The first day of the Fall 2021 term is just around the corner, but before the Humber community transitions into a new school year, we celebrate the one that came before at the annual President’s Breakfast event. For the second year, we are hosting the President’s Breakfast Virtual Series online.  

This morning, I addressed the Humber College community, looking back on our accomplishments over the past year. Tomorrow, we will honour our colleagues at the President’s Awards virtual presentation. On Wednesday, Sept. 1, you will have the opportunity to watch a video update about Humber Tomorrow, our new vision document, featuring Gina Antonacci, Senior Vice-President, Academic; Scott Briggs, Vice-President, Digital Innovation and Chief Information Officer; and Dawn Bassant, Director, Organizational Effectiveness.   

You will find links to each event in special editions of Communiqué each day of the series. 

Earlier today, I thanked the community for their hard work and dedication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we responded to changing regulations, public health directives and changes to work environments and arrangements. Humber staff and faculty balanced home life and personal challenges to ensure excellent course delivery and student support. You have supported each other, too. Thank you again for your commitment to the Humber College community. 

Here are just a few highlights from the past year. For my full remarks, the video of the event can be accessed here. 

Last summer, we adjusted our budget to reflect new enrollment projections for fall 2020. I am pleased to report that our enrollment and financial position at the end of the fiscal year was more positive than anticipated last fall. As a result, we are in a strong position to continue to respond to the challenges of the pandemic. 

Our commitment to supporting students remains. We’ve made tremendous strides in our Unlimited Campaign this year. To date, we’ve raised $42 million of our $50 million goal, thanks to generous sponsors and nearly 800 Humber staff and retirees. 

Under the leadership of Laurie Rancourt and Gina Antonacci, our academic division launched new, game-changing programs amid a global pandemic, including Humber’s standalone Nursing degree and three new Bachelor of Engineering degrees, all launching this fall. We also launched Rapid Skills and microcredentials in the academic division and under the new Continuous Professional Learning umbrella. 

With reduced traffic on campus, Humber completed several construction and renovation projects in a short amount of time, including a new Open Learning Lab and the TechZone, a new space at the North campus that is Humber’s newest innovation showcase and service hub. 

In addition to facility upgrades and new, innovative learning spaces, you can expect to see progress on some major projects when you return to campus, like an expansion of the Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology and the official opening of the Humber International Graduate School. 

I also want to shine a light on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at Humber. While many in our community have lived experiences of racism, violence and genocide, these issues are only now receiving the coverage and attention they have always deserved. EDI is one of our core values, but it is also comprised of several action items.  

In early July, you will have received the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Framework & Strategy Key Accomplishments report, outlining the work of our EDI Taskforce. If you haven’t had a chance to review it, I encourage you to do so.  

As we embark on a new academic year, I ask each of you to continue to do your work and make a difference with those values in mind.  

The province is reopening, and COVID-19 vaccination rates are on the rise. There is so much to look forward to as we move through the stages of pandemic recovery and remain focused on student success and well-being. It will be challenging, but if the past year is any indication, Humber College staff, faculty and leadership will find solutions, together. 

You will find the next two installments of the President's Breakfast Virtual Series in special editions of Communiqué, delivered to your inbox on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.