Monday, April 30, 2018

Gina Hickman named Director of Equity

"I am pleased to announce that Gina Hickman has joined the University of Waterloo as our Director of Equity," writes Associate Vice-President,  Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Diana Parry.

"In this new role, Gina will provide strategic leadership and work with the entire University community to lead, articulate and effect change in equity through policies, programs and practice. Gina’s primary purpose is to cultivate the core values of respect, equity and diversity at the University of Waterloo."

Hickman comes to the University from the Region of Waterloo, where she worked as a Service Planning Associate with the Client Experience and Service Improvement team. In that capacity, she led a number of large equity initiatives to bring about organizational change. Most recently, she created a Multi-year Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion plan and a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy for the Region. She developed and implemented training and organizational guidelines to remove barriers in the workplace and in service.

Hickman worked closely with senior leadership and diverse community stakeholders like the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee. Prior to her work at the Region, she was the project manager for an international research study involving youth engagement in environmental justice initiatives, across six countries. In addition to her work experience, she is a current member of the Patient and Family Advisory Committee for the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network and was on the Board of Directors for the Aids Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo Area (ACCKWA). 

Hickman has a Masters in Community Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. She moved to Waterloo 9 years ago as an international student and decided to make Waterloo her home.

"Please get in touch with Gina as she will welcome all thoughts and insights on equity issues on campus," writes Parry.

Think About Math alumnus squares the full circle

by Simone Larin.

At 14, Mubina Chunari hadn’t chosen her dream job, but she knew she loved math. At the time, she couldn’t figure out how to make a living by loving math and it was holding her back. The only adults she’d met with careers in math were either university professors or her own teachers. Although teaching interested her, she wanted a career outside of academics that would fit more into her personal growth goals.

To finish high school with the proper credits for post-secondary, Mubina had to decide by grade 10 whether studying math would remain a passion, or if it was a practical career. Mubina’s decision was difficult without knowing all the available options.

Luckily for her, that year saw the first Think About Math! event put on by the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) at the University of Waterloo. Mubina signed up to have her questions answered, and ended up with her eyes opened.

Think About Math! is a program designed to foster enthusiasm for math in for girls in grades 9 and 10. The full day workshops demonstrate that math is fun, relevant, and leads to exciting careers. Waterloo faculty members and professional businesspeople lead all the sessions.

In the afternoon, participants get the opportunity to talk openly with successful math alumni about their personal journeys. By sharing their career paths and lifestyles, the women give participants a real glimpse into their own futures. With careers ranging from investment bankers to personal entertainment system designers, participants get a good scope of the possibilities.

Through talking with alumni and facilitators, Mubina decided that Waterloo was the right fit for her to pursue higher education. A few years later, she applied and was accepted into the Math Business double degree program.

While studying at Waterloo, she took advantage of forward-thinking programs like Velocity to discover her true passion – emerging technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Now, almost a decade after Mubina participated as a student, she’s come back to pay it forward as an alumna. Equipped with life experience and a great career as a Technology Consultant at Ernst and Young, she returned to inspire the next generation to think about math.

Spring's first crop of faculty and staff retirees

Human Resources is reporting that the following employees will retire effective May 1, 2018:

Staff members

• Momcilo Djeric, who joined the University in February 2008, retired as Custodian I - Plant Operations.
• Debbie Dietrich, who started at Waterloo in September 1988, retires as Administrative Assistant & Grad Co-ordinator – Philosophy;
• Caroline Tanswell, who began working at the University in August 2001, retires as Director, External Relations & Internal Communications – Renison University College;
• Ian Davis, who started at Waterloo in April 1994, retires as Research Scientist – David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science;
• Deborah Tales, who joined the University in February 1998, retires as FAA Team Lead – Student Awards & Financial Aid;
• Lucia Power, who began working at Waterloo in December 1987, retires as Custodian I – Plant Operations;
• Paljo Markus, who started at the University in July 1994, retires as Mechanic I – Plant Operations;
• Anton Suliman, who joined Waterloo in June 1987, retires as Building Serviceperson, Painter – Plant Operations;
• Nancy Oczkowski, who began working at the University in September 2008, retires as Continuing Lecturer – Renison University College;
• Michael Borkowski, who started his career at Waterloo in August 1981, retires as Manager, Technology Integrated Services – IST; and
• Rosemary Kay, who joined the University in September 2012, retires as Career Advisor – Centre for Career Action.

Faculty

• Myroslaw Tataryn, who started at St. Jerome's University as Vice-President and Academic Dean in July 2005, retires as Professor – Religious Studies, St. Jerome’s University;
• Wayne Brodland, who began working at the University in May 1986, retires as Professor – Civil and Environmental Engineering;
• Murray McArthur, who joined the Faculty of Arts in July 1986 as an Associate Professor – English Language & Literature and received tenure in July 1991;
• John Heikkila, who started in Biology in April 1984, received tenure in July 1989, and retires as Professor – Biology;
• Christopher Small, who began working at Waterloo in July 1982, retires as Professor – Statistics and Actuarial Science; and
• Gabriel Niccoli, who joined St. Jerome's University in July 1984, retires as Professor.

Congratulations to all faculty and staff retirees!

Notes as the fiscal year draws to a close

Today is the final day in the fiscal year for the University, and Finance has been putting the Unit4 system into overdrive as current year transactions needed to be posted and reviewed in a timely manner prior to year-end. 

It's also the final day in office for the student leaders of the Federation of Students, as they prepare to usher in their successors, whose one-year terms begin tomorrow.

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Canada is looking for a Youth Network Coordinator to lead and coordinate all its SDSN Youth activities in Waterloo Region and Canada. The deadline is May 1, and information on the position and how to apply is available on the SDSN Canada website.