Colleagues,
There’s busy, there’s “good busy,” and there’s that other kind of busy. This time of year is all kinds of busy. From the hallway conversations I’ve been part of, it’s clear that this time of year in the academic calendar – with exams, grading, tenures and promotions, activity reports, etc. – coincides with a hectic and often stressful personal/family time as the holiday season approaches.
Much of this activity many of us would wish to avoid (I note that even Nobel Laureate Donna Strickland deferred applying for promotion to full professor because she didn’t want to bother with the paperwork), but we may take some comfort in knowing it comes along with many things we enjoy and find rewarding.
So as the term winds down, my best wishes in managing this busy period,
Paul
Paul Stolee, PhD
Professor and Interim Dean
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Highlights I Events I ...And more
Some highlights from this month
Let's welcome Sherri Sutherland
Sherri Sutherland is the new Director of Advancement for the Faculty, bringing a solid record of fundraising and management experience to the position. She has been working with the Faculty of Arts advancement team since 2017, and was director of development of Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington and executive director of Groves Hospital Foundation before that. She also has a programming background with YMCAs and parks and recreation. Her experiences will help build capacity for the Faculty as we work to become campaign-ready. Welcome, Sherri!
United Way goal met
Thank you to everyone who participated or contributed to the Faculty's efforts in fundraising for United Way. We are proud to say that we raised a total of $2,055; our goal was $1,500. The United Way coordinates fundraising for local organizations that tackle poverty and help children and communities. A special thank you to Molly Furness and the AHS United Way committee for all your time and hard work.
Rec grad student named a Future Scholar
The Academy of Leisure Sciences' Future Scholars committee has chosen Rebecca Koroll, 
Recreation and Leisure master's student, as a Future Scholars Award winner. The award comes with a scholarship of $1,000 to attend the Academy's conference in the new year. Congratulations, Rebecca!
Notes from the Advisory on Health and Well-being
- Chris Perlman, chair of the Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being, is also an active member of the Committee on Student Mental Health, which is overseeing the implementation of the recommendations from the President's Advisory on Student Mental Health. This provides continuity between campus-wide and AHS activities to support student mental health. One such action, the signing of the Okanagan Charter for Health Promotion, will have immediate implications for the strategic planning process, with the University committing to "use of a health and wellness lens in its planning and to inform its policies and procedures in response to a changing world." See the Okanagan commitments for details.
- The Advisory has been consulting with UW Mates and Peer Health Education in Campus Wellness to increase health and well-being supports within AHS. Stay tuned.
- Finally, a reminder for all to be aware of the education and support services offered through Campus Wellness. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with everything on offer. There's much more than what may have been there the last time you looked.
Classroom meets community at Neighbourhood Fest
For the seventh year in a row, students in a Recreation and Leisure Studies program management and evaluation class have organized the Waterloo West Neighbourhood Fest (WWNF). The WWNF is a day-long series of developmental activities geared at youth ages 2 to 12 at the Stork Family YMCA and Harper Branch Library that attracts hundreds of visitors. Read more about how this experiential education opportunity comes about and the value it creates.
Gearing up for Career Night Speed Networking
Please connect with Karry Kwan if you know of AHS alumni who would be great for this popular career networking event for our undergraduate students. Alumni share their experiences, offer career insight, and speak with students about what to expect after graduation in a 'speed dating' format. This year, we’ll also have a graduate student component. For the first time, undergrads will have the opportunity to speak with both current graduate students and graduate studies alumni about their experiences. The event will be held January 23.
Upcoming events
Undergrad Student Holiday Send-off: December 3
We invite staff and faculty members to come mingle with our undergraduate students over hot chocolate and holiday treats to mark the end of classes and to celebrate the season. Bring your own mug for some hot chocolate to go! We'll be on the 2nd floor AHS foyer between 2-4 p.m. on December 3.
Better Birth Experiences: December 5
As part of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, the AHS HeForShe initiative is funding this event, which will talk about the challenges inherent to our maternal health-care system, and concrete ways for families to move through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Everybody welcome. See the 16 Days of Activism: Better Birth Experiences event page.
Kinesiology Lab Days: December 5-14
More than 1,770 high school youth will be spending a day with us as part of Kinesiology Lab Days. This annual high school outreach event for grade 12 Exercise Science and grades 11/12 Biology classes gives young students a chance to try out mini-laboratory sessions, where they learn about assessing, treating, and preventing movement-related illness and injury. Please welcome and help direct young students and their teachers if you can during these days.
EngAGING Ideas: December 6
Doctoral students in the PhD Aging, Health and Well-being program are organizing a new event that brings together students and members of the local community to meet off-campus for an open and creative discussion around issues related to aging. The topic for this debut session: What does aging well mean to you? No need to register; just come by for lively discussion and refreshments. More info on the EngAGING Ideas Event page.
HeForShe committee meeting: December 7
All faculty, staff and students are welcome to join the next HeForShe meeting on December 7 at noon in LHN 1703. Newcomers welcome! Please contact Corey Johnson if you have questions.
Deadline to apply for Waterloo ExL Institute: December 7
If you would like to add an experiential learning component to your course or program, consider attending the Waterloo ExL Institute on February 25 and March 4. This intensive two-day program will guide you through the process. Deadline to apply: December 7.
AHS Holiday Gathering: December 11
Faculty, staff and grad students are invited to drop by the AHS Expansion foyer for some holiday cheer on December 11. Please check your email for your calendar invite and RSVP, if you haven't already done so. If you have any questions, please contact Molly Furness.
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Hiring for two Research Chairs in Indigenous Health
The Faculty is seeking two Canada Research Chairs in Indigenous Health — a Tier 1 Chair in Indigenous Health Innovation, and a Tier 2 Chair in Indigenous Health and Well-being. The appointments would start next July. See the Canada Research Chairs job postings for details.
Watch for News to You in early December
The latest edition of News to You, AHS' annual alumni magazine, is in print and will be out by the beginning of December. Look for a feature on alumni couple Doug and Sandra Ranton's experience with youth mental health, as well as extended alumni profiles.
Green Tip of the Month
This holiday season, why not save time, money and waste by wrapping gifts in reusable cloth gift bags. Find some gift bag ideas here — you can even personalize them. Happy wrapping!