Jennifer Massey, Memorial University’s former Director of Student Life (2015–2018), tried and failed to secure a lucrative contract in the search for the university’s next President and Vice-Chancellor. Now working as an executive search consultant with KBRS, Massey submitted a proposal on May 16, 2024, pushing her firm as the best choice.
Massey claimed she cared deeply about Memorial and was personally invested in its success. Yet, her actions as a university administrator tell a different story. She imposed a $50 student services fee, backed tuition hikes, and supported the campus renewal fee. She even told the MUN Students’ Union executive that she wished she had arrived at Memorial sooner to eliminate the tuition freeze earlier.
Beyond pushing policies that burdened students, Massey sought to manipulate MUNSU executives to align with her own agenda, making inappropriate proposals in meetings. Her credibility is further tainted by the fact that her mentee, Ladan Mowlid, was found guilty of violating Memorial’s Student Code of Conduct, a policy Massey was directly responsible for overseeing as Student Conduct Officer.
KBRS’s proposal came with a hefty price tag of $120,000, including a $40,000 charge for “Onboarding & Support.” This add-on, supposedly covering goals, priorities, and a draft 90-day plan, was nothing more than a blatant cash grab.
Memorial has increasingly distanced itself from expensive headhunting firms, choosing to conduct searches internally. Yet, in the case of the presidential search, it was claimed that the university lacked the necessary internal resources, making an external firm unavoidable. Despite Massey’s efforts to cash in, KBRS was rejected in favour of Perrett Laver.
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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