CIHW is proud to announce the launch of a Youth Mental Health Literacy Project, in partnership with the North Etobicoke Cluster of community partners. 

This fall, we'll be taking essential mental health education directly to our North Etobicoke community through specially designed workshops for:

• Youth aged 12-17 years 
• Young adults aged 18-24 years 
• Parents and caregivers of youth 

These innovative workshops will include comprehensive programming in areas such as the impact of social media on mental health, adolescent development and mental health, interpersonal conflict and relationships, self-care, and access to resources.

Mental health literacy is crucial for building resilient communities. Our goal is to empower youth and parents in our community with the knowledge and tools needed to understand, recognize, and support their mental health and that of others.

Together, we are creating a healthier tomorrow for all. 

Do you have an innovative project idea? Connect with us! Email nicole.tonus-conti@humber.ca. 

Congratulations to the 2025 President’s Awards Recipients! We hope you enjoyed learning about their accomplishments during the President’s Breakfast. 

These exemplary employees have displayed our values of courage, innovation, equity, health & well-being, and sustainability. Their accomplishments were recognized by their nominees, reviewed by a committee of leaders, and supported by our President.  

We encourage you to visit the President’s Awards website to see details about the 2025 recipients and to congratulate them on their award. A photo gallery of the President’s Awards is also now available.  

We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to nominate their co-workers and recognized their hard work and dedication to Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber. 

Please help to celebrate the achievements and congratulate the recipients below: 

Distinguished Faculty Award 

Ali Owayid, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology 
Andrew Vento, Longo Faculty of Business 
Mike Wise, Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design 
Savdulla Kazazi, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology 

Administrative Distinguished Service Award 

Ranya Khan, Centre for Innovative Learning 

Support Staff Distinguished Service Award

Andrea Chan, Office of the Senior Vice-President, Academic 
John Klassen, Office of the Registrar 
Khaled Ibrahim, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology 
Mallory Lawton, Student Success and Engagement 

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Award

David Neumann, Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design 

Robert A. Gordon Leadership Award

Alvina Cassiani, Marketing, Communications and Advancement 
Wanda Buote, Education and Training Solutions 

Community Service Award

Longo Centre for Entrepreneurship: John Lam, Emily Buchnea, Sahana Srikandarajah, Ciara McVeigh, Lida Anwari, Ananya Bhasin 

Research Excellence Award

Polly Ford-Jones, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences 

Humber Sustainability Award

Aliya Dalfen, Libraries 

Excellence in Teaching Award

Susan Kates, Longo Faculty of Business 

Excellence in Support Award

Simon Ibbotson, Capital Development and Facilities Management 

Internationalization Award

Cathy Bidini, Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design 

Extra Mile Award

GLOW Bursary Leads: Phil Legate, Sieu Moi Ly, Daniel Castillo-Sanchez, James Walker 

FLAS Grab 'n Go Food Bank Team: Amy Weir, Candace Iron, Fredy Mejia, Natasha Curtis, Sarah Armenia, Sarah Henderson 

Program Planning, Development, and Renewal Team: Sofia Bianco, Jason Benlas, Barbara Martin, Mahwish Choudhry, Jessica Ing, Ada Zhu, Alexandria Matiasso, Melissa VanTwest, Melinda Kao, Katie Cook, Sandra Gonzalez Vega, Lauren Phillips, Jonathan Lau 

Supply Chain Management Graduate Certificate Faculty: Angelo Crupi, Natalia Kotikova, Lawrence Mitchell, Beverly Myers, David Temple, Louis Girard, Sophia Yi, Parthiban Dhakshnamurthy, Sebastien Charette, George Beck, Sieg Will, Ahmad Khalaf, Redwan Siddiqui, Harpreet Raman Bahl, Manvir Singh, Tom Perdue, Daljeet Kaur, John Bianchin, Dan Carruthers, Shalini Coutinho, Adia Saqib 

 

People(s), Culture and Organizational Excellence 

The Math & Writing Centre is pleased to announce our Conversation Circles schedule for Fall 2025.

All Humber and Guelph-Humber students are welcome! We have Conversation Circles for groups of up to five students and Conversation One-on-One sessions for students looking for personalized sessions.

