Welcome to the 2023-2024 academic year! It is so exciting to see the energy around campus. Thank you to everyone who contributes to welcoming our new and returning students and getting them on the right path. Creating a sense of belonging is critical to the success of our students. I am thrilled to see all the intentional efforts to create a supportive environment for learners.

Last week marked my first work anniversary with Humber! I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone whom I have met over the past year. While there is still so much for me to see, I have been to many places and events and here’s what I have observed:

The breadth and depth of talent is awe-inspiring. Humber is a vibrant community of teaching and learning. It is a landing place and a launchpad. And it is a place where we are deeply committed to inclusion and belonging.

Our scale of operations, and industry and community partnerships are massive, and Humber truly is Canada’s comprehensive polytechnic institution. We offer more degrees than any other college, and we support skilled trades, the healthcare sector, creative and cultural industries and almost every facet of the economy through apprenticeships, certificates, diplomas, degrees, graduate certificates and hopefully soon applied master’s degrees.

We have more than 300,000 alumni who have Humber in their hearts and on their resumes, with many of them continuing to build their knowledge and skills through our continuous professional learning options.

We are constantly finding new ways to take the college’s polytechnic approach to the next level. Our Centres of Innovation Network connect students to businesses and community organizations to meet today’s economic, social and cultural challenges through innovation and collaboration. Through our international development work, we are sharing our expertise to empower and support others while helping to create new vocational education and training opportunities in Asia and Africa. We are making bold moves to reduce our emissions and embedding sustainable approaches across our operations.

Despite our size, Humber is a well-knitted community. A community that is focused on student success and belonging.

We provide our students with the opportunity to showcase their skills, abilities, and knowledge on the local, national, and international stages. Through work-integrated learning, a nationally recognized varsity program, a new Healthy You Hub, leadership opportunities through IGNITE and numerous other ways for students to be engaged, we are helping students be the best they can be, on and off-campus.

Humber has the ability to be a global leader. In fact, others are watching us to see what we will do next. It’s time to think, to imagine, and to dream about what is possible for Humber. To look ahead to 2030 and beyond and create a big, bold, differentiated vision that we can achieve together.

I hope you will join me in a conversation on what’s next for Humber. Where do we want to go? If you think ahead ten years, how will we describe Humber’s achievements? Over the Fall Semester you will be given opportunities to engage in this exciting conversation through Humber Inspired. I hope you take those!

What I know is that the people within Humber are exceptional. Together, with our community and our partners we can shape where polytechnic education will go. We can carve a unique path and shoot for the stars and the moon. I look forward to your input.

Thank you. I am truly grateful to be a part of the Humber Team!

AMV