College of Nursing ASPA Member Highlight

Dr. Vanessa Ellis Colley (PhD) is a research coordinator in the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing – Nursing Unit for Research and Scholarship Excellence (NURSE). She joined the college in November 2023 and was recently highlighted as a member of the Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association (ASPA).

Describe your position and what you do, whether day-to-day or more broadly.

Vanessa plays a key role in supporting faculty with post-award research activities. She acknowledges “the work of research coordinators is central to the success of researchers and ensuring adherence/compliance with funding requirements to avoid any form of mismanagement at the college and institutional level.”

Vanessa provides guidance on various processes, including early fund release, hiring research staff, and assisting with ethics applications, continuing her support through to the final closeout of project funds.

Despite her extensive experience managing research grants at the University of the West Indies (Mona, Jamaica), Vanessa quickly realized the importance of being able to “pivot, ;adapt and learn the nuances that come with a new job”, especially as new responsibilities emerge. Navigating the various platforms used to assist faculty was a fast-paced, but rewarding learning process, because it helped her create a proactive approach to supporting their research work more effectively. Vanessa has developed and delivers Research 101 presentations to guide faculty and research support staff through various stages of the research lifecycle.

What is the best part of your job?

“As I am passionate about research, reviewing research proposals to prepare USask Research Ethics applications provides a sense of fulfillment.”

Although drafting ethics applications can be complex and time-consuming, Vanessa finds it gratifying knowing her work helps speed up and advance research productivity within the college. She also values every learning opportunity that comes from reviewing impactful nursing projects with significance for Saskatchewan and beyond.

What is the most memorable accomplishment?

“Crossing the stage at Merlis Belsher on June 5, 2023, during the College of Education convocation ceremony to accept my PhD Award was a significant and most memorable accomplishment for me. This marked the culmination of years of dedication and sacrifice! Oh, there were many! Reaching that milestone was a moment of pride – even more so for the unwavering supporters I had in the audience and across the globe. This achievement is a testament to hard work, discipline and focus commitment.”

Her Ph.D. thesis in Educational Administration was focused on academic deans and their evolving roles.

Are you involved in any groups or committees at work outside of your day-to-day activities? If yes, what do you like about that involvement?

Currently, Vanessa is a member of the college’s Anti-racism and Anti-Bias Advisory Group. She remains actively involved in the academic community by reviewing articles for scholarly journals. This helps her stay up to date with the latest developments in her field and gives her a chance to use her knowledge to support the quality and reliability of academic research. She is also actively involved in academic and professional associations, including the Society for Research Administration International, Community Development Society, British Education Research Association, etc. She also serves as a Notary Public of Saskatchewan. Moreover, Vanessa remains open to future volunteer opportunities with ASPA or joining other committees across the university.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

Vanesa believes in the importance of building strong and happy local communities. As a member of the Jamaican community in Saskatoon, she extends support to individuals and families in numerous ways in achieving a healthy work-life balance. Vanessa also volunteers with her colleagues through various initiatives to contribute to bridging the food security gap for international students on the USask campus.

Any book, movie, series recommendations and why?

Vanessa likes detective movies and TV shows – likely driven by her love for solving puzzles and her curiosity about the psychological behavior of different characters. She wonders if her academic background in psychology and human behavior fuels her fascination with those movies. Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology and a minor in Human Resource Management and Sociology, as well as a Master of Science in Human Resource Development. She also loves to travel and hopes to do a world tour someday to experience more diverse cultures.

Anything you would like to add that we have not asked?

The importance of promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and freedom of speech in academia emerged as additional topics of discussion. Vanessa shared her insights and vision on the strengths within the academic community, as well as the potential challenges that need to be addressed collectively.

“Most of my work life has been spent in the university environment, both as a student and an employee at the University of the West Indies, Mona in Jamaica, the beautiful land of my birth. It is during those years that I developed my academic aspirations, surrounded by individuals who have contributed to shaping our world. I always felt the university environment, dedicated to advancing teaching and learning, is a “safe space” that promotes respect for all, allows for freedom of expression and diversity of opinions, but lately I wonder if there are limits to the “safe space.” It is my hope that, here at the USask we can move beyond the rhetorics to a shift in concrete actions that will address systemic barriers to create/foster a more inclusive environment to effectively leverage the benefits of globalization.”

This story was originally published on July 22, 2025 in the Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association quarterly newsletter.