Overview
MSA is committed to enhancing the work environment and advocating the interests of its members while contributing to the success of the University.
The Non-Academic Staff Association was formed in the early 1980s with the purpose of having a body to promote aims/objectives of the Non-Academic Staff. The goals of that time are still present today. Following a majority vote of members at the Spring General Meeting on the 13th of June 2001, the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA) changed their name to the MacEwan Staff Association.
MSA members’ jobs vary thoughout the MacEwan University – this includes administrators, clerical personnel, research analysts, education assistants, finance staff, customer service representatives, mailroom staff, cooks, child care workers, maintenance service workers, custodians, library staff, computer technicians, parking staff, electricians, plumbers, program advisors, graphic designers, marketing consultants, buyers, and event planners.
MSA is a union controlled directly by our members who elect their executive. Under the direction of the executive, MSA staff manage the daily functions of the Union.
Our History
The MacEwan Staff Association was formed in the early 1980’s under the name “The Non-Academic Staff Association”. The purpose of the association is to promote the aims and objectives of the non-academic staff at Grant MacEwan College.
On June 13, 2001 our name officially changed to the MacEwan Staff Association and on July 10, 2006 we became a certified union with our certification as a bargaining agent by the Alberta Labour Relations Board.
Since that time, Grant MacEwan College has grown considerably and developed into MacEwan University. MSA continues to provide representation and services in the areas of labour relations, disability management and collective bargaining for its members.

MSA’s Goals & Objectives
- Act as the bargaining agent for MSA members and enter into collective agreements concerning terms and conditions of work and employment;
- Interpret, administer and protect the terms and conditions of the Collective Agreement;
- Encourage advancement of MSA members by supporting fair and just recruitment and selection practices;
- Educate and communicate MSA mission, goals and objectives to its members to foster member support;
- Promote and support a healthy and safe work environment;
- Build stronger recognition of MSA as equal stakeholders in the University community;
- Promote harmony, dignity and good will among MSA members and the post-secondary community;
- Promote and enhance professional development for MSA members;
- Promote social activities for MSA members.
Promoting a Workplace Free from Discrimination
MSA is committed to a workplace free from discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, colour, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, and marital or family status. We will actively work to change personal, institutional and societal biases, confront systems and acts of discrimination, and take conscious and deliberate action to provide equitable opportunities for all people. In addition to challenging systemic oppression of marginalized groups, MSA is committed to developing a workplace environment in which personal privilege is acknowledged, and all people feel confident that they will not be exposed to discrimination, harassment or any other emotional or physical harm.
Your MSA Board and Staff
Sarah Alexander
President
Since the beginning of her employment at MacEwan University in 2015, Sarah has been an active member of the MacEwan Staff Association (MSA). Her involvement started small with attendance a...
Tim McNeil
Vice-President
As Vice-President of the MacEwan Staff Association, Tim’s primary concerns are: negotiating a fair collective agreement, increasing member engagement in the MSA, and ensuring that the terms of t...
Ayman Yousuf
Secretary-Treasurer
Since 2017, I’ve been a dedicated member of the MacEwan University community, working in the Parking and Transportation department. My journey with the MacEwan Staff Association (MSA) Executive ...
Mavis Leung
Professional Development Chair
With over two decades of experience as a learning solution consultant, I’ve assisted post-secondary faculty in enhancing their educational technology competencies. Observing the dynamic shifts i...
Sarah Fee
Member Representative
Sarah has been employed at MacEwan since 2002. She started in Financial Services as a student in the accounting co-op program and soon after was hired as a full-time continuing employee. She has held ...
Barb Hudkins
Member Representative
Barb, a valued member of the MacEwan community since 2020, serves as an Experiential Learning Facilitator in the Careers and Experience office. Her journey at MacEwan began in 1999 when she grad...
Juliana Kaneda
Member Representative
Juliana Kaneda is a mixed, queer, nonbinary person who lives in Amiskwacîwâskahikan. They graduated from MacEwan University with an honours degree in Psychology & Gender Studies. In bo...
Alem Tesfay
Member Representative
Alem Tesfay is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Management with a double minor in Marketing and Political Science. You may have seen Alem on campus working at the Makerspace or pa...
Ashley Toner
Member Representative
I have been with MacEwan since December 2019, where I started as a student casual for the Residence department. I am still with the Residence team and have held a full-time administrative support posi...
Crystal Yuzyk
Member Representative
Crystal has been employed at MacEwan since 2022. She started as a student staff and transitioned to full-time staff in May 2022 in the Careers & Experience Office. Crystal is working on her BCOM w...
Tim Barker
Board Of Governors Rep
Tim Barker is a Financial Aid Advisor in the Office of the Registrar. He started working in the OUR as part of Registration Services and then Scheduling before moving to Financial Aid. Previous to his...
Harry Oosterhoff
Executive Director
Harry brings to the MSA a wealth of experience in interest-based bargaining and collaborative labour relations. He has represented numerous bargaining units through the processing and resolution of gr...
Britany Thiessen
Labour Relations Officer
Britany has a B.A. in Politics from the University of Winnipeg and a Human Resources Management diploma from NAIT. Her 8 years of previous experience in various Human Resources roles has brought her e...
Chelsea Nzigamasabo
Administrative Assistant
Chelsea Nzigamasabo, originally from Bujumbura, Burundi, has had to blend the cultural richness of her roots with her Canadian experience. Having immersed herself in the Canadian milieu for the past 1...
Nicole Moeller
Administrative and Labour Relations Generalist
Nicole has been with the MacEwan Staff Association for ten years. With a background in communications and the arts, Nicole has worked in administration, marketing and communications for nearly two dec...