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Mohawk recognized the donation to the Fennell Campus Renewal
Project with the naming of the Scotiabank Cafe, a popular gathering spot for
students that is located in the newest wing of the campus. Scotiabank’s
donation will support the ongoing construction and renovations at the campus.

In keeping with the bank’s long-standing tradition of
supporting students, a portion of the donation will be used to establish a
bursary for students in need. All of the funds to create the bursary will come
from the fundraising efforts of Scotiabank’s local branch employees.

The dedication ceremony and reception will be held on
Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 2:30 p.m. in the Scotiabank Cafe at the Fennell Campus.

QUOTES:

Mohawk Quote:

“Scotiabank is a strong supporter and long-standing partner
of Mohawk College. 
We are very appreciative of this donation which will give future
generations of Mohawk students an even better place to learn, and provide
students in need with the financial support they require  to complete their college education.” – Mohawk College
President Rob MacIsaac.

Scotiabank Quote:

"Scotiabank is pleased to support the renewal of Mohawk College's
Fennell Campus with the Scotiabank Cafe," said Troy Wright, Executive Vice
President of Retail Distribution for Scotiabank. "An important part
of the post secondary education experience is the exchange
of ideas and collaboration on projects with fellow
students; something we hope will take place regularly
at Scotiabank Cafe. We are especially pleased to know that a portion of
our donation to Mohawk
College will help remove
financial barriers for deserving students wishing to pursue their education."

QUICK FACTS:

• The $350,000 donation follows Scotiabank’s
  previous $150,000 to the Shaping the Future Campaign, which funded the construction
  of I Wing (home to the McKeil School of Business).


• The Scotiabank Cafe is located next to the
  on-campus Starbucks along the main corridor from entrance off Fennell Avenue, a
  popular gathering spot for students on campus.


• The Fennell Campus Renewal Project has earned
  high marks from students in the province’s annual student satisfaction survey.
  During the last two years Mohawk has ranked among the best in the Greater
  Toronto and Hamilton Area for the quality of our facilities.

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in
which we live and work, both in Canada
and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and
among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million
annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years.
Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

Mohawk
College serves 15,000 full-time
and apprenticeship students and 42,000 continuing education registrants
annually. In annual province-wide survey of college students, Mohawk was ranked
number one of Ontario’s large colleges in the
Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

For more:

Jay
Robb, Mohawk College Director of Communications                                                                                                              
905.979.8893 (cell), 905.575.1212 ext. 3965
jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca                                                         

Deborah Clark, Manager
Corporate Media Communications

Scotiabank, Public, Corporate, & Government Affairs

416-933-0646 ,  647-539-1211 (cell)

d.clark@scotiabank.com

The Convocation Keynotes are also available on YouTube (see list at bottom of page). 

Click on a link below to view the corresponding Convocation ceremony.

Mohawk College Brantford

Convocation 2012 (Post Secondary and Apprenticeships)

Mohawk College School of Business

Morning Convocation 2012

Afternoon Convocation 2012

Mohawk College School of Engineering Technology

Morning Convocation 2012

Afternoon Convocation 2012

Mohawk College School of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeships

Convocation 2012

Mohawk College School of Community and Urban Studies

Morning Convocation 2012

Afternoon Convocation 2012

Evening Convocation 2012

Mohawk College School of Media and Entertainment

Convocation 2012

Convocation 2012 Keynotes:

Rob MacIsaac, President Mohawk College

Blair McKeil, Chairman & CEO, McKeil Marine - Mohawk College Fellowship and Honourary Business Administration Diploma Recipient

Tammy Plummer, Alumnus, School of Community and Urban Studies

Mary Long, Alumnus, School of Community and Urban Studies

Len Potts, Alumnus, School of Health Sciences

Joanne VanDongen, Alumnus, School of Community and Urban Studies

Fred Eisenberger, Alumnus, School of Engineering Technology

Derrick LaRiviere, Alumnus, School of Engineering Technology

Andy Ross, Alumnus, School of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeships

Allan Giacomelli, Alumnus, School of Media and Entertainment

Join the students in creating a shuffle music video staged to Party Rock Anthem.