Please share with students the attached poster with details about our Fall 2025 Conversation Circles.

With these sessions, English Language Learners will be able to do the following:

• Develop listening and speaking skills
• Build vocabulary
• Increase general fluency

Our highly trained tutors run guided conversations that ensure students can both enjoy and benefit greatly from these sessions.

To join a Conversation Circle, no appointment is necessary. Students can simply join at one of the times indicated in the attached poster and below:

North Campus, LRC 3031

• Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m.

Lakeshore Campus, F201

• Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m.
• Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m.

Online

• Fridays from 3 to 4 p.m. - Join via Conversation Circle | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

For Conversation One-on-One sessions, students can book an appointment by logging in with their Humber credentials at https://humber.upswing.io and selecting as the course “Conversation One-on-One”.

If students need help to use our services, they can visit us at any time during our hours of operation and ask us for assistance.

We’re open at North (LRC 3rd Floor) and Lakeshore (F201) during the fall as follows:

• Mondays - 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesdays - 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Wednesdays - 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Thursdays - 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Fridays - 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturdays - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our tutors look forward to meeting and talking with English language learners from across the Humber and Guelph-Humber community.

Please contact me at franc.jamieson@humber.ca if you have any questions about our CCs or any other of our support services.

Thank you,

Franc Jamieson
Writing Specialist Coordinator, Learning Services

The September edition of the Student Success and Engagement Splash is here!

In this month's issue, we are bringing you a welcome message from the Dean of Students, monthly highlights, Humber Hawk news, top social media videos, and upcoming events to keep you in the loop.

We invite you to explore the SSE Splash.

To the Humber Community,

The College Employer Council has posted "Colleges call on OPSEU to drop poison pills blocking a deal to prevent disruption for Ontario students" on its site. 

Please Note: 

The College Employer Council (CEC) is the government mandated bargaining agent for the 24 Ontario publicly funded Colleges that negotiate collective agreements with unionized staff. This information is being distributed on behalf of the CEC.

We recognize that bargaining updates may contain strong language and reflect the perspectives of the parties involved. While the message above is a direct release from the CEC, our goal in sharing it is to keep our community informed of developments that may impact operations and the student experience.

We remain committed to respectful dialogue, transparency, and supporting all members of our campus community during this time. We will continue to provide updates as they become available and encourage everyone to stay informed through official channels.

Humber Polytechnic is proud to be an Official Host City Supporter for the FIFA World Cup 26™ and will lead the delivery of the City of Toronto’s volunteer program for this global event.

A tournament of this scale needs thousands of passionate volunteers — and this is your chance to be part of history.

Whether you're a sports enthusiast, eager to gain international experience, or want to contribute to an unforgettable moment in Toronto, we encourage all Humber students to apply to be a FIFA Toronto Volunteer before the application window closes mid-September.

Why Volunteer?

• Be part of a once-in-a-generation global event
• Build your network and gain valuable experience
• Represent Humber and Toronto on the world stage

Eligibility:

• Must be 18 years or older at the time of applying
• No prior experience required — just enthusiasm and a willingness to help

Apply now: www.fifaworldcup.com/volunteers

Let’s show the world the Humber EDGE. Toronto 2026 starts with you!

Looking for AI and Academic Integrity supports? The Library has two self-paced learning modules available for LMS integration, as well as a new video series to support AI literacy.

Library Modules

Academic Integrity Module
Originally launched in 2023, this module takes under an hour to complete and introduces students to the values and practices of academic integrity through interactive activities, videos, and real-world scenarios.

AI, Algorithms & You
Launched in 2024, this 60 to 90-minute module introduces students to algorithms and AI systems, with a focus on ethical and responsible use.

Both modules:

• Are Blackboard compatible
• Are available in CourseLink for UofGH students and faculty
• Provide a certificate upon completion
• Have updated versions available for download

Faculty currently using either module are encouraged to import the latest version. Access the instructor guides here:

• Academic Integrity Module: Instructor Guide
• AI, Algorithms & You: Instructor Guide

New! “AI in Minutes” Video Series

The Library has launched AI in Minutes, a series of short, bite-sized videos covering key AI literacy concepts. These videos are designed to be easily embedded or linked in online course shells.

