21 things you might not know about Georgian’s new President and CEO

June 20, 2022

It’s Kevin Weaver’s first day as our president. While he may be a familiar face to many, here are a few things you might not know about our new leader.

• He’s new to the role but not to the college. Kevin has called Georgian home since 2014. He started as Dean of Technology and Visual Arts and most recently was Vice President, Academic.
• He loves sports. From tennis to basketball – you name it and he likely watches it. He’s an avid golfer. He played hockey, rugby and volleyball up until postsecondary. Kevin helped coached his son Zac and daughter Zoe’s hockey teams for many years. He’s also a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan. You can bet you’ll see him out at varsity home games cheering on our Grizzlies!
• He’s one of the nicest people you’ll meet. You can often find Kevin connecting and sharing stories with students and employees in the hallway. If you get the opportunity, don’t be shy: say, “hello” to him. 

• He and his wife Terri are high school sweethearts. They met when they were sixteen at Sacred Heart High School in Walkerton. On the weekend, they love to take walks and explore the many trails in our area. You’ll likely bump into them at Barrie’s waterfront.
• He believes in supporting local. Some of Kevin’s favourite spots to eat in Barrie include Donaleighs, Il Buco, Michael and Marion’s, and Taj Bistro. He also enjoys Shorty’s Grill in Owen Sound, Tailwinds in Rama, Mariposa Market and Rustica in Orillia, Northwinds in Collingwood, to name a few. In the summer, he appreciates a good patio!
• He’s a Hip fan. Kevin listens to a variety of music but The Tragically Hip is one of his all-time favourite bands.                                                                   
• His most memorable adventure was coming to Georgian. While he’s been to places like the Great Wall of China and Taj Mahal, relocating with his family from London, Ontario, to Barrie stands out. “My family took a big leap of faith,” Kevin says. “Everything was unknown and we were truly starting over. We haven’t looked back since.”
• He’s passionate about giving back. Kevin is a strong advocate for affordable and sustainable housing. He sits on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Huronia.
• He aspires to have super powers like Doctor Strange. “I’d love to be able to stop time,” Kevin explains. “I could press pause on difficult challenges and find solutions before moving ahead.”
• He’s a genuine ally. One of Kevin’s values is inclusivity. He respects everyone for who they are. Two of his leadership priorities include advancing the work of Georgian’s Centre for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging as well as furthering the college’s efforts toward Truth and Reconciliation.

• He’s a science and tech guy. Kevin holds a Master of Science in GIS/Spatial Modeling, Honours Bachelor of Arts in Geography, and a postgrad certificate in Geographic Information Systems. He often hangs out in the Peter B. Moore Advanced Technology Centre or Engineering and Environmental Technologies program areas chatting with faculty and students about cool projects they’re working on with industry partners.
• The hardest thing Kevin’s ever done was balance school with other commitments. He worked full-time while completing his master’s and being a new dad. Kevin says it was a tough go, which is why he can empathize with the many responsibilities Georgian students have.
• His favourite subject in the school of life is sport psychology. This is the study of how psychological factors (like mindset and confidence) impact performance and how participation in sport impacts a person’s psychology.
• He supports students in countless ways. As an example, he proudly displays art created by Georgian students in his office at work and at home.
• Kevin likes to play to his and others’ strengths. He’s a fan of CliftonStrengths, an assessment tool that helps identify areas where you have the greatest potential.
• He feels most alive when exploring. “New places, new activities, newness at work – those life moments tend to heighten everything,” Kevin says. “They’re full of anticipation, the unknown and possibility.”
• His go-to movie is Rudy. The 1993 film is an inspirational story about never giving up on your dreams and the role your attitude can play in achieving them. Plus, Kevin grew up a big Notre Dame football fan.
• One of his favourite sounds is when a driver hits a golf ball. He was one of close to 300 golfers who played at the Georgian Golf Classic this year and helped to raise more than $155,000 in support of awards and scholarships for students.
• He’s proud we’re a college of changemakers and models changemaking through his leadership. One of the quotes Kevin returns to again and again is by former U.S. President Barack Obama: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
• If he could be on any TV show, he’d choose The Amazing Race and Amazing Race Canada. Kevin thinks it would be a fun way to see different parts of Canada and the world.
• His favourite thing about Georgian is the people.

“I’ve worked at three different colleges and we have something really special here,” he says. “I love all the connections we have with each other and the communities we serve.”