During the period that surrounded the turn of the millennium, the world in which Memorial University existed changed rapidly. 

While Memorial was more than ready to handle the technological advances of the time, the institution needed to evolve culturally as the information age burst into full bloom.

One of the people who played a major role in guiding the university through this evolution was Victoria Collins.

Born in St. John's, Ms. Collins’s academic journey began at Memorial where she earned her bachelor’s degree in history and English in 1980.

She later received a certificate in museum studies from the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature and then served as the public programs officer at the Newfoundland Museum, a position she held for seven years.

In 1988, she returned to her alma mater when she accepted a position at Memorial as the manager of information services, within the Division of University Relations.

Ms. Collins chaired the university’s promotional committee, which was formed to co-ordinate all the promotional efforts at Memorial. Then in 1990, she was appointed director of the Division of University Relations, ushering in a new era.

To meet the demands of a new age, Ms. Collins established Memorial’s in-house marketing team, and in 2005, the Division of University Relations became the Division of Marketing and Communications.

With Ms. Collins at the helm, the division developed Memorial’s website and furthered its online presence through social media and the digitization of the institution’s communications channels.

Memorial also leapt into the millennium with a new visual identity, adopting its new logo in 2006.

Through her creative vision, Memorial’s marketing and communications team attracted new students to the university, improved communications within our communities and found imaginative ways to promote the supports and services that the university offers its students.

 

Victoria Collins hosting an event in 2018. Photo from Memorial University Archives.

 

Beyond her professional responsibilities at Memorial, Ms. Collins was an active volunteer within the wider university advancement sector as well. In 1995-96, she served as president of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE).

Her commitment extended to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District I, where she held several volunteer posts, including chair of the board from 2001 to 2003.

In 2007, Ms. Collins was presented with the Carol and Stephen Hebert Award for distinguished service to CASE District 1 and her extraordinary devotion of time and energy to District 1 affairs.

Throughout her career at Memorial, Ms. Collins remained a dedicated volunteer in the local community as well.

She served as chair of the board of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador for seven years, and she served two terms on the board of directors for the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her community involvement also included contributions to the United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador's communications and marketing efforts, and she also held a position on the board of the Johnson GEO Centre.

For her extensive community service, she was honoured with the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 2002.

Ms. Collins, along with Warrant Officer Douglas Ballam, accepted an Award of Excellence from the Canadian Forces Liaison Council for Memorial’s involvement in the WW100 commemorations.

After a distinguished career, Victoria Collins retired from her role at Memorial University in 2022.

Her time as executive director with the Division of Marketing and Communications can be defined as a time of transformation as she helped Memorial navigate a period of rapid social change with a clarity of vision that will sustain the university well into the future.