By Fred Sgambati (’83, ’85)

Humble, fierce, intelligent, and dedicated.

Just a few words that describe Acadia alum Melanie Jackson (’99, ’01), this year’s recipient of the Acadia Alumni Outstanding University Service Award.

Passionate and meticulous, Melanie is committed to all things Acadia and exemplifies the University motto, In Pulvere Vinces. She has tremendously deep institutional knowledge coupled with a comprehensive understanding of the Advancement profession that has stood her in good stead while serving the Acadia community over the last 17 years.  

Currently Senior Alumni Officer in the Office of Advancement, Melanie is a two-time Acadia grad, having earned a BSc in biology and a BEd. Like many others in the alumni family, she met her life partner Doug (’99), a former Acadia Alumni Association President, while still an undergrad. Married now for 19 years, Melanie and Doug have two children.

Melanie was involved as a volunteer with the student-alumni organization, Students Maintaining Alumni Relations Through Teamwork (S.M.A.R.T.T.), supporting the work of alumni relations and fundraising staff, affording her first-hand experience in event planning and execution, diplomacy, communications and donor stewardship.

Over the years, Melanie has refined her many talents, surmounting challenges with aplomb and applying order and organization to workflow deliverables in an orderly and methodical manner. She is creative, adaptable and collaborative, working comfortably with colleagues, Board members and senior administrators alike. Her ability to see things as they are and candour in representing that perspective is uncommon and refreshing.

She works tirelessly with the Acadia Alumni Association, supporting 10 committees and sub-committees and the 22 Alumni Association Board members with remarkable skill, tact, insight and diplomacy.  She also works with each graduating Class Executive, advising the Grad Class Life Officers.

Kierstyn Palmer is Life Class President 2022. She notes that Melanie “genuinely wants what is best for students, and her passion for Acadia is blatantly obvious to anyone who has the pleasure to work alongside her. It comes naturally to her to want to go above and beyond for students (and) having such genuine, non-judgmental support to accomplish our goals is what led to our plans for graduation year having so much success. This award is an excellent way of seriously acknowledging the positive impact she has on students, alumni, and the entire Acadia community!”

Sophia Blanchard, 2023 Grad Class President, echoes the sentiment. “Melanie is a truly outstanding member of the University community, and I could not think of someone more highly deserving of the Acadia Alumni Outstanding University Service Award. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on the institution and those who have had the pleasure of working with her, especially myself and the Class of 2023.”

Melanie is a pivotal member of the Acadia team who has provided during her incredible career an extraordinarily high degree of management-level administrative experience, support and advice to the Alumni Association Board, its members, countless students, alumni and valued colleagues during her tenure.

Alumni Association President Matthew Rios (’14) concurs, noting that Melanie “is always willing to go above and beyond. She is thoughtful, energetic and committed to producing the finest work in the most efficient way possible. She is persistently respectful, considerate and ready without hesitation to roll up her sleeves and pitch in with a wonderful combination of determination, professionalism and caring that has made her an integral part of the Advancement team and the Acadia community. She is an incredible asset, and it is my great pleasure to acknowledge and applaud her as this year’s Acadia Alumni Outstanding University Service Award recipient.”