Meet SAIT’s inaugural Vice President of People and Culture

^{Marcia Buchholz, Vice President, People and Culture}

Behind every SAIT student is a team of instructors, advisors and support staff working diligently to help them across the finish line.  

Attracting and retaining the best employees to support student success while fostering an exemplary workplace culture is embedded in SAIT’s Commitment to Excellence (and a reason we’re consistently named one of Alberta’s Top Employers). That’s why SAIT created a new executive leadership position: Vice President, People and Culture.

The role is rooted in supporting the heart of the institution — its people — and building a sense of community through employee development, engagement and well-being initiatives, to name a few. The position also oversees the People and Culture division at SAIT, which includes: Employee Services (Human Resources), Indigenous Engagement, Sustainability, Athletics and Recreation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Bringing a master’s degree in Business (Human Resources) and 15 years of experience in post-secondary human resources to the role, Marcia Buchholz is SAIT’s inaugural VP, People and Culture.

Settle in with a hot beverage ☕ and learn a little more about the newest member of SAIT’s executive team.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you to SAIT.

MB: My entire career has been within the domain of human resources (HR). I’ve worked as an HR practitioner and also in the areas of HR software development, consulting and outsourcing. I completed an MBA in 2007 and continue to focus on lifelong learning. I’ve spent the last 15 years in post-secondary as the Associate Vice President, Human Resources at the University of Calgary, and as Vice President, Human Resources at the University of British Columbia.

Having lived in Calgary, I was very aware of SAIT’s great reputation in applied learning, and its entrepreneurial spirit. That appealed to me in terms of faster decision-making and agility in actioning programming. I also see a shift in the post-secondary landscape whereby job-ready education has become more critical to students, industry and the Alberta economy.

Q: What changes have you seen in human resources over the years?

MB: There have been so many transformational changes to the human resources practice, including:

• human resources technology, such as cloud applications, robotic process automation and artificial intelligence
• use of social media as an enhancement to internal communication tools
• hybrid remote work (this has been a revolutionary change, globally)
• greater emphasis on equity, diversity and inclusion in all facets of the organization
• greater emphasis on employee well-being and particularly, mental health.

Q: Why is it important for organizations, like SAIT, to invest in their people?

MB: Employees want to know they are valued, and investing in their development is one way in which organizations can demonstrate they care. Job requirements are ever-changing, and access to development ensures people have the necessary skills and training to successfully fulfill their job duties.

In order to attract and retain top talent, organizations also need to keep employees engaged in their work and provide opportunities for advancement. Without those opportunities, staff will leave to find meaningful and rewarding work elsewhere. Providing reward and recognition programs, relevant benefit programs, and health and well-being supports also contributes to the overall employee value proposition that an organization needs to become a top employer.

 

^{Marcia on a hike with her husband, David, and their dog, Trek.}

Q: What does positive workplace culture mean to you?

MB: To me, positive workplace culture means that an organization’s people are engaged, treated with respect and have challenging and rewarding jobs, supportive leadership and opportunities for development and advancement. All employees feel safe to be who they are, and there is care for their well-being.

Q: Recognizing it’s still early days, are you able to give us a glimpse into the vision you have for people and culture here at SAIT?

MB: At a very high level, it’s about employees feeling safe, engaged and that they belong at SAIT. It’s about strengthening our sense of community, particularly against the backdrop of hybrid work.

I’m excited about the endless opportunities to build on the positive culture at SAIT. Each of the areas within the People and Culture division (Employee Services, Indigenous Engagement, Sustainability, Athletics and Recreation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) bring their own unique offerings that contribute to SAIT being an employer of choice and attracting, engaging and retaining talent.

Q: What’s on your SAIT bucket list?

MB: I’m making a point of meeting as many senior leaders as possible over the summer months. I’ve had the pleasure of eating at The Highwood and paid a visit to The Tastemarket downtown, and I enjoy heading over to the Culinary Campus International Market for the baked goods and meat products. I’ve recently had the opportunity to visit the Art Smith Aero Centre and the Point Trotter Campus, graciously facilitated by Lynda Holden, Dean of the School of Transportation and the School of Manufacturing and Automation, and Jason Purdy, Academic Chair in the School of Manufacturing and Automation. I’m looking forward to exploring much more of this beautiful campus overall!

Q: And now, just for fun, let’s play a quick round of this or that. Spring or summer?

MB: Spring.

Q: Sweet or savoury?

MB: Sweet.

Q: Flames or Stamps?

MB: Flames.

Q: Movies or books, and what’s a favourite of yours?

MB: Books. I usually read a book a week and my personal favourite is My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante.

Q: Coffee or tea, and what’s your go-to order?

MB: Dark roast coffee — black.

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