May 26, 2014
During its annual conference taking place in Ottawa this week, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) presented its annual awards of excellence, recognizing the top leaders, faculty, programs, staff and student leaders across all of Canada’s colleges and institutes. Sheridan received two Gold Medal Awards, for Leadership Excellence and Program Excellence, during a presentation that took place on May 25.
Leadership Excellence
John Helliker, Director of Sheridan’s Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT), received the Leadership Excellence Award for his achievements in establishing SIRT and developing its role as a leading research and innovation centre. Under his vision, leadership and unwavering dedication to community engagement and collaboration, SIRT is receiving recognition in Canada and around the world for helping screen industry companies and industry organizations in Ontario overcome barriers to innovation and break new ground to strengthen the industry’s position today and into the future.
“We at Sheridan are delighted to see John’s leadership and contributions recognized with this prestigious award,” said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President and CEO of Sheridan. “SIRT is aligned with Sheridan’s mission to be a leader in media arts and animation, both in teaching and learning, and in applied research for industry benefit. John has led the charge in creating SIRT, drawing multi-sector partners together, and engaging film professionals and our own students in novel learning and development opportunities.”
“Through the leadership of people like John Helliker, who are not only great educators, but innovators, Canadian colleges are able to stay on the cutting edge of rapidly changing industries,” said ACCC President and CEO, Denise Amyot. “This is not only good for our students, but for our communities, as colleges become drivers of progress.”
Program Excellence
Sheridan’s Bachelor of Applied Information Science – Information Systems Security, received the Gold Medal Program Excellence Award. Launched in 2003 under the leadership of Dr. Victor Ralevich, a faculty member with extensive experience in the field, it remains the only undergraduate program of its kind in Canada. This degree program provides students with a critical understanding of the complex and integrated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) security issues in today’s business environment.
“The BAISc degree program is a testament to the ability of colleges to identify and respond to emerging trends and industry needs,” said Sheridan President and CEO, Dr. Jeff Zabudsky. “Thanks to the leadership of program founder and coordinator, Dr. Victor Ralevich, the BAISc has fostered a nucleus of information systems security professionals who are equipped to deal with the wide-ranging issues around security in the age of big data.”
“Canada’s colleges and institutes offer some of the most successful postsecondary education programs in the country and college graduates easily find a place in the job market,” said Denise Amyot, ACCC President and CEO. “The programs offered by our Excellence Award winners are truly remarkable and great examples of the advanced skills training available from colleges, institutes and polytechnics.”
Adding to a Rich Legacy
The two Gold Medal Awards of Excellence add to a growing list of ACCC awards won by Sheridan over the years, including Leadership Excellence Awards for Pat Spadafora, Director of the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research, and Dr. Mike Collins, former Dean of the Faculty of Animation Arts and Design. Past Program Excellence Award winners include the Bachelor of Animation and the Bachelor of Music Theatre – Performance programs.
About ACCC:
ACCC, soon to be known as Colleges and Institutes Canada, is the national and international voice of 95 per cent of Canada’s publicly funded colleges, institutes and polytechnics. We work with industry and social sectors to train 1.5 million learners of all ages and backgrounds at campuses serving over 3,000 urban, rural and remote communities in Canada. ACCC operates in 29 countries via 13 offices around the world.
About Sheridan:
Sheridan is one of Canada’s leading post-secondary institutions, offering over 100 diploma, certificate, and bachelor degree programs in an environment that fosters innovation and creativity. Its aim is to become Ontario’s first university exclusively dedicated to undergraduate professional education – one that will be based on applied learning. The model also focuses on meeting university accreditation requirements so that Sheridan graduates have more pathways to the continued learning that will underscore their personal, career, and industry success.