For inspiration, check out the promo videos starring Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac and Mohawk grad Sheena Snively from MTV Live:

Mohawk Shuffle Promo Version 1 and Mohawk Shuffle Promo Version 2

So gather your team, friends and colleagues and check out the Mohawk Shuffle Video Project.

The 65,000 square foot Mohawk Recreation Centre (MRC) will feature a triple gymnasium, indoor running track and fitness, health and wellness centre. The $35 million MRC will replace fitness and recreation facilities at the Fennell Campus that are among the oldest and smallest at Ontario’s 24 community colleges.

Once the doors open to the MRC in the Fall of 2013, full-time students will begin paying a fee every semester. Memberships will also be available for part-time and continuing education students, apprentices, alumni and staff. Students at all campuses will have full use of the MRC seven days a week from morning to night.

All students are encouraged to take part this month in consultations about the MRC. The college, together with the MSA and Students’ Athletics Committee, are soliciting ideas on what programming to offer at the centre.

The MRC is part of the ongoing renewal of Mohawk’s Fennell Campus. We have ambitious plans for further investments and we are actively pursuing private and public sector funding. The college and MSA are proud to be working together on this long overdue and much needed addition to the college that will give students an outstanding facility for recreational sports, fitness and exercise and varsity athletics.

Dan Clark, President, Mohawk Students' Association

Rob MacIsaac, President, Mohawk College

The announcement was made at Sheridan’s Hazel McCallion Campus in Mississauga, which is home to Sheridan’s business programs and also the site for the first co-located program –the two-year Insurance Diploma offered by Mohawk.

“The partnership we’re developing between our two colleges is good news for students and their families,” said Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac. “Our partnership is a clear example of how differentiation can work within the Ontario college system. By concentrating in our areas of academic strength, we can offer students a wider selection of high quality, industry-connected programs closer to home.”

The agreement recognizes the complementary approaches and programming at both institutions, as well as the relative strengths of each.  Mohawk is notable for its exceptional health and technology programming, and is also Ontario’s largest trainer of skilled trades and apprentices.   It also has an outstanding Insurance program that consistently earns high marks from employers and graduates.

Sheridan is known as a world-class provider of programs for the digital and creative economies, and is rapidly increasing its high calibre degree programs to meet the need for undergraduate, career-focused degrees.

“This is truly an historic agreement in both its scope and long-term implications for the residents of Peel, Halton and Hamilton,” said Sheridan President, Jeff Zabudsky.  “It will expand the postsecondary options currently available to students in these regions, while also helping to ensure that a full suite of diploma, certificate and degree programs will continue to be accessible as Sheridan moves towards its vision of becoming an undergraduate teaching university.”

The collaboration will begin with Mohawk’s Insurance diploma program.  Starting in September 2012, Sheridan students can enroll in the Mohawk program at Sheridan’s Hazel McCallion Campus – a great benefit to Mississauga residents who wish to pursue this credential closer to home.  The program prepares students to become experts in all aspects of the insurance industry, and empowers them to complete The Chartered Insurance Professional Credits on an accelerated basis. The program will continue to be offered at Mohawk's Fennell Campus as well.

This will be the first of what is to be expected to be many co-located programs at both colleges.

In addition to the company’s $750,000 contribution to Mohawk’s Fennell Campus Renewal Project, McKeil Marine Chairman and CEO Blair McKeil and his wife Kathy hosted an event last month that inspired family and friends to donate $250,000 for student scholarships and bursaries. Blair is also mentoring students by serving as Mohawk’s first ever entrepreneur-in-residence while Kathy is organizing an entrepreneurship speakers’ series.

In recognition of these investments in Mohawk, the college will officially announce the naming of the McKeil School of Business on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. in the iWing Rotunda at the Fennell Campus. The McKeil School of Business, with 2,600 students in 20 programs, is the first to be named for a Mohawk benefactor.

