Mohawk College Newsroom

Mohawk College Takes Action to Welcome International Students and Newcomers to Hamilton

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 14:48:37 -0400

HAMILTON, ON – Mohawk College today released an action plan in response to recommendations put forward by the Welcoming Communities Task Force.

The 19-member task force was convened by Mohawk President Ron McKerlie in early 2015 to help identify how the college could better serve international students and support newcomers to Hamilton. Following a year of conversations and consultations, the task force has made 34 recommendations aimed at:

helping newcomers make a successful transition to Hamilton
creating stronger connecting in Hamilton for newcomers
building intercultural competency within Hamilton businesses and organizations
moving Hamilton from friendly to welcoming by promoting the value of global citizenship

In response to the Welcoming Communities Task Force recommendations, Mohawk has developed a multi-year action plan. The plan includes opening a Language and Culture Centre at the Fennell campus for international students and newcomers to Hamilton, launching a smartphone app for international students, promoting volunteer opportunities in the community for international students, launching an entrepreneurship program for international students, strengthening ties with community groups and introducing a global exchange program for students to live and learn in other countries.

The Welcoming Communities Task Force report and recommendations, along with Mohawk’s action plan, are posted at: www.mohawkcollege.ca/welcomingcommunities.

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FAST FACTS:

The members of the Welcoming Communities Task Force were Layla Abdulrahim-Moore (City of Hamilton / Global Hamilton Connect), Luke Baylis (Mohawk Students’ Association), Max Brown (Mohawk Students’ Association), Clement Chan (Columbia International College), Jim Commerford (Hamilton Burlington Brantford YMCA), Terry Cooke (Hamilton Community Foundation), Huyen Dam (Global Hamilton Connect), Laurie Davidson (RBC), Glen DeCaire (Haimlton Police Services), Howard Elliott (Hamilton Spectator), Christine Hoey (Fell Fab), Vahn Kalong (My Thai Restaurants), Keith Monrose (Mohawk College), Eric Taylor (Fell Fab), Judy Travis (Workforce Planning Hamilton and chair of the Hamilton Immigrant Partnership Council), Jim Vanderveken (Mohawk College), Dr. Gary Warner (McMaster University), Sarah Wayland (City of Hamilton / Global Hamilton Connect), Sandra Wilson (Hamilton Police Service).

The Welcoming Communities Task Force met four times, organized an October conference at Mohawk, held consultations with the Hamilton Immigrant Partnership Council and presented to Hamilton City Council.

Leadership in internationalization and global experiences is one of the commitments made in Mohawk’s new five-year strategic plan.

Mohawk currently educates and serves 2,000 international students from more than 70 countries.

Mohawk officially opened its Language and Culture Centre at the Fennell campus on April 14. The centre offers services and supports to both international students and newcomers to Hamilton.

The GoMohawk orientation app for international students is available for free download through the iTunes App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gomohawk!/id1090954269?mt=8

According to Statistics Canada, 24 per cent of Hamilton residents were born outside of Canada.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca

Mohawk joins the call for Ontario to invest more in applied research and college infrastructure projects

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:45:00 -0500

Ontario can play a bigger role in fostering innovation and encouraging economic growth in the province by supporting and investing in applied research and expansion at colleges like Mohawk, said Mohawk President Ron McKerlie to Ontario’s Associate Minister of Finance, the Hon. Mitzie Hunter at the government’s pre-budget consultations held in Hamilton on January 28.

The first priority needs to be college-specific funding for applied research, McKerlie told the Associate Minister. Mohawk has a strong record of attracting companies that want to develop and test ground-breaking ideas in arenas such as Digital Health, Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) and Energy Distribution.

“It is critical for government to understand that we can do more if the provincial strategy and investments can better appreciate what college applied research and college and industry collaborations can deliver,” he said.

Up to now, most of the funding from both levels of government has been geared toward universities. Provincial support industry-college collaborations will enable more companies to take advantage of colleges like Mohawk can offer.

