Watch Alexander Kittelsen's video on YouTube.

(If you can't see the video embedded at the top of this page please click the green “Accept Cookies” button)

He emphasizes that success in skilled trades comes from teamwork, problem-solving, and continuous learning. David finds the greatest reward is watching students grow, graduate, and later succeed in their careers. Watch David Clarke's video on YouTube. 

(If you can't see the video embedded at the top of this page please click the green “Accept Cookies” button)

Name:  Kelly Dymond

Job title:  Adaptive Technologist

Department: Accessible Learning Services

How long have you been at Mohawk:  I started working at Mohawk College in October 2019.

Tell us what you do at the College?

I am one of the Adaptive Technologists in Accessible Learning Services (ALS), which provides individualized accommodations and supports for students with disabilities.  I am grateful to be a part of this dedicated, passionate, knowledgeable and supportive team.  My days are filled with meeting with students, listening to people, or sometimes brainstorming on the whiteboards in the Accessible Learning Lab, a workspace where students can study; take a break between classes. 

In my role as an Adaptive Technologist, I meet with students who are registered with ALS to discuss assistive technology (AT) tools (e.g. text-to-speech, voice recognition, etc.) and provide AT device training, as well as troubleshooting issues when they occur.  We also discuss Learning Strategies (e.g. study skills, time management, organization, notetaking, and other topics) that could support the student with their academic studies. 

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

One thing that makes me look forward to coming to work are our students - the conversations and listening to their experiences and insights.  I appreciate their resourcefulness.  I enjoy collaborating and understanding how they learn, determining strategies that may support them, while acknowledging that everyone learns and thinks about information in different ways.  One of the rewards of this position is watching the students grow and build confidence in their skills and abilities, celebrating their successes and good moments, while listening during the moments of frustration and tough times.  A student’s academic journey follows many paths, and I am grateful to be a tiny part of someone's journey. 

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

One of the things I enjoy doing outside of work is going for walks and hikes, enjoying the beauty of the scenery and the little moments, as well as taking pictures on hikes.  It’s amazing to look out over a valley, cove or hillside when you reach the top or pausing for a moment along the trail to take in the sights and sounds!  In my spare time, I also like to curl up with a book, spend time with family and friends, and play the piano.

Name: Rosalyn Turner

Job title: Operations Support Officer

Department: Centre for Indigenous Relations, Knowledge & Learning (CIRKL)

How long have you been at Mohawk: 2.5 years

Tell us what you do at the college? 

I support my department in completing all the projects it is connected to across the college and in the community. I supported approval and implementation of our new department name and logo, the consultation process of the Indigenous Knowledge Learning Outcomes and their ongoing implementation across programs in the college, the completion of the Kanaktí:yo space construction and grand opening event on Fennell campus and  the creation of the CIRKL website.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day? 

Getting to help others and learning how my CIRKL and ISS colleagues see and experience the world around them differently than me.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

Going for walks in nature, hugging my family and my dog, reading and watching movies or binging TV shows.

What is something your colleagues may not know about you?

I am a settler with Irish and British heritage, who also has Naskapi and Montagnais ancestry on my father’s side. I was born and raised in Treaty 8 territory (Fort St. John, B.C.). I attended Simon Fraser University, in the unceded territory of multiple Indigenous communities (Burnaby, B.C.). I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology, minor in Criminology. I moved to the territories of the Erie, Huron-Wendat, Neutral, Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe (Hamilton, ON) in 2002.

I struggled to find employment as I did not have any job experience related to my degree. As a result, I enrolled in the Child and Youth Worker program because of the 3 job placements included in the program. I had both of my daughters while I was attending the college as a student and graduated the program with honours.

I worked for many years in children and youth’s mental health and developmental services. I gained a significant amount of knowledge in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and continue to co-chair the Hamilton FASD Network.

I loved the company I used to work for and knew that if I ever left that I would be pursuing a career change. I feel fortunate that I was hired for my role at the college: Operation Support Officer, Centre for Indigenous Relations, Knowledge & Learning (affectionately called CIRKL).

