McMaster celebrates ‘Leadership in Action’

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/core_competencies.jpg” caption=”The first graduates of the Core Competencies program, from left, (with President Peter George pictured fifth from left) are Nancy Balfoort, David Kidney, Karen Belaire, Al Paskevicius, Marge Geroux, Joe Emberson and Robin Griffin. Absent is Colleen Fotheringham. Photo credit: Sandra Mulder.”]President Peter George hosted a reception Tuesday to celebrate McMaster's first managers and leaders to complete the Core Competencies leadership development program.

Entitled 'Leadership in Action', the event recognized Nancy Balfoort, manager, Pathology & Molecular Medicine; Karen Belaire, vice-president, administration; Joe Emberson, chief operating engineer, Physical Plant; Colleen Fotheringham, manager, Pediatrics; Marge Geroux, administrator, Biology; Robin Griffin, senior manager, Network & Research, CIS; David Kidney, manager, Classroom Audio-Visual Services; and Al Paskevicius, manager, Utilities Services.

In his remarks, President George said, “I'd like to extend my sincere congratulations to the McMaster employees being honoured today. I commend you on your commitment, effort and leadership to be the first to complete all elements of the core competency program. Your achievement also sets a wonderful example for your colleagues at all levels. You are recognized for striving to improve your skills and capabilities, and that is appreciated by your peers, your staff reports as well as your supervisors.”

Six workshops addressing each core competency are available to all McMaster managers and leaders free of charge at the Centre for Continuing Education, located at the Downtown Centre. Feedback on the quality of instructors and curriculum has been strong to date. There has also been constructive feedback, which has led to a new 2005 Course Schedule featuring three types of offerings to accommodate every scheduling eventuality.

Heather Grigg, chair of the Core Competencies Steering Committee remarked, “The University is fortunate to have such talented and dedicated managers and leaders. This program is very much an investment in all of us. I would encourage all managers and leaders to take advantage of it.”

Special guests in attendance included Fred A. Hall, associate vice-president, academic; Mark Haley, assistant vice-president, Human Resources Services; Art Heidebrecht, acting director, Centre for Continuing Education. Members of the Core Competencies Steering Committee also attended. They included: Nancy Balfoort, Pathology & Molecular Medicine; Lisa Boniface, Career Services; Heather Grigg (chair), CIS; Andy Hrymak, Chemical Engineering; Sue Inglis, Kinesiology; Barbara McDonald, Mills Library; Denise Mirabelli, DeGroote School of Business; and Jason Cole, Human Resources Services.

To learn more, visit www.workingatmcmaster.ca/corecompetencies.