Everyday Heroes for June 2021
Congratulations to our most recent recipients
For keeping our campus grounds safe and looking beautiful no matter the time of year, Neil Allen is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. As a member of the grounds team, Neil sets the example for his college. He takes pride in his work and it shows in the exceptional way which our campuses are maintained and looking their best, winter, spring, summer and fall.
For everything she has done to support the successful launch of Indigenous focused courses across the college, Jessica Pearce is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. As a Curriculum Development Specialist, Jessica has been instrumental in the launch of several Indigenous courses across the college. Jessica has supported the implementation of intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples through curriculum and learning approaches. Specifically, she supported new faculty as they worked to develop and deliver courses within the General Arts & Science Indigenous pathway and General Education Electives. Jessica provided 1:1 assistance and guided faculty to supporting resources across the college. In response to the pandemic, she assisted with quickly converting in-person courses to on-line delivery and continued to provide a high level of support throughout the delivery of these courses. Jessica has made herself accessible and available consistently from the first day of class to the final submission of grades. Her dedication has ensured that Mohawk College is responsive in developing courses and materials that reflect an Indigenous perspective. In the first year of academic delivery, more than 700 students have experienced these courses. Jessica’s work is helping to ensure the college continues to support an increase in understanding and reciprocity among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, both at the college and within the local community.
For working tirelessly to provide a comfortable and professional learning environment for students, Tiffany Iles is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. Tiffany providers a welcoming team-based approach to her colleagues as the Coordinator of the PSW program. She has been pivotal in the PSW intensive program rollout, working with, and coordinating hundreds of new students and numerous team members, while at the same time, developing integrated digital simulations and engaging interactive lessons for the regular stream of PSW students. Tiffany shows tremendous dedication to her team, the college, and her students. She is always attentive, understanding and ready to support the great ideas that are brought to her by her team.
For her ongoing dedication to the Nursing program throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Beth Morris is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. Beth has been hands on since the day the college first closed its campuses in March 2020. Beth is dedicated to student success. Since March 2020, she has worked tirelessly with community partners to secure placements for more than 300 nursing students, even working holidays to secure placements for Nursing and PSW students to ensure their studies were not interrupted. Beth has also worked hard to ensure her team of more than 100 faculty sand staff have been kept up to date despite the ever changing situation with the pandemic.
For always going above and beyond to support faculty, Graeme Douglas is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. Graeme is an Educational Technologist and even though he works exclusively with faculty, he is always mindful that the assistance he provides will impact learning outcomes for students. Graeme has been a valuable resource for faculty navigating the college’s MyCanvas learning system for the first time. Graeme has a unique blend of qualities that allow him to excel in his role. He is extremely proficient with the technology, readily answering questions and solving problems. He is always quick to respond, which is important given the time-sensitive nature of some of the problems faculty face. But what really stands out is Graeme’s approach to dealing with people. He was always pleasant and cheerful, which helps to reduce anxiety and lighten the mood. He is empathetic and supportive and can always be counted to help when it is needed most.
For everything she has done to support employees through the pandemic, Angela Esposto is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. As a Human Resources Services Consultant, Angela has worked closely with other areas of the college since the pandemic began to ensure employees were able to access the college using newly established processes and procedures. She has been instrumental in helping to organize and streamline processes and procedures in both her current and previous roles, and she has been described as being a gem to work with, tackling every job fully and professionally, and always with a view to improving how things are done.
For consistently going above and beyond to provide the college community the highest level of client service, Joanne Fliss is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. Joanne is a collaborator in every sense of the word. She always finds the time to help others, and is a true partner to anyone in search of a resolution. Joanne looks for efficiencies in processes, and is a willing participant and leader in the implementation of change. Her smile and positive attitude is infectious, and she brightens the day of everyone she comes into contact with. Joanne's knowledge and experience is a true asset to the Human Resources department, and to the college as a whole.
For always being one step ahead, Grant Hodson is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. As Manager, IT Data Analytics, Grant receives numerous reporting requests on a daily basis, yet he always makes everyone feel that their request is a priority. Grant goes above and beyond to ensure he fully understands each request and is always prepared to offer advice to ensure the areas he works with get the information they need. Grant is really good at anticipating people’s needs and coming to meetings having fully mapped out every possible scenario. Grant is a delight to work with, always positive, truly engaged in the work, and excited to help Mohawk achieve its goals.
For the impact he has on many successful projects with the Enterprise Project Management Office, Long Dam is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. Long has always demonstrated exemplary leadership and astounding commitment to the college. He has been instrumental to the successful completion of many projects in the EPMO including the CareerReady Experiential Learning Implementation, the Degree Works (MAP) Upgrade, Digital Student Engagement, Enterprise Class E-Signature Solution Implementation, and Enterprise Intake System, to name a few. With his exceptional support and contributions, Long was very instrumental in transitioning the Project Management Office (PMO) into an Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO). In addition to this, Long worked to develop processes and frameworks that emphasize best practices. Long has exceeded all expectations and contributes immensely to the advancement of the department, the college and the community.
For her willingness to step up, learn new skills and take on new assignments, and all with a smile on her face, Lauren O’Hare is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. Lauren goes and above and beyond to assist her colleague and ensure they feel supported. In a year filled with pivots and challenges, she has repeatedly stepped up, learned new skills and techniques (and then taught others) and taken on new assignments, all while maintaining a positive attitude. No matter how busy she gets, Lauren will always offer her time to help others, even if it means working extra hours to do it. Lauren is highly responsive to the current, everchanging climate. She always acts with integrity, and she is supportive and welcoming to every Mohawk team member.
For going the extra mile every day in support of our students, Scott Green is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. As a Counsellor with Accessible Learning Services, Scott supports some very complex and multi faceted situations which he always approaches with a unique perspective, directly impacting the success of our students. This often results in supports for students that bridge gaps in accessibility and inclusivity in very meaningful ways. Scott is student focused. He listens to and supports his colleagues, works collaboratively, and raises others up with his encouragement and devotion to their success. Many innovative supports come from working with Scott. He is inclusive and committed to excellence. Scott is an amazing advocate for our students and is a champion for their rights, needs, and success. He treats others with compassion and imparts knowledge and wisdom that are always beneficial.
For his commitment to supporting his team, students, faculty and colleagues, Toby Merritt is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. As Manager, Accessible Learning Services, Toby is known for his commitment to excellence. He is well respected by the Accessible Learning Services team and is viewed as an outstanding manager. He is very patient, and is able to look at situations with an unbiased perspective to provide the best support to his team, students, faculty and college employees. He is very thoughtful in his responses and ensures that everyone feels validated when helping creating solutions to challenging situations. Toby is always engaged in tasks involved with Accessible Learning Services, no matter how big or small. He has a strong moral compass and steers the team in the best direction. Toby truly deserves recognition as an Everyday Hero.
For her everything she has done to support the college’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Allison Hallman is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. As Manager, Student Wellness & Counselling, Allison has been instrumental to the college's response and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her highly collaborative nature has led to many process improvements that have increased the college's ability to respond to the pandemic. While her involvement in the pandemic response has dominated her time over the past year, Allison has also contributed to the ongoing success of the college in other areas of her portfolio.
For always going above and beyond to make sure our students feel supported, encouraged and engaged, Julie Farnand is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. As a Co-op Specialist in the college’s Co-operative Education department, Julie works hard to foster new relationships between departments. She recently worked with faculty from the college’s Human Resources Management program to develop mock interviews for Co-op students. The interviews helped the Co-ops develop their interview skills prior to applying for Co-op positions, while at the same time helping the Human Resources students gain valuable, practical hands-on experience in a skill that is critical to their field.
For going above and beyond to support the work of the Centre for Community Partnerships & Experiential Learning, Joanne Stephen is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. As a financial analyst supporting Mohawk’s City School and Experiential Learning activities, Joanne works closely with the team on several complicated financial grant agreements and reporting, often against tight deadlines requiring a quick turn-around. Joanne’s ability to provide clarity to team members on funding guidelines related to project scope and execute financial reporting documents with ease demonstrates her problem-solving ability and strong communication skills. Joanne consistently goes above and beyond to assist her colleagues and is essential to their success. Not only is she talented in her role but she also does is with a friendly and approachable demeanor. The team is forever grateful for her expertise and support.
For her leadership in navigating the complex financial management and reporting systems connected with provincial and federal grants, Mirna Matulovic is a Mohawk College Everyday Hero. Throughout her time at Mohawk College, Mirna has continued to demonstrate leadership in her ability to navigate complex financial management and reporting systems for ongoing provincial and federal grants. Mirna’s analysis of funding guidelines, and her support to the division in reporting successful financial outcomes year after year contributes to the success of the Centre for Community Partnerships & Experiential Learning. On a regular basis, Mirna has to pivot from one project to the next to support tight deadlines for both internal and external stakeholders. Mirna’s ability to manage these large multi-million-dollar projects is integral to Centre’s success.