“Blair, together with his family and his company, has made a remarkable investment in both our students and our college,” says Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac. “Mohawk is proud to name our School of Business in tribute to a hometown CEO and an industry-leading company.”

“My family and company are proud to invest in a college that does an outstanding job of preparing students in our community for the business of life,” says Blair.  “Like every successful company, our most valuable asset is our people. McKeil Marine supports Mohawk because the college provides our company and the Greater Hamilton Area with highly skilled graduates who make an immediate contribution thanks to their hands-on and real-world college education.”  

McKeil Marine provides innovative marine transportation solutions and special project support to customers across the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, eastern seaboard and Canadian arctic. With 53 years of experience in the marine transportation industry, McKeil owns and operates a diverse and versatile range of tugs and barges.

Mohawk College delivers a quality education to 12,000 full-time students, 4,500 apprentices and 42,000 continuing education registrants. The renewal of Mohawk’s largest and oldest campus is earning high marks from students. In the Ontario government’s latest province-wide student satisfaction survey, Mohawk ranked number one among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for quality of programs and learning, quality of facilities and services and overall student and graduate satisfaction.

For assistance with the following visit the COMMUNITY WELCOME CENTRE (J137 in the J Wing)

• To register for a Continuing Education course online using a credit card or in-person at The Square for cash and debit transactions.


• To find a classroom.


• To answer any questions regarding Continuing Education Courses and Programs.

Community Welcome Centre Hours: 

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 12 – 16, 2011

MONDAY TO THURSDAY              8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY                                    8:30 am – 4:30 pm

ArcelorMittal Dofasco President and CEO Juergen Schachler accepted the award during the college’s annual President’s Breakfast Aug. 31. The award was presented by Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac, Mohawk Students’ Association President Dan Clark and Mohawk College Association of Continuing Education Students Amanda Tallon.

“At Mohawk College, our success rests in large measure on the strength of our partnerships with industry leaders such as ArcelorMittal Dofasco,” says President Rob MacIsaac.  “Over the past four decades, ArcelorMittal Dofasco has trained and employed generations of Mohawk apprentices, students and graduates and provided invaluable leadership on our Program Advisory Committees and Board of Governors.”

ArcelorMittal Dofasco currently employs 1,000 Mohawk alumni and is providing hands-on training to 55 co-op and apprenticeship students.  ArcelorMittal Dofasco played a key role in the development Mohawk’s Integrated Technician Apprenticeship Programs, which received a national Yves Landry Foundation Award for Excellence in Co-operative Education Programs in 2004. ArcelorMittal Dofasco was also Mohawk’s foundational partner in the development of the Mohawk College Enterprise (MCE), to deliver corporate training and enhance business partnerships.  In 2006, ArcelorMittal Dofasco made what remains the largest corporate donation in Mohawk’s history with a $1 million investment in the transformation of Mohawk’s skilled trades campus in Stoney Creek.  

“Our partnership with Mohawk is a key strategic advantage for our company and we look forward to continuing to build on this relationship and our work together,” said Schachler. “For us, this partnership brings opportunity to help shape the education and experiences of future employees, to support and develop programs that keep the College relevant and responsive to industry trends and the needs of manufacturers like ArcelorMittal Dofasco and to grow our collective impact on the local economy and the sustainability of our community.”

The annual Friend of Mohawk College Award honours business, industry, community and education partners who have further enhanced the quality of education and the overall college experience for Mohawk students. The Hon. Sophia Aggelonitis and M.P.P. Ted McMeekin received the award in 2009 for their support of the Fennell Campus Renewal Project. Dr. Peter George and McMaster University received the award in 2010 for creating collaborative programs and expanded pathways for college and university students.

Mohawk College provides a quality education to 12,000 full-time students, 4,500 apprentices and 42,000 continuing education registration. In the Ontario government’s most recent Key Performance Indicator survey, Mohawk ranked first among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for quality of learning and programs, quality of services and facilities, overall student and graduate satisfaction.

ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading mining and steel company with operations in more than 60 countries. ArcelorMittal Dofasco is a leading North American steel producer and supplier of high quality flat rolled steels.

Joining the announcement was Graham Browne, Vice President of Human Resources and General Administration for AcelorMittal Dofasco. ArcelorMittal Dofasco, which has invested $1 million in the transformation of Mohawk's skilled trades campus, is one of the largest apprenticeship trainers in Canada while Mohawk is the largest apprenticeship trainer among Ontario's 24 community colleges.

Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac thanked the Ontario government and said investing in the college's facilities pays immediate dividends. "Apprentices get to develop their skills using the newest equipment and the latest technology. They learn in state-of-the-art labs and classrooms. The quality of our facilities is fast approaching the outstanding calibre of our faculty, instructors and staff. That combination gives our apprentices a great education. And it gives employers a highly skilled and future ready workforce."

Piero Cherubini, Dean of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeships, hosted the announcement and said the biggest and best apprenticeship trainer among Ontario's colleges just got better thanks to the Ontario government's funding for new equipment, technology and facilities. Mohawk's newest apprentices are set to arrive at the college Aug. 29. "The timing of today's announcement couldn't have been any better," said Piero.

Results from the 2010 Key Performance Indicator (KPI) survey show the majority of Mohawk students are satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of learning, programs, facilities and services offered at their college. On eight key measures, Mohawk posted across-the-board increases from last year’s survey results and finished above the provincial average for Ontario’s 24 colleges. On quality of services and facilities, Mohawk posted the largest percentage point increase of any Ontario college.

“Mohawk is a college on the move and the scores we’ve earned from students confirm that we’re moving in the right direction,” said President Rob MacIsaac. The largest renewal project in Mohawk’s history is underway at the Fennell Campus to create new places and better spaces for students. In January, the Mohawk Learning Exchange with the new Harold Cummings Library & Collaboratory, opened on time, on budget and accident free. Renovations are currently underway to turn the old library at the Fennell Campus into a new, one-stop centre for student services and consolidate services currently offered at 17 different locations across the campus.

The renewal of the Fennell Campus follows a $27 million transformation of the college’s skilled trades campus in Stoney Creek. Mohawk has also made a commitment to relocate programs from the Elgin Street Campus in Brantford and build a reputation as Ontario’s leading college for health and technology education.

“Our goal is to have quality facilities and services that are equal to the calibre of our faculty and staff,” said MacIsaac. “Whether it’s in the classroom, on the frontlines or behind-the-scenes, we have a team dedicated to delivering a quality education and a great college experience to every student.”

Since 1998, colleges have been mandated by the Ontario government to collect and report performance data. The survey of all full-time students at Ontario’s 24 colleges is carried out by an independent research company. Full survey results are posted online on the Colleges Ontario website at: http://www.collegesontario.org/outcomes/key-performance-indicators.html

Mohawk College serves 16,000 full-time and apprenticeship students, as well as 1,000 international students and 42,000 continuing education registrants. More than 85,000 future-ready students have graduated from Mohawk, with the majority continuing to work, live and make a difference in the Greater Hamilton Area.

2010 Key Performance Indicator Survey Result Highlights                                                                                             

• 87.6 per cent of students agree or strongly agree that Mohawk provides them with the knowledge and skills for their future career (87.1 per cent provincial average) 


• 86.3 per cent graduate employment rate (83 per cent provincial average)


• 81.1 per cent of students agree or strongly agree that Mohawk offers quality programs (80.2 per cent provincial average)


• 79.5 per cent graduate satisfaction rate (79.1 per cent provincial average)


• 79.3 per cent overall student satisfaction (76.1 per cent provincial average, 5.8 percentage point improvement from last year’s KPI results)


• 74.8 per cent of students agree or strongly agree that Mohawk has quality facilities and resources (68.8 per cent provincial average, 9.1 percentage point improvement from last year’s KPI results)


• 73.8 per cent of students agree or strongly agree that Mohawk delivers quality services (68.1 per cent provincial average, 9.1 percentage point improvement from last year’s KPI results)

 

MOHAWK STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION DONATES $1 MILLION TO COLLEGE

Hamilton – The Mohawk Students’ Association (MSA) is donating $1 million to give students more places and better spaces to learn at the college’s Fennell Campus.