I thought I knew and understood a lot about Indigenous people, but my eyes were opened wide and quickly by my new colleagues. I am grateful they have truly welcomed me into their lives, experiences, and culture. I continue to make errors and mistakes, but I have conversations, seek information, process my experiences and intentionally try to do things differently.

I really had no concept of what sovereignty was, why it is important or what treaties are until I started to work at the college. I feel I also had to really break down what truth and reconciliation was. For me, truth is believing the stories of residential school survivors, bringing awareness about that truth, and accessing facts to counter those that still deny the experiences of residential schools survivors. Reconciliation is harder. If you do a quick google search the definition of reconciliation is to “restore friendly relations”. Most of us did not have any relationships with any Indigenous people and do not know anything about their culture or history.

It is the 10^th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Actions. If you have not read them, please do.  I feel that everyone could find one (or more) of the calls to action they could relate to. Seek out the calls to action you are passionate about and support them by doing somethings actionable. Post information on your social media, write letters, talk to people you know, volunteer…there are many ways to move things forward. 

(If you can't see the video embedded above click “accept cookies”)

As a faculty member at Mohawk College, Emily finds immense joy in teaching and takes pride in preparing her students for impactful careers. 

A significant experience in her career was leading a group of students on a two-week trip to India in 2019, which broadened her perspective on the challenges faced by international students and highlighted the importance of real-world learning. Her program emphasizes supporting marginalized communities and fostering inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Watch Emily's story on YouTube. 

Name: Dennis Barnes

Job title: Manager, Cyber Security

Department: Technology Services

How long have you been at Mohawk: 17 years (I started as a student in 2000 and have been a staff member since 2007)

Tell us what you do at the College?

As the Manager of Cyber Security at the College, my team and I work collaboratively across all departments to implement best practices in leveraging technology. We develop and enforce security policies and standards for IT systems and networks, and we install and maintain security platforms and tools to monitor and protect our systems. We continuously assess, scan, and review IT systems for cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and suspicious activities, staying updated with the latest cybersecurity technologies and trends.

Cyber security is everyone's responsibility, with education and awareness being our first line of defense. As technology is integral to our lives inside and outside of work, it is crucial that we all make diligent and informed decisions to protect ourselves and the College community. Each day brings new challenges, often involving incident response activities, such as managing cyber incidents, investigating potential data breaches, and implementing corrective measures.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

 I would say it's my co-workers, our students and the ever-changing challenges we get to work on each day.  No two days are the same.  In an education setting, every day brings new challenges and puzzles to solve. I get to make an impact, helping keep our digital ecosystem secure and ensuring everyone can safely access the technology they need to be successful.

 What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

When I'm not on camping adventures with my family, you'll find me out on the disc golf course year-round. I started competing in tournaments a couple of years ago, and I absolutely fell in love with the sport. There's nothing quite like spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature, with friends and family. It’s my ultimate way to recharge!

In Focus is a special spotlight series featuring employees who work behind-the-scenes at Mohawk College. 

Name: Amanda Anderson

Job title: Manager of Investigations and Training

Department: Mohawk Security and Emergency Management

How long have you been at Mohawk: 8 years

Tell us what you do at the College?

My job involves investigating serious policy violations, reviewing and triaging all incident reports submitted to security to ensure effective incident management and risk mitigation. I also liaise with law enforcement agencies to address incidents and support investigations. Additionally, I develop and deliver training programs for the college community focused on crime prevention and emergency procedures. I serve as Co-Chair of the Behavioural Intervention Team at Mohawk College and as the Director of Communications for the Ontario Association of College and University Security Administrators. I am grateful for these roles, as they all contribute to my core mission of ensuring safety.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

One thing that makes me excited to come to work is knowing I’m helping people feel safe and supported every day. It’s great to be part of a team that others can trust to keep our campuses a safe place to learn and work.

What is something your colleagues may not know about you?

