Rachael (Keetch) Biggar
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Class of 2013
What have you been up to since you left Crandall University?
Since graduating from Crandall University, I’ve been fortunate to work in my field of study and in industries that I love: education, tourism, and food! In 2013, I joined the Crandall staff in roles with the Admissions team and eventually as the Marketing & Communications Manager. After my time at Crandall, I was the Communications Executive for Onboardly, a full-service marketing agency in Moncton, before joining the Department of Tourism, Heritage, and Culture as the marketing lead for Kings Landing, a 300-acre living history museum just west of Fredericton. Last November, I accepted a Project Executive position with the Marketing & Trade- Food branch of the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fisheries.
Presently, most of my work centers around providing marketing opportunities, education, and support for New Brunswick food and beverage producers in local and export markets. Additionally, I liaise with the Department of Education to encourage food literacy and the use of healthy, local food in New Brunswick schools and public institutions. It feels great to be doing meaningful work with exceptionally talented colleagues!
My husband, Brad, and I were married in Hawaii in 2016 and welcomed our son Owen in 2018. We recently moved to Hanwell, NB, and enjoy spending our time exploring and working in our little forest and gardens as a family.
How did Crandall prepare you for the future?
It’s tricky to summarize how my time at Crandall impacted my life as it shaped me in every way! I have incredible memories as both a student and a staff member. The sense of community and desire to help one another grow in all aspects of life was unique to Crandall. It felt very normal at the time, but the degree that Crandall’s faculty and staff invested in students outside of class hours was extraordinary. The time spent with peers and mentors volunteering and around supper tables is something that I cherish, and in many ways, is what prepared me for the workforce. Though it’s been tricky to keep in touch with classmates and colleagues who now live all-over-the-world, I still carry an incredible love and appreciation for so many people from the Crandall community. It would make my day to run into any one of them!
In my second year, I took an elective with Amy MacArthur and found a love for marketing. I took as many courses with her as I could! There wasn’t a faculty member at Crandall that didn’t impact me and make me better for it. Amy MacArthur (marketing), Dr. Colleen Delong (communications), Chris Cudahy (communications), and Graeme Ching (writing) taught me many of the skills I use every day in my career. Dr. Sam Reimer coordinated many opportunities that enhanced my education outside of the classroom. Dr. Stephen Dempster made a significant impact on my personal and spiritual life. Dr. Robert Knowles and President Bruce Fawcett offered me my first career opportunity and provided me ample support and growth opportunities. I feel very grateful to have spent my formative years at Crandall University and am proud to be an alumnus.
