pride for Lecia, and deep gratitude is held for the donations they have offered to help ease food-insecurity concerns on campus.
Equal excitement has been felt for initiatives such as Campus Closet, Free Bread Fridays, Soup’er Fridays, the Toy Drive, and the Warm Clothing Drive, all of which were gently guided and brought to life through her motivation to support students experiencing financial and everyday challenges.
An overwhelming response was received, and that kindness grew into the broader Campus Closet program, where household appliances, cutlery, stationery, and other small necessities can also be contributed.
Memories of arrival in Saskatchewan are often shared by Lecia with a smile. She recalls stepping off the plane and mistaking the clouds of winter breath for cigarette smoke, until her daughter explained that it was only frosty breath in the freezing air. Awareness of how unprepared many newcomers are for the province’s harsh winters led to outreach across the USask community, where staff and students were invited to donate well-conditioned or new warm clothing.
Inspiration from Gandhi’s teaching that “simple acts of kindness can carry more power than countless prayers” has quietly shaped her approach. When worries were heard from international students about having few or no toys for their children, action was first encouraged among her own daughter and her friends, whose donations of used and new toys sparked what is now known as the ISSAC Toy Drive. A heartwarming ripple was created, bringing visible joy to children and gentle relief to parents. Feelings of reward are often described by Lecia as the smiling faces of children are seen, and the weight carried by families is eased. Through these small, thoughtful gestures, a sense of welcome continues to be fostered for the international student community, helping Saskatoon feel a little more like home with each passing semester.
It’s clear Lecia’s impact at USask extends far beyond her professional role. She is deeply engaged in committees and volunteer initiatives that strengthen the university community as a member of the ASPA Research Committee (current), the President of the Education Graduate Students Association (EGSA) from 2022 to 2023. Lecia actively participated in both the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) Faculty Council and the College of Education Faculty Council, ensuring that student perspectives inform key decisions. Beyond academics, Lecia invests in student well-being through her work on the Graduate Students Association GSA Bursary Committee, helping students access financial support, and the Sustainability Committee Working Group, promoting environmentally responsible practices across campus.
Lecia cherishes time with her three children and a soulmate husband, finds inspiration in worship at church, and gives back through volunteer work (e.g. Saskatoon Open Door Society, New Life Pentecostal Church). She loves experimenting with flavors in the kitchen. Her family is very outdoorsy, and they look forward to a summer filled with fishing trips and camping adventures.
Lecia inherited her mother’s generous spirit, sharing joy or other thoughtful gestures. She finds time to greet refugees with a smiling face at the airport/hotel and supports them in organizing their children’s lives as they adjust to new surroundings.
Lecia recommends watching “The Passion of the Christ,” because it is an incredibly powerful and emotionally moving film that offers a deep and vivid portrayal of the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life. It is not just a movie, but it is an experience that leaves a lasting impact. What makes the film especially meaningful is the way it portrays themes of sacrifice, love, forgiveness, and redemption. Even for people who are not religious, the emotional depth and human suffering shown in the film make it a profound exploration of courage, conviction, and endurance.” She and her husband are passionate about watching medieval movies, with centuries-old stories but timeless themes of honor, resilience and community so relevant for today’s world.