Englehart native lands Sault College v.p. job

A former journalist and native of the Northern Ontario community of Englehart has been appointed academic vice-president at Sault College.

Jeff Zabudsky, 38, will move to the Sault from Edmonton, where he's currently a senior administrator at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).

He assume his new duties next month.

The following is the full text of this afternoon's announcement, as released by Sault College.

************************************************************************** Sault College President Dr. Timothy Meyer has announced the selection of the institution's new vice president, academic.

Jeff Zabudsky (za-bud-ski), a senior manager at a major college in western Canada, will move into the position effective Nov. 12.

Zabudsky, 38, is currently dean, technology and curriculum innovation at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, Alberta. His responsibilities include developing and implementing e-learning strategies, enhancing technology-based student services, and securing funding from diverse sources. The position's duties also involve building alliances with public and private sector organizations, leading campus expansion planning, and managing a staff of 70 full-time employees.

NAIT's overall annual enrolment of 60,000 is made up of 7,000 diploma students, 9,000 apprenticeship registrants, and 44,000 part-time continuing education learners.

Before joining NAIT in 1998, Zabudsky was a distance education specialist with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro. He had previously worked as a project development officer at Ryerson Polytechnic in Toronto.

Prior to moving into post-secondary education, Zabudsky worked for major media outlets in southern Ontario over a 10-year period. In his last media position, he was coordinating producer at CJRT-FM in Toronto. His media background includes the production of feature documentaries for CBC Radio and the CKO Radio Network.

Sault College's vice president, academic-select is working towards a Ph.D. through the University of Alberta. His research topic is technology-enhanced learning. He holds a master of distance education degree and an advanced graduate diploma in distance education (technology) from Athabasca University. He completed undergraduate studies in broadcast journalism at Ryerson University.

Zabudsky has been active in advancing innovation in education nationally and internationally. He is a past-president of the Canadian Association of Distance Education and is a member of the Alberta Online Consortium Board of Directors. He is also chair of the consortium's Committee on Post-Secondary Affairs.

"We are very pleased to welcome Jeff Zabudsky to Sault College," said Dr. Meyer. "His outstanding record of accomplishments in senior academic leadership, innovation, and new business development provide exactly the right combination of talents and abilities Sault College requires. Mr. Zabudsky emerged as the top candidate in a national competition that also attracted applicants from the United States and beyond North America."

In his senior management role at Sault College, Zabudsky will serve as the institution's senior academic officer. He will be responsible for all post-secondary, apprenticeship, adult training, continuing education, and contract training programming. As a member of the President's Senior Management Team, he will contribute to the overall strategic direction and growth of the college.

"I'm thrilled to be coming back home to Northern Ontario," Zabudsky said. "I'm looking forward to working with the Sault College team as we champion the community of Sault Ste. Marie and Sault College as the preferred destination for learners from across the province and beyond.

"With a focus on partnerships, new technology innovation, and a growing interest in life-long learning, post-secondary education today is a great place to be."

Zabudsky and his wife Leanne, a law student, grew up in the Northern Ontario community of Englehart. They have three daughters - Avery, 7, Alison, 4, and Olivia, 2.

Meanwhile, Dr. Meyer has also announced a related change in the management structure of Sault College's academic division.

Effective Monday, Oct. 7, Judi Maundrell (mun-drel) will assume higher-level responsibilities as executive dean, academic. She will report to the vice president, academic. Maundrell is currently the college's dean of health and human services.

As executive dean, Maundrell will lead the development of applied degrees and pursue expanded partnerships with Algoma University College and Lake Superior State University.

Other major responsibilities will focus on program and curriculum development, research, and proposal writing.