10 Things You Might Not Know About NAC’s President, Becky Mearns
Nunavut Arctic College Acting President, Rebecca Mearns
Nunavut Arctic College’s newest President, Rebecca (Becky) Mearns, is no stranger to NAC’s campuses and programs. You may have heard her laugh brightening the Nunatta classrooms when she was NAC’S Dean of Education & Inuit Studies, or seen her touring the halls of Kivalliq and Kitikmeot campuses in her role as Vice President. Becky Mearns has an undergraduate degree in Sociology with Minors in Law and Aboriginals Studies and a Masters in Geography from Carleton University.
Rebecca took over the position of Dean, Education, Inuit and University Studies back in July 2018, she arrived with a wealth of experience having served as an instructor at Nunavut Sivuniksavut, Manager at the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and a Researcher at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. Her professionalism, interpersonal skills, and passion for education got her promoted to the position of Vice-President in 2019. In October 2020, after a shuffle in Senior Management for several Government Agencies, she was appointed Interim President of Nunavut Arctic College.
We had the opportunity to chat with her, and here are 10 things you don’t know about Rebecca Mearns:
Becky was born in Iqaluit, raised in Pangnirtung.
She also spent ten years of her childhood in Scotland.
When she is not in her office at Nunatta campus, she enjoys baking and sewing.
She loves spending time on the land, especially when it is berry-picking season! She believes connecting with the Nuna is part of recharging her energy and it helps her get rid of stress.
This summer she caught her first seal while out boating!! Congratulations Becky! Candy-toss is in order.
Becky is part of the traditional Inuit tattooing revitalization movement, as she knows how to tattoo!
Three movies you’ll find her watching over and over again are “Almost Famous”, “Empire Records” and “Clueless”. We love those movies too Becky!
Although you’ll catch her wearing all sorts of colours, her favourite colour is Black.
Becky learned to drive when she was 18.
Watch out bad folks, Becky also served as a member (Constable) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)!
Nunavut Arctic College is very lucky and honoured to have Becky Mearns as the leader of our learning community.