“Some of my fondest memories lie in my time at CBU. The institution has grown dramatically, both in status and reputation, since my time there. The education and support I received while there was a catalyst to me becoming a lifelong learner. People like Charles MacDonald and Sister Peggy Butts had a lasting influence on me as a student and a person,” says Dr. Francis Bennett.

CBU Alumnus, Dr. Francis Bennett, was on a path to becoming a gifted mechanic, following in his Dad’s footsteps, but found his passion for teaching and working in education while studying Cape Breton University.

Francis completed his BA from CBU followed by a BEd at the University of New Brunswick where he recently completed a PhD in Educational Leadership. Francis also holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from McMaster University. During his time at CBU, he loved learning and being involved on campus. He also played volleyball for the CAPERS men’s team, earning an all Canadian Award from the Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) in 1990.

Since 1998, Francis has been living in New Brunswick with his family and works for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. He is balancing looking after his five-year-old son and family with his work on school improvement planning and addressing the COVID-19 response both at home and work.

“Being part of the planning and response to the COVID-19 pandemic for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has been one of the toughest and most significant times in my career,” says Francis. “The collaboration between government, community and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff has been extraordinary, and I am proud to be part of that work.”

Francis says that during these challenging times, it can be difficult to know you are making the right decisions, but that any decisions that are made, are made with the public health’s best interest at heart.

His family, both here in Cape Breton and in Fredericton, are the most important aspect of his life. His daughter is leaving for Holland College in January to study policing, and his oldest son is entering his fourth year in Chemical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick. Francis is picutred here with his youngest son, Samual.

“I miss my family in Cape Breton, and I often miss not being there for my mother to help her with the daily chores and upkeep of the house, but she is amazingly capable, and I still aspire to be as strong as she was and still is,” says Francis.

Francis gives much credit to his sister, Shelley, for being a positive force throughout his life and for encouraging him to continue learning. He maintains that Shelley is a better academic than he is, but she is humble and would debate this point like she does many others. Shelley Trifos (CEO, Trifos Design Consultants) has been a great friend to the CBU Alumni team for many years. “Shelley is not only lovely, she is one of the kindest human beings I know. That, along with her brilliance, are a rare combination,” said Francis.