Having spent part of the summer onboarding and becoming oriented to our facilities, systems and people, I am keenly attuned to what new students will be going through very shortly. Also, as a parent with three children who will begin post-secondary education this year, I am personally experiencing this transition in yet another way.
My own onboarding experience here was first-class. I see collegiality at all levels of this institution, and feel the strong value this community places on our students, staff and faculty. I see this in the way co-op students are a welcomed addition to the Dean’s Office, and in the way mental health and wellness is incorporated in teaching, learning and everyday interactions.
As we enter the start of term, I look forward to participating in the first-class onboarding our new students will experience – with many activities planned to help them transition comfortably and easily – as well as welcoming back our current students.
I wish, for you all, a meaningful start of the fall term, filled with excitement for new beginnings.
Lili Liu
AHS this month I Events I Tips and reminders
AHS THIS MONTH
Training funds available
If you are planning to attend teaching-related training or a conference, check out the new AHS teaching training fund. This funding can be used to cover the price of training or attendance at teaching-related conferences and is intended for faculty or staff members who cannot subsidize these activities with other funding sources.
Take the Instructor Needs Survey
The AHS Teaching Fellows are planning workshops for the new academic year and would appreciate your input. Please take two minutes to complete the Instructor Needs Survey and let us know what topics you want to cover in our monthly meet-ups and what dates work best for you.
Help AHS stay in touch with alumni
Whenever a former student connects with you, please share any new contact information. Emails, new employer and position information help AHS Advancement communicate with them through our alumni newsletter and invite them to events. Alumni can also share their update online. We also would love to hear about former students who would be excellent role models for AHS students. Please contact April Tanner, AHS’ new Alumni Advancement Officer. You can reach April at april.tanner@uwaterloo.ca, ext. 32610, or drop by her office (BMH 3107) and say hello!
CIHR grant for Lora Giangregorio
Kinesiology Professor Lora Giangregorio is one of three University of Waterloo researchers to receive a 2019 spring competition grant from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). Her study will evaluate progressive strength training at different intensities to see how they affect bone strength and other health outcomes for people with low bone mineral density.
Paolo Dominelli receives infrastructure award
Kinesiology Professor Paolo Dominelli has received $100,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) for his integrative physiology laboratory. His research will expand on our knowledge of sex differences in exercise physiology and how they can be translated into better exercise training. Dominelli was one of 23 recipients of the JELF, which invests in research labs and equipment to help exceptional researchers at universities across the country.
Updated membership list
We've updated the Dean's Update list to reflect this term's current staff, faculty and graduate students. If you know of someone in these constituencies who should be receiving the Update, but isn't, please have them contact Eugenia Xenos Anderson at exanders@uwaterloo.ca.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Orientation days: August 29-September 7
Orientation 2019 started Thursday and runs until Saturday, September 7. Even though classes begin September 4, AHS undergraduate students will attend AHS-specific, central and residence programming throughout the week. AHS graduate students will attend orientation on September 7. If you’d like more information about programming, the Orientation schedule is available online.
HeForShe Get Free Tour and President's lecture: September 16
Sandra Banks, the vice-president of University Relations, invites everyone to a HeForShe campus rally, hosted by UN Women, that will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the PAC parking lot. There will be music, refreshments and giveaways. The rally will be followed by the President's lecture at 10:30 a.m. at Federation Hall.
Teaching Fellows Monthly Meet-up: September 19
The new series of Monthly Meet-Ups will be starting off with a workshop on instructors’ mental health, planned for September 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Outlook invitation will be shared soon so you can indicate your availability and dietary preferences for lunch.
Men's Circle: September 26
More and more men are beginning to stand up and speak out about their desire to redefine what it means to be a man today. Through interactive exercises, this three-hour workshop will provide men with the tools to become better versions of themselves. Please register for the Men's Circle workshop, taking place September 26 from 12 to 1 p.m. in EC4 1004, if you are interested in joining the growing number of men working to make UWaterloo a safer campus for everyone.
Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF): September 27-29
Many thanks to the staff, faculty and students who have volunteered to staff the AHS booth and answer questions about our programs to thousands of high school students and their parents. OUF is a tiring but rewarding experience, so we appreciate having many volunteers on hand. If you have questions about this event, please email Pamela Hurvid at phurvid@uwaterloo.ca.
Alumni Black and Gold Day and Fun Run: September 28
The Fun Run starts at 8 a.m. by the AHS Expansion building; bring your costumes and your friends! All ages and abilities welcome. 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.
TIPS AND REMINDERS
Brown paper towel disposal
Did you know that brown paper towels are made from recycled material and can’t be placed in the blue bins? They are, however, compostable. Please put your brown paper towels in the bins in the bathrooms, if you can, but not in the blue bins.
Do you have a wellness tip or a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.