Vice-Provost & Dean's office

Ashlee Cunsolo, PhD
Ashlee Cunsolo, PhD | Vice-Provost, Labrador Campus, and Dean, School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies

Ashlee Cunsolo, PhD (Settler, she/her) is the Vice-Provost, Labrador Campus, and Dean, School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies. She is recognized nationally for her institution-building work in Northern higher education, and led the establishment and development of the Labrador Campus, including expanded infrastructure, educational program offerings at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, increased research support, and the development of a community-based research and educational farm. Read more...


Karla Abbass
Karla Abbass
Executive Assistant | School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies

Karla Abbass (Settler, she/her) grew up in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-Operative) at Memorial University (St. John’s Campus) from 2003-2008. During that time, she was fortunate to complete a semester at Harlow. She is looking forward to familiarizing herself with a third Memorial campus here in Labrador. Read more...

E: karla.abbass@mun.ca |

Doreen Best
Doreen Best
Senior Administrative Officer | School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies

Doreen joined the Labrador Campus team in April 2012. She was born and raised in Labrador and graduated from high school in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. She holds a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Memorial and York University. She also has a diploma in Administration supplemented by further studies in communication, leadership, finance, human relations and business management. Prior to joining the Labrador Campus, Doreen worked with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Bell Aliant, NL Legal Aid Commission, and the College of the North Atlantic. Read more..

E: doreen.best@mun.ca |

Paula Cooke
Paula Cooke
Administrative Staff Specialist | School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies

Paula Cooke is of Inuit descent, and a NunatuKavut member.

Paula attended the Labrador Community College in 1991/92, and the College of the North Atlantic in 2016-18, both occasions studying Office Administration. Along with this, she has extensive experience in business management, finance, and client relations. Paula provides administrative support for all staff, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly, and assisting with logistics as required. Read More...

E: paula.cooke@mun.ca |

Vanessa LeBlanc
Vanessa LeBlanc
Administrative Staff Specialist | School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies

Vanessa LeBlanc (she/her) is originally from Barrie, Ontario, and recently moved to Happy Valley-Goose Bay with her family, dog, and two cats. Vanessa completed a diploma in Accounting and Payroll Administration from the Academy of Learning College in Belleville, and previously worked as Executive Assistant to the Commanding Officer of 2 Air Movements Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario. Read more...

T: 709-896-6210 | M: 709-896-7433 | E: vanessa.leblanc@mun.ca |

Alex Sawatzky, PhD
Alex Sawatzky, PhD
Special Projects Manager | School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies

Alexandra Sawatzky, PhD (Settler, she/her), is an interdisciplinary researcher and artist who builds relationships at the intersection of research, art, and design to co-create and mobilize knowledge. She engages visual methods and tools that are driven by relational approaches, centering people's expertise and knowledge to develop creative ways of visualizing ideas and information. Read more...

E: alexandra.sawatzky@mun.ca |