Season 2, Episode 11: Director of Security and Emergency Management Services at Seneca, Michelle Dakin

About Today's Show Welcome to the first episode of #SenecaProud Season 5!  As in previous seasons, we launch Season 5 with an interview with Seneca College President, David Agnew. There's a lot that's changed in the year or so since President Agnew was on the podcast.  While last year we were still in lock-down, this year, in-person classes are in full swing, students and teachers fill the hallways,  and students are studying in the libraries.  But it's definitely not the same as it was pre-pandemic.  Technology has transformed much of the student administrative experience, and many more of our classes are completely flexible.  And that's most definitely not all. Also in this episode, we also talk about: 1.  How the Apple Store shopping experience inspired the Seneca registration experience, making it much more efficient and easy to navigate. 2.  The 3 Year Strategic Plan embraces the Polytechnic side of Seneca. 3.  The roll ChatGPT, and other AIs, might play in our daily lives in the very near future. About Today's Guest, President David Agnew David Agnew has been Seneca College President since July 2009, and under his leadership, Seneca has experienced record growth in enrollment and expanded its offerings in both undergraduate and graduate programs, and continues to be a national leader in innovation in education in Canada, and globally. One of the largest colleges in Canada, Seneca is growing its applied research, broadening international and corporate partnerships, investing in capital expansion and adopting an innovative academic direction to increase experiential, cross-disciplinary and flexible learning opportunities. Mr. Agnew was Secretary to the Cabinet and head of the public service in the Government of Ontario, Canada from 1992 to 1995 after serving as Principal Secretary to the Premier. In 1995, he led the Public-Private Partnerships Project and was seconded to Massey College at the University of Toronto where he was a Senior Resident. He was the President and CEO of UNICEF Canada, the first head of the organization recruited from outside the international development sector. As Principal for the consulting firm Digital 4Sight, he led the firm’s global research initiative on Governance in the Digital Economy, an exploration of the impact of technology on government and democracy. In the co-operative sector, he was the Executive Vice-President and Corporate Secretary for the Credit Union Central of Ontario. Mr. Agnew was the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments, the national dispute resolution service for consumers and small businesses. Mr. Agnew’s working life started in high school as a newspaper reporter in Toronto and he continued his journalism career in St. John’s, Ottawa and Edmonton. He was the gold medallist when he graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a B.A. in political science. Following his studies, he was a Parliamentary Intern at the House of Commons of Canada. In 2012, Mr. Agnew received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to the community. Important Links and Contact Information To learn what the fuss is about with ChatGPT, click here For more on the Au Large Program, click here All COVID-19 related information, questions or concerns should be sent to health@senecacollege.ca For Updates on Seneca's Policies Regarding COVID-19, visit here: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/health This Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts! #SenecaProud Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, which means it's available pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.   Click here to subscribe. While you're there, please give us a rating and leave a comment.  It really helps get our podcast found. Thanks for listening!   Pat Perdue

14 Helmi 202335min

Today's episode revisits the conversations of Season 4.  I've selected key moments of each conversation that, when heard together, form a uniquely Seneca tapestry of determination, grit, and a commitment to a better future.  Every conversation demonstrates two very distinct, related  themes:  One theme is around working for a better future, and the other them is  "Challenge Accepted."  You'll hear how each guest is on their respective journey to live the mantra of "Challenge Accepted."  Every one of our guests this season (as is the case in every season), has accepted the challenge to help build a better future for themselves, their communities, and even the planet.   Thank you to this season's inspiring guests: President David Agnew Joseph Osei Bonsu Ar Jay Mateo, and Toni Petitt Eunice Kays Yeboah Ritik Sharma Marianne Marando Randy Pitawanakwat Professors Tatiana Mighiu, and Ragad Kamal Wai Chu Cheng, and Courtney Hayes Big Thank You! Also, thank you to Tiffany Hsieh for your tireless patience, support and invaluable logistics help, and Anibal Martins for your amazing positivity, and social media support. And thank you for listening.  Stay proud Seneca. Keeping Up to Date on COVID-19 For Updates on Seneca's Policies Regarding COVID-19, visit here: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/health This Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts! #SenecaProud Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, which means it's available pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.   Click here to subscribe. While you're there, please give us a rating and leave a comment.  It really helps get our podcast found. Pat Perdue