Topics include foundational concepts such as algorithms and heuristics, generative AI tools and their responsible use, and practical strategies for identifying misinformation and evaluating AI-generated content.

Faculty are welcome to:

• Share individual videos or the full playlist with students
• Embed them directly into Blackboard or other platforms
• Use them as conversation starters in classes

Visit the Library tutorial page for additional videos, modules, and resources. We welcome your questions and feedback at library@humber.ca.

This August, Architectural Technology student Rozlyn Mead and Interior Design student Dayanna Lopez Buitrago represented Humber Polytechnic at the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Annual Conference that took place August 15-17 in Anaheim, California, after being awarded competitive scholarships to attend.

The experience was both inspiring and educational. Highlights included a private tour of the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, featuring presentations from the project’s architect and lighting designers, where students gained first-hand insight into the integration of lighting and design at a world-class destination. The gala also offered valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals, exposure to innovative new lighting products, and the chance to celebrate excellence in the field through the prestigious Illumination Awards ceremony.

This opportunity not only expanded Rozlyn and Dayanna’s professional networks but also deepened their understanding of the evolving role of lighting in architecture and interior design.

We are pleased to announce that, following a competitive search process, Kimberly Daniels has been appointed as Humber Polytechnic’s new Dean of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB).

Over the past 17 years, Kimberly has served Humber in a variety of roles spanning student support, student governance, campus life, and her most recent leadership position in the Office of EDIB. A proud Guelph-Humber alumni and active member of the Black/African Employee Resource Group (BA-ERG), Kimberly has consistently centered equity, belonging, and the diverse lived experiences of our students and staff throughout her career. In this work, she has also been instrumental in scaling and growing Humber’s Equity Hubs, including Black Student Support & Engagement (BSSE), the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre, and the Spirituality & Wellness Centre (SWC).

Kimberly is also a certified educator in teaching and training adults, a culturally inclusive educator, and holds credentials in 2SLGBTQ+ studies. She is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Educational Leadership, further strengthening her ability to advance institutional change through an equity and belonging lens.

In her leadership at Humber, Kimberly has played a central role in launching Humber’s EDIB Action Plan, advancing system-level strategies that align with the Building Brilliance framework, and ensuring that EDIB is not seen as a standalone effort but as an integral lens for institutional planning, program development, and measurable outcomes. She brings a deep understanding of Humber’s institutional culture, a proven track record of cross-divisional collaboration, and a passion for inclusive excellence.

Kimberly believes deeply in the power of community and collective action to shape and advance ideas. Her commitment to strong institutional stewardship, long-term planning, and informed decision-making will be instrumental in leading Humber’s EDIB portfolio into its next chapter.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the members of the hiring panel: Moriba Baker, Sarah Butterwick, Ian Crookshank, John Stilla, Shernett Bennett, and Elijah Williams — for their thoughtful deliberation, time, and commitment to this important process.

Please join us in congratulating Kimberly on her appointment as Dean, EDIB.

 

Jason Seright
Vice President Inclusion, Belonging & Student Experience

These are the highlights of this month’s new and improved features in Blackboard Ultra that will be live Thursday, September 4. The most relevant updates are related to a few key areas: 

• Instructional design 
• Communication & Collaboration 

Instructional Design 

Enhance Documents with Block Styling Options 

Anthology will be adding block styling to Documents, giving instructors new ways to enhance visual appeal and guide student attention. The styling options feature both color and icons to help create visually engaging content. The style options include: 

• Question 
• Tip 
• Key points 
• Next steps 
• Highlight 

When using the new styling options, please consider some of the tips below: 

• Apply block styles to add visual interest, organize your content, and guide students through key ideas, actions, or reflections. 
• Use styles consistently to build familiarity and reduce cognitive load. 
• Clearly communicate the purpose of the styles to students to improve usability and accessibility and help all learners understand their significance.

Please also consider the following tips based on the styling you would like to add into your Documents: 

• The 'Question' Style: Use for prompts or reflective questions. Keep questions concise and open-ended to encourage critical thinking. 
• The 'Tip' Style: Use for tips, insights, or helpful suggestions. Ensure tips are actionable and relevant to the content. 
• The 'Key points' style: Use to highlight key points or essential facts. Keep these blocks brief and focused to reinforce retention. 
• The 'Next steps' style: Use for next steps or instructions. Present steps in a clear, logical order and consider using numbered lists for clarity.  