The MSA is donating the surplus from its operations in the Student Centre, which include the Arnie pub, Campus Den store and food services.  The annual donation of $250,000 over the next four years will support ongoing renovations at Mohawk’s largest campus.

The MSA, which represents Mohawk’s 16,000 full-time and apprentice students and part-time day students, delivers a wide range of services including a student food bank and emergency loan program, legal services, credit and debt counseling, a health and dental plan and a discount transit pass.

“The Mohawk Students’ Association is supporting the college’s efforts to improve the campus and give students a place they’re comfortable in and proud to call home,” says MSA President Kat Cullen. In addition to the $1 million donation to support the renewal of the Fennell Campus, the MSA is also carrying out a $1 million renovation to the Arnie pub over the spring and summer.

“The MSA is making a leadership gift that will make a real difference for generations of students,” says Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac. “The donation by the MSA will go directly to improving the quality of facilities for students. Our goal is to have quality facilities that are equal to the calibre of our faculty and staff.”

A new outdoor plaza to be created next to the MSA Student Centre will be named in recognition of the association's investment in the Fennell Campus.

Campus renovations to date have included the new Mohawk Learning Exchange with a two-storey library and suite of classrooms. Other work has included renovations to the cafeteria and a wing of the campus used by students in Mohawk’s School of Community Studies. Work is now underway to convert the former library into a new one-stop centre for student services and more classroom renovations are planned throughout the spring and summer.

Rob said the money showed the McGuinty government understands the role of the colleges in building a strong economy for the province. “This is good news for the colleges. It shows the government continues to show it is committed to our role in strengthening the economy.”

Where McMaster feels its growth potential might be constrained by its current campus, Rob said there is still plenty of room to expand Mohawk’s Fennell Avenue main campus. That growth will be needed because the college currently has 12,000 full-time students and is growing by as much as five per cent a year.

Much of that growth is clustered in the nursing, health care and engineering technology fields. There’s also the potential for more growth in apprenticeship training if the economy continues to improve.

“This money is going to be very helpful to us in the coming years,” Rob said.

“The government is equipping Mohawk and Ontario’s other 23 public colleges to prepare the future-ready graduates who will play a key role in driving our regional and provincial economy,” President Rob MacIsaac said in response to today’s provincial budget.

“It’s essential that colleges help students achieve basic skills and literacy and provide the equipment they'll use to develop and hone leading-edge job skills needed by employers.”

Funding commitments to postsecondary institutions and students include:

• $44 million over three years for literacy and basic skills


• $20 million in instructional equipment for 2011-2012


• $64 million in 2011-2012, rising to $309 million in 2013-2014 for operating grants for an additional 60,000 postsecondary places by 2015-2016


• An additional $22.5 million this year for the Summer Jobs Strategy for youth in high-needs neighbourhoods

“The government is acting now to address growing labour shortages and a widening skills gap,” said MacIsaac. “This budget will increase the number of people in our community and across the province who can earn the postsecondary credentials needed to drive future economic growth and prosperity.”

The provincial budget also includes a commitment to create enhanced multi-year accountability agreements that will ensure postsecondary institutions continue to operate efficiently and transparently.

“We look forward to working with government to create Mohawk’s agreements,” says MacIsaac. “As a college committed to financial sustainability and a balanced budget, Mohawk will continue to demonstrate that we are a responsible and responsive partner with government.”

Mohawk College delivers a quality education to more than 16,000 full-time and apprenticeship students, 1,000 international students and 42,000 continuing education registrants at campuses in Hamilton and Brantford. Mohawk has completed a $27 million transformation of its skilled trades campus and is carrying out the largest renewal project in its history at the Fennell Campus.