Any funding for applied research needs to be available over several years, he said. The current system doesn’t guarantee that projects will get funding from year to year which makes it challenging for the colleges who must support it with the resources available to them and for the industry partners who want to know that their projects will be supported from start to finish.

McKerlie finished his presentation by asking the province to invest in college facilities that support their applied research work.

“It’s critical that government see this kind of infrastructure investment as meaningful and productive as any other kind of infrastructure investment,” he said. “Without the ability to partner with government on these new facilities, all colleges – not just Mohawk – will become limited in their critical role of supporting innovation.”

Mohawk’s call for greater investment into applied research and infrastructure at Ontario’s college echoes that of College’s Ontario, the advocacy organization that represents the province’s 24 community colleges.

“Ontario must strengthen its commitment to innovation,” said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario ahead of the budget consultations on Thursday. “Investments in applied research projects at colleges will develop real-world innovations for greater numbers of businesses.”

For more information on applied research at Mohawk College visit: http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/ideaworks

Story by Mohawk College Communications

Chilling out for a good cause

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:50:00 -0500

Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie went for a chilly morning swim in Lake Ontario this morning. The annual Polar Bear Dip is fundraiser for World Vision Canada and their work to provide clean water for people in Rwanda.

Mohawk signs Indigenous Education Protocol at dedication of new Indigenous Gathering Space

Wed, 04 Nov 2015 09:46:58 -0500

Mohawk reaffirmed its commitment to Aboriginal students and partners with the signing of theIndigenous Education Protocol on November 2, 2015.

Developed by Colleges and Institutes Canada, the Protocol provides a vision of how colleges can further improve practices to better educate and serve Indigenous peoples. After signing the Protocol, Mohawk dedicated a new Indigenous Gathering Space that is located behind the Harold Cummings Collaboratory. The outdoor gathering space is the first of its kind among colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The second phase of construction will be completed next year, giving all students a unique classroom and meeting space in the heart of our Fennell campus.

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Public invited to help chart the future of Mohawk College (media release)

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:00:00 -0400

HAMILTON (Sept. 18, 2015) – A draft of Mohawk College's new strategic plan is up for comment and review until Oct. 16.

With a vision of Future Ready. Learning for Life, Mohawk's 2016-2020 strategic plan identifies 17 priorities that include reducing financial barriers and delivering an education that transforms Mohawk students into the most experienced and employable college graduates.

Mohawk is welcoming ideas on how to achieve each priority. The plan can be reviewed at strategicplan.mohawkcollege.ca and all comments are anonymous.

The draft plan was written following months of consultation with students, faculty, staff and community partners and will go to Mohawk’s Board of Governors for final review and approval in November.

“We've drafted a bold plan that will challenge and inspire us to make a great college even better for our students, their future employers and the communities we serve,” says President Ron McKerlie. “We’re inviting the community to review our plan and help chart the future of their community college.”

Mohawk College educates and serves 30,000 full-time, part-time and apprenticeship students at three campuses in Hamilton. Mohawk has been rated number one for overall student satisfaction among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area for five consecutive years and has been recognized as one of Canada’s greenest employers and a top employer in the Hamilton and Niagara for the past two years.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca

Media release: Patricia Amos, Rebecca Jamieson and Ron Foxcroft to be honoured during Mohawk College's Spring Convocation ceremonies

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 15:00:00 -0400

PATRICIA AMOS, REBECCA JAMIESON AND RON FOXCROFT TO BE HONOURED DURING MOHAWK COLLEGE’S SPRING CONVOCATION CEREMONIES

HAMILTON (June 8, 2015) - Mohawk College will recognize three outstanding community leaders during this week’s Convocation ceremonies in the McIntyre Performing Arts Centre at the Fennell Campus.

