Humber Names Chris Whitaker New President and CEO

Will succeed John Davies on July 1, 2012

TORONTO, April 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Following a national search, Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning's Board of Governors announced today the appointment of Christopher Whitaker as Humber's president and CEO.  He will succeed president John Davies, effective July 1, 2012.

Whitaker brings to the role a strong academic background as well as a wealth of senior administrative experience. He holds a Ph.D from the University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, an MA from York University and a bachelor's degree from Queen's University.

Whitaker has been working in the Ontario postsecondary landscape for nearly 25 years in a variety of progressively more senior roles. Prior to his appointment as president and CEO of St. Lawrence College, he was academic vice-president, and dean, School of Business.

Davies is retiring after 10 years at Humber. He was named president in 2008.

"Humber has grown significantly under John Davies' leadership to become one of the largest colleges in Canada with more than 25.000 full-time and 56,000 continuing education students. We are grateful for his dedication and thank him for his success and achievements, said Joan Homer, Chair, Humber Board of Governors. "We are excited to welcome Chris Whitaker to the college. He has valuable experience as a college professor and administrator, and a strong interest and passion for higher education, its students and their success. He will continue a great history of leadership at Humber."

Davies leaves Humber during a period of growth that has seen the addition of new academic programs including 11 degrees in areas such as International Development, Accounting, Journalism, Film and Media and Public Relations. He has opened new facilities including the Lakeshore Commons, Centre for Justice Leadership, Humber Arts & Media Studios, The Centre for Trades and Technology, the Canadian Centre for Culinary Arts and Science and the Humber Fashion Institute. Davies is retiring as the new Learning Resource Commons, scheduled to be completed at Humber's North Campus in 2015 is breaking ground.

About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Established in 1967, Humber is one of Canada's leading postsecondary institutions. Committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning, Humber serves more than 22,000 full-time students and 56,000 continuing education registrants. With an internationally recognized reputation for quality learning, Humber offers a wide-range of career-focused opportunities for students to personalize their educational path. Our 150 full time programs include four-year bachelor's degrees, two and three-year diplomas, one and two-year certificates, and apprenticeship training. As a founding member of Polytechnics Canada, Humber offers students the opportunity to participate in applied research projects that find solutions for issues confronting small and medium-sized enterprises. Humber is one of 12 Vanguard Learning Colleges as identified by the League for Innovation, and the League's only Canadian board member. More than four out of five Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies. Visit www.humber.ca.

For further information:

Andrew Leopold
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Marketing and Communications
416.675.6622 ext. 4296
416.518.8989 (mobile)
[email protected]