Meet the SSC team
Crystal Seibold
Manager, Student Support
Hello, my name is Crystal Dawn Seibold and I am Woodland and Plains Cree from La Ronge, Saskatchewan. I have a BA from Vancouver Island University, and a BSW and MSW with an Indigenous Specialization from UVic. I am the Indigenous Student Support Coordinator at the Office of Student Life and I offer support to students with a holistic, strength-based and community centred approach. I am here to walk with you in challenging times. I understand the impact of intergenerational effects of colonial trauma and want to acknowledge the strength and resiliency of students as individuals, in their families and at community levels.
I can provide support by helping students create plans to manage personal, cultural and academic impacts in your educational journeys. I can assist with academic concessions, accompany and help support you with university appointments and processes. I can help with communicating with your instructors and band education coordinators. I can connect you to our Indigenous students and services such as our Indigenous counsellors, supports in the Indigenous Academic and Community Office (IACE) office and local community services. I am here to answer questions that you may have in regards to accessing services, academic and emotional supports and/or financial aspects of your education.
I look forward to meeting all of you and wish you well on your educational journey!
Jamie Garrett
Student Support Coordinator, Varsity Athlete Specialist
I was raised and attended K-12 school as a visitor in the Cowichan Valley, part of the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group. I attended the 番茄社区 on Coast Salish territories for my undergraduate degree. My pronouns are she and her.
I am a proud alumni of the UVic Vikes Women’s Rowing Program and feel so fortunate that I have been given the opportunity to support students and student-athletes at the 番茄社区. My professional background has primarily been in the fields of mental health and health care. My approach to student support and care coordination is a systemic and trauma-informed approach. This helps me better understand how students and student athletes are functioning in their environment and what supports might be helpful.
In my free time, I love spending time with my family, friends, and my labradoodle, exploring and visiting all of the beautiful nature around us, hiking, the beach, stand up paddle boarding and walking through the forest.
Jessica Evans
Student Support Coordinator
Hi my name is Jessica Evans and my pronouns are she/her. I have been a visitor on the unceded and traditional territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples since 2006. My family is of Welsh and German descent and I was raised in the unceded traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations) and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3
I hold a Diploma in Child and Youth Care Counselling, and a BA and MA in Child and Youth Care. My career focus has been working through an anti-oppressive, strength-based, trauma-informed lens with folks navigating probation and the justice system, children and families experiencing gender based violence, mental health and substance use, and youth in care, along with crisis support and intervention.
Maddy Palmer
Indigenous Student Support Coordinator
Hi, my name is Maddy Palmer and I use she/her pronouns. I'm of mixed Scottish, Irish and Métis ancestry, with Indigenous roots stemming from the Red River settlement in Manitoba. Although my roots come from various places, I was born and raised on the traditional territory of the Syilx and Sinixt People in a rural West Kootenay town called Nakusp. My upbringing in a small, remote town taught me the importance of community building and circles of support, and I hope to carry over that practice into my work with students at UVic.
I am a UVic alumni, having completed my BSc in Neurobiology. Following my studies, I spent nearly 5 years working with UVic’s International Centre for Students, holistically supporting both domestic and international students. Drawing on my experiences as both student and staff at UVic, I hope to provide well-rounded support to students as they navigate both academic and non-academic experiences throughout their degree(s). Working closely with the Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement Office (IACE) and alongside community resources, I can also provide cultural support to those living and studying away from their family and their community.
Outside of my work, I love spending time with friends and family, eating yummy food and soaking up the spectacular nature of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territories, hiking, camping, skiing, and spending time on the water.