Looking for a place to relax? Visit Wally’s office, unwind in her colorful chairs, and enjoy the colouring books, fidgets, snacks, and coffee. “I love it when students stop by and share how they’re doing,” said Wally. Her office is right next to Subway in the Luther Student Center.
Valerie Rubin, known as Wally, joined the team at Lake Land College as a Wellness Specialist in Sept. 2023. Having just completed her first year, Wally has already made an impression on both her colleagues and students. Her role is crucial for helping students navigate the personal challenges they face while balancing their academic responsibilities.
Before starting at Lake Land College, Wally’s journey took some interesting turns. For much of her career, she worked in the medical field as a surgical technician. However, back surgery led her to re-evaluate her career path. Wanting to transition to a different profession, Wally earned a bachelor’s degree in education, just as the pandemic hit. This made it difficult for her to immediately switch careers, but she found temporary work as a teaching assistant in the school district before applying for her current role at Lake Land College.
Interestingly, Wally’s connection to the college started through her family. Her three children had been working as tutors at the college’s tutoring center, and they shared their positive experiences with her. While searching for job opportunities in education, Wally found an opening at Lake Land College. Though she didn’t expect to get the position, the search committee saw potential in her, despite her lack of formal experience in the specific role.
Wally’s job as a Wellness Specialist was created in response to a new law, making her role unique. Her primary responsibility is to connect students with resources to help them manage various life challenges, from losing housing or transportation to financial difficulties. Though she doesn’t solve these problems directly, Wally provides guidance, linking students to organizations, charities, or processes that can help them resolve their issues. Her role is vital in helping students maintain their academic standing while dealing with personal hardships.
Wally is also proud of her involvement with the college’s food pantry, a service that offers essential support to students. Under her guidance, the pantry has become more accessible, with student workers running it on a day-to-day basis. Wally believes this peer-led approach helps students feel more comfortable when they visit the pantry. To find out more about the Laker food pantry, read the article “LLC Food Pantry” by Emma Skowronski.
When asked about what makes working at Lake Land College special, Wally highlights the positive, student-focused environment. She admires how each student is treated as an individual rather than just a number. The college’s small size allows for personalized support, yet it still offers many unique opportunities for both staff and students. Wally loves being part of such a community-oriented institution.
Outside of work, Wally has an intriguing family history. Her father was a musician and wrote the famous song “Oh, Pretty Woman,” performed by Roy Orbison. This background exposed Wally to a unique lifestyle, moving frequently and meeting many interesting people. Her upbringing gave her a perspective on talent and individuality, shaping her outlook on life and work.
Wally’s journey to Lake Land College has been great, her passion for supporting students and contributing to their success is clear. Her work has already made a positive impact, and she continues to thrive in her role.
