It is with mixed emotions that I share that Heidi Marsh has accepted an exciting new role as Director of Faculty Development and Academic Technology at George Brown College.
Heidi started at Humber in 2015 as Director, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, where she led the development of Humber’s SoTL strategy focusing on evolving the knowledge and practice of teaching and learning within Humber and across the sector. Under Heidi’s leadership, Humber has contributed to the sector through numerous SoTL research projects, including the design of 21st century learning spaces, the efficacy of virtual reality simulations, the impact of educational technology, such as real-time polling tools, and the assessment of sustainability literacy.
In addition to her leadership of the SoTL portfolio, Heidi has also headed Humber Press, re-launching a new podcast this month, publishing a book on the future of and role of Polytechnics in Ontario, and launching the Journal of Innovation in Polytechnic Education (JIPE).
In 2019, Heidi took on the role of acting Director, Teaching and Learning where she has provided exceptional leadership, notably through the challenges of the pandemic. Heidi collaborated with the Innovative Learning teams on developing Humber’s 10-Step Process, supporting faculty to rapidly and successfully move courses from a face-to-face to virtual delivery. Heidi has worked tirelessly in the past months to ensure that Humber faculty have had the necessary tools to transition their teaching online in ways that support student success.
Across Humber, Heidi has become known for her thoughtful and knowledgeable contributions across a variety of areas, and for her collaborative leadership approach. Some of her accomplishments include the redesign of Humber’s flexible, collaborative learning spaces, an institution-wide investigation on academic misconduct at Humber, the Cutting EDge initiative, a UDL pilot project in partnership with ALS, and activity within the Global Polytechnic Alliance and Humber-Seneca Strategic Partnership.
Heidi will be with us until January 22. As part of the transition plan, I am pleased to announce that Lara McInnis will serve in an acting capacity while we undergo the search for Heidi’s replacement in the coming weeks.
Heidi will be missed by many here at Humber, including myself. Please join me in congratulating Heidi and wishing her continued success.
Vera Beletzan
Senior Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Innovative Learning