Patricia Amos, Director of Education for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board from 2009 to 2015, a founding member of Mohawk’s Access Cabinet, founding member of the Hamilton Best Start Network and a champion for improving access to education, will also be inducted as a Distinguished Fellow on Monday, June 8 at 7 p.m.

Mohawk will induct Six Nations Polytechnic President and CEO, Order of Ontario recipient for contributions to Aboriginal post-secondary education, first Executive Director of the College Standards and Accreditation Council and past Mohawk College Board of Governor Rebecca Jamieson as a Distinguished Fellow on Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m.

Mohawk will confer an Honorary Diploma in Business Administration on Chairman and CEO of Fluke Transport and Fox 40 International Inc., entrepreneur, inventor, referee, Hamilton Citizen of the Year and Hamilton Gallery of Distinction recipient Rox Foxcroft on Thursday, June 11 at 7 p.m.

“We are proud to recognize Rebecca Jamieson, Patricia Amos and Ron Foxcroft for their distinguished careers, outstanding leadership and significant contributions to our college and the community,” says President Ron McKerlie. “We hope Rebecca, Patricia and Ron inspire our graduating students to follow in their footsteps.”

Approximately 6,000 students will graduate from Mohawk during nine Spring Convocation ceremonies. More than 110,000 students have graduated from Mohawk since the college first opened its doors in 1967.

For the fifth consecutive year, Mohawk is the number one ranked college in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for overall student satisfaction. Mohawk also finished first among GTHA college for graduate satisfaction rate and graduate employment rate, with 85.7 per cent of students working within six months of graduating from Mohawk.

Community Garden

Fri, 29 May 2015 16:21:53 -0400

HAMILTON (June 2, 2015) – It’s never been easier for regional employers to connect with students, faculty and staff at Mohawk College.

Mohawk has published an Open for Business and Ready to Partner guide that highlights how private, public and non-profit employers can work with the college and who to contact to explore potential partnerships. Mohawk has also launched a survey to get feedback from current and prospective partners.

Delegates at the June 2 Bay Area Economic Summit presented by the Hamilton and Burlington Chambers of Commerce are the first to receive copies of Mohawk’s Open for Business and Ready to Partner guide.

“More than 1,000 business, industry and community partners help us transform our students into future-ready graduates,” says Mohawk President Ron McKerlie. Mohawk works with entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized organizations and the region's largest employers. “Mohawk is committed to building and strengthening partnerships that add real value for regional employers and create unique learning opportunities for our students.”

Partnership opportunities include:

working with Mohawk students and faculty on applied research projects to bring innovative solutions to market

auditioning prospective employees through co-operative work terms, field placements and apprenticeships

developing advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns through The Agency, and

serving on advisory committees to develop programs and revise curriculum

Mohawk College educates and serves more than 22,500 full-time, part-time and apprenticeship students at three campuses in Hamilton, Ontario. For the fifth consecutive year, Mohawk has ranked first for overall student satisfaction among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Mohawk has also been named one of Canada's greenest employers and one of Niagara-Hamilton's best employers and is one of the top applied research colleges in Canada.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca

Mohawk College shares stage with Hamilton Community Foundation to build pathways to post-secondary education

Mon, 04 May 2015 15:54:05 -0400

HAMILTON (May 4, 2015) –Dana Robbins, Vice President and Group Publisher with Metroland Media Group, will deliver the keynote address at Mohawk College’s inaugural Partnership Dinner with the Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF).

The Mohawk College Partnership Dinner will be held on Monday, May 25 at Liuna Station.

Robbins is the Grand Winner of the 2015 Cicero Speechwriting Awards, an international competition run by Vital Speeches of the Day. The dinner will also showcase how three organizations supported by HCF and Mohawk -Mission Services, Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club and Liberty for Youth - are serving children and youth in the community.

Mohawk’s Partnership Dinner replaces the college’s annual President’s Dinner. Each year, a different college partner will co-host the dinner with Mohawk.

