Great ideas are taking root and flourishing at Niagara College.
On May 17, the 2023 recipients of the President’s Award for Innovation in Student Learning and Success were recognized by President Sean Kennedy and Vice-President Academic Fiona Allan at a lunch at Benchmark.
“Congratulations to the 2023 innovators – what a joyous occasion this has been,” said President Kennedy. “It’s always incredible to bring our amazing employees together to celebrate our commitment to innovation and our core values of being welcoming, trailblazing, passionate, and student focused.”
Vice-President Allan, who is the co-chair of the Adjudication Committee for the award, gave a toast to the winners:
“This award was so important to us to recognize innovation at the College because for so long we would hear about what’s happening, but we never had a chance to celebrate. Congratulations and thank you to each and every one of you.”
The winning innovations engage students in applied learning opportunities, promote inclusivity as well as health and wellness, engage our community, and use technology to expand on teaching and learning experiences.
Nominations were adjudicated by a committee of ten members of the NC community, which included members of faculty, staff, administration, and the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC). President of NCSAC, Dipal Patel, offered her support and congratulations on behalf of students.
“Thank you to all the winners for your vision of innovation for Niagara College and for adding so much to the student experience,” said Patel.
The 2023 NC innovators had a chance to say a few words upon accepting their award. Jamie Consoli, who helped to found the Ontario BIPOC Counsellors group, expressed her hope that the recognition would have a “ripple effect” through her department and the College to inspire others to pursue new ways of supporting students.
Learn more about their student-focused, made-at-NC innovations below.
Innovators: Professors in the School of Community Services Christine Wilkinson and Erin Wilkie, and nc-TRAC Program Manager Abby Silver
Innovation: Niagara College Therapeutic Recreation Activities Collective (nc-TRAC)
Innovator: Nick Farnell, Professor in the School of Business and Management Studies
Innovation: Project Portfolio Website – Business Analytics Capstone
Innovators: Manager of the Library and Learning Commons, Gordana Vitez, Library Facilitator Info Literacy, Siscoe Boschman, Matt Bohun
Innovation: The ncLibraries’ Exploratory
Innovators: Barbara Morris
Innovation: Developing Readers Program
Innovators: Counsellor in Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services, Jamie Consoli, Christina Abounassar (York University) and Sam Katerji (Wilfrid Laurier University).
Innovation: Ontario BIPOC Counsellors Group
