Photo by Jessica Maloney,
UNH Human Resources

Starting a new job can often be an uncomfortable situation. Meeting new people, taking on new responsibilities, familiarizing yourself with the organization - these can be trying, and oftentimes overwhelming, experiences for anyone. When you add moving to another country and not even speaking the language to the equation, you can start to get a feel for Lucie Asselin's first days on the job at the University of New Hampshire.

Lucie moved to New Hampshire from Quebec City 18 years ago and hit the ground running. "I didn't speak English at that time and I decided that the best way to learn was to work at UNH and take classes" she said. "I was enrolled in Quebec City for my college degree but didn't finish. That's why I ended up at CLL working on their Alumni database and taking classes in English as a Second Language to start with." Lucie's eventual mastery of the language did not end her formal learning experiences at the university. She went on to earn her Associate and Bachelor degrees in Business Administration/Management.

One of the major tasks involved in Lucie's current position as Membership and Marketing Coordinator for the Alumni Association is reaching out to as many alumni as possible to become dues payers. "We have 102,000 alumni all over the country and the world and we must connect with them through a variety of communications," Lucie says. "Having started the Dues program with Rob Hare nine years ago and seeing it grow at a fast pace every year is very rewarding. Having worked in the past with Information Services really helps me to do specific target marketing." Lucie is also responsible, along with the Marketing team, for finding sponsorships for Alumni Association events such as: Reunion Weekend, Homecoming, pre-game hockey or football receptions, Senior events, chapter events, etc. In addition to managing the "Alumni Marketplace", Lucie is also the building manager for the Alumni Center is responsible for supervising four staff members.

Lucie credits Tessa McDonnell, Associate Dean for College for Lifelong Learning, as being very instrumental in the success of her first experience at USNH. "She was a very inspiring and hard working woman who gave me the confidence I needed to continue my academic dream," Lucie states. "After that one year experience, everyone at the UNH Alumni Association has been very important to me including Rob Hare, Ernie Gale, and my current supervisor Sarah Potter; all of whom believed in my skills. I am where I am today because of Rob. He pushed me all the time to go further."

When asked what she enjoys most about working at UNH, Lucie's response was "The possibilities are endless - from taking classes, participating in events and knowing first hand what's going on in the community. I love the environment. We have about 22 students working at the Alumni Center and I really enjoy working with them."

Nowhere is the sense of team and togetherness more important to Lucie than it is at home. "I travel a lot with my husband and we play a lot of golf", she states. "I enjoy having good meals at home with family and friends. My two children Marie-Andree and Sebastien are UNH grads. My best free time is certainly spent with my three grandchildren Noah, 3, Genevieve, 2, and Alexander, 3 months. I also spend some free time doing a lot of sewing for home decor, kids' clothing and fleece outdoor garments."

Lucie says "The moral of my story is: "If I can do it, anyone can do it. Believe in yourself and pursue your dreams."