I am pleased to announce that following a very competitive selection process, Amber Holliday has accepted the new role of Associate Vice-President, Recruitment and Student Mobility.

This position, reporting to the Vice-President Students and Institutional Planning, will provide leadership to all aspects of domestic and domestically-based recruitment, through participation in development and approval of related marketing strategies and co-leadership of the college’s Marketing, Recruitment and Conversion Committee. In addition, Amber will provide leadership to college Pathways and Transfer (Student Mobility) activities in cooperation with the Academic Division and Registrar’s Office. 

Amber joins us from York University where she most recently served as the Director, CRM Transformation in York’s Student Systems Renewal Program – a technological program designed to move the university towards next generation solutions improving the experience of students, faculty and staff. As Director, she spearheaded the comprehensive business and technological transformation of York’s CRM to a system designed to leverage data to improve relationships, drive enrolment growth and increase retention.  The first release of the new CRM went live in September 2023. Amber will be an asset to the Humber Enrolment team as we continue with implementation of the Enrolment and Admissions Rethinking Project.

With more than two decades of progressive leadership in recruitment and admissions, Amber is dedicated to fostering a student-centric experience at all stages of the student enrolment journey. As Assistant Director, Student Recruitment at York University, she assumed a leadership position that proved instrumental in diversifying the student body and driving enrolment growth nationally and internationally. This included the creation of integrated recruitment strategies, most notably with York’s English Language Institute, designed to support institutional and program specific priorities, optimize tactics and processes, and foster cross-campus collaboration. She also led the restructuring of the recruitment team for greater market accountability and cross-campus partnership.

Amber has an M.Ed from York University with a focus on internationalization and the international student experience, and is a certified ProSci change practitioner. She looks forward to joining the Humber community!  

Please join me in congratulating Amber and wishing her success, when she starts her new role on May 6, 2024.

Jason Hunter
Vice-President, Students & Institutional Planning

It is my pleasure to announce that Erin Gray has accepted the position of Associate Dean, Program Delivery in Education & Training Solutions (ETS).

Erin joins us with a unique blend of post-secondary education administration experience after 20 years working at Humber College in various roles, including her role as Interim Associate Dean within ETS and her role as Interim Dean in Program Planning, Development Renewal (PPDR). Other roles include Program Development Consultant (PPDR), faculty and program coordinator in Faculty of Heath Sciences as well as her seconded role as Quality Assurance Associate with Ontario College Assurance Services (OCAS). Erin holds a Master of Arts in Education from Central Michigan University as well as Honours Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from Queen’s University. She has and continues to consult and contribute to numerous projects, committees, and programs across the college. Her strengths in teaching and learning, relationship building, curriculum design and development, faculty support and development and quality assurance in polytechnic education will be a valuable addition to the Education & Training Solutions team.  

Please join me in welcoming Erin to this role.

Wanda Buote
Dean, Education & Training Solutions

Congratulations to all our employees celebrating Career Milestones in January!

The following employees are celebrating their 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25-year anniversary with Humber. We encourage you to reach out to your colleagues to congratulate them on their Career Milestones.

Although we do our best to ensure we don't miss anyone, sometimes it happens. If we have missed anyone on this list, our sincere apologies. Please let us know so we can correct our records and ensure the employee receives recognition.

Questions? Please email us at oe@humber.ca.

It is my pleasure to announce that on February 5, Cara Wallace will start as the Director, Community Outreach & Workforce Development.

Cara is a seasoned community and workforce strategist, bringing experience in community outreach, grant writing, contract and program management and performance measurement within the employment and education sectors.

In her most recent role, Cara was the Contract Manager with WCG Services, where she supported the successful delivery of Integrated Employment Services. Cara maintained impactful relationships with service providers across Peel and York Region, and co-designed an organizational Equity, Belonging, Diversity, and Inclusion strategy, emphasizing a culture where staff feel recognized and appreciated.

Cara’s career has been fueled by her commitment to removing barriers to access and to supporting underserved communities. Through roles at Achēv, JVS Toronto and the Youth Justice Network of Toronto, Cara led the development and implementation of community programming and honed advanced skills in stakeholder collaboration, grassroots mobilization, and culturally responsive outreach. Cara trained and developed staff across different organizations to support communities in need, and established alliances with community agencies and public sector institutions, successfully securing nearly $1 million in funding for the Rexdale community. 

