Jill Siewert-Lemieux says she and her family are proof that it’s never too soon – or too late – to get a college education. She says she initially started at Lethbridge College after high school because it was so close to home. “I’ve never really moved away, and, growing up just 20 minutes from here, I knew I wanted to be in law enforcement, so it was an easy decision,” she recalls.
Jill graduated from the Criminal Justice program in 1996 and began life as a special constable with Picture Butte RCMP and later with the Taber Police Service. In 1999, she was hired by the Lethbridge Police Service in the 911 centre. While on duty as a dispatcher, Jill met and then married Darryl Lemieux. They have three children: Beckett, 8; Connor, 18; and Ally, 20.
Jill is currently employed as an admissions specialist in the Registrar’s Office and has now enrolled in the Justice Studies degree program to compliment her Criminal Justice and Information Specialist studies. Darryl, who is originally from Quebec, worked with the Edmonton City Police and then Lethbridge Police Service. But he wanted a stronger foundation as a benefit to his career. In 2015, he enrolled in Lethbridge College’s Justice Studies degree program, studying and attending courses while on full-time active duty. His commitment paid off when he graduated in 2020. Today, he continues to work for LPS and is also a sessional instructor at the college in the Criminal Justice program.
“He just loves his occupation,” says Jill. “We have a strong support system because we both know the types of stress and difficult situations involved with this line of work.”
Their oldest daughter Ally followed in their footsteps, graduating from the college in 2022 with an Architectural Animation Technology diploma, and she is currently enrolled in the Interior Design Technology program. Both Jill and Darryl say they are proud of her accomplishments and of her drive and determination – as she already owns her own home.
Jill and Darryl take their family on camping outings and travel when they can to favourite destinations in Mexico. Their family time together relieves the tension and stress associated with such demanding workloads and strengthens the care and love they have for each other. They both realize the positive impact and influence an education has toward an individual’s livelihood that can be achieved early, or even a bit later, in one’s life.
“I think that both me and my husband going back to school later in life, we’ve taught my children that it’s never too late,” she says of their decisions. “Lethbridge College does have a lot of mature students, and it can be scary. You don’t know where you’re going to fit in. But I’m proof, and so is my husband, that it’s never too late to get an education.”
Are you a multi-generational Lethbridge College family? If at least three members across one or more generations attended Lethbridge College, let us know by emailing [email protected]. We’d love to profile you.
