We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Miller to the role of Director of Continuing Studies at Western.

Kim served as the Practicum Coordinator in the Centre since 2003 where she has enjoyed great success in negotiating student practicum arrangements with partners in local, national and international sites.

Previously, Kim was an academic counselor who worked with nearly 500 students enrolled in the University's Scholar's Electives and Western Scholar's programs, as well as more than 100 students registered in Diploma and Certificate programs offered through the Centre.

"Kim has an excellent understanding of the structure of the university's academic programs and has worked closely with administrative staff in many of the faculties and the university's support units to assure coordination and smooth transitions for students enrolled in Continuing Studies programs," says Roma Harris, Vice-Provost (Academic Programs & Students) [Registrar], adding Miller brings both enthusiasm and energy to this important position.

A practitioner with a strong personal commitment to continuing education, Miller recently completed a Master of Education program in Counseling Psychology.

by: Stephen Lieb
Senior Technical Writer and Planner, Arizona Department of Health Services
and part-time Instructor, South Mountain Community College
from VISION, Fall 1991

Dawn Chester recently began the role of Practicum Coordinator at Continuing Studies. Hailing from various positions in teaching, counseling and job developing, Dawn’s career has taken her to England and Korea, where she taught Math and English while exploring much of the country and the surrounding areas. The most memorable moments in each stop over always included deep water dives and long hikes.

Having graduated from Western herself, with degrees in Science and Education, Dawn is excited to be back on familiar turf, and eager to assist diploma students in securing a meaningful practicum experience. Working with students in each of the diploma programs that currently offer practicum sessions, Dawn is busy contacting employers to assist them in meeting their goals by offering the fresh insight of a diploma student.

If you are interested in hearing more about student internships, please contact Dawn Chester at 519 661 2111 ext 85211, or at dchester@uwo.ca.

Jenn Grieve has been a Program Assistant with Continuing Studies for the past two years and has been a welcome asset to our front line team. Jenn has decided to pursue new endeavors in retail. This November Jenn will be opening a new Bridal Boutique in Sarnia.

We wish Jenn all the best in her new career-Congratulations!

Shari Nemirovsky has also moved on to pursue opportunities in the area of Information Services at the Office of the Registrar. Shari was the Program Assistant in the area of Certificate and Diploma programs and we wish her well in her new role as Information Services Representative.

We are currently in the process of interviewing potential candidates for the available Program Assistant positions-we hope to introduce our new team members to you in the very near future. Thank-you for your patience during this transition.

As many of you know, Continuing Studies has been experiencing growing pains over the last several months.  Over the summer, we undertook a 2370 square foot expansion, which includes two new classrooms. The team at Continuing Studies would like to extend its gratitude to those instructors who have been inconvenienced by the renovations; thank you for your ongoing patience.  The renovations are complete and we are awaiting our occupancy permit, which we anticipate any day now. 

Award Winning Brochure We are pleased to announce that our Fall 2006 course calendar has been selected the winner in the "Brochure Design" category for LERN.  LERN is an international association of lifelong learning programming, offering information and resources to providers of lifelong learning programs.  Special congratulations to Alison Adair, our Communications Coordinator, for designing this award-winning publication!

Continuing Studies in the Community

The staff at Continuing Studies takes pride in giving back to the community through a variety of charitable donations.  Each year, we select one charity to donate our "dress-down day" money to.  This year's choice is the "Breakfast for Learning" program, who's mission is to ensure that every child in Canada attends school well nourished and ready to learn. 

Please remember to submit your signed instructor contracts to the Centre (if you haven’t already) with course material and equipment request forms. If you have textbook requests for the Winter 2007 term please send them to Aimee as soon as possible, as the bookstore requires textbook orders eight weeks in advance of the course start date - thank you.

Instructor Christmas Party

Can you smell the Christmas cheer in the air?

Believe it or not we are getting close to that time of year again; the annual Instructor Christmas Party is just around the corner. This is the perfect time to mix and mingle with colleagues, enjoy a cocktail and a bite to eat and to all around have a pleasant time.

Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 6th, 2006, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the London Hilton.

Watch your email this month for your official ‘e-vite’.

Teaching Support Centre

Effective Techniques to Facilitate Student Learning
December 6, 2006, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Interactive Teaching Strategies
January 10, 2007, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Teaching in the Intercultural Classroom
January 31, 2007, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Facilitating Discussion
February 7, 2007, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Alternative Methods of Assessment
March 21, 2007, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Sessions will be held in the Teaching Support Centre, Room 122, The D.B. Weldon Library on main campus.  Registration is free, but to reserve your space you must register by phone 519 661 2111 ext 84622; e-mail tsc@uwo.ca; or online www.uwo.ca/tsc

Yes, as a member of the Western community you have access to view your personal information online through myHumanResources.

As an instructor you have been issued a username and password upon your appointment with Continuing Studies. If you have misplaced your login information, please contact ITS at 519 661 2111 ext 83800.

This service allows you to access the following:

• View present and past earning statements and banking information online
• Revise personal information (mailing address, phone number etc...)

To logon to your account go to www.uwo.ca/humanresources and select myHumanResources (top right corner) and then click on "sign in".