She holds a M.Ed. in Adult Education and Community Development; a B.A. in Sociology, CHRP and certifications in Human Resources Management, Adult Education, Myers Briggs, and Conflict Resolution.  

I am delighted that she is bringing her experience and passion for lifelong learning to this important role. Please join me in welcoming Cara to Humber.  

Kelly Jackson  
Vice-President, External Affairs and Professional Learning

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Elijah Williams as the Acting Dean of Indigenous Education & Engagement (IE&E), effective January 8, 2024. Elijah will seamlessly transition into this new role while concurrently maintaining his current position as Associate Dean, IE&E.

In his new role, Elijah will play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of innovation through the development of specialized support service programs, engaging with internal and external stakeholders, and implementing strategic initiatives. Additionally, he will focus on advancing Humber College's Indigenous education plan and commitment to truth and reconciliation.

Elijah's responsibilities will align with the mandates of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the recommendations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

Since September 2022, Elijah has served as the Associate Dean of Indigenous Education & Engagement at Humber College. In this capacity, he has collaborated closely with Program Planning, Development and Renewal, and Innovative Learning. Elijah has been instrumental in raising awareness, promoting teamwork, and establishing open communication channels to bolster educational initiatives. His efforts have significantly contributed to the expansion and enhancement of Indigenous programming, methodology, research, practice, and delivery.

Prior to his role at Humber, Elijah was the Director of Indigenous Engagement and led the Centre for Indigenous Learning and Support at Sheridan College. There, he oversaw the development of Sheridan’s Babamadiwin, Indigenous Start Well program, an online initiative designed to help Indigenous learners navigate the college's supports and services. Elijah also played a key role in creating Sheridan’s Looking Forward, Look Back Education Series, providing foundational knowledge about Indigenous peoples to faculty and staff.

Elijah's commitment to Indigenous education is further demonstrated by his Master of Professional Education in Indigenous Educational Leadership from Western University.

Please join me in extending our congratulations to Elijah as he takes on this significant role. We look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly make in advancing Indigenous education and engagement at Humber College.

Jason Seright
Vice-President, Inclusion and Belonging

I am excited to announce that Michelle Jordan has accepted the position of Associate Dean, Mathematics & Research in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In this role, Michelle will oversee the Mathematics portfolio as well as the Research Analyst Ontario Graduate Certificate program. 

Michelle began her career at Humber teaching in the General Arts and Science programs, before moving into the role of Program Coordinator for Pre-Health Sciences and the General Arts and Science - Technology programs. Michelle held this role for five years before moving into her current role as the Program Coordinator for General Arts and Science certificate and diploma programs and the interim semester retention program now known as Rebound.

In her roles at Humber, Michelle has worked alongside faculty members from a variety of program and subject areas, and she has demonstrated a commitment to a quality culture through her involvement in several program review and renewal opportunities. Michelle was the recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2015 for her work developing and teaching a first-year experience course (now known as Positive Psychology for Academic and Career Success) to help students transition successfully into post-secondary studies and provide them with a holistic sense of self-awareness to meet their personal, academic, and professional goals.

Michelle has recently defended her PhD thesis entitled The Perceived Impact of Pre-Health Sciences Programs on Student Access and Transition to Health Science Programs in one Ontario College. In addition, she holds a Career Development Practitioner Ontario Graduate Certificate from Conestoga College, an M.A. in English Literary and Cultural Studies from Carleton University, and a B.A. in English Literature from Brock University.

Please join me in congratulating Michelle on her new role, which she will begin on December 18, 2023.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mike Wells for his strong leadership of the portfolio over the last few months. His ability to lead with both care and a sense of humour is a skill set that I admire and am grateful for.

John Stilla
Senior Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences

I am pleased to announce that Nicole Pereira has been selected as CPL’s new Associate Dean of Business Development & Program Optimization. Nicole joins Humber with 15 years of experience designing and delivering professional skills training programs serving diverse learners in collaboration with industry, community, academia, professional regulators, foundations, and governments. She has been a critical contributor to continuing education divisions experiencing rapid growth, most recently leading the business, ADR/mediation, and health portfolios as a Program Manager with York University’s School of Continuing Studies.

Before York, Nicole served as Manager of Government Contracts & Training Services in Seneca’s Faculty of Continuing Education & Training, where she oversaw accelerator, bridging, alternative career, and corporate training offerings in fields ranging from finance to IT, social services, engineering, and pre-apprenticeship. Nicole was also a founding member and Director of Program Development and Strategic Partnerships with Devant (a subsidiary of Academica) and Project Manager of volunteerism and diversity with the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority.