I am a big fan of country music because I enjoy the storytelling and the experience of attending live concerts and festivals. The atmosphere and energy at these events are always amazing.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

My favourite thing to do outside of work is spending time with my 4-year-old son. We enjoy hiking, camping, visiting parks, and reading his favourite books together. These moments are incredibly special to me.

In Focus is a special spotlight series featuring employees who work behind-the-scenes at Mohawk College. 

Name: Mark McCorkle

Job title: Support Officer

Department: Learning Support Centre

How long have you been at Mohawk: Since August 2024

Tell us what you do at the College?

I am the program lead for the Peer Assisted Study Sessions (P.A.S.S.) program in the Learning Support Centre. In this program, we hire high-achieving student leaders to run study sessions to support select, challenging courses at the college. Our P.A.S.S. leaders use collaborative learning techniques to support students in their most challenging first and second semester courses. Through this program we teach students not only what to learn, but how to learn; students who attend P.A.S.S. in their first and second semesters see increased grades and lower drop/fail/withdrawal rates in both their current and future courses.

It is also an excellent learning experience for our student leaders who run the sessions as they develop key skills including leadership, public speaking, and time management while they complete their studies.

I supervise our P.A.S.S. leaders, ensuring they have the resources they need so that we can provide a high level of support for students who attend our sessions. I spend a considerable amount of time in some very colourful scheduling spreadsheets and just as much time in considerably less-colourful data spreadsheets.

P.A.S.S. is a very data-driven program so an important part of my work is collecting and analyzing data to ensure the program is well-utilized, tailored to student needs, and is having a positive and measurable impact on students’ academic performance.  

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

The students! As a former professor, I have always loved engaging with students and supporting them through their varied journeys in post-secondary education. Though I am no longer teaching, I still want to have the opportunity to do that work and interact with students regularly. I am thankful that in my current role I get to meet and support a wide range of people in their education and careers. As college employees we all care deeply about education and I love being in a role that is so closely connected to learning and that puts me on the frontlines of student success.

What is something your colleagues may not know about you?

In 2014, I completed a program to become a certified personal trainer. When I first went off to university, I began going to the gym regularly and became fascinated with the human body and exercise science. It was odd for a music student like me to begin hanging around the bodybuilding and powerlifting world but I found a home there quickly and began spending many hours in the gym. Although I no longer spend the same amount of time at the gym as I did when I was in my early 20s, I still enjoy lifting weights and keeping up with current developments in exercise science research.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

Nerd stuff, mostly. And by that I mean I spend most of my time playing board games, video games, and watching fantasy and sci fi movies and TV shows. I am particularly partial to the Star Wars and, especially, the Lord of the Rings universes; earlier this year I got my first tattoo which features Aragorn’s sword, Andúril.

In the video game world, I have long been into competitive FPS games and closely follow the Call of Duty League and the Halo Championship Series. I also have weekly gaming groups for many games, including Dungeons & Dragons and the Lord of the Rings Living Card Game. Recently, I have also been playing other tabletop games including Gloomhaven, Gaslands, and Star Wars: Shatterpoint.

In Focus is a special spotlight series featuring employees who work behind-the-scenes at Mohawk College. 

Name: Patrick Angielczyk

Job title: Audio Visual Technologist

Department: Information Technology

How long have you been at Mohawk: Almost 8 Years

Tell us what you do at the College?

Along with my coworker, we oversee audio-visual technology across the college, including classrooms, meeting/huddle spaces, and digital signage. We support over 300 spaces across all campuses. From making sure general-use classrooms have reliable AV equipment to enhancing our digital signage systems, my focus is on creating spaces that enrich learning and engagement. 

As technology needs evolve, I’m focused on renewing classroom technology to ensure it remains accessible, sustainable, and adaptable to future demands. By continuously improving our audio-visual systems, I aim to support learning environments that are inclusive and prepared for long-term success, providing faculty and students with tools that enhance their experience in the classroom.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

There’s a feeling of community at Mohawk College. From the support of our leaders to the energy that flows through every department, it feels like everyone is genuinely invested in helping students succeed. When the semester kicks off, there’s an inspiring energy as we all come together to support new learning experiences. I’ve had the privilege of joining the Convocation platform party, where I have witnessed first-hand how our work as a college community impacts each student’s journey as they reach graduation. 

