As the new Associate Deans in the Faculty of Humanities, James Allard and Elizabeth Vlossak are looking forward to not only supporting faculty, but also strengthening connections with students across the University and community partners across Niagara.

Allard, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Student Affairs and Curriculum, is ready to help the Faculty’s departments and centres navigate post-pandemic teaching and learning.

“I gained some very useful skills and knowledge that will continue to be key elements of my teaching from now on, even