Everyday Heroes for April 2018

For providing outstanding leadership to students, faculty and staff, Nair Lacruz is a Mohawk Everyday Hero. As Associate Dean of Health Studies, Nair serves 65 faculty and staff who are educating nearly 1,000 students. Nair consistently goes above and beyond by keeping an open door, soliciting ideas and making sure faculty and staff have the supports and resources they need to deliver a quality education and great college experience to students. Nair has worked in support staff, faculty and administrative staff roles during her 15 years at Mohawk. She began her career with the college as a support staff member in Accessible Learning Services and then became a partial load and full-time faculty member. Nair has also served as Program Manager in Continuing Education for Interdisciplinary, Media and Creative Arts and was also Acting Associate Dean of Liberal Studies. President Ron McKerlie presented Nair with her Everyday Hero during a meeting with Associate Deans and Deans. Recognize someone who's making a difference at Mohawk with an Everyday Hero Award at www.mohawkcollege.ca/everydayhero.

For being a go-to person for students and a mentor to colleagues, Brooke Malstrom is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. Brooke joined Mohawk as a part-time professor in 1998, became Clinical Coordinator of the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Program in 2006 and then Program Coordinator in 2014. Brooke organizes open labs for students prior to their exams and books rooms and equipment for student study groups. Outside of Mohawk, Brooke is a member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and has served as a coach and mentor to physiotherapists for the past decade. Brooke was presented with her Everyday Hero Award during Mohawk’s 2018 townhall by School of Health Dean Lori Koziol (left) and Allied Health Associate Dean Wendy Lawson. Recognize someone who's making a difference at Mohawk with an Everyday Hero Award at www.mohawkcollege.ca/everydayhero.

For making sure everything’s set up and ready to go for students and apprentices at Mohawk’s Stoney Creek campus, Gary Strong is an Everyday Hero. Gary is a Facility Services Technician who started working part-time in Mohawk’s McIntyre Theatre in 1978 before joining the Audiovisual and Media Studies departments. Gary then became a member of the Facilities team at the Fennell campus in 1994 and moved to Stoney Creek a year later. Gary can often be seen late into the evening setting up rooms for meetings and events. Gary also manages the Horticultural Technician apprenticeship program, where he maintains the inventory of tools and equipment and delivers them to off-site locations for students. Gary does his work with both a smile and a great attention to detail. Director of Facility Operations Henry Colyn (right) presented Gary with his Everyday Hero Award during Mohawk’s 2018 townhall meeting. Recognize someone who's making a difference at Mohawk with an Everyday Hero Award at www.mohawkcollege.ca/everydayhero.

For going above and beyond in transforming students into job-ready graduates, Lisa Pegg is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. In her 14 years at Mohawk, Lisa has served as a Learning Strategist / Adaptive Technologist with Accessible Learning Services, Curriculum Design Specialist with the Centre for Teaching and Learning and a Professor and Program Coordinator with the McKeil School of Business. Lisa is currently the Coordinator for Mohawk’s Business Analysis Post-Graduate Certificate Program and teaches in five programs. Lisa was nominated by a recent graduate who wrote “as a past student in the Business Analysis program, my peers and I can't praise Lisa enough for her efforts. She pours her heart and soul into the success of the program and gets to know her students on a personal level. My experience in the program was wonderful. Lisa empowered and accompanied us in finding internships that would launch us in our careers as business analysts.” Lisa is also Past-Chair of the provincial Curriculum Developers Affinity Group and is coordinating the group’s 2018 annual conference. Recognize someone who's making a difference at Mohawk with an Everyday Hero Award at www.mohawkcollege.ca/everydayhero.

For welcoming international students and making them feel at home at Mohawk College, recruiter Leo Barsony is an Everyday Hero. Leo retired at the end of March after 36 years of distinguished service to Mohawk. Leo was a tireless advocate and champion for international students. With common sense, humility and humour, Leo had an uncanny ability to resolve issues in ways that always put the students’ best interests at heart. Leo would have international students join his family for holiday meals and, in turn, visit with students’ families while overseas on recruitment trips. Leo demonstrated the same commitment and loyalty to his colleagues by always making time to mentor, listen and share his wealth of experience. Know someone like Leo who works at Mohawk and makes a difference for students, faculty, staff and college partners? Nominate them today for an Everyday Hero Award at www.mohawkcollege.ca/everydayhero.