Holding an MBA in Community Economic Development and Public Policy, an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Sociology, and Certificates in Ontario College Administration and Leadership, Inclusive Leadership, and EDI, Nicole brings an outstanding balance of practical and professional experiences into this role.

Please join me in welcoming Nicole to the CPL Team and Humber Community; her first day will be Monday, December 3.

Frank Cappadocia
Dean I  Continuous Professional Learning
416.675.6622 x5665

I am pleased to announce that Alexandra Ross is the successful candidate and will join the senior leadership team in the Division of Students and Institutional Planning as Library Director. In her new role, Alexandra will provide strategic and operational leadership for library services, resources, technologies, and spaces for Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber. An innovator, collaborator, and student advocate, Alexandra is passionate about academic libraries and how they support student and faculty success through the development of digital fluency skills. A sample of library accomplishments Alexandra has led and/or supported include:

• A partnership with the Longo Faculty of Business, which resulted in the launch of the Lakeshore Idea Lab, and the combined Library and Longo Centre for Entrepreneurship team winning the College Innovation of the Year Award in 2023.  
• The creation of two Academic Integrity Modules, one for the University of Guelph-Humber (1,000+ completions) and one for Humber (embedded in 129 courses), to support students in their academic journeys.
• The Equity & Inclusion Hub, which profiles EDIB work of the library across collections, services, physical and virtual spaces, policies, events, and team engagement.

Alexandra joined Humber in 2009 as a librarian supporting the then Business School. Twelve of her fourteen years at the College have been in library leadership roles, starting with the Lakeshore Library Coordinator position and progressing to her current role as Associate Director, Curriculum & Learning. Alexandra’s portfolio has included research and digital literacies, eLearning, copyright, course resources and ereserves, facilities and operations, assessment, and quality assurance. In addition to her library experience, Alexandra has worked in executive search and public relations. Her educational credentials include a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Arts (English), a Master of Arts (Communications), and a Master of Information Studies.

Please join me in congratulating Alexandra on her new role, which starts December 11, 2023.

Jason Hunter
Vice-President, Students & Institutional Planning

After 34 years of outstanding service, Mary Alexander has decided to retire at the end of December.

Mary joined Humber in 1989 and has been a dedicated and valuable member of the Office of the Registrar ever since. Over the years, Mary has exemplified professionalism, commitment, and tireless work ethic – working almost every convocation ceremony since June 1990! Known as “the lady at the back of the hall”, Mary has been a pillar to the convocation ceremonies and many other RO initiatives, including, her favourite event, the RO holiday party.

Given how many events Mary has had to organize, and the fact she does not like cake (?), she has requested that we do not host a retirement party. Mary has some vacation planned between now and the end of December however, so please take the chance to wish Mary well when you see her around.

As Mary embarks on this new chapter, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the hard work and dedication she has brought to Humber. If you would like to contribute a message or memory, we do have a retirement book available for signing. If you would like to sign Mary’s retirement book, please visit the Office of the Registrar at the North Campus (LRC, first floor) and connect with sheena.persaud@humber.ca or tanya.reda@humber.ca.

Mary, thank you, for your years of service to Humber. Your presence will be greatly missed. We wish you a happy and healthy retirement filled with joy, relaxation, and tropical adventures. May your retirement be as fulfilling as your career has been.

Congratulations!

Barbara Riach and the RO team

Please join us to honour Maria Soares’ 35 years of excellent service at Humber and to celebrate the legacy of hard work and commitment she leaves behind.  

The support Maria provides to students, faculty, and staff in identifying and acquiring media resources has made an immense difference to library services and their success. As the recipient of the 2008 Support Staff Distinguished Service Award, Maria helped develop and enrich the library’s media collection, and she contributed to various library and college initiatives over her 35-year career. 

Her listening skills, calm approach, professionalism, and understanding of user needs are well known across the college.  

Maria's last day at Humber will be December 31, 2023. Please join us for a retirement party to celebrate Maria and to wish her luck in this next chapter of her life. 

Date: Monday, December 18, 2023 
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. 
Location: North Campus, Library, Learning Resource Commons (LRC), 4th floor 

Please RSVP by December 8 

A virtual GroupGreeting Card is also available for members of the Humber, University of Guelph-Humber, and Colleges Library community to sign. Please leave your messages by Friday, December 15.