 
(left) Carl and Kate Turkstra, Theresa Furey and Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac pause for a photo under Conrad Furey's 11-metre mural, titled Working Together. Originally commissioned by Turkstra to celebrate the millenium, the mural hung in front of the family's Mill Street store in Dundas until it was taken down in 2009 to avoid further damage from the weather. The mural was then restored and donated to Mohawk. It now hangs in the Awarness Theatre at the College's Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Research, Resources and Training Institute in Stoney Creek.

Conrad Furey died of cancer in 2008. Founder of the Tiger Group of painters, Conrad's work can be found in important public and private collections. His murals can also be seen in the halls of Hamilton’s hospitals and the city's central library.  

Toque Tuesday celebrates the success of the annual campaign which is intended to get people talking about homelessness while generating funds for Raising the Roof’s partner agencies who are addressing homelessness on a community level. Wesley Urban Ministries is the local charity that has partnered with Raising the Roof, Canada's only national charity dedicated to long term solutions to homelessness.

This year's campaign, which began on Tuesday, Dec. 7, sold more than 1,500 toques locally. Each toque sells for $10 with $8 going to Wesley to help fund housing and support programs for youth in Hamilton. Wesley's youth programs help people 16 to 21 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Every toque makes a difference, says Daljit Garry, Executive Director of Wesley Urban   Ministries. One toque sale buys two hot meals. Ten toques buys two weeks of groceries for a youth at the centre, and 200 toques provides accommodation, meals and staff to support one youth living at the centre.

Students from Mohawk's Insurance program, along with more than 40 schools, businesses and community groups, helped sell the toques. Mohawk's insurance students were given an award for selling the most toques during this year's campaign.

Raising the Roof is Canada’s only national charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for agencies tackling homelessness like Wesley Urban Ministries. Toques can be ordered online, by calling 905-528-5629 ext. 248 or by email.

 
Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac welcomes everyone to the Toque Tuesday celebration held in the Learning Exchange this morning.

 
Students from West Mountain Secondary in Hamilton helped make this year's campaign a success.

 
Students from Mohawk College Insurance Program receive the award for selling the most toques during this year's campaign.

Sustainability, quality and innovation, are Mohawk’s three strategic priorities. At Mohawk, we measure our sustainability relative to a triple bottom line of financial, environmental and social responsibility.  Reducing our college’s carbon footprint is good for both the environment and ultimately our bottom line. Every dollar we save through increased energy efficiency and reduced waste is a dollar we can invest in our students.

Mohawk’s Sustainability Steering Committee is creating the college’s first environmental management plan. Chaired by Piero Cherubini, Dean of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship, the committee is completing a greenhouse gas inventory for Mohawk as part of the environmental management plan. The committee will use the inventory to set Mohawk’s baseline carbon footprint and identify areas for improvement.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to Carbon Roundtables being held at each campus by the Sustainability Steering Committee over the next month and a half. The committee will share results of the greenhouse gas inventory and ask for big and small ideas on how to reduce our carbon footprint. Your ideas will help the steering committee develop and deliver an environmental management plan to senior management by March 31^st.

The Sustainability Steering Committee will be sending out open invitations to the Carbon Roundtables this week. You can register online or by contacting Sustainability Initiatives Coordinator Alan Griffiths at ext. 4168.  I encourage you to take part in a roundtable and help build our college’s first environmental management plan. Together, we can make Mohawk a leader in sustainability within our community and across the Ontario college system.

Rob MacIsaac

President

Mohawk College

The system will reduce the need for students to repeat similar courses or years at different institutions, allowing them to save time and money and graduate faster. 

To give students the best of a college and university education, McMaster and Mohawk have a significant track record of collaboration through the creation of a Bachelor of Technology program and collaborative degree programs in Nursing and Medical Radiation Sciences.

More than 3300 students have benefitted from joint McMaster/Mohawk initiatives over the last ten years.  In 2008, the Ontario government invested $16.5 million to support the McMaster-Mohawk BTech program.  

“Mohawk and McMaster have developed a unique ability of working together that has benefitted thousands of students,” said McMaster University President Patrick Deane.  “Our goal of finding new ways for students to have the advantages of both a college and university education will be strengthened by the new credit transfer system.”  

Deane was part of the Ministry’s steering committee that advised the government on the development of a credit transfer system.

The McMaster-Mohawk BTech program was the first of its kind in Canada and was recognized in 2006 by the Yves Landry Foundation with the Innovative Manufacturing Technology Program Award: University Level.  Both the Nursing and Medical Radiation Sciences collaborative degree programs at the Mohawk-McMaster Institute of Applied Health Sciences have achieved the highest possible levels of accreditation.

“The Province’s new credit transfer system helps Mohawk deliver on our commitment to give every student a clear path to a university degree,” said Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac.  Mohawk surveys show that 40 per cent of incoming students at the college are interested in continuing their education at university.

Building on the success of collaborative degree programs in health and technology, McMaster and Mohawk are currently exploring similar collaborations for students in a number of different disciplines. As part of the credit transfer system, the province is establishing a new innovation fund to help universities and colleges develop more transfer options for students.

“We’re definitely interested in learning more about the Credit Transfer Innovation Fund as we look at further strengthening the spirit of collaboration between our institutions and giving even more students the best of a McMaster and Mohawk education,” said MacIsaac.

As one of Ontario’s largest colleges, Mohawk provides hands-on training to more than 15,000 full-time and apprenticeship students and 42,000 continuing registrants. More than 4,500 highly skilled, future ready students graduate from Mohawk annually.

McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 23,000, and more than 140,000 alumni in 128 countries.

Download 11_17_01_McMasterMohawk_Credit Transfer_release

Download President's Memo on Simply the Best Project Teams

Pilot project overview:

1. How to encourage the sharing of ideas and information within the School of Interdisciplinary studies resulting in increased communication, reducing duplication and as a result, enhancing services to students (team leader Jim Jones).


2. How to support part time faculty in the consistent delivery of the BScN curriculum (team leader Mary Guise)


3. How to ensure consistent application of a revised student code of conduct (team leader David Buryta).


4. How to ensure consistent application of a revised academic honesty policy (team leader David Buryta).


5. How to ensure effectiveness in the recommendation of a student complaint process (team leader Lorraine Skuse)


6. How to create a structured system that allows students and staff to input and build actionable ideas related to the college and community (team leader Pamela Hensley).


7. How to develop a turn-key process to transition courses and programs to blended learning (team leader Peggy French)


8. How to establish an international student exchange program and  attract more international students by 2014 (team leader Leo Barsony).  


9. How to develop a business case for a revenue-generating living lab within the Public Safety & Security and Health Wellness and Fitness program (team leader Jo-Anne Procter). 


10. How to improve communications amongst support, faculty and administration staff at STARRT (team leader Wayne Ostermaier).  

"I am pleased to announce that Ali Ghiassi is joining Mohawk College as our Vice President, General Counsel.

Ali will provide invaluable leadership to Mohawk by serving as Corporate Secretary to our Board of Governors, providing legal counsel in connection with the College’s affairs, and acting as our liaison with government, public agencies and other key external stakeholders.

Ali brings to Mohawk a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of political and public affairs at all levels of government. Ali has held a number of high ranking positions in the Ontario government, including senior policy advisor to two Ministers of Economic Development and Trade where he helped shape the government’s industrial and trade strategy during a transitional period in Ontario’s economy. Most recently, Ali served as Chief of Staff to the Hon. John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities where he was instrumental in driving the government’s post secondary education and training agenda.

Prior to serving in the Ontario government, Ali practiced law in Toronto and Washington in the areas of commercial litigation and international law. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto, his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor and his Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. Ali was called to the Ontario Bar in 2001.