5 Huhti 202244min

Seneca College recognizes the importance of making sustainable choices in everything we do, from food services, to construction projects, to how Seneca keeps its sidewalks safe for walking during the winter, and even to curriculum design. To help formalize the processes for making sustainable choices, Seneca College has created the newly established Office of Sustainability.  Working with curriculum planners, procurement, professors, and more, the Office of Sustainability provides consultation and guidance so that sustainability can truly be part of every decision Seneca College makes.  The guests on today's show work directly with Operations, and with Academic, to help keep Sustainability top of mind in every aspect of life at Seneca College. Also in this episode we: 1. Get to meet our amazing guests, Wai Chu Cheng, Sustainability Specialist Academic and Courtney Hayes, Sustainability Specialist Operations. 2.  Discover how Wai Chu and Courtney will approach such a large task 3.  Gain insight into the newly created Office of Sustainability, which is poised to put Seneca at the leading edge of sustainable institutions in Canada. 4.  Lots more! About today's guests, Courtney Hayes, and Wai Chu Cheng Courtney Hayes Courtney Hayes is the Sustainability Specialist in the Operations Department of the new Office of Sustainability. And on the day this podcast is published. She will have been in her role an entire month. Courtney has a BA in environmental and urban sustainability and her master's degree in sustainable management from the University of Toronto. Courtney also has experience in environmental consulting for clients in the IC and AI, industrial, commercial and institutional sectors to achieve environmental certifications, perform audits and reports and carry out engagement projects like internal trainings, webinars and events. Fun fact, Courtney is also a worm mom. She has a vermi compost bin in her front closet at home! Wai Chu Cheng Wai Chu is the Sustainability Specialist in the Academic Department of the Office of Sustainability and has been in that role for a very short time, just a few days when we recorded this podcast, but brings with her a wealth of experience in this space. Wai Chu has been named by Canadian living as one of its 10 Amazing Canadians making the world a cleaner, greener place, and is the co founder of one of Canada's longest running repair cafes called the repair cafe with over 800 volunteers. The repair Cafe diverted nearly 3000 household items from landfills in 2019. Wai Chu was also Sustainability Coordinator at Sheridan College from 2013 to 2022. YG was nominated for the 2020 shared and people award purple ribbon category for purposeful creativity, and was also nominated as a Mission Zero hero last year, as well. A project Wai Chu led involving transforming to sites filled with popcorn into pollinator friendly gardens, was a national finalist for nature inspiration awards 2021 by Canadian Museum of Nature, Wai Chu has a master's degree in environmental studies, and a second master's degree in education.  In Wai Chu’s own words, “My passion comes from my love for the natural world, and the local and global community. I am part of.”   Keeping Up to Date on COVID-19 For Updates on Seneca's Policies Regarding COVID-19, visit here: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/health This Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts! #SenecaProud Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, which means it's available pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.   Click here to subscribe. While you're there, please give us a rating and leave a comment.  It really helps get our podcast found. Thanks for listening!   Pat Perdue

22 Maalis 202241min

About Today's Show One of the big changes that’s happening  at Seneca College is the teaching modality.  While traditional classes have all been in person, and during COVID classes have just about entirely been online, as we return to Seneca we have more options.  One of those options is called Flex, or HyFlex.  In this kind of class, the professor will always conduct the class in a classroom, and students can either attend the class in person, view the class online, or watch the recorded class whenever that works for them.  Today's show focuses on how Flex classes really look (since many of us will be experiencing them) Also in this episode we talk about: 1.  What setting up a Flex classroom really looks like 2.  Some of the technology challenges that have been overcome 3.  The benefits of Flex and in-person instruction. 4.  So much more.... More about Today's Guests, Professors Tatiana Mighiu, and Raghad Kamel TATIANA MIGHIU teaches in the Opticianry Diploma Program at Seneca College.  Among her course are Introduction to Optics, Eyeglass Dispensing Lab and Contact Lens Theory I & II and Contact Lens Lab I & II courses.  Professor Mighiu is also the Opticianry Diploma Program Coordinator.  Professor Mighiu earned her Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering  at Polytechnic University of Romania, and then furthered her education at Seneca, in the Opticianry Diploma Program.   We are also joined by Professor Raghad Kamel, who teaches a variety of courses in the School of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Technology. Professor Kamel received her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science at the University of Baghdad in Iraq, and then earned her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Ryerson University here in Toronto. Keeping Up to Date on COVID-19 For Updates on Seneca's Policies Regarding COVID-19, visit here: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/health This Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts! #SenecaProud Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, which means it's available pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.   Click here to subscribe. While you're there, please give us a rating and leave a comment.  It really helps get our podcast found. Thanks for listening!   Pat Perdue

