OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College has ended a comprehensive national search by naming Leah Myers as its new president.
Myers is currently the executive lead at the Ministry of Research and Innovation, a new ministry led by Premier Dalton McGuinty. Prior to this appointment Myers was the executive director of the Secretariat that provided the research, policy, consultation, communication and project support to the Postsecondary Review conducted by the Honourable Bob Rae. The recommendations of Rae's report have formed the basis of the government's Reaching Higher Plan, with significant new investments in postsecondary education.
In announcing the selection of Myers to the Durham College campus, Board Chair Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann says, "This continues to be an exciting time for Durham College and our new president comes to us with considerable leadership experience as well as superior knowledge of the current postsecondary environment within Ontario. Her skills and expertise will ensure that Durham College continues to be one of the premier colleges in Canada."
Myers has spent almost 20 years in the Ontario Public Service serving as the assistant deputy minister responsible for Health, Social and Education Policy in the Cabinet Office; held several positions within the Ministry of Education and Training including acting assistant deputy minister, director of Policy and Program Branch, and director of the Apprenticeship Reform Project; and has experience in a number of other senior ministry positions including Labour and Skills Development.
Following the announcement of her official appointment to the presidency, Myers says, "I am both excited and honoured to become part of the Durham College community. I look forward to meeting and working with the exceptional students, faculty and staff at the college, and with local community and business leaders to continue the strong traditions of innovation, growth and excellence at Durham."
Myers was born and raised in Toronto and currently lives there with her husband and two teenage sons. Her appointment will become effective in the spring .
About Durham College
For 38 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Durham College has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for six years running, and at an 89.7 per cent grad employment rate, Durham has the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. The college has over 5,800 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in just under 100 programs, as well as about 2,000 apprentices. For more information, visit the website at www.durhamcollege.ca, or call 905.721.2000.
For more information, please contact:
Donna McFarlane
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111 ext. 2952
donna.mcfarlane@dc-uoit.ca
Heather Middleton
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111 ext. 2197
heather.middleton@dc-uoit.ca
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