Jessica Grimes
Bachelor of Arts in English (Honours), Class of 2001
Bachelor of Education, Class of 2004
Advanced Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, Class of 2007
After I graduated from Crandall with the first degree, I went to the University of Ottawa and completed a Master of Arts in English Literature. I also went to Trinity Western University to complete the Summer Institute of Linguistics. I then decided to complete the Bachelor of Education degree at Crandall University. After I completed these degrees, a sessional position in the English department opened, and I had the opportunity to teach English literature full time that year. I started working at Crandall University in 2004, and I have served there ever since. Helping to teach a group of students from Hong Kong one summer was a highlight.
Although I love teaching, I found that I have a passion for administration and student services as well. Most of these past two decades I have served students in the Registrar’s Office, and I currently serve as the Associate Registrar – Undergraduate Studies. I work with a fantastic team! Some of the people that I work with now I had the privilege of studying with years ago. A key part of this role is ensuring that students are registered in the courses that they need to take in order to achieve their academic goals. Scheduling and policy writing are other parts of my current role that I really enjoy. In this role, I am privileged to connect with undergraduate students at many key stages of their academic journey—at registration events before the academic term begins, on Orientation Day, on course add/drop deadline day, at Convocation, and beyond.
I married Jonathan Grimes in 2009, and we have two beautiful children. Our firstborn—a boy—is now nine years old. Our daughter is four years old. I welcome the title of “soccer mom.” Watching our children play soccer is currently one of my favourite things!
I loved my student years at Crandall University! I was positively impacted by the friendships formed, the faculty members who taught me, as well as the ideas that we discussed. The sense of community was strong, and the education that I received affirmed my Christian faith. I remember faculty firesides, and the hospitality shown by numerous faculty and staff members was a positive example to me. Opportunities to tour the Maritimes with the choir and with student ministry teams were memorable.
My faculty members believed in me and provided me with growth opportunities. Presenting a paper at an English literature undergraduate conference was one such opportunity. Also, I fondly remember serving as a teaching assistant for Dr. Dennis Bustin. I can remember spending one summer working as a research assistant for the History department, and part of the role was to edit the Western Civilization (and later World History) reader.
The faculty modelled how to care for students. They showed care for me long after graduation day. I was studying in Ottawa when the terrible events of 9-11 took place, and Dr. Benne Faber sent me an email to check in. In 2010, Dr. Doug Mantz and his wife invited my husband and me to England for a Jane Austen tour of England. What an unforgettable experience! Dr. Mantz and his wife then gave me the opportunity to co-teach the Jane Austen course with them.
Just like the staff and faculty that impacted me during my time at Crandall, it is important to me to help the next generation grow in the love of Jesus and the knowledge of His story. As a result, I have been serving since 2018 as a volunteer board member for Scripture Union Canada.
Crandall University has been—and continues to be—a key part of my life. I am thankful to God for the for this simple but beautiful life, and I am thankful for the people that He has brought into it through Crandall.
