AHS staff, faculty, and graduate students,
I am honoured to have this opportunity to serve as the dean of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) for the next five years. Thank you for your support and warm welcome. I would like to express my deep appreciation to Paul Stolee for his strong contributions during his leadership as interim dean over the past year. His integrity and stewardship during this time will continue to benefit the Faculty in the coming years and have paved the way for a smooth transition for me.
Wherever I go, I meet alumni from UWaterloo, some who have even earned multiple degrees from AHS. I have also learned that some of my prominent occupational therapy colleagues are alumni of UWaterloo! What's more, everyone I meet immediately shares positive sentiments for their alma mater. To me, this is the litmus test of a longstanding culture that generates excellence through a caring environment.
In the upcoming months, I look forward to meeting as many members of the AHS community as possible to learn about your roles, the ways in which I can facilitate your endeavours, and how I can best represent you. The Faculty’s strategic plan is a priority in the fall and I am excited to collaborate with Recreation and Leisure Studies, Kinesiology and the School of Public Health and Health Systems to create a plan that captures the strategic plans of the three units, aligns with the University plan, and inspires us as a Faculty to reach our potential.
Best,
Lili Liu
AHS this month I Events I Tips for you
AHS THIS MONTH
First (again) in Shanghai rankings
Congratulations to the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies for helping Waterloo achieve first place in Canada and 19th in the world in the 2019 Shanghai Ranking's Hospitality and Tourism Management subject category. This is the third year in a row with a first-place ranking, a significant achievement because that category has only existed for three years. The Shanghai Ranking Consultancy is an independent organization that publishes the Academic Ranking of World Universities' (ARWU) global subject rankings. More than 1,200 universities are evaluated by ARWU.
Undergraduate recruitment events
As we prepare to welcome our newest cohort of students in a few weeks, our undergraduate recruitment team is preparing to recruit the students who will be joining us in September 2020. The four main 2019-20 undergraduate recruitment event dates are set. Please mark your calendars to avoid any booking conflicts if you organize on-campus weekend activities or if you’d like to participate in these events.
- Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF): September 27-29 (held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre). Any faculty or teaching staff who are interested in helping out at the AHS section of the booth for one of the three days should contact Pamela Hurvid before August 2.
- Fall Open House: Saturday, November 2
- March Break Open House: Saturday, March 21, 2020
- You @ Waterloo Day: Saturday, May 23, 2020
Fall convocation date and alumni awards
Convocation dates are also set for the fall term. The AHS ceremony will be held Friday, October 25 at 10 a.m.; please mark your calendars. Also, you will note that the Young Alumni and Alumni Achievement Awards will be presented at fall convocation this year. Moving the date allows award recipients more time to make travel arrangements to attend.
New alumni engagement strategy
AHS Advancement is developing a new alumni engagement strategy. In the fall, we will be looking for input on how we engage alumni and we'll be seeking your examples of past volunteerism. Our strategy is two-fold: to recognize and thank alumni for their gift of time, and to build a list of alumni in Raisers Edge (our CRM) who are interested in volunteer opportunities. We are asking that you inform us of alumni who volunteer in your unit so that we can help steward and recognize them at the Faculty and University levels. Please contact Sherri Sutherland or Crystal Cooper.
Be part of the 2019 AHS Fun Run team!
The entire AHS community is invited to Alumni Black and Gold Day (formerly known as Reunion) – and in particular, we encourage faculty, staff, students and alumni to register for the AHS Fun Run team. Bring your friends so we can show our strength as a team! Race kit pickup and registration will take place in the AHS Expansion Building on September 28 (early race kit pick up on September 27, 4:30 - 7 p.m.). Also on the agenda for September 28 are a Warrior picnic for the whole family on the BMH Green, an exploratory discussion on the modern athlete (featuring members of the AHS community), the football Alumni VIP Tent and the Warriors Hall of Fame, where we will celebrate this year's inductees.
New student journal seeking submissions
Grad students are invited to submit original articles on epidemiology, public and environmental health, or other health concepts for the December issue of the Waterloo Journal of Environmental Studies (WJES), a new science journal with potential for peer review. Their aim is to provide Waterloo students the chance to gain publication experience. To inquire about submissions or editorial positions, email wjes@uwimprint.ca.
Mandatory safety training for supervisors
Please note that all supervisors and managers are required to take the Supervisor Safety Orientation Online (SO1100) course to comply with provincial regulations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. For those supervising high-risk activities, the Supervisor Safety Training (SO1003) classroom course is also required. If you have any questions related to supervisor training or health and safety, please contact Emma Dare (ext. 36703).
UPCOMING EVENTS
Undergraduate overview presentation: August 9
This training session is designed for the liaison team that travels across Canada giving recruitment presentations to thousands of high school students, but we'd like to extend an invitation to faculty and staff who are interested in how we share the benefits of the AHS undergraduate student experience, or who simply want to learn more about AHS undergrad programs. This year’s presentation will be on Friday, August 9 from 1 - 2 p.m. Please contact Pamela Hurvid to confirm your spot.
Career Speed Networking: October 28
This popular event, which connects current AHS students with alumni to speak about career options, is moving to the fall term this year. Registration will open in September. Please encourage your students to attend.
TIPS FOR YOU
Graduate student stress management
This Campus Wellness group offers a safe, confidential space in which to talk about the stressors in graduate school and life, emotions (including anxiety and depression) and relationships. You may attend the Graduate Student Stress Management Group on a drop-in basis. Next session: August 8.
Do you have a wellness tip or a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.