As the academic year draws to a close, we reflect on the significant initiatives that have advanced our priorities.
In 2018-19, we finalized three decanal searches and announced the appointments of Dean Dana Brown in the Sprott School of Business, Dean Larry Kostiuk in the Faculty of Engineering and Design and Dean Patrice Smith in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs. As we move forward into 2019-20, I am delighted to welcome our new Deans and look forward to working with them in the years to come.
We continued to focus on experiential learning and high-impact teaching practices. Over 200 people from the Carleton community attended our Experiential Learning Symposium in October, which highlighted a broad selection of experiential learning activities in which our faculty, staff and students are engaging. At the symposium, I had the pleasure of announcing the establishment of the Carleton University Experiential Learning Fund, which will provide our colleagues with financial support to integrate experiential learning components into academic courses or programs.
Last Fall, I was honoured to be appointed Co-Chair of the Carleton University Indigenous Strategic Initiatives Committee with Co-Chairs Benny Michaud, Assistant Director of Equity Services and Prof. Kahente Horn-Miller (School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies). The committee was formed to devise a concrete response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and forge stronger relationships with Inuit, First Nation and Métis on campus, in the Ottawa region and across the country. Together, we conducted more than 30 consultations – on campus and off – that included more than 370 people. We will soon begin analyzing the feedback we received and preparing a report with recommendations for Carleton’s Indigenous strategy.
Carleton has maintained strong ties with its community since its establishment in 1942. This year, we looked strategically at ways we could increase our engagement with our community. Through our participation in the Canadian pilot of the Carnegie Classification on Community Engagement and the development of our Hub for Good portal, Carleton is poised to expand its community outreach even further.
Carleton’s future is bright. The Carleton experience will continue to center around continued academic and pedagogical excellence, strong commitment to our community and, above all, fostering an environment for an exceptional student experience. The next academic year will involve broad consultation on our strategic plan. The work of the Carleton University Strategic Planning Task Force will result in the development of our next Strategic Integrated Plan. I look forward to working alongside President Benoit-Antoine Bacon in his efforts to implement renewed plans and vision for our University.
Thank you to all who made 2018-19 another successful academic year for Carleton.
Sincerely,
Jerry TomberlinProvost and Vice-President (Academic)