I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Vertha Coligan as the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, effective Monday, February 4, 2019.
Applications for this position were welcomed from a range of highly qualified candidates across Canada. The selection committee was impressed with Vertha’s depth and breadth of experience in post-secondary education, as well as with her consultative and collaborative approach, thoughtfulness, openness and engagement of the Faculty community. The interview committee was unanimous in its support and endorsement of Vertha as the successful candidate.
For the past six years, as the Dean of the Faculty of Technology at Fanshawe, Vertha has purposefully and strategically grown enrolment, improved retention and led the development of new and redesigned programs across a range of credentials in the fields of engineering, construction management, electronics, aviation and chemical technology. She created opportunities for children to explore technology, science and trades-related disciplines, and facilitated several partnership agreements through relationships with industry that have continued to grow applied research within the Faculty and improve the equipment available in laboratories and shops. Throughout her career, Vertha has imagined possibilities and opportunities. She values innovative and creative ideas and places importance on the quality of academic programming and the student experience.
Prior to arriving at Fanshawe, Vertha served as Chair of the Department of Architecture, Civil & Building Science and Chair of the Department of Applied Science and Environmental Technology at Algonquin College, where she led teams that offered a wide selection of programs and services in the School of Advanced Technology (SAT). In that context, she supported the development of new programs and introduced applied research into several programs. Prior to becoming Chair, she served as Coordinator of Biotechnology and General Education in SAT. With a total of 22 years of experience as a professor and coordinator and 10 years as an academic administrator, Vertha has a deep understanding of what it means to be both an academic and an academic administrator.
Vertha earned an M.B.A. and a B.Ed. from the University of Ottawa, a B.A. (English) from Carlton and most recently is a graduate of the Institute for Management & Leadership in Higher Education through Harvard University. She is currently completing the research component of her Ph.D. studies at Western University. Her research is focused on studying Female College Presidents in Ontario and the Creation of Trust in Executive Leadership Teams.
I look forward to welcoming Vertha to Sheridan early in the New Year and introducing her to our community. Her thoughtfulness, dedication, passion and commitment to learning communities will support us in moving our institutional and Faculty academic priorities forward.
Sincerely,
Melanie Spence-Ariemma
Provost and Vice-President, Academic