I am pleased to announce that beginning this week, Emily Milic is taking on an expanded role at Humber as the Director of Communications. 

Emily first joined Humber as Manager PR and Communications in 2018 and became Associate Director, Communications in 2021. Emily is an integral part of Humber’s corporate, internal and emergency management communications and public relations efforts. In her new role, Emily will be responsible for developing and implementing Humber’s communication strategies. She will oversee communications, public relations, media relations and social media activities while building executive, corporate and internal communications. Emily will lead her team in developing and implementing communications plans to promote Humber’s leadership in polytechnic education, Humber Inspired and students’ and employees’ contributions and accomplishments to external and internal audiences. She will work with senior leadership, Faculties and departments to share success stories and ensure an integrated approach to supporting and promoting activities and events happening across Humber. Emily will also lead issues management and brand/reputation communications and will be a designated Humber spokesperson. 

During her time as Associate Director, Emily led DSX Communications, Humber’s COVID-19 communications response, and co-chaired the Communications Leads Working Group at Humber, fostering greater information sharing and collaboration across the institution. Under her leadership, media mentions increased more than 263 per cent over the last year; along with social media increases of 11 per cent in engagements, and growth to more than 500,000 followers across Humber’s corporate social platforms. 

With respect to GRMC department structure, as previously communicated by Kelly Jackson, we will soon be announcing a Director of Marketing and Web Presence. The two directors will report to me and lead their respective functions.

Please join me in congratulating Emily. If you have any questions about the Communications team’s services or ideas you would like to share, please connect with her directly.

Andrew Leopold
AVP Marketing and Communications

I am excited to let you know that Colleen Ball will be taking on the role of Acting Associate Dean, Mathematics & Research, effective Monday, June 3, 2024 until August 22, 2025.

Colleen Ball holds a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of British Columbia within the field of mathematical biology. Her work on the evolution of viruses resulted in multiple publications within peer-reviewed journals. 

Colleen joined Humber as a full-time professor in 2015 and has taught a variety of courses within the mathematics department. With her colleagues in the department of mathematics, she co-edited and revised an online statistics textbook to provide students with a quality, open-source resource. Colleen values innovation in teaching and recently brought the concept of thinking classrooms into her mathematics of finance course, with positive reviews from students.

In 2020, Colleen took on the role of program coordinator. Within this role, she has provided leadership at both the course and program level. Recently, she has provided support for the mathematics courses offered within the Engineering degree program as they undergo the process of accreditation. Colleen played a key role in bringing IDEAS, an open-source assessment platform, to the mathematics department. This free tool has been adopted within every mathematics and statistics course offered through the mathematics department. Along with her colleagues, Colleen won the 2021 League Innovation of the Year award for their work on the implementation of this system at Humber.

Colleen looks forward to her new role at Humber.

Please join me in welcoming Colleen to her new role!

John Stilla
Senior Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences

After nearly 18 years, Denise Rooney is retiring at the end of June. Please join us in congratulating Denise and recognizing her many contributions to Humber and the University of Guelph-Humber. 

A virtual greeting card has been created. Members of the Humber and University of Guelph-Humber Community are invited to add a message. 

Please join the Library team to celebrate Denise's retirement on Tuesday, June 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the North Campus Library (LRC 4th floor).

RSVP by June 17

Congratulations, Denise!

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