9 Maalis 202239min

About Today's Show In today's show we talk about Skoden,  which is not only an Anishenawbe word that means, “Let’s go, then!” It’s also the name of a 12 week program at Seneca for faculty to begin to understand how to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into their course materials.  The Skoden course is an intense 12 weeks, co-facilitated by our guest, and others from the Indigenous community at Seneca College, who share personal stories, colonial history, treaty history, and ultimately our collective shared history as treaty partners.  Also in this episode we talk about: 1.  A couple of great Indigenous podcasts - Métis in Space, and Storykeepers. 2. The value of personal history and lived experience in understanding our own unique contribution to the lives of others.  3.  Our guest's own journey from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, to Faculty member at Seneca College. 4.  So much more.... Let me tell you about today’s guest.  More about Today's Guest, Randy Pitawanakwat Randy Pitawanakwat is a faculty member at Seneca College who works out of Odeyto, First Peoples’ at Seneca.   Randy co-facilitates two professional development courses, Skoden and Stoodis (Stoodis, as you’ll hear, is the follow-up portion of Skoden) They’re offered through the Teaching and Learning department of Odeyto. Randy is from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation. Previously, Randy worked with the Indigenous community in the Toronto area for over 11 years in the social work profession. Much of Randy’s knowledge is a collective of understandings from oral tradition and experiences throughout his life in Wiikwemkoong and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. Some Important Links Click here for more information, and to sign up for Skoden (link is for employees of Seneca College) Click here for a link to the Odeyto Episode of SenecaProud - Season 2, Episode 4. Click here for Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Click here for Seven Fallen Feathers, by Tanya Talaga Click here for Métis in Space Podcast Click here for Storykeepers Podcast Keeping Up to Date on COVID-19 For Updates on Seneca's Policies Regarding COVID-19, visit here: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/health This Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts! #SenecaProud Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, which means it's available pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.   Click here to subscribe. While you're there, please give us a rating and leave a comment.  It really helps get our podcast found. Thanks for listening!   Pat Perdue

23 Helmi 202237min

About Today's Show Today's episode takes us behind the scenes of Seneca College, with our guest, Vice-President, Academic, Marianne Marando.   In "normal" times, VP Academic is a very tricky role.  But these days, with so much change happening, it’s never been trickier, or more important.   In this episode we'll hear about how Seneca is continuing to be a leader in providing flexible, accessible education and student experience.   Also in this episode we talk about: 1.  What will Seneca College look like as we come out of the pandemic. (Pat's looking forward to the food options!) 2. The excellent organization, Blue Door, which supports women, families, and men experiencing homelessness. (click here to visit their website) 3.  Some behind the scenes insights into the role of Vice-President, Academic. 4.  So much more.... More about Today's Guest, Marianne Marando As VP Academic, Marianne Marando recently returned to Seneca after five years at Durham College, where she was Associate Vice-President, Academic.  As you’ll hear from our conversation, Marianne started her career in academia at George Brown College, where she became the marketing program coordinator, beforing joining Seneca College as a professor, and coordinator in the School of Marketing.   Then she progressed to academic chair positions in the School of International Business, and the Centre for Human Resources and the School of Media and Marketing. Marianne also served as Seneca’s Director of Marketing and Communications, before accepting the role of Executive Dean, School of Business, IT & Management at Durham. She was then appointed Associate Vice-President, Academic, responsible for program review and renewal, capital budgeting, corporate training, international education and the office of the registrar. Marianne holds an honours degree in business administration and an MBA from York University, an adult education certificate from Seneca and is enrolled in the Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership program at Western University. Marianne is also the board chair at Blue Door, a York Region-based provider of emergency housing and housing supports.   Blue Door Shelters provides shelter to families, youth, women and men without a safe place to stay. As they say on their website, Homelessness can happen to anyone.  It’s an incredible organization that helps people experiencing homelessness and shelter anxiety make the transition to permanent housing, and begin to move forward in their lives. Important Links and Co Blue Door can be reached through their website here What does "Macgyver" mean?  Check out this link to find out! Keeping Up to Date on COVID-19 For Updates on Seneca's Policies Regarding COVID-19, visit here: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/health This Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts! #SenecaProud Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, which means it's available pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.   Click here to subscribe. While you're there, please give us a rating and leave a comment.  It really helps get our podcast found. Thanks for listening!   Pat Perdue

