This member highlight was written by Madiha Rizki, ASPA Communications & Public Relations Committee member
For ASPA member, Charlene Brown, the journey through higher education has been anything but linear, and that’s exactly what makes her story so compelling.
Since joining USask in 2012, she has grown through a variety of roles, each one building toward her current position as Director of the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC). Today, she leads with both experience and purpose, helping shape how the university supports students in navigating global opportunities.
At the heart of Charlene’s work is connection. She oversees a wide range of services, from advising and student programming to funding and international mobility initiatives, all designed to support students coming to USask and those pursuing international learning opportunities abroad. Her role brings together collaboration with faculty, colleges, and the broader International Office, ensuring that opportunities align with students’ academic goals while maintaining a strong focus on safety, immigration compliance, and student success. It’s a complex portfolio, but one grounded in a clear philosophy: international education should be accessible, meaningful, and transformative.
That belief is what Charlene loves most about her work. She has seen firsthand how stepping into another country, into unfamiliar cultures and perspectives, can reshape how students see themselves and their futures. These experiences, she says, require “courage, humility, and a sense of adventure to step into something so unfamiliar, but that is often where the greatest growth happens.” Having lived and worked overseas herself, she understands the lasting impact of those moments and finds it deeply rewarding to support students through similar transformations.
Charlene’s own journey reflects that same spirit of growth. One of her most memorable accomplishments came recently when she completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Edwards School of Business in 2025. It was no small feat. At the time, she was balancing full-time work at USask, running a small business, raising two young children with her husband, and stepping into new professional opportunities, including co-founding a tech company set to launch this year. “It was a demanding season of life, but it pushed me to grow in ways I am really proud of”, she says.
Beyond her day-to-day role, Charlene is deeply engaged in building a more inclusive and supportive campus community. She serves as an Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression facilitator and helps provide workshops and training opportunities for staff and faculty under the leadership of Elizabeth Duret CPHR – Senior Consultant – Diversity, Inclusion, & Anti-Racism at USask. She also co-chairs USask’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Network, and has contributed to initiatives like the Black History Month Committee and the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus. For her, this work is about more than participation, it’s about accountability and belonging. She recognizes “it creates opportunities to build connection, visibility, and accountability across campus. For Black, Indigenous, and other racialized faculty and staff, work can sometimes feel isolating, particularly when you are not sure who else may understand your experience. I believe these initiatives matter because commitments like the Scarborough Charter, the university’s work in Indigenization and Reconciliation, and the EDI Framework for Action only have meaning if people across the institution are actively involved in helping move them forward. I try to be involved in ways that help make USask a place where people feel supported, valued, and have a genuine sense of belonging.”
Outside of work, Charlene’s energy doesn’t slow down. She describes herself as someone with “a lot of hobbies,” ranging from cooking, gardening, and traveling to knitting, video games, puzzles, and a love of singing and dancing, you definitely can’t beat her on a night of karaoke. She also has a particular obsession with stationery and enjoys trying new foods. Most importantly, she treasures time with her husband, children, and extended circle of family and friends, grounding everything else she does.
When it comes to unwinding, Charlene doesn’t shy away from her biggest vice: television. She’s currently enjoying Shrinking on Apple TV and recently finished watching Season 2 of One Piece with her family. Her reading list is just as ambitious as the rest of her life, with multiple books on the go, including Atomic Habits, The Art of Gathering, Good Inside, and ADHD 2.0.
Through every role she takes on, Charlene brings a clear sense of purpose: to create opportunities, foster belonging, and help others grow. Whether supporting students on their global journeys or contributing to meaningful change on campus, her work reflects a commitment to building a community where everyone can thrive.