Georgian’s proud president reflects on first year in office

June 20, 2023

This message is posted on behalf of Kevin Weaver, President and CEO

Aaniin, She:Kon, Tanshi, which means hello in Ojibwe, Mohawk and Métis.

I was honoured and deeply humbled to take office as Georgian’s sixth President and CEO a year ago, on June 20, 2022. I can think of no better way to mark my first year than celebrating with our Grizzlies at convocation today. This is a milestone moment for them and me.  

I want to thank the Georgian community – employees, students, alumni, donors and partners – for your ongoing support of Georgian, our students and me as your president; it means a great deal. I’ve always said Georgian’s best unkept secret is our people and witnessing your passion, commitment and innovation in action this year has only strengthened this belief. 

While it’s difficult to capture all the incredible highlights and meaningful moments we shared, here are a few I’m particularly proud of.   

Celebrating our award-winning team 

• Georgian received gold in the category of Indigenous Education at the 2023 World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics’ Awards of Excellence for efforts to ensure the preservation of the Anishnaabemowin language.   
• Two Georgian students won gold at the Skills Canada Competition and six Georgian students won medals at the Ontario Skills Competition, showcasing their competencies in skilled trades and technologies against the best of the best in their fields.  

• Georgian instructor Brandi Ferenc was honoured by the Women’s Executive Network as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in 2022 for her work supporting women and youth in the skilled trades.  
• Five Georgian community members received Simcoe County Newcomer Recognition Awards for their outstanding work promoting diversity and supporting newcomers to our region.  
• Enactus Georgian scooped up four awards at the nationals this spring: Desjardins Enactus Canada National Competition Runner-up in Division; Alumni of the Year Award: Nicole St. Pierre; First-ever Collaboration Award with Loyalist College; and Enactus Canada Campus Administration of the Year Award: Pavla Kazda, Dean of Business.

Strengthening our community and industry partnerships 

• We opened the Magna Mechatronics Lab at the Barrie Campus, celebrating Magna’s significant investment in Georgian and our students.  
• With incredible support from our health-care partners and generous donors, we launched our new Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing degree and opened an ultra-modern Nursing and Wellness Wing at our Owen Sound Campus. 
• Georgian was officially designated a military-connected college, recognizing our efforts to support those currently serving, veterans and their family members.  
• Thanks to a new partnership with SpacesShared, we’re offering a unique affordable housing option for students while connecting older adults to companionship and support. 
• We provided extraordinary learning experiences for our students and campus communities through events like our annual Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Entrepreneurship Day, PowWow, and Georgian College Auto Show. 

Advancing our strategic commitments 

• Georgian made authentic steps toward Truth and Reconciliation, announcing a new Indigenization strategy, revising our Coat of Arms, installing Indigenous artwork at our campuses, including an Eagle Feather as part of official convocation ceremonies, and hosting an increased number of Indigenous-knowledge sharing events. I had a feather added to my Georgian gown and introduced an Indigenous greeting and closing in all my formal remarks, as two small steps on my personal journey. 
• As Canada’s first and only Ashoka U changemaker college, we furthered our commitments toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); Georgian students signed the United Nations SDG Accord, demonstrating their ownership of integrating sustainability practices on campus and in the community.  
• We signed a memorandum of understanding in Vietnam to advance internationalization and innovative global partnerships.  

• Georgian received a $1.5 million Mobilize grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to further our work supporting sustainable growth in our local community through partner-led applied research and innovation.  

Connecting with students in new ways 

• I joined Instagram, which led to more students stopping me in the halls to personally connect, share their challenges and stories. I think seeing my posts made them realize I genuinely care. I was surprised to be recognized in ED. Marketing Agency’s first annual top 10 presidents on social media list. It’s really a credit to Team Georgian. They provide many opportunities for me to engage and amplify all the wonderful things happening across the college.  
• As part of our efforts to create an unrivaled student experience, we launched several digital innovation projects. These are resulting in enhanced services for students and include MyGCLife – a one-stop, self-serve student portal – and a new Credit Transfer System that makes it easier than ever for students to transfer into Georgian and get credit for prior learning and experience. 

These are just a handful of examples that demonstrate what an outstanding teaching, learning and working environment we share.  

Throughout this first year and many of the notable occasions mentioned above, Georgian welcomed many government representatives to our campuses. The support of these elected officials – combined with donors, community and industry partners – is critical to Georgian and our students’ success.  

Once again, please accept my heartfelt appreciation for your support. I look forward to connecting and collaborating with you in the years to come. 

Chi-Miigwech, thank you.  

Kevin