Dr. Ying Kong, Chair of the English Department, and Dr. Joseph Atoyebi founded a journal for UCN students in 2007. Both serve as Faculty Editors.
In addition to her editorial role, Dr. Kong contributes to the journal Chinese Literature and Culture, which is jointly published in America and China. She translates works by contemporary Chinese authors into English.
Currently, Dr. Kong also acts as an Advocate Representative to the Canadian National Writers’ Association, where she works to create a more inclusive literary landscape for future generations.
Dr. Joseph Atoyebi is a co-founder of Muses from the North, a journal for students at the
University College of the North. He is also a co-researcher on the SSHRC-Canada-funded,
seven-year, multi-institutional, multinational Partnership on University Plagiarism Project. He
is an associate editor for The Quint, an interdisciplinary quarterly from the North, an associate
editor for the Journal of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria, and an assistant editor for the
Journal of Nigerian Languages Project. Dr. Atoyebi’s areas of focus as a linguist include
language documentation, descriptive linguistics, anthropological linguistics, and linguistic
typology.
Rod Nabess’ Profile:
I’m a Red River Metis man from Northern Manitoba, Canada. Currently, I am the ERP and
Portal Administrator at the University College of the North. I’ve been with UCN for the last 25
years in various information technology roles. In my free time, I’m a family man raising our son
with my wife. I’ve been reliving my youth through him. Recently, I’ve also come to terms with
the fact…. deep down I am also a Star Wars nerd.
Brendan Musick’s profile:
I’m a lifelong learner with degrees in Biological Sciences and Computer Science. Before
moving into my current field, I worked for several years in Forestry Conservation with the
Manitoba Government, a role that often took me to communities and landscapes across the North
and deepened my appreciation for the natural world. I enjoy spending time outdoors—golfing,
walking my dog, and exploring new trails—and I also find inspiration in reading and learning
about the connections between nature and technology.
Kelly Laybolt’s profile:
I have lived in Thompson all my life and I have been attending UCN for 7 years primarily
to obtain my Bachelor of Arts 4-year degree but most currently to secure a post degree in the
Kenanow Bachelor of Education program. As a student, I have sought to employ skills that I
have learned throughout my education in real-word applications. As a result, I moved into the
student copy editor position this past summer. In addition to being an avid student, I enjoy
spending time outside canoeing or with hiking with my dogs.