One Month In: New Faces in SEDRD
We are about a month into the Fall 2018 semester and academic year and SEDRD celebrates more changes with several new faces on the administrative and faculty fronts.
The School of Environmental Design & Rural Development’s (SEDRD) administrative team has been rounded out with a new Administrative Officer, Jill Selby, and an Accounting & Administrative Clerk, Jenn McCreary. Additionally, three new faculty members, Drs. Dave Guyadeen and Leith Deacon, have joined SEDRD in the Rural Planning and Development program while the Capacity Development & Extension program has welcomed Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury.
The School is very pleased to note two fantastic hires with Dr. Dave Guyadeen and Dr. Leith Deacon as new assistant professors in the Rural Planning and Development program – both are registered professional planners, come with great teaching experience from Canadian planning programs, and began their roles late summer. For more information please see the OAC news artictle entitled "Two New Rural Planning and Development Profs".
Similarly, Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury’s arrival this summer has been notable for CDE, SEDRD, and OAC as his hiring marks the first hire in 15 years for the Capacity Development and Extension program! Please see OAC news article entitled "New Capacity Development and Extension Prof".
We are also pleased to welcome Jill Selby as our Administrative Officer. Jill began in her role on September 10th, 2018. In her position, Jill will play a pivotal role in SEDRD joining an exceptional administrative staff of four including our two Program Assistants, an Accounting & Administrative Clerk, and SEDRD’s Network Coordinator. Jill is responsible for providing financial, human resources, and administrative support to the Director, faculty, staff, and students; this position is critical to the smooth operation of SEDRD’s six academic programs.
We also welcomed Jenn McCreary, our Accounting & Administrative Clerk; a newly evolved position within SEDRD. While Jenn arrived towards the end of the W18 semester, many may not have had a chance to interact with her given the summer semester. Jenn is SEDRD’s key to preparing purchase orders, systems contracts, cheque requisitions, etc. She processes and receives all orders for goods and services, and follows up with suppliers for back-ordered items. While many hands go into all activities hosted by SEDRD, Jenn is the “go to” with the organization of course trips, special events and SEDRD guest arrangements.
"SEDRD remains committed to attracting and welcoming the very best in students, faculty and staff; we are excited to have these individuals join our SEDRD community", says Sean Kelly, Director of SEDRD.