Welcoming Our New Associate Deans
Tags: February 2023, Vol. 3, Issue 2
On February 6th, the FSCS officially welcomed Francis Syms into his new role as Associate Dean of Continuous Professional Learning (CPL). Francis joined Humber in 2019 in the role of professor and researcher in the Protection, Security and Investigation program. Francis has a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Applied Science with more than 20 years of industry experience in the areas of IT, business and product development, where he was a proven people leader. He has managed large enterprise projects in the corporate environment, utilizing his strong personal approaches that we know him so well for here in the FSCS. He is a certified project management professional (PMP) which will serve him well as we focus on micro-credential development, CPL offerings that align with our existing programming and supporting the development of new and innovative approaches with the faculty to support continuous learning that aligns with our values, principles and goals within the FSCS.
Welcome to your new role, Francis!
On March 14th, we welcomed Nivedita Lane as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Social and Community Services. Nivedita comes to us from Community Outreach and Workforce Development (COWD), where she has held the position of Manager, Community Development & Partnerships since 2017. Nivedita joined Humber in 2015 in our Student Success and Engagement area as Coordinator, First Year Transitions, after several years of progressive leadership working directly within the community with equity-deserving groups and community stakeholders to support youth access to education, training, and employment locally in the GTA. In her current role in COWD, she focused on new flexible education access initiatives with internal and external partners to address the needs of under-represented groups such as immigrants, marginalized youth, Indigenous Peoples, first-generation students, Crown Wards, unemployed individuals, and disadvantaged women in order to provide them with opportunities for accessing apprenticeship, post-secondary education and employment.
An institutional champion for equity, diversity and inclusion, Nivedita shares our FSCS values and approaches to support all learners to be successful. Nivedita completed the concurrent BA/BEd at York University and her Masters in Adult Education & Community Development at the University of Toronto. Nivedita is a fierce advocate for youth access to post-secondary education. She led the development of Humber’s Youth Transition Program, in partnership with FLA, supported across the college and external community partners to help young adults in Humber’s local communities find their way to higher education, whether they have completed high school or not. She has served on several internal strategic committees, including College Council and as co-chair for the Student Access & Equity working group on Humber’s EDI Taskforce.
Welcome to the team, Nivedita!
On May 1st, we welcomed Sally Abu Sabaa as a new Associate Dean within the Faculty of Social and Community Services. Sally comes to Humber from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) where she has been the Associate Director, Student Success, and Program Innovation for the past two years. A seasoned leader in post-secondary education, Sally brings a wealth of knowledge regarding supporting international and immigrant settler populations in the post-secondary environment. She recently led the overall restructuring and creation of the academic and administrative structures of the English Language Institute (ELI), introducing multiple student support and operational positions that would cover ESL international student lifecycle in pathway programs and create an opportunity for special professional language training programs. With our keen focus on supporting our expanding international student population and providing more pathway opportunities, Sally’s recent work will be a considerable asset in supporting those efforts.
Prior to her time at TMU, she spent five years at York University as a manager and people leader looking at alternative delivery methodologies for English for Academic Purposes learners and provided leadership in the overall direction and delivery of all aspects of the York University Bridge (YUB) program achieving considerable growth during her tenure, making it the largest pathway program of its kind in North America.
With more than 10 years of experience as an educator and a learner, she is well-versed in the challenges, opportunities, and supports required to ensure faculty and students have the best possible experience in their learning environment. Sally’s portfolio will include the Social Service Worker, Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Addictions and Mental Health (Post Graduate Certificate and Bachelor), and the Developmental Service Worker programs.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Sally to Humber and the FSCS!