9 Helmi 202229min

About Today's Show In this episode we meet the President of the Seneca Student Federation, Ritik Sharma.  We review the role the Seneca Student Federation plays in the lives of all Seneca Students (click here for the website), and we also talk about the Seneca College Food bank (click here to visit the Food Bank's web page).   Also in this episode, we also talk about: 1.  Ritik's journey from volunteering, to wanting to do more for the student population at Seneca. 2. Some of the specific initiatives that the SSF is undertaking 3.  Some insights into good leadership, and the value of listening meaningfully 4.  So much more.... More about Today's Guest, Ritik Sharma An International Student from India, Ritik graduated in April 2021 from the Seneca College International Business program.  And in his own journey to get involved, he began helping out at the Foodbank.  Seeing what an impact he could have on students even at that level, he decided to see how he could have even more of an impact, and that drove him to become the SSF President, which is a full-time job.  And when he’s not doing that, he devotes his time to fitness.  Important Links and Contact Information: For the SSF (Seneca Student Federation), click here For the Seneca College Food Bank, click here Keeping Up to Date on COVID-19 For Updates on Seneca's Policies Regarding COVID-19, visit here: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/health This Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts! #SenecaProud Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, which means it's available pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.   Click here to subscribe. While you're there, please give us a rating and leave a comment.  It really helps get our podcast found. Thanks for listening!   Pat Perdue

25 Tammi 202223min

About Today's Show In this episode we sit down with Seneca College graduate Eunice Kays Yeboah, whose list of accomplishments since graduation include co-founding both the Canadian Black Policy Network, and the Toronto Black Policy Network.  In her current role as Anti-Racism Policy Consultant with the TTC, Eunice provides key leadership for the integration and application of anti-racism and  an anti-Black racism lens to systems, policies, and practices at the TTC. Also in this episode, we also talk about: 1.  The importance of challenging narratives that don't align with your own vision of who you are. 2. The role of support networks, and mentors, in helping to bring clarity to the more difficult choices in our life. 3.  The importance of viewing our choices as having a multi-generational impact. 4.  So much more.... More about Today's Guest, Eunice Kays Yeboah Eunice is the Co-Founder of the Toronto Black Policy Conference and Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Canadian Black Policy Network. She is also the Anti-Racism Policy Consultant at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Eunice is very passionate about confronting anti-Black racism and all forms of racism and discrimination.  In her extended work in government and public policy, she has spent over 5 years in a variety of roles with municipalities and the Province of Ontario. Recognized for outstanding early career success and impactful volunteerism, Eunice was recently selected as part of York University’s Inaugural Top 30 Changemakers Under 30 list and received the inaugural IPAC Toronto Region New Professional Award. Eunice is an alumna of the Liberal Arts University Transfer program at Seneca College, York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. Important Links and Contact Information: For The Canadian Black Policy Network, click here For the Toronto Black Policy Conference, click here Keeping Up to Date on COVID-19 For Updates on Seneca's Policies Regarding COVID-19, visit here: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/health This Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts! #SenecaProud Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, which means it's available pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.   Click here to subscribe. While you're there, please give us a rating and leave a comment.  It really helps get our podcast found. Thanks for listening!   Pat Perdue

11 Tammi 202242min