By: Jenna Hobin

“I am often reminded what a privilege it is to work in a place where you feel like you are making a difference and where you see the impact of your work on peoples’ lives.” 

For Susan Burhoe, giving back to Carleton is both a personal commitment and a reflection of the values that have guided her career. For nearly three decades, she has supported students through the Centre for Initiatives in Education (CIE), helping to remove barriers that can make higher education feel out of reach. 

Susan first came to Carleton as an employee at the campus bookstore after taking a gap year from her former university. What she found was a community that felt different. “I just loved the feeling of being at Carleton—the way I felt welcome, how people would stop to give you directions if you looked lost in the hallway. It just had such a friendly feeling.” That sense of belonging led her to transfer, complete her Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees in History, and ultimately build her career at the university. 

In 1997, she joined the Enriched Support Program in its second year. “It aligned with all my values around the importance of education and making it more accessible to people,” she says. Today, as an Assistant Professor and Recruitment Coordinator in the Centre for Initiatives in Education, she continues that work—supporting students who may feel university is financially, academically or personally beyond what is possible for them. 

Over the years, Susan has witnessed meaningful transformations as students have grown to recognize and realize their potential. She has also seen firsthand how donor generosity makes those successes possible. Students often share heartfelt thank-you messages to donors, expressing gratitude that someone believed in them when attending university otherwise might not have been part of their journey.  

These experiences inspired Susan to become a donor herself. She made her first gift in 2009 and has contributed monthly since 2011. She supports initiatives within the CIE, including the Chicken and Boots Bursary for students who have experienced homelessness, and the Merkley-Haight Award, established by Harvest House, which recognizes students who have overcome adversity and are dedicated to academic success. 

She also established the Burhoe Family Scholarship in memory of her mother, who was passionate about education but unable to afford university. “Finances were a barrier for my mother to attend university, and now I work for a program helping to remove barriers for individuals coming to Carleton, which feels really full circle.” 

For Susan, generosity is contagious. Seeing colleagues create scholarships inspired her to do the same, reinforcing how shared values can ripple across a community. She hopes others will see that every gift makes a difference. “Giving doesn’t have to be a big amount—those small amounts really add up and help us do things like establishing an emergency fund for students. Even if your donation feels like a humble amount, it can have a real impact.” 

Behind the Donor Curtain:

Do you have a personal motto / credo / saying??? 

“We often have this idea that success follows a linear path, but that isn’t always the case and we shouldn’t feel discouraged by that.” 

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt??? 

“I would love to work in a museum!” 

Where is your favourite spot on campus??? 

“When I was a student, my favourite spot was above the Loeb cafeteria with the large windows that overlook the river.” 

What inspires you to “do good”?by supporting the Carleton community??? 

“The students. There are such amazing people who come through that inspire me on a daily basis, more so than any historic or celebrity figure. The students are my greatest source of motivation.”