Mohawk College Newsroom

Mohawk welcomes Special Olympics to Fennell Campus

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:32:13 -0400

Mohawk College Professor Peter Olynyk

Mohawk College Professor Peter Olynyk has been recognized by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) at its annual conference in Penticton, B.C.

Peter received the Bronze medal for Teaching Excellence at the awards, which celebrate the extraordinary contributions of faculty and staff to their colleges and highlight the role colleges play in the social, cultural and economic development of the communities they serve.

Peter teaches Civil and Structural Engineering courses to upwards of 400 students per year in Mohawk’s School of Engineering Technology. From the beginning of his teaching career Peter has made student success a personal mission, getting to know each of his students and providing personal advice and guidance that has helped launch many successful careers.

One of the best examples of his commitment is the work he does outside of the classroom. Peter founded Mohawk's hugely popular Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition, which held its 26th competition this April, and he's a long-time volunteer with the Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair, one of the oldest and largest fairs in the country. He also organized Mohawk's first Meet the Grad & Employer nights as a way to bring students and potential employers together.

"Peter knows what it means to be a teacher," said Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac. "He always puts students first, and they can count on him to provide advice and guidance on everything from math problems to career advice. He's made a significant and lasting impact on the lives and careers of hundreds of Mohawk graduates now working in the field, each one with a story on how Peter helped get them there."

This is the second year in a row that a Mohawk College professor has been recognized by the ACCC. In 2012, Mohawk College Creative Advertising Professor Jef Petrossi also won a Bronze medal in the same category.

ACCC is the national organization that represents colleges and institutes at the national and international level. For more information visit http://www.accc.ca.

Congratulations ACCC Awards of Excellence winners Cheryl Jensen, Alan Griffiths and Jef Petrossi

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:45:37 -0400

Three Mohawk College staff members have been recognized by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) at its annual conference in Halifax, N.S.

ACCC’s annual Awards of Excellence celebrate extraordinary contributions of individuals to their colleges and highlight the role colleges play in the social, cultural and economic development of the communities they serve.

Vice President Academic Cheryl Jensen received the Silver award for Leadership Excellence. Cheryl was the driving force behind many Mohawk success stories, including the launch of Canada’s first Bachelor of Technology Program in collaboration with McMaster University, the creation of the award-winning Hydro One – College Consortium and the $27 million transformation of Mohawk’s skilled trades campus in Stoney Creek. Cheryl is very active in the community serving on various boards and foundations, and she’s currently working with public, private and non-profit sector partners on a project aimed at promoting postsecondary education to at-risk youth in high-need neighbourhoods.

Alan Griffiths, Mohawk’s sustainable environment specialist, received the Silver Staff Excellence Award. Alan is responsible for Mohawk’s green initiatives, including taking the lead role in the development of the College’s first comprehensive environmental management plan. The plan commits Mohawk to a 20 per cent reduction of 2007 baseline carbon emissions by 2020, and includes strategies achieve reductions in eight target areas. Alan is also very active in the local sustainability movement, representing Mohawk on city-wide initiatives aimed at improving access to alternative transportation and helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint.

Jef Petrossi is a creative advertising professor in Mohawk's Advertising Advanced Diploma program and this year's recipient of the Bronze ACCC Teaching Excellence Award. An award-winning writer that has worked at some of the world's leading advertising agencies, Jef knows what it takes to be successful and works hard to make his students stand out in an extremely competitive industry. Since joining Mohawk four years ago, Jef's students have won numerous awards at prestigious national and international competitions including the CMA's national awards, the Ad and Design Club of Canada's national awards and Applied Arts Magazine advertising awards show. Some of Jef’s former students have gone to work for North America’s best agencies such as BBDO, Taxi2, Saatchi & Saatchi, Proximity, Ogilvy and Lowe Roche.

ACCC is the national organization that represents colleges and institutes at the national and international level. For more information visit www.accc.ca.

Outstanding faculty and staff recognized with 2014 Mohawk College Awards of Excellence

Sun, 02 Dec 0001 18:30:02 -0456

Eight outstanding individuals and three teams were recognized this morning during the 2014 Mohawk President's Breakfast. The Awards of Excellence were presented before an audience of more than 600 faculty and staff.

The award recipients were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond in service to students and coworkers.

Wendy Lawson and President Ron McKerlie

Wendy Lawson is a professor and researcher who inspires her students and colleagues. Wendy, an early adopter of new teaching methodoligies and technologies, has mentored students who've won national competitions for the past three years. Wendy is one of five faculty from across Canada to receive the 2014 College Sector Education Award and is past president of Sonography Canada.

Dan Popowich and President Ron McKerlie

Dan Popowich is a professor with the School of Interdisciplinary Studies who's passionate about teaching. Whether teaching in class or online, Dan is always looking for new and innovative ways to engage students, especially when the topic is anthropology.

Dan McKerrall and President Ron McKerlie

Dan McKerrall is the chief architect of Mohawk's Academic Plan - a plan that is now being used by other colleges and serves as a benchmark when it comes to best practices. Along with building the plan, Dan led Mohawk'ssuccessful program quality assurance audit.

Alan Griffiths is a Mohawk grad and past Mohawk Students' Association president who currently leads the college's sustainability initiatives. Under Alan's leadership, Mohawk became the first college in Ontario to adopt an environmental management plan. Alan has introduced a series of initiatives, including community gardens, and is a past recipient of a Silver Staff Excellence Award from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges.

Troy Health and President Ron McKerlie

Troy Heath has revitalized Mohawk's business development and retail operations. Troy has led a number of key initiatives, including the launch of ONE Card, major improvements to food services and the introduction of new services

for students and staff. Troy has also served as co-chair of Mohawk's United Way Campaign.

Marilyn Miccuci and President Ron McKerlie

Marilyn Miccucci is an outstanding manager who's door is always open. Marilyn supports students during their first days at Mohawk when they're seeking financial assistance and she serves students during their last day with the college when they walk across the stage during Convocation.

Lucy Lobodici and President Ron McKerlie

Lucy Lobodici is an event planner extraordinaire who goes above and beyond in serving students. Lucy is also a great mentor to students who help plan and run events. As Lucy's nominator wrote, "there isn't anything that she wouldn't do to ensure the success of an even event and, more importantly, the success of the students she works with."

Team awards were presented to:

Future Ready Process Initiative Team and President Ron McKerlie

Mohawk's Future Ready Process Initiative Team for cutting red tape and streamlining processes that serve and support students.

The Agency Concept Team and President Ron McKerlie

The Agency Concept Team that created a one-of-a-kind living lab for Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing students in the McKeil School of Business.

ePortfolio Team and President Ron McKerlie

Mohawk's ePortfolio Team for creating online multi-media resumes that showcase students' skills, experience and work.

The 2014 Mohawk President's Award was given to Dr. Nafia Al-Mutawaly (unavailable for photo), a professor and principle investigator with the Mohawk Energy Research Centre. Nafia secured a five-year $2.3 million federal research grant and is Mohawk's first ever NSERC-sponsored industry research chair. Nafia is leading the first applied research project of its kind in Ontario related to energy distribution.