I am delighted to announce that Bill Angelakos will assume the role of Associate Dean – Design Programs in the School of Applied Technology effective Monday, August 20, 2012.

Bill has been the Program Coordinator of the Civil Engineering Technology program for the past 6 years. Before he assumed that role Bill was a faculty member in the School of Applied Technology. Prior to joining Humber, Bill was an adjunct professor and lecturer at the University of Toronto, Civil Engineering department. In addition to academic experience Bill has been a licensed professional engineer in Ontario since 2000, working as a Project Manager and Structural Engineer for Morrison Hershfield Limited, Toronto.

Bill has completed bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto. He brings considerable academic depth and teaching experience to the school’s leadership team.

We are looking forward to Bill’s management and leadership of the programs in the design cluster.

Regards,

Denise Devlin-Li
Dean, School of Applied Technology
 

I am pleased to announce that Michael MacDougall will be assuming the role of Business Manager effective immediately.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St.Thomas Univeristy and a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of New Brunswick. He has worked internationally as a Program Coordinator for ESL programs and in Toronto as a Director for a private education institution.  More recently he has been Humber's Director of International Programs-Ningbo and Jimei. Michael's management skills and delightful smile will be an asset for this position.

Please join me in congratulating Michael in his new role.

Alvina Cassiani, Dean
The Business School

Humber Today sat down with Chris Whitaker to find out more about him, his journey to Humber and his vision for the college.

What attracted you to Humber?

Having worked in the Ontario College sector for 25 years, I’ve watched as Humber has led the system into what it is today; 24 colleges whose ultimate goal is produce job-ready graduates. I want the opportunity to be part of the great things happening at Humber because the college developed the polytechnic vision better than any other institution. Humber’s experienced faculty, breadth of programs, range of credentials, pathways to degree completion, and community engagement truly make the institution the leading college in the province, if not the country.

What is your incoming message to the Humber community?

My message to the Humber community is that we’re going to continue to build on our successes to date. We’re going to keep offering industry-guided programs that reflect the modern economy and give students the education and training that employers want. We’re going to continue to provide a high-quality teaching and learning environment by hiring industry-connected faculty and supporting them to excel in the classroom and engage students. We’re going to make sure that all employees know of their contributions to student success in the classroom and we’re going to keep celebrating the diversity, inclusiveness and collaboration of the Humber community within the college and throughout our neighbourhoods.

What opportunities do you see for Humber in the coming years?

I see great things for students. We will continue to expand our access and our pathways. We will give more prospective students the opportunity to attend college and earn a postsecondary credential, and we’ll give current students more options and choices to add to their credentials. We’ll continue to provide the support services to students who need it.

What, or who, inspires you?

I take inspiration from many people, including my family, colleagues and those I interact with every day. I’m most inspired by people who want to be successful, whatever success means to them; by people who work to overcome their personal challenges in order to make themselves better, and by those who help others seeking to make a difference in their or someone else’s life.

What do you want the Humber community to know about you?

I most want the Humber community to know that I’m going to ask questions and I’m going to listen to their answers. I’m a life-long learner and I’m interested in people and their stories. I’m excited to learn what brought people to Humber and how we can continue to make the college a great place to study and work.

Quick Facts:

• Chris is the fourth president in Humber’s history
• Prior to Humber, Chris was President and CEO at St. Lawrence College
• Chris is married with three children
• Chris’ favourite hockey team is the Toronto Maple Leafs
• Chris’ favourite band is the Rolling Stones

The College Employers Council and OPSEU, representing more than 10,000 college faculty in Ontario are currently in the midst of negotiating a new collective agreement. They have agreed to the services of a Ministry of Labour conciliator when talks resume on August 14, 2012. The faculty's contract expires on August 31, 2012.

There have been 10 days of bargaining thus far and there are another 11 days scheduled between now and the expiry of the Collective Agreement.

Staff, students and parents can be assured that Humber College is monitoring the situation and that contingency plans are being developed. In the meantime, both bargaining teams are committed to reaching a settlement by the Fall term.

Further updates with regard to academic staff bargaining will be provided as the process unfolds.

Other details of bargaining can be found at www.theCouncil.on.ca and www.opseu.org/caat/caat_ac/caataindex.htm.

Deb McCarthy
Associate Vice-President, Human Resources

All information is posted online at www.humber.ca/update and to the corporate email system under the "Bargaining News 2012" conference on your FirstClass Desktop.