Seneca College - RED 2017 - 19
third term was recently announced by the Board of Governors,
continuing his service until June 2023.
With the foundations set by these leaders, Seneca is now
one of Canada's largest comprehensive institutions, providing a
polytechnic education with more than 150 full- and 140 part-time
program options at the certificate, diploma, degree and graduate
certificate levels.
The factory and storefront classrooms have been replaced with
campuses in Toronto, York Region and Peterborough that welcome
28,000 full-time students annually. Our alumni population is closing in on 200,000. And Seneca now welcomes 7,000 international
students, and partners with institutions around the world to bring
our curriculum and training to students everywhere.
Not bad for an empty box.
And while a milestone like a golden anniversary brings the
opportunity to pause and reflect, there isn't any time for complacency. As we cast an eye to the next 50 years, Seneca "5.0" will
continue to champion a vision for education that prepares students
for successful careers in a rapidly changing world. Our graduates
will be equipped for the careers of tomorrow with the right skills,
delivered effectively and with flexibility in sophisticated
learning environments.
Today, Seneca is in the midst of two major capital builds,
at King and Newnham campuses and expanding program options,
with an emphasis on new degrees and graduates. This integrated
growth, program development and planning does what Seneca has
always done: offer students a broad-based education that helps
them find personal fulfilment and professional success.
What constitutes success, however, is now more complicated
to define than ever. Seneca graduates are entering a rapidly changing, hyper-connected and competitive workplace. They must
possess many competencies that infuse "hard" and "soft" skills,
be savvy navigators of social media and multicultural environments, builders of their own brands, while also demonstrating the
resilience to rebound when plans go awry. This is not an easy
balance to strike.
Developing not-so-soft skills
Seneca's Vice-President, Academic Laurel Schollen is acutely
aware of this delicate balance. Laurel, a biologist by training and
30-year veteran of the Ontario College system, rejoined Seneca
in fall 2016 after previously serving as a professor, Associate
Vice-President and Dean, as well as Vice-President, Academic at
Fleming College.
One of Laurel's biggest concerns is ensuring that Seneca is
doing everything possible to prepare students for the rigours they
will face as they begin their careers.
"We are trying to focus on career earlier during students'
time with us," says Laurel. "Soft skills are becoming a part of the
core literacies students obtain. They also must learn how
to transfer what they learn across disciplines and practise it
in the workplace."
Researchers and academics interchange "soft skills" with
terms like "21-century literacies," "human skills" or "employability
skills." No matter what you call them, they are holding increasing
value. Employers tend to agree, emphasizing their importance in
their assessments of students completing co-ops, placements and
other work integrated learning opportunities.
"It's digital literacy, analysis, team building, conflict resolution,
problem solving and communications, as well as social responsibility and global awareness," says Laurel. "These are being seen more
as literacies, and more companies are taking them seriously."
Bringing great to the world
The question Seneca's faculty and administrators continue to
grapple with is how to provide the optimal learning environment
to produce graduates who possess these traits. As Dr. Newnham
showed 50 years ago, it begins with a plan.
This spring, Seneca's Board of Governors approved the 20172022 strategic plan. This plan builds on the school's foundational
aspiration to provide a great education to all Seneca students that
includes a wide breadth of experiences and theoretical knowledge
to help them navigate a dynamic and uncertain future. Once students graduate, they will be career-ready, but also:
"...prepared to be the fully participating citizens and, yes, the
leaders our communities require whether around the corner
or around the world...bringing great to the world."
-SENECA STRATEGIC PLAN, 2017-2022
Fostering leaders requires an institution-wide commitment
that begins before the first day of classes and continues through
to convocation. It's a commitment that manifests itself inside
and outside the classroom and is demonstrated by Seneca's
community of advisors, counsellors, coaches, industry partners
and mentors. It comes via curriculum, on-campus activities and
developing a culture of success.
"But you can't just teach it. You have to model it," says Laurel.
"We need to make students feel like they are a part of something
bigger than just their academic pursuits."
Laurel also notes the extraordinary influence of Seneca's
diverse students, who bring a wide range of experiences and
perspectives to campus. The breadth and flexibility of Seneca's
programs can provide them with a strategy to, as the strategic
plan puts it, "define their futures."
"The biggest thing we can do for today's student is to be
flexible and teach them how to learn and relearn," says Laurel.
"Failure is OK, especially in areas like entrepreneurship or
RED
2017
19
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Seneca College - RED 2017
Table of Contents
Seneca College - RED 2017 - Cover1
Seneca College - RED 2017 - Cover2
Seneca College - RED 2017 - Table of Contents
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 2
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 3
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 4
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 5
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 6
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 7
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 8
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 9
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 10
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 11
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 12
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 13
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 14
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 15
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 16
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 17
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 18
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 19
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 20
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 21
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 22
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 23
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 24
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 25
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 26
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 27
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 28
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 29
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 30
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 31
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 32
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 33
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 34
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 35
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 36
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 37
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 38
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 39
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 40
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 41
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 42
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 43
Seneca College - RED 2017 - 44
Seneca College - RED 2017 - Cover3
Seneca College - RED 2017 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/seneca/red_2012fall
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com