This supportive environment drives me to keep doing what I do. No matter who I’m collaborating with or which department I’m working alongside, there’s a sense of pride and shared purpose in helping students achieve their goals. Plus, I get to work with the latest and greatest technology in the industry across a variety of projects, which keeps things exciting. As someone who loves to learn, this role is perfect because there’s always something new in the industry. If I didn’t have my current title, I’d probably go for “professional student”—I’m constantly learning to stay on top of industry advancements.

What is something your colleagues may not know about you?

Most people don’t know that I’m a multi-instrumentalist—I play piano, guitar, drums, and even the accordion. I’ve been passionate about music and audio-visual technology since I was a kid, which eventually led me to play in various traditional bands. I loved bringing together audio, video, lights, and effects to create an unforgettable experience—the whole package. Creating these memorable moments through music and tech has always been a creative outlet for me.

Name: Alexandra Hreno

Job title: Support Officer

Department: Learning Support Centre

How long have you been at Mohawk: 8 years (I joined as a student employee in 2016 and started in a permanent position when I graduated in 2018)

Tell us what you do at the College?

 I work in the Learning Support Centre, which provides academic support and leadership opportunities to students. I recruit and train our tutors each semester and assist students in booking tutoring appointments. Working in collaboration with students and faculty, I help identify which academic supports students need, then coordinate their implementation each semester. I also host workshops, speak to classes and promoting our services at Open House.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

I work with two groups of students, those that provide tutoring and those that receive tutoring. They are both very motivating. Our tutors are strong student leaders who enjoy supporting their peers and seeing their academic confidence grow. Their desire to help others keeps me encouraged in my own work. The students who receive tutoring take the initiative to improve their own knowledge and learning skills, which I find very admirable. It is very rewarding to see both the ‘hard skills’ and the ‘soft skills’ of our students develop from the start of each semester to the end.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

My favourite thing to do outside of work is travel. I have had the opportunity to visit 12 different countries while working at Mohawk, all within our reading weeks and holiday breaks! My favourite cities so far are Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Castries in Saint Lucia. I enjoy getting to try each countries cuisine – and of course getting away from the cold of Canada in the winter!

In Focus is a special spotlight series featuring employees who work behind-the-scenes at Mohawk College. 

Name: Chris Annable

Job title: Solutions Architect

Department: Enterprise Architecture (IT)

How long have you been at Mohawk: 17 years (I started as a co-op student)

Tell us what you do at the College?

I’m part of the Enterprise Architecture (EA) team in IT. Our mission is to shape information system investments and planning to ensure the College has a modern and sustainable technology operating environment. We focus on enhancing business capabilities. Effective communication is critical for effective EA to create common understandings between internal and external stakeholders.

I’m responsible for the technical design of our information systems, trying to ensure they are robust, sustainable, flexible, scalable and secure. We have a wide, complex landscape of interconnected systems; my job is to make those systems work together in a coherent way. I’m involved in a variety of projects like the Banner Business Transformation (BBT) project, as well as other IT initiatives. You may also find me in other groups like the Corporate Services EDI committee.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

Every day is something new - new challenges, new opportunities. In my role, I’m privileged to work with fantastic people, see the work we do as a piece of a bigger puzzle, and get to see the results of that work. The College regularly gives me opportunities where I feel we’re making a difference, and I get to give back to my community.

What is something your colleagues may not know about you?

I was very close to pursuing a career in architecture (the one that involves designing buildings, not IT systems)! When I was in high school, they still taught board drawing, and I became enamored with it. I make a lot of diagrams these days - the content is a bit different though.

In Focus is a special spotlight series featuring employees who work behind-the-scenes at Mohawk College. 

Name: Joel Healy

Job title: Identity & Access Management Specialist

Department: Cyber Security

How long have you been at Mohawk: 10 years!

Tell us what you do at the College?