“We’re sharing the stage with college partners who are committed to transforming lives and building community,” says President Ron McKerlie. “The Hamilton Community Foundation is a valued partner that plays a pivotal role in helping children and youth realize their potential and achieve their dreams.”

The Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) is one of the founding partners of Mohawk’s Access Project. The project aims to help young people from priority neighbourhoods graduate from high school and go on to college, university or an apprenticeship.

“The Hamilton Community Foundation is proud to have been chosen as the inaugural partner for this dinner,” says President and CEO Terry Cooke. “It represents not just our shared focus on improving access to post-secondary education but the fact that big, complex change comes about when a community works together on a common goal.”

Proceeds from the Mohawk Partnership Dinner will fund access bursaries for Mohawk students from priority neighbourhoods and HCF outreach programs that remove barriers to education beyond high school.

The 2015 Mohawk Partnership Dinner is sponsored by McKeil Marine, Cogeco, Walters Group, L3 Wescam and The Hamilton Spectator.

For tickets, tables or sponsorships, contact Mohawk Special Events online or call 905.575.2013 .

Mohawk College educates and serves more than 22,000 full-time, part-time and apprenticeship students at three campuses in Hamilton. For the fifth consecutive year, Mohawk is ranked number one among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for overall student satisfaction.

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For more information, contact Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893 or email to jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca

Media release: Mohawk College named one of Canada's greenest employers for 2nd year in a row

Thu, 23 Apr 2015 09:26:06 -0400

HAMILTON (April 23, 2015) – Mohawk College has been named one of Canada’s greenest employers for the second year in a row by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

Mohawk is the only college in Ontario, and one of two colleges in Canada, to make the 2015 list of greenest employers. The employers were recognized in a special feature in The Globe and Mail.

“Mohawk is committed to environmental sustainability,” says President Ron McKerlie. “We practice what we teach and we’re proud of the environmental leadership and stewardship demonstrated by our Sustainability Office, students, staff and faculty.”

Some of the reasons why Mohawk was selected as one of Canada’s greenest employers include:

A commitment to a 20 per cent carbon reduction target below the 2007 baseline by the year 2020 as part the college’s Environmental Management Plan. Mohawk has exceeded this target by reaching a 24 per cent reduction by the end of 2012 and has set a new target of a 30 per cent reduction by 2020.

An environmental program created by and for students to promote sustainable living on and off the campus.

Numerous initiatives to encourage faculty, staff and students to consider alternative transit, including discounted transit passes, unlimited transit for full-time students, an on-campus bicycle loan program and online carpool registrations through the Smart Commute program.

An on-campus cooperative community-based garden program with garden plots available for individuals, student groups and departments.

Design of the 64,000 square foot David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre to meet LEED Gold certification standards, with a commitment to meet LEED standards for all future campus construction and renovations.

Mohawk teaches and serves more than 22,500 full-time, part-time and continuing education students at three campuses in Hamilton. Mohawk was named one of the top employers in Hamilton-Niagara in 2015 and was ranked number one for student satisfaction among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for the fifth consecutive year.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca

Alan Griffiths, Sustainability Manager, 905.575.1212 ext. 4168, alan.griffiths@mohawkcollege.ca

In the news: Mohawk wants to welcome the world with Hamilton

Thu, 19 Feb 2015 10:30:24 -0500

The Hamilton Spectator has this story on the launch of a new initiative aimed at making Mohawk and the city a more attractive community to foreign students and graduates.

Mohawk College and Six Nations Polytechnic celebrate long-standing partnership with very old tradition

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:36:11 -0500

Top: Six Nations Polytechnic President Rebecca Jamieson presented Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie with a special Friendship Wampum Belt to celebrate the long-standing partnership between the two postsecondary institutions.

Below: Mohawk was so moved by the gesture that the college presented a Friendship Wampum Belt to Six Nations Polytechnic designed and created by Ron McLester, Mohawk's Director and Special Advisor, Aboriginal Initiatives. Mohawk is the first postsecondary institution to present Six Nations Polytechnic with a Wampum Belt.

