After 39 years of dedicated and exemplary service, it is both with happiness and a touch of sadness that I announce the retirement of Wanda Buote, Dean Education and Training Services, known as ETS, this coming November. Wanda has been an integral part of Humber, contributing her passion, commitment, and expertise to everything she has done. Throughout her career, Wanda has been a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration for both her colleagues and the many individuals that she has worked with. Her leadership, guidance, and vision have touched the lives of countless people, leaving a legacy that will be felt for years to come.

Starting from her grassroots beginning at Humber's bookstore in 1986, Wanda’s career is a testament to her dedication and passion for education. Her energy, passion, business acumen and creativity have helped move Humber forward across multiple areas, including in her progressive roles as Scheduler, Operations Manager, Director of Continuing Education, Director of Partnership Programs and Associate Dean in the Longo Faculty of Business (known as the Business School during her tenure); Acting Director, International; Principal of the Lakeshore Campus; and for the past seven years, Wanda has achieved much in her current role as Dean, Education & Training Solutions under the External Affairs and Professional Learning portfolio specifically working with associations and regulators. Most notably responsible for launching and managing Humber’s two largest and complex Continuous and Professional Learning regulated programs – the Real Estate Education Programs launched in 2019 & 2025 and Condominium Management Program in 2021 as well as the Mortgage Agent 1 Program in 2025. Wanda is equally proud of her work supporting the Testing Services pillar of her portfolio. She was integral in securing Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) Examination delivery contract in 2024 adding to pillar’s numerous credential testing agreements. Testing Services supported the delivery of upwards of 100,000 exams per year during peak enrolment times. Wanda has expressed her pride in having worked with many talented staff and professionals over the years; she is thankful for their dedication, passion, and effort in supporting the success of many, many Humber graduates.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Wanda for her unwavering dedication to supporting various college-wide initiatives over the years. Her leadership as United Way Co-Chair, Humber Gives Co-Chair, Humber’s Board of Governors Administrative Representative, and her involvement in numerous Humber committees has had a lasting impact.

Wanda's pride in her community work shines through her roles as Principal, particularly in the Lakeshore community. Her service on the Lakeshore Grounds Coordinating Committee, Lakeshore Lodge Long Term Care Home, the Gardens Project and the LAMP Community Health Centre Board for six years exemplifies her commitment. She was instrumental in launching the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre, leading stakeholder engagement, creating the vision and operational plan, and ensuring the community's active participation throughout the process. Wanda has demonstrated commitment to excellence, leadership, and community involvement through being awarded Humber’s Distinguished Support Staff Service Award, Distinguished Administrative Service Award and the Community Service Award and recently Robert A. Gordon Leadership Award.

Looking ahead, we plan to realign the departments within the Education & Training Solutions portfolio as part of our ongoing efforts to improve operational capacity and increase synergies. As such, Wanda will continue to oversee ETS until her departure in mid-November, at that time her direct reports will report directly to me.

As Wanda steps into this well-deserved next chapter of her life, we wish her nothing but happiness, health, and new adventures. While she will be greatly missed, we are excited for her to enjoy more time with family (especially in her new role as GW), time with friends and travelling with her husband Martin. Warmest wishes for your future endeavors! Please join us on November 4th on the 5th Floor of the Barrett Centre from 2 to 4pm to wish her well.

Jennifer O’Brien
VP, People(s), Culture and Organizational Excellence

We’re excited to share that our plans to celebrate the International Day of Action for Academic Integrity across Humber’s campuses and University of Guelph-Humber are evolving. While the originally scheduled on-campus events for October 15 will now take place later this semester, this means we’ll have even more time to create fun, interactive, and meaningful experiences for students, faculty, staff, and leaders.

Stay tuned for details—these activities will be worth the wait!

In the meantime, you don’t have to miss out on the global conversation. Join educators and learners worldwide through online sessions hosted by the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI). Explore the schedule and register.

Let’s keep the momentum going and celebrate the values that make education strong—honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage.

More exciting updates coming soon!

Got questions or want to get involved more, please contact Jennie Miron at jennie.miron@humber.ca.

Hunger is a harsh reality for far too many students, and it stands in the way of their success. Across Canada, nearly one-third of post-secondary students are facing food insecurity, with demand for support rising year after year. At Humber, the challenge is even greater: a recent student survey found that 64% of respondents are concerned about affording food—a number that has risen sharply in just a few years.

But you can help change that for Humber students. Thanksgiving is coming up this weekend. It’s a time of gratitude, generosity and even sharing meals with those we care about. In that same spirit, you can help ensure Humber students have the nourishment they need to focus on their studies and build their futures.

With a gift today in support of Humber’s Student Food Security Fund, you can help us meet students’ needs through such initiatives as support for on-campus dining, food security bursaries, grocery gift cards, financial support for the Grab and Go Food Bank, and so much more!

Support the Food Security Fund with a single gift.

You can also give through payroll!

This Thanksgiving, your generosity will do more than feed Humber students—it will fuel potential. By nourishing students today, you're empowering their futures with the confidence, energy and peace of mind they need to succeed in their studies and beyond.

Thank you for considering a gift to the Student Food Security Fund!

October is the Workplace Health Month and October 10 marks the World Mental Health Day. Today, we want to take a moment to focus on something incredibly important, our mental health and the importance of preventing burnout. 

In today’s fast-paced world, the demands of work, personal responsibilities, and everyday life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that builds over time when prolonged stress and a lack of balance begin to take a toll on both our mental and physical well-being. 

The good news is that burnout is preventable. By staying connected and using the right tools and support, we can protect our mental health and build resilience. 

Homewood Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) offers a wide range of confidential services to help you manage stress, improve mental health, and prevent burnout. These include: 

• Counselling services to support you through stress, anxiety, or burnout. 
• The Life Smart Coaching Program: Burnout and Stress Solutions. 
• The online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program. 
• A rich library of on-demand articles, webinars, and podcasts to deepen your understanding of mental health and burnout prevention. 
• Pulse Check and Wellness History, a personalized tool for tracking your wellbeing. 

Full-time employees and Regular Part-Time (RPT) Support Staff and their immediate family have access to the EFAP services and support. You can contact Homewood at 1-800-663-1142 or visit the Homewood website to access their online resources. Please follow this Registration Video Tutorial to create an account and access Homewood’s website and online resources. 

Part-time/contract employees who need counselling support should contact oe@humber.ca for assistance.   

For more information on well-being resources for employees and students, visit Humber’s online Healthy Community Hub. For a list of mental health resources that are available to students, refer to the Student Mental Health Supports Communique announcement. 

If you have any questions, please contact oe@humber.ca.   

Taking care of your mental health is essential. Let’s continue to support one another and make mental health and well-being a priority.