Lee-Ann Air is the type of person who thrives on a thirst for ongoing knowledge. She’s always been an eager student, and as a neighbourhood coordinator with the Village at University Gates, she was one of the first people to take advantage of opportunities offered through Schlegel Villages’ new Ron Schlegel University (RSU).
Available to all team members, RSU is home to essential training and education initiatives – everything from onboarding and orientation to continuing education support and the signature Leadership in Senior Living program. It brings together the many programs designed to help the wider Schlegel family learn, grow, and strengthen as a team, reflecting the shared belief that with the right support, anyone can unlock their full potential.
“I’m going to take advantage of whatever I can when it comes to learning opportunities,” Lee-Ann says, reflecting on her approach to continuous education. “I used to peruse education sites, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that’s 800 bucks. Let’s talk to my husband about 800 bucks,’ you know, just to get it started.”
Pursuing additional education while working full-time isn’t easy, she admits, but the SkillsWave platform – launched through RSU as a pilot for leadership team members in early 2025 – helps ease some of the pressure. In 2026, it will be available to all team members.
“It’s so valuable,” says Lee-Ann, whose first course through SkillsWave was a one-day online exploration of agility in emotional intelligence, as she describes it. She gained new insight into navigating challenging conversations, which is essential for someone who supports team members, residents, and families as a neighbourhood coordinator. She faces many different situations with people at varying emotional capacities, and her ability to navigate those conversations has strengthened greatly through a course she might never have taken were it not offered at no cost through RSU.
“This represents our commitment to providing high-quality education, training, and development opportunities that empower people to grow, both within Schlegel Villages and in life,” says Christy Parsons, Vice-President of People at Schlegel Villages. “RSU is our investment in people, ensuring we live out our mission, vision, and values, and deliver on our Customer Experience Credo.”
The success of all facets of RSU has prompted exciting expansions planned for 2026, including opening the SkillsWave platform to all team members. Since June 2026, there have been 69 successful applicants, with 17 leaders completing their courses and a total investment of $35,000 from Schlegel Villages. Looking ahead, RSU will also award ten grants of $5,000 each to eligible team members pursuing higher education.
“It’s not just about paying college tuition,” Lee-Ann says. “This allows you to work toward your goals. It’s amazing to be able to support growth and development, and if you’re on a growth plan, being able to say, ‘Okay, they’ve talked about this—and look at all these courses available that I can start working on today.’”
“It’s just an amazing program,” she says.
For more information on RSU opportunities, visit: https://schlegelvillages.com/ron-schlegel-university
There is also a video here on behalf of Jamie Schlegel: https://youtu.be/PI3j1hORWw4