Add and manage question titles in tests, forms, and banks.

Instructors can now add, view, edit, and delete question titles when working on questions in tests, forms, and banks. Titles are optional and non-unique. Titles are recommended, as they enhance searchability and reuse workflows. 

In the keyword search in the Reuse question panel, instructors can now search for questions on the question text or the question title. 

Titles appear when: 

• Creating or editing questions in tests, forms and banks 
• Viewing or selecting questions via the Reuse questions workflow in tests, forms and banks 
• Adding questions to pools (Add Question Pool workflow) 
• Viewing questions in a pool (View Questions workflow) 

Titles do not appear when the instructor views or grades the test and form submissions. Students do not see the question titles when they take a test or review their submission. 

Display time limits and extra time consistently across roles 

Anthology has improved how time limits and extra time are communicated in Assessments. This change ensures that all users understand exactly how much time is available, including any accommodations or overrides. 

Now, all users have the time limits and extra time presented in a consistent format, like the following: 

“Time limit: 20 minutes + 10 minutes extra time” 

This format appears: 

• When instructors configure or review assessment settings. 
• When students begin or review an assessment. 
• In the preview mode for instructors.  

Communication and Collaboration 

Simplify announcement creation with cleaner interface 

Anthology has streamlined the New Announcement page by removing the unnecessary Recipients dropdown. Previously, this dropdown only offered one option—sending to all course members—making it redundant. With this update, the page now displays only relevant options, creating a cleaner, more focused interface and a smoother user experience.  

Use pop-out rubric when grading group submissions 

Instructors can now use the pop-out rubric when grading group submissions in Flexible Grading. This enhancement brings the same efficient grading experience already available for individual submissions to group work. 

The pop-out rubric is a separate, moveable window and formatted in a grid view. Previously, the rubric was only available in a side panel and formatted in a stack. This update makes it easier to navigate and grade student submissions by providing a clearer, more comprehensive view of the rubric. Popping out the rubric lets instructors view the student submission and the rubric side-by-side for a more efficient grading experience. Instructors can quickly select performance levels and provide feedback in the rubric while viewing the student submission. 

The pop-out rubric also includes the following features: 

• Bulk performance level selection: Apply a level across all criteria with one click. 
• Cell syncing: Selected cells update the grade pill automatically. 
• Focused feedback entry: Selecting a cell moves focus to the feedback textbox. 
• Navigation warning: Alerts instructors if they try to leave with unsaved changes. 
• Override warning: Shows a banner if the grade was overridden and disables rubric editing. 
• Printing: Instructors can print blank or completed rubrics using the browser’s print function. 

Please Note: When the pop-out rubric is open, the ability to add Overall Feedback and grade with the rubric in the main grading interface is inactive. This prevents an instructor from editing the same information in two separate places simultaneously.  

Use 'see-more' functionality in Add Question Pool 

Anthology added 'See more' functionality for the Sources, Questions Types, and Tags filter sets in question pools. This enhancement helps instructors more easily navigate long lists of filter values when managing large pools of questions (more than 10 questions). 

Improved accessibility on the Submissions list page in the Gradebook 

To improve accessibility, Anthology has updated the Submissions list page in the Gradebook to use a semantic HTML table structure. This change replaces the previous layout, which relied on stacked <div> elements. The new structure improves screen reader support and keyboard navigation. 

• Screen reader users can now hear row and column headers as they navigate the table. 
• Keyboard users can move efficiently across rows and columns without needing to tab through each element. 
• The table uses proper HTML markup, including <caption>, <th>, <tr>, and <td> elements to ensure clarity and accessibility. 
• The update applies to all submission list views, including standard, individual, and peer assessments. 

This change aligns the Submissions list with the accessibility improvements previously made to the student Gradebook and supports Anthology’s commitment to inclusive design. 

Grade Export: Display record range and total number of search results 

The Grade Export tool now indicates which records are currently listed out of a total number of search results. This update helps graders quickly understand how many records match their search and where they are in the list, improving navigation through search results. 

For more information, please read more at Anthology's Blackboard website. 

Contact the Innovative Learning Support Centre if you need support. We are here to help!