Mohawk and Six Nations Polytechnic have collaborated on the delivery of programs to the Aboriginal community since 2002. For the Haudenosaunee people Wampum Belts have bee a way to document historic agreements for more than a 1,000 years.

MocomotionSquare

Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:48:07 -0500

This week on In Studio, Ron talks with Dr. Nafia Al-Mutawaly. Nafia is a professor and principle investigator with the Mohawk Energy Research Centre. He secured a five-year $2.3 million federal research grant and is Mohawk’s first ever Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council-sponsored industry research chair. Nafia is leading the first applied research project of its kind in Ontario related to energy distribution.

Special thanks again to Hawk 101.5 FM station manager Les Palango for working the controls and putting together the podcasts. Look for new podcasts on the 1st and 15th of the month.

Listen to In Studio with Ron McKerlie or download it in iTunes.

In Studio is produced by Mohawk College Communications with technical and production support provided by Hawk 101.5 FM station manager Les Palango. Look for new podcasts on the 1st and 15th of the month.

Download the latest episodes of In Studio with Ron McKerlie

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:35:58 -0400

This week on In Studio, Ron talks with Rouxanne Irving. Rouxanne is an International Support Officer with Mohawk College’s New Canadian & International Student Services office. She is also very active in Global Hamilton Connect, a group that is committed to encouraging international students to remain in Hamilton after they complete their studies.

Next up is Robert Gerriitsen. Robert is a professor and coordinator for Mohawk College’s Additive Manufacturing Resource Centre that opened at the Fennell Campus earlier this year. The centre will serve as a test lab for advanced manufacturing companies and a one-of-a-kind living lab for students from Mohawk’s Faculty of Engineering Technology.

Special thanks again to Hawk 101.5 FM station manager Les Palango for working the controls and putting together the podcasts. Look for new podcasts on the 1st and 15th of the month.

Listen to In Studio with Rouxanne Irving or download it in iTunes.

Listen to In Studio with Robert Gerritsen or download it in iTunes.

In Studio is produced by Mohawk College Communications with technical and production support provided by Hawk 101.5 FM station manager Les Palango. Look for new podcasts on the 1st and 15th of the month.

President Ron McKerlie's Installation Ceremony streaming live

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 13:20:26 -0400

This afternoon's Installation Ceremony for President Ron McKerlie will be live-streamed via YouTube starting at approx. 2:30 p.m. The event will also be posted to Mohawk's YouTube page immediately following the ceremony.

Click here to watch the event live

Mohawk president launches new podcast series

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:45:05 -0400

In Studio with Ron McKerlie to showcase students, faculty, staff and community partners

Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie has launched a new podcast series to showcase the College's remarkable students, faculty, staff and college partners.

Ron's first guest is professor Shaun Iles, who’s garnering international attention and awards for his groundbreaking work in gamification.

Special thanks to Hawk 101.5 FM station manager Les Palango for working the controls and putting together the podcasts. Look for new podcasts on the 1st and 15th of the month.

Listen to In the Studio with Shaun Iles here or download from iTunes.

NEW! Follow the President`s Notebook and stay up-to-date on what`s happening at Mohawk College

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 10:05:33 -0400

Check out President Ron McKerlie’s blog at www.presidentsnotebook.com. The blog will keep you informed about what’s happening at Mohawk and the work Ron is doing to support you and to champion Mohawk in the community. It will also feature answers to the questions you ask each week and include some of your answers to questions posed by Ron. You can follow the blog by email or to subscribe to it through your WordPress blog. Look for the “follow” links to the right of the page.

Capture_CollegeEmployerCouncil

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 11:34:50 -0400

The Hamilton Spectator has this story about President Ron McKerlie's first two weeks on the job. Ron officially took over as President of Mohawk College and the Mohawk College Foundation in early August. He has spent his first few weeks getting better acquainted with faculty, staf and students at the College.

New Mohawk president gets official tour on first day at College

Tue, 05 Aug 2014 16:43:01 -0400

Mohawk President Ron McKerlie (Left) and MSA President Max Brown.

Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie met with Mohawk Students' Association President Max Brown and other members of the MSA board on his first official day at the College. The meeting was part of a day-long tour of the College's three campuses. Ron took over from Interim President Bob Carrington on August 1.

In the news: Meet Ron McKerlie, Mohawk College's new President

Thu, 22 May 2014 08:33:34 -0400

CBC Hamilton has this story and Q&A with Mohawk College's new President Ron McKerlie.

Media Release: Ron McKerlie Appointed President of Mohawk College

Wed, 21 May 2014 09:59:50 -0400

BRINGS 35 YEARS OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR EXPERIENCE TO HAMILTON

Ron McKerlie

HAMILTON (May 21, 2014) – Mohawk College’s Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Ron McKerlie will become the College’s eighth President.

McKerlie, who was the unanimous choice of the Board, is a seasoned executive who brings exemplary credentials and 35 years of extensive experience leading large and complex organizations in the public and private sectors.

McKerlie, 55, is currently Ontario Deputy Minister of Open Government where he leads the provincial government’s efforts into increased accountability, citizen engagement and transparency. McKerlie joined the Government of Ontario in 2005 following a distinguished 25-year career with Rogers Communications and the Bank of Montreal.

McKerlie will also serve as President of the Mohawk College Foundation, with responsibility to grow the College’s endowment fund for student scholarships and bursaries and secure funding for the largest renewal project in Mohawk’s history.

Mohawk’s Board of Governors began a national search in November 2013 for a President to succeed Rob MacIsaac, who was appointed President and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences. Robert Carrington will continue to serve as Interim President until McKerlie joins the College on Aug. 5.

QUOTES:

“Ron McKerlie will be a great addition to our college and the community. Ron is a consensus builder with an approachable style who brings a wealth of senior executive leadership experience that will take Mohawk to the next level. As President, Ron will draw on his deep understanding of public policy, his strong affinity for technology, his expertise in leading high performing teams and his personal commitment to community service.” – Nancy Fram, Chair of Mohawk College’s Board of Governors.

“I’m honoured to be joining Mohawk College as President. Mohawk has earned a reputation for academic excellence and for putting students first. As a lifelong learner, I look forward to working with Mohawk’s faculty and staff to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our students, their future employers and the community.” – Ron McKerlie, Incoming President of Mohawk College.

RON MCKERLIE FAST FACTS:

Deputy Minister, Open Government (June 2013 – present

Interim President and CEO of Ornge (January 2012 – June 2013)

Deputy Minister of Government Services (2008-2012), leading one of the largest Ministries in Government, with 6,800 staff and a $2.1 billion budget

Corporate Chief Information and Information Technology Officer and Chief Strategist Service Delivery (2005-2008)

Senior Vice President of eBusiness at Bank of Montreal (1998 – 2000) and Vice President of eBusiness at Rogers Communications (2000 to 2004)

Chair of World Vision Canada and Director of World Vision International

Master of Business Administration from Dalhousie University (2000) and Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School (2007)

Married for 33 years with two grown sons.

Mohawk College educates more than 17,000 full-time and apprenticeship students at three campuses in Hamilton, Ontario. Recognized as a leader in health and technology education, Mohawk has achieved the highest student satisfaction scores among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for four consecutive years.

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Mohawk announces new President from Communications and Media on Vimeo.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca

Ron McKerlie

Tue, 20 May 2014 22:58:55 -0400

The Hamilton Spectator has this story about Ron McKerlie's appointment as Mohawk College's eighth President. Ron, currently Deputy Minister of Open Government, joins Mohawk on Aug. 5.

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.