It was the 1970’s when Vicki Beretanos Koulouris’ sister-in-law, who worked at UBC Dentistry, encouraged her to apply for an administrative role within the Faculty. At the time, a policy existed preventing relatives from working within the same faculty, but Dean S. Wah Leung signed a special form requesting an exception, and Vicki was hired. Thus began her 40-year legacy at UBC Dentistry.

Over her 40 years with the Faculty, her role evolved significantly, from general administrative support to her current position as Admissions Manager, where she oversees admissions to every Faculty program. During her tenure, she left for nearly a decade to raise her two children, and eventually rejoined full-time in the nineties. But it isn’t just the flexibility and evolving nature of the work that keeps her with UBC Dentistry.

“This job is never monotonous,” she says. “And maybe it’s because I made it this way, but the role has always required contact with a lot of people, and I’m a people person, so it’s always been a great fit.”

Vicki has many fond memories over the years, including when the Faculty attempted to throw her a surprise wedding shower. They set up in a JBM conference room after sending her to the IRC and assigning her tasks to keep her preoccupied throughout the day. When a professor asked her to retrieve his briefcase from the conference room, she made her way over and saw movement through the door crack. Assuming a meeting was in progress and not wanting to interrupt, Vicki went in through the back door.

“Everyone was facing the front door with cameras waiting for me to come in, and instead I entered through the back door,” laughs Vicki. “When I walked in and said, ‘what’s going on,’ they all turned around—I ended up surprising them as much as they surprised me!”

Throughout the years, Vicki has worked with several deans, seen policies shift and programs expand. She’s worked through life’s ups and downs—all with the support of what she calls her “second family.”

“I matured here and discovered how much I love to learn and help others” says Vicki. “I’ve learned that everyone needs to feel valued, and I have such a deep appreciation for the university community and what it means to work in an educational environment.”

Vicki’s work has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Gold Medal President’s Service Award for Excellence, the Graduate Student Society’s Award for Outstanding Dedication to Graduate Students and the Staff Recognition Award. Next, she will be honoured for her long-term commitment to the university in October, at a special celebration alongside UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon.

“I will cry when I leave here, that’s for sure,” says Vicki. “UBC Dentistry is part of my identity.”