SHCS Retirements: Summer 2025

“It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Helen Mandap, who has been a valued member of our team at UBC since September 9, 2011. After many years of dedicated service, Helen will be retiring from her position at Subway.

“Helen has had an impactful career, contributing greatly to the success of the UBC Custodian and Housekeeping team in the beginning, where she worked with exceptional care and commitment to maintaining a clean and welcoming environment for all.

“She then transitioned to a new role at our Subway location in the Life Building, where she worked with the same level of professionalism and enthusiasm that has helped build such a successful team environment and that has defined her time at UBC.

“Helen’s contributions, work ethic and positive attitude have made a lasting impact on our team and the wider UBC community. She will be greatly missed by all of us, but we are excited for her as she embarks on this new chapter in her life.

“Please join us in congratulating Helen on her well-deserved retirement. We thank her for her years of hard work and dedication and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”

— Connie Lay, Retail Operations Manager, Food Services

“Kendall began his time at UBC as a student and never looked back! Here we are 40 years later from when Kendall joined the front desk team in 1985. What a long and rich career—think how many students and colleagues have connected with Kendall at the front desks over all these years and the impact he has made.

“Kendall will be retiring at the end of September this year, though his last day at work will be July 10.

“Kendall’s calm and steady presence, his commitment to helping people, and doing our work in the best way possible has made up the fabric of Kendall’s time at UBC. He is always looking for ways to improve how we do things so that the whole team will benefit.

“Kendall’s dedication to his work can be seen in so many ways, but maybe none more incredible than the legacy he leaves in the Front Desk Procedure Guide. This online resource for everything to do with our front desk operations—all our information, policies and practices—has been a resource for hundreds of staff and has been adapted by many other units in the department who want to create a similar resource for their own teams. This literally has been a life’s work for Kendall and a legacy that we will benefit from for years to come. Kendall should be so proud!

“Kendall has been an excellent trainer and mentor, always helping staff understand the big picture of why something is done a certain way and why the details matter. One staff person shared, “Kendall has been here for the opening of many of our residence areas and can tell you facts and stories about them that can’t be found anywhere else. I could mention something weird with a building offhand and he would have an answer for why it is that way. That kind of knowledge will be lost with him going!”

“Our wish for Kendall in retirement is that there will be many sunny days for driving with the convertible top down, time to reignite his passion for photography and to enjoy all that the future holds! We will miss you!”

— Carol Young, Associate Director, Service Development and Operations

“What a massive accomplishment of working for over 35 years at UBC Child Care—AMAZING!

“Gail is a quick-witted, warm-hearted educator with a mischievous smile. She has a strong ethical sense and has taught the whole child care community many things.

“The children and families of Pacific Spirit have benefited from her heart-centered practice, and Gail has been a champion for the educators through her contributions on both the bargaining and auxiliary committees, as well as a role model and mentor senior educator for many!

“This was Gail’s first summer off since she was 11 years old, so hopefully she enjoyed some of her favourite pastimes, such as gardening, spending time in her yard, reading and crafting. She recently took up wool felting and has become quite the pro!”

— Melanie Walters, Program Manager, Child Care

“The positive spirit, sense of humour, and kind heart that we saw in Haiou all those years ago when we hired her have remained to this day! After 24 years of service, Haiou will be retiring at the end of August.

“The comments from colleagues always reference the support, guidance and mentorship that they experience when working with Haiou. She works hard and makes a difference helping the people she encounters. While Haiou has always been easy going, she is also willing to express her opinion, which has been appreciated. Haiou has a commitment to helping people and sharing ideas about how to make things better.

“Haiou has always been very active in her time with Student Housing and there is no way she will be sitting quietly in her retirement. As her two children are grown, Haiou is looking forward to travelling in the days ahead starting with an Alaskan cruise.

“We so appreciate your many years of dedication to making a difference for students and your colleagues. We will miss you on the team and wish you all the best in your next adventures. As the children’s book says, “Oh the places you’ll go!””

— Carol Young, Associate Director, Service Development and Operations

“Rose started working for UBC Food Services as a Sales Attendant in 2002, and she worked for 14 years at Pacific Spirit Place until the building was renovated in 2016.

“Following that, Rose began working at other retail units across campus. You could find her cutting pizza at Mercante, slinging burgers at Triple O’s or making hot and cold beverages at Stir It Up for all the guests.

“Rose has a very big heart and has made good connections with the students who she has served over the years. She has received numerous kudos for her friendly service and you can always hear her ask “debit or credit” with each transaction and then tell everyone to “have a nice day.”

“When Rose is not at work she is at home taking care of her two boys and going to church every Sunday. She also likes to get together with her friends to play mahjong or bingo—and she also likes to join her friends shopping.

“Rose will become a snowbird this winter when she returns to her home town Santa Rosa in the Philippines for a few months.

“Thank you for your years of service and congratulations on your well-deserved retirement.”

— Brian McLaughlin, Senior Supervisor, Food Services