As we celebrate this year’s Lifers, we had the opportunity to interview Jacqueline Muller '14, who graciously shared her remarkable journey and the profound impact that HTS has had on her life. Jacqueline's path from HTS to her current role at the Department of National Defence exemplifies the enduring influence of her Lifer experience.
For Jacqueline, HTS was very much a second home. "The sense of community at HTS was unlike anything else," she recalls. "We were encouraged to challenge ourselves, support each other, and always strive for personal growth." After her bittersweet graduation as a Lifer, she set off down the 401 to study human kinetics and psychology at uOttawa, carrying with her the values instilled during her time at HTS.
Jacqueline's passion for positive organizational change, which now defines her career, blossomed early on. At university, she helped revamp her program's Student Association, drawing on the leadership skills she honed at HTS. "I found myself applying the same principles of inclusivity and respect that were so central to our HTS experience," she explains.
Post-graduation, Jacqueline's path wasn't immediately clear, but she approached each opportunity with the intellectual agility and resilience she developed as a Lifer. She explored various avenues before finding her calling at the Department of National Defence, where she now works as a research and performance management support officer.
In her current role, Jacqueline implements strategies to foster a more inclusive environment, including coaching leaders to improve communication and create a positive workplace culture. She credits her HTS foundation for her ability to tackle these challenges. "The constant opportunity to grow both academically and personally at HTS prepared me for this work," she says. "I'm never intimidated by the challenge of learning something new."
Now, with a family of her own, she reflects on her HTS tenure with admiration and gratitude. "It took me leaving HTS to really realize how much care and intention there is - because I didn't know anything else," she says. "Some of my friends can't believe that I still keep in touch with my teachers. They weren't just my teachers. They were mentors, they were friends and in a way, they were family."
"Just showing up and doing your best was the cool thing to do at HTS!" Jacqueline reminisces. "What a cool environment to be in: a bunch of people who were positive, just wanted to do well and celebrate each other." This ethos continues to guide her approach to both her professional and personal life.
Jacqueline exemplifies the HTS Graduate Profile competency of impact by striving for and working towards palpable organizational change within the Canadian military. She stresses the importance of finding the right mix of intrinsic motivation and internal validation, a lesson she learned during her years at HTS, in order to understand how you can leave a positive impact in your community.
As a Lifer, Jacqueline's HTS experience has shaped not just her career, but her entire outlook on life. Her story is a testament to the lasting influence of the HTS community and the values it instills in its students.