Alumni Profile: Leslie Jeske & Darcy Low

Alumni Profile LESLIE JESKE

& DARCY LOW

What program did you take at ACC? Which campus?

Leslie: Office Administration, Brandon Darcy: Business Administration, Brandon. Fun fact, Leslie processed my application for Business Administration, so I guess I owe my career to her.

What year did you graduate?

Leslie: 1998 Darcy: 2006

Where are you currently employed?

Leslie: Assiniboine Community College. I am an Admissions Specialist in the Registrar’s Office. Darcy: I recently left ACC, where I worked for 10 years in the Finance Department, to go back to private practice as a Senior Accounting Technician at W.L Buck & Associates. In addition, we own and operate Kickin Axe Throwing, Westman’s only axe throwing club and wreck room.

How long have you been employed there?

Leslie: I was technically still employed with the RCMP when I graduated, so I had the option to return to Thompson and my previous job, but Brandon felt right so I applied for a data entry position at ACC and got it. I was only in that position a few weeks when I accepted a term position in the Registrar’s Office, and as they say “the rest is history”. The term turned into a permanent full-time position and 25 years later I’m still here. Darcy: Just passed my one-year anniversary with W.L. Buck & Associates. Kickin Axe Throwing opened October 6, 2017 and had a fantastic Christmas season. Things were looking pretty good prior to March 2020. The pandemic hit us hard and there were times when we did not know if we would survive. With the cost of living on the rise, there is still the uncertainty of how it will affect our business. Will people have enough left over at the end of the day to be able to partake in fun activities? We sure hope so!

Briefly describe your occupation.

Leslie: I am responsible for all the domestic admissions for the School of Business and the School of Trades at campuses in Brandon and Dauphin, as well as all the contracts associated with both schools at various locations. I also look after admissions for a number of programs in Continuing Studies. Darcy: I spend most of my days preparing corporate year-ends, corporate tax returns and audits of not-for-profit organizations. During tax time, I spend countless hours preparing and reviewing personal tax returns.

Why did you choose this career path?

Leslie: I was not exactly sure what my career path was going to be after graduation because I had a few options; however, had someone told me I would attend ACC in 1997 and still be there in 2022, I would have probably just laughed. Darcy: I took some accounting classes in high school, and seemed to enjoy them. When the time came to go to college, accounting just seemed like the right choice.

For Kickin Axe, I visited an Axe shop in Winnipeg as a team building activity with the Finance Department at ACC. I had so much fun that I wanted to share that fun with Brandon, and that's how Kickin' Axe was born.

Photo: Darcy Low, Leslie Jeske

Do you have a career ‘highlight’ that you’re most proud of?

Leslie: I have a number of highlights involving international applicants. Prior to having an International department, the admissions for International applicants were handled by the admissions office. Each specialist did both, domestic and international. I am still close to some of these applicants/students/graduates today; one of them works in the admissions office alongside me.

Looking back to when you first started to think about getting a postsecondary education, what first attracted you to the program that you took at ACC?

Leslie: I came from a relatively small community (Thompson), so Brandon was appealing to me because of its size. When I first moved here, the German Army was still training in Shilo so there were only three things that slowed traffic in Brandon; trains, tanks (and other military vehicles) and combines. It wasn’t uncommon to be stuck behind a slow-moving combine on 18th Street. Darcy: I liked the idea of being in smaller classes and gaining hands-on experience. I learned at a young age that I learned by doing, so ACC seemed like a good fit.

What was your favorite class? Did you have a favorite instructor?

Leslie: I had a few instructors that were special to me, but Eunice Kufflick was one of the best. Our relationship changed from instructor/ student to one of colleagues after I started working at the college. We remained friends until her passing in 2009. I am lucky enough to also be working with one of my instructors, Dave Perkins, who is the interim Registrar. Darcy: I enjoyed the management accounting classes taught by Tamra Rapsky, the law classes taught by Bobbie Robertson, and (I can’t believe I’m saying this) the statistics classes taught by Dave Perkins.

What were the most important skills that you gained at ACC and how have these skills applied to your career?

Darcy: Because of my studies at ACC I had the knowledge needed to set up both of my businesses. It helps to keep operating expenses down when you can do handle all the accounting needs yourself.

What advice do you have for people who may have their sights set on opening their own business?

Do your research, and be sure that your business offers something that differentiates you from everyone else. Don’t be afraid to take a risk some of the most famous, successful people have experienced failed business ventures.

Tell us about Kickin Axe Throwing.

Our current hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., Fridays 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays 3 to 10 p.m. Kickin’ Axe Throwing is in a new location on Princess Ave, which now includes a wreck room (commonly referred to as a rage room or smash room), a lounge that includes a pool table and dart boards, a license to serve alcohol and appetizer menu options provided by, our neighbours, The Dock. We have met a lot of fun and interesting people since opening, and have also formed some really good relationships with other small business owners in Brandon.

ALUMNI NEWSUpdates

» Congratulations to 2008 Agribusiness alumna, Kayla Gillis, who recently took on a new role at RBC in Dauphin as a Business Account Manager.

» Best of luck to Abigail Turner, an Interactive

Media Arts grad from the class of 2018, who just moved to British Colombia to take on a new role as journalist with CTV News Vancouver.

» In May, Alannah Moody, class of 2011 Culinary

Arts, became the new owner of the Boissevain

Bakery. If you're in the area be sure to drop in for some delicious baked goods!

» The Aurora & Pine Bistro in Flin Flon has new owners as of this past June. 2016 Culinary Arts graduate, Kelsie Gardner-Rowe, is one of the proud new co-owners!

» Speaking of new ventures, Shelby Mymko,

Interactive Media Arts alumnus from the class of 2019, just started her new logo, web and graphic design company called Stay Weird Studio.

» Brice Perkins, a Technical Director with Dome

Productions, pushed the buttons to put all the cameras, graphics and replays on the air at the director's cues, for the CFL Grey Cup

Championship on TSN. Originally slated to switch the half time show at this year's event, he was moved up to cut the main event instead.

» Shout out to Electrical Technology alumnus from the class of 1969, Douglas Skogstad, on his retirement. After receiving his Industrial

Electrician Journeyman qualification he went on to work in various roles as an electrical inspector and safety officer in base metal and uranium mines as well as nuclear generating plants. Happy retirement, Doug!

» Congratulations to 2017 Social Service Worker graduate, Alyshia Kelbert, on landing her new role as Student Development Coordinator with

Assiniboine's Students' Association!

» Congratulations to Arin Hiebert on being recognized by the Tourism Industry Association for Canada's 30 Under 30 Achiever Award! Arin is a Culinary Arts alumnus from the class of 2012.