Working together to make a difference
I am excited to continue my work as AVP for the upcoming academic year (2022-2023). Working with my colleagues in the Provost’s Office, and in every Faculty and unit across the university has been and continues to be one of the most interesting and rewarding opportunities of my career.
New year, new horizons
York University is an innovator when it comes to exploring and championing ground-breaking approaches to teaching and learning, including the purposeful inclusion of technology in the process (eLearning), experiential education and internationalization. I look forward to aligning these priorities with our university academic plan (UAP) and the university-wide challenge of elevating York's contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This year is an opportunity to renew and recommit to academic excellence. I am committed to working collegially and collaboratively to enhance teaching and learning at York, in support of these goals, and to enhance York’s reputation, as we strive for excellence in pedagogical innovation and student learning.
The six key priorities of the new UAP include:
- 21st Century Learning: Diversifying whom, what, and how we teach
- Knowledge for the future: Creation and application
- From access to success: Next generation student supports
- Advancing global engagement
- Working in partnership
- Living well together
As the year progresses, I look forward to working together with our pan-university working groups and committees as we examine, reinterpret, and deepen our progress, in line with these six priorities, particularly in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusivity, and Indigeneity. This will enable us to chart a course toward new and innovative ways of teaching and learning, while building on our success to date.
Enhancing teaching and learning innovation
Much of our progress is enabled and supported by key campus partners, which include:
- The Teaching Commons who: provide both virtual and face-to-face programming for faculty members, graduate students, and staff to support innovative teaching practices (e.g. HyFlex delivery modes) centered on the student learning experience
- The YU Experience Hub who:
- bridge the gap between classroom and work environment by connecting students with stakeholders providing experiential education (EE) opportunities
- provide students with the experience of applying theory to the concrete
- advance the learning objectives of a program or course
- B.O.L.D. — Blended and online learning development who: work in concert with the Teaching Commons to create online technical support for the development of blended and online courses
In addition, the Academic Innovation Fund (AIF) continues to be a key component in supporting initiatives that shape the future of teaching and learning at York as we pilot, develop and test initiatives that advance institutional priorities, support curricular innovation and promote academic scholarship.
Welcome back
I especially look forward to welcoming both returning and new faculty members to our campuses. Our annual two-day, pan-University orientation for new faculty members provides a highly informative overview of the institution and cultivates a better understanding of the opportunities available for faculty to integrate their teaching with their research and other service responsibilities.
Finally, I look forward to working with you during what is certainly shaping up to be an exciting year ahead at York University as we reimagine teaching and learning for our students, our campuses, and our communities.
Warmest regards,
Will Gage.