In 2021, I joined the Cyber Security team as a Cyber Security Analyst. Earlier this year, my role transitioned to Identity & Access Management Specialist, where I now support a multi-year Identity & Access Management (IAM) Program implementation. At a high level, IAM ensures that the right individuals have the right access to the right resources at the right times, while protecting sensitive data. It streamlines user authentication and authorization, enhances security, and simplifies compliance. By safeguarding information and improving user experiences, IAM provides seamless and secure access to digital services.

As we progress through our IAM roadmap and implement new tools and services, this work will take up an increasing amount of my time over the next few years. In the meantime, I remain involved in several other Cyber Security activities, including Vulnerability Management (the ongoing process of identifying, assessing, and addressing potential security weaknesses in software and servers to keep our data safe), PCI Compliance (adhering to security standards to protect payment card information and maintain customer trust), and training initiatives. You may be familiar with some of these from the 'Working at Mohawk' modules, such as Cyber Security Awareness Training, PCI-specific training, or the new role-based training we are starting to roll out.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

I’ve always had a passion for computers, data analysis, and diving deep into my favourite topics. Computers have changed a lot since I was teaching myself Commodore 64 BASIC programming language in the 1980s but they’ve never gotten boring. Likewise, with Cyber Security the landscape has already changed in the 3 years since I’ve become involved in the discipline, so there is always something new to learn. In this department, I’m lucky to be able to have a mix of organized project work and ad hoc investigations (sometimes getting to the bottom of the mystery “it”, whatever “it” was, and sometimes it turns out I was chasing cyber ghosts), but it’s always fun and an interesting challenge trying to connect the dots.

However, the one thing that makes me want to come to work each day is the people. I’ve worked on a lot of great teams in my career so far, but this team is my favourite. It’s a great mix of smart people who share my enthusiasm for this field, and due to our different backgrounds and skill sets we are always teaching each other new tricks and learning new things (and sometimes learning them again – information overload is real!) The collaboration and constant exchange of knowledge make every day rewarding and exciting.

What is something your colleagues may not know about you?

I’m a music fanatic! Music almost became my career—in high school I played the euphonium (a brass instrument that looks like a small tuba but has its own distinctive sound) and studied music composition. For my final music project, I composed a brass quartet. While in high school, I also wrote music, played guitar, and sang for a few short-lived rock bands. Being the indecisive teenager that I was, I applied for Mohawk College’s Applied Music program but didn’t follow through with pursuing the education.

Before my kids were born, nearly all my vacations revolved around live music. Some standout experiences include seeing The Grateful Dead’s 50th Anniversary concert in Chicago at Soldier Field with over 70,000 others, catching Outkast at a beach festival on the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama, and making several road trips to Sackville, New Brunswick for Sappyfest—an annual festival curated by Canadian indie musicians that brings together talent from coast to coast and a few international acts.

I’ve also dabbled in music journalism for fun. From 2019 to 2022, I maintained a daily blog where I promised to review one song per day, “forever”—which ended up lasting 1192 days, so not quite “forever”. I stopped to focus on a longer-form music writing project, though I’m still in the research phase.

Bonus answer: I’m also a big baseball fan. I always try to catch a game when travelling, and have seen the Toronto Blue Jays play on the road in New York City, Chicago, Cleveland, Seattle, San Diego, and San Francisco.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

My wife and I have 2 young children so these days we’re spending considerably less time at music festivals and more time hanging out with the kids – our favourite things to do include camping at Ontario’s provincial parks, walking the trails at Royal Botanical Gardens, and going on bike rides. Hopefully that provides some balance to the computers and video games inside the house! Other than that, I am always dreaming up new ideas for creative projects (I’m currently toying with the idea of putting together a cookbook to share with friends and family I enjoy trying new recipes or trying to recreate something I’ve eaten at a restaurant) and trying my best to not leave too many half-finished projects behind.

 Position: Facilities Maintenance Engineer Lead (Mechanical)

Department: Facilities Mechanical & Electrical

How long at Mohawk College: 6.5years

Tell us what you do at the College?

As Facilities Maintenance Engineer Lead (Mechanical), I oversee all Mechanical projects related to the infrastructure of Mohawk’s campuses. Daily tasks focus on working with Engineers to ensure a comfortable working and learning environment for all members of the Mohawk College community. This can include collaborating with outside contractors and vendors to maintain buildings, or working internally with Mohawk staff to complete mechanical improvements in their respective departments. The role allows me to spend time at each of our campuses, where I enjoy meeting and collaborating with our wonderfully diverse teams. While staff and students see the outward face of Mohawk College, most of the work I oversee exists behind the scenes, in rooms and spaces that most will never visit, but that keep the College running smoothly and efficiently. Looking ahead, our team will continue pursuing net zero status within all facilities, reducing emissions wherever possible as Mohawk prioritizes a sustainable future. 

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

The promise of challenge and growth. Being relatively new to my position (4 months), every day provides me with new challenges and opportunities for professional and personal growth. I approach each task with a solution-focused mindset, and look forward to each shift, knowing that the Facilities team will work together to maintain Mohawk’s state-of-the-art facilities, and ensure that our college is a great place to work and learn.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

In my time outside of work, I enjoy keeping busy and active outdoors. I spend much of my vacation time camping with my wife, ATVing, and exploring local areas on my motorcycle.  

Last summer I spent 9 days ATVing across Newfoundland following the T Railway rail bed route. This summer we are planning a camping trip to Allegany State Park in western New York State, and in 2024 will be attending Bike Week in Daytona Beach Florida to enjoy some sunshine and open road on the motorcycle.

Name: Katrina Chapman

Job title: Facility Maintenance Engineer

Department: Facility Services

How long have you been at Mohawk:4.5 years

1. Tell us what you do at the College?

I’m part of the mechanical team at Mohawk College. We maintain the equipment and components related to the heating, cooling and water systems in the college. I also monitor the building automation system, which displays information on how the systems are functioning, as well as investigate and repair mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing issues that are reported to maintenance.

2. What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

I love getting to be a detective. When an issue is discovered, I enjoy doing the investigation to determine the cause of the problem, find a solution, and then fix it. I find it very rewarding.

3. What is something your colleagues may not know about you?

Before getting into trades, I spent six years in Sudbury where I had the privilege of co-authoring a research paper about the antibiotic resistance of a stomach bacteria called H. pylori. I also realized that Northern Ontario is not the best place for someone like myself, who dislikes snow and cold weather.

Job title:  Electrical Lead

Department: Facility Operation

How long at Mohawk College:  Since November 21, 2022

Tell us what you do at the College?

I would like to say what don’t I do? But I am much too modest for that. I currently help plan and organize little projects throughout the college to keep things up to date in the everyday maintenance of the facility.  I oversee the maintenance of electrical equipment at all campus buildings.  I work closely with the Mechanical Lead and our managers to ensure a well-communicated environment. I try to ensure that the day-to-day operations continue to move forward smoothly. These are the everyday tasks that make this job challenging, interesting and gives me a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day. 

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

My kids, but besides them, I actually have to say that I get up each day and know that someone in the Facilities department is always willing to support, answer and lend a hand to every aspect of my job. To the professionals that I have the pleasure of knowing and work with, I thank you, as It truly does make coming to work a positive experience. I will always appreciate each and everyone of 

What is something your colleagues may not know about you?

After many years of working and completing my study in culinary arts, I had the opportunity to improve my skills in the Abruzzi Italian country side, where I nurtured my culinary skills and where my family pride filled my heart.  This experience and time away led me back home where opportunity once again put me on the path to a Restaurant of my own. But that was many, many years ago. Those times are not forgotten and have helped me become the person who I am today.

Position: 

Scheduling & Workload Officer

Department:  

Electrical, Transportation & Innovation - Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship

How long at Mohawk College?

14 years

Tell us what you do at the college?

I help keep people on track and organized.  I plan and coordinate workloads and timetabling information for each term/intake for faculty. I am also responsible for inputting workload requirements into SUMMIT*, and the workload planning system, and creating contracts for part-time faculty to ensure all courses are covered each term.

*SUMMIT is the database the college uses to build Faculty Standard Workload Forms to determine scheduling requirements each term.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work every day?

It is all about the people, I work with a great team of faculty, support and administrators.  In my role, I enjoy when I am challenged with creating schedules. I like to make sure I am creating great schedules for faculty and students. 

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

Planning our next family vacation!  Playing baseball and having game nights with family/friends.  

Tara-Lyn  Dinyer is Program Coordinator and Professor in Mohawk College's Health, Wellness and Fitness Program. She is passionate about helping people live healthy lives. In this Faculty Spotlight Tara-Lyn talks about being inspired by a family member fighting cancer and how she shares her passion with Mohawk College students. 

Faculty Spotlight is a  profile series featuring the amazing faculty who educate and serve Mohawk College students. 

Position: 

Awards Officer

Department: 

Financial Assistance

How long at Mohawk College: 

Joined 2013

Tell us what you do at the college?

The Financial Assistance department is a vital student service within the Registrar's Office that helps students learn about their options for paying for college.  We offer OSAP support, how to apply for scholarships and bursaries, and financial literacy resources through MoMoney.

As Awards Officer, I am responsible for determining, reviewing and processing scholarships and bursaries at Mohawk College.  I work closely with the Mohawk College Foundation and Academic Departments to promote, review, determine and disburse these awards to students.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

Knowing that my team and I can assist in removing financial barriers between students and their post-secondary education.  I see how appreciative award recipients are and it makes me happy to come to work every day.  I love knowing that this funding took some of the financial pressures off their shoulders so they can focus more on the most important aspect of college, learning.  Students and learning are at the heart of all we do.

What is something  your colleagues may not know about you?

I have a Mohawk College diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services (’12) as well as in Business – Accounting (’14).  I started working at Mohawk in 2013 as a student in our accounting department through the Campus Student Employment Program.  I now assist with the same program that helped me on the way to my dream job.

Jef Petrossi is a Professor in Mohawk College's Advertising program. Jef's students have shown a remarkable ability to win regularly at all of Canada's major advertising student awards shows such as the Advertising Design Club of Canada, Applied Arts, and the Canadian Marketing Association. They've even represented internationally at the prestigious One Show. As a result, the Advertising program has developed a reputation for producing award-winning graduates who can hold their own in the highly competitive and fast-paced world of Canada's Advertising industry. Jef talks  to us about what it takes to prepare students for a successful career in advertising, what got him into Advertising, and what he likes about teaching at Mohawk College.

Position: 

Events Coordinator

Department: 

Office of the President

How long at Mohawk College: 

8 years

Tell us what you do at the college?

The Mohawk Special Events team works out of the President’s Office and leads all President’s Office events, Convocation, college-sponsored events, and supports college-wide and department-specific events. We also support the Mohawk College Foundation with their fundraising and donor events. 

As the Events Coordinator, I coordinate, plan, develop, promote, implement, monitor and evaluate detailed strategies and logistics for events at all four campuses. This includes events hosted by Mohawk College and those hosted by external clients in partnership with Mohawk, the President's Office and the Board of Governors.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

The people. I strongly believe that the people you surround yourself with make all aspects of your life better. Your core team helps you stay focused, enhances your creativity, gives you a sense of community, encourages you to strive for more in your career, and makes you laugh through the bumps along the way.

In my role, I have the opportunity to work with people in all departments across the four campuses, as well as external clients. This allows me to cultivate relationships, build partnerships, and develop and implement diverse events, all while growing as an individual and building my skillset.

It’s the people you meet along the way that make you want to come to work each day.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

When I am not working, you will find me exploring in nature. Whether I am going for a walk with my dog, Beasley, embarking on an adventurous hike with friends, kayaking or portaging lakes, or going on an ATV ride in the North (and stopping for a river side fish fry!)  --  exploring and being outside is all I want to do.

Next summer, I will be completing a 300 km (approx. 10 day) paddle that includes portaging between lakes and camping under the stars.

If you see me in the hallway, say hello and let’s go for a walk!