A message from David Atherton, Dean, Academic and Liberal Studies, Beth Bracken, Associate Dean, Academic Studies – Welland Campus, and Jennifer Roberts, Associate Dean, Academic and Liberal Studies – Daniel J. Patterson Campus.
Academic and Liberal Studies is pleased to welcome the following new staff to our team:
Rebecca Trotter, Mathematics Professor
Rebecca Trotter grew up in Wainfleet, Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Education from Brock University. Her Master’s thesis surrounded the integration of technology in Mathematics, which she then presented at several conferences both nationally and internationally, before publishing her work in an academic book. Rebecca started her teaching career in 2013 as a High School Mathematics Teacher in England before returning home to teach in the DSBN, as well as at Brock University and Niagara College. After eight years as a part-time professor at NC, she is excited to finally have a permanent home here as a full-time Mathematics Professor in the Academic and Liberal Studies Department.
Kim Boyd, Mathematics Professor
Kim Boyd is a Professor of Mathematics in the School of Academic and Liberal Studies. Kim grew up in Victoria, BC, and completed a Bachelor of Science in Statistics, as well as the Post Degree Professional Program in Secondary Education, at the University of Victoria. She taught mathematics in Victoria, Spain, Singapore, and Brazil before moving to the Niagara region, where she began teaching at Niagara College in 2017. Kim holds a Master of Mathematics for Teachers from the University of Waterloo and is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.
Ivana Hrcak, Mathematics Professor
Ivana Hrcak has been a part-time Professor of Mathematics in the School of Academic and Liberal Studies at Niagara College since 2014. She completed her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education at Brock University in 2013 and her Master’s degree in Statistics at the University of Guelph the following year. She has worked for the University of Guelph, Brock University, and McMaster University over the years, but is very excited to begin a full-time career as a Mathematics Professor here at Niagara College.
Jacob Bermel, Communications Professor
Jacob Bermel first joined Niagara College’s Welland Campus as a part-time Professor, Communications in 2019 and has previously taught at Brock University and York University. He holds both a Bachelor and Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from Brock University. He is also currently a PhD Candidate in English at York University where he is completing a dissertation on the poetry of Vancouver’s Kootenay School of Writing. Outside the classroom, Jacob is an adept editor with experience in both the academic and literary sector.
Having grown up in a quiet neighbourhood just minutes away from NC’s Welland Campus, Jacob has witnessed Niagara College’s tremendous growth firsthand. Now that he has settled back in the Niagara Region after defecting to Toronto for several years, he is overjoyed to have found a permanent place here at Niagara College where he looks forward to developing his career as a post-secondary educator alongside the College’s diverse faculty and students.
Tyler Stortz, Communications Professor
Tyler Stortz is a Professor in the School of Academic & Liberal Studies at Niagara College, where he has taught for eleven years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature, a Master of Science in Education, and is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. He has also created his own company as a writer and editor for an international client base.
When not focused on his students, classes, or writing, Tyler enjoys spending his time with his two sons. He is an avid reader, cyclist, and volleyball player, and is eager to bring his enthusiastic approach to his full-time Communications Professor role at Niagara College.
Paula D’Amico, Communications Professor
Paula D’Amico joins the Academic and Liberal Studies department with a Master in Education from Niagara University, a degree in English Languages and Literature from Brock University, and 15+ years of experience teaching all ages and grade levels in the public and private sectors here in the Niagara Region. She has been a good standing member of the Ontario College of Teachers since 2008 and recently celebrated her 11 years teaching at Niagara College. Her recent academic interest includes Interactive Social Media with Business Communications.
Outside of the College, Paula enjoys spending time with her family through experiencing sports and the arts, both local and professional. She has been exploring her interests in music and has rekindled her love for dance as an award-winning competitive dancer with her adult dance group. Paula is proud to support local communities that provide inclusion and diversity. She is very excited to have a found her ‘forever home’ at the DJP Campus.