Ali joins us on January 4 and will work out of the President’s Office. Please join me in welcoming Ali to Mohawk College."

Download VP General Counsel Announcement

Download United Way Staff Campaign memo from Rob.

The formal celebration originally set for this Thursday afternoon at Mohawk's new Learning Exchange at the Fennell Campus is now an informal open house without speeches.

Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac is hosting the open house for students, staff and retirees from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Learning Exchange with free samples from Starbucks.

Thursday's open house marks the successful end to a construction project that broke ground in August 2009. The project was completed on time, on budget and accident free thanks to the hard work of an outstanding team of architects, engineers, contractors and skilled tradespeople.

The Hon. John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Hon. Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister of Revenue, are unable to join the Nov. 18 celebration due to a commitment in the Ontario Legislature. Both Ministers are planning to join Mohawk in officially opening the Learning Exchange - the centre for entrepreneurship, learning and innovation in the new year. During the grand opening event, Mohawk will formally recognize both the Ontario government and late Harold Cummings for investing in the $16.5 million project.

The 3-storey Learning Exchange is home to Mohawk's new Cummings Library and Collaboratory, IdeaWorks applied research and innovation work space and prototyping lab and multi-media classrooms.

Download Learning Exchange at a glance

The endowed bursary will be announced during the Hamilton Transportation Club’s annual dinner tonight at the Hamilton Convention Centre. The 240 members of the club donated $25,000 which became a $100,000 bursary through an Ontario government matching program. Interest from the bursary will offset tuition costs every year for at least two Mohawk students.

“Mohawk is a college on the move thanks to our partners in the transportation industry,” said Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac, who is the keynote speaker at Thursday’s event. “The Hamilton Transportation Club Bursary will help students get a great college education and a great start in their careers.”

This past February, Mohawk opened the new Gerald Marshall Centre for Transportation at the College’s skilled trades campus in Stoney Creek. Family and friends of the late Gerald Marshall, founder of G. Marshall Transport Ltd, contributed more than $1.5 million for the centre which trains upwards of 400 apprentices in Mohawk’s Truck & Coach Technician and Truck Trailer Service Technician programs.

“The Hamilton Transportation Club is proud to support Mohawk College,” said President Nick Lambevski. “Like the transportation industry, Mohawk plays a key role in driving economic growth and prosperity in our region.”

The Hamilton Transportation Club is a non-profit organization established in 1925. The 240 members of the club represent all sectors in the transportation industry, including transport, rail, marine, air and allied trades. Members share ideas and knowledge, participate in events throughout the year and raise funds to support local charities, colleges and universities. 

With a vision to be internationally renowned for an innovation culture and highly skilled, future-ready graduates who drive tomorrow’s opportunities, Mohawk College delivers a quality education to more than 15,000 full-time and apprentice students and 42,000 continuing education registrants. Mohawk is the largest trainer of apprentices in Ontario and is recognized as a leader in health and technology education.

For more information, contact:

Claire Ward, Secretary, Hamilton Transportation Club, 905.549.3777

Mohawk College and St. Joseph's Villa held a dedication ceremony last week to recognize extraordinary legacy gifts from an extraordinary family. Bill, Agnes and Eleanor Barr were residents at St. Joseph's Villa. Impressed by the care they received, the Barr family left their estate to St. Joseph's Villa and Mohawk College. The Barr family gift to Mohawk was matched by the Ontario government to create nearly a million dollars worth of bursaries. Eight Eleanor Barr bursaries will be presented annually to students of unlimited potential yet limited means in Mohawk's Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker Programs. The Barr family gift in support of student bursaries is the largest in Mohawk's history.

Download Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac Barr Family Dedication Remarks

Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac (centre) and Alumni Relations Manager Wendy Makey (3rd from right) with some of the Mohawk alumni who work at St. Joseph's Villa and make a difference every day in the lives of Villa residents and their families. The care and comfort provided by Mohawk alumni led the Barr family to make the single largest donation to student bursaries in the College's history.

Photos by Simon Wilson.