Arja Vainio-Mattila took the long way to arrive at Huron University College. Born in Finland, educated in England, and having lived in Tanzania, Nepal, Sweden and Italy, Vainio-Mattila speaks four languages and knows a smattering of a few others.
After stints on the west coast and at Brock University in St. Catharines, Vainio-Mattila came to Huron in 1998. "I knew nothing about Huron so I coloured my hair purple for the interview to see what they would say!" she says. "I wanted to make sure that I would really fit in here and I have. It's a very comfortable place to be."
Vainio-Mattila has seen some of her students go on to international careers with NGOs and governments, and some to graduate studies in international development, film studies, and law. "They end up in careers that are defined by global experiences," she says. "The students are very engaged."
Vainio-Mattila appreciates the way Huron's administration embraces new ideas. Such forward thinking allowed her to initiate a new course called Think Global, Act Local that connects students with local organizations working on global issues. She says the course reflects a fundamental Huron philosophy.
"At Huron we have a saying: You get a small window into the big world. This isn't trite. At Huron you can get noticed."
