A message from Lisa Mendez, Associate Dean, School of Business and Management:
I am pleased to introduce Susan Ehlert and Maria Brigantino to the School of Business and Management, as new full-time faculty members in Human Resources. Please join me in welcoming them both into their new roles!
Susan Ehlert
Susan Ehlert begins a full-time faculty role in August 2022.
Susan Ehlert will join the School of Business and Management as a full-time Professor of Human Resources, effective August 2022. She has extensive teaching experience not only at Niagara College as a part-time and partial load faculty member, but also at other Ontario colleges and educational institutions.
While at Niagara, she was the 2020 recipient of the Part-Time Teacher Award from the NC Student Administrative Council. Susan has provided outstanding learning opportunities for our students in the HR programs and has built upon a foundation of course based research with community partners.
Susan brings a variety of industry experience to her new position. As a Learning and Development Specialist with Fallsview Casino, she was responsible for corporate training. In this same role at Canadian Tire Financial Services, she managed the recruitment, training, and certification of its apprenticeship program.
Susan has demonstrated her commitment to her industry and to her community through several volunteer roles, notably with Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, Cave Springs, Hospice Niagara, and with Niagara Folk Arts.
Susan has a true passion for education and for HR. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Political Science from Brock University; a Master of Science in Education from Canisius College, Buffalo; a Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate from Niagara College; and is nearing completion of her PhD in Business Management (Human Resources) from Capella University, Minneapolis. Susan is also a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) with the HRPA and is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT).
Maria Brigantino
Maria Brigantino joins the School of Business and Management as a full-time Professor of Human Resources in August 2022.
Maria Brigantino will join the School of Business and Management as a full-time Professor of Human Resources, effective August 2022. She brings nearly two decades of industry experience to this position as a human resources and operations leader in health care management as the Director of Patient Care for the Local Health Integrated Network, the municipal government acting in the capacity of Director of Community Services for The Town of Lincoln, Business Consultant and Manager at Niagara Region. In addition, she operates her business in the private industry, M-PATH, where she coaches executives and provides human resources services and programs.
Maria has brought her industry experience into the classroom through her teaching as a part-time and partial-load faculty member at Niagara College. Maria has developed courses for our learners and has successfully collaborated with industry partners to bring experiential learning opportunities to the classroom.
Maria obtained a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Western Ontario, London, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Medaille College, Buffalo. She also holds several coaching designations and certifications focused on facilitation, performance management, innovation, and communication.
Maria has a unique blend of private and public sector experience in organizational leadership and development, human resources management, labour and union relations, executive and individual coaching, health administration, and staff and stakeholder engagement. Maria is dedicated to giving back to the Niagara community and has volunteered with the United Way of St. Catharines, Hospice Niagara, Niagara Industrial Association, Innovate Niagara, and the Niagara Falls BIA.
Welcome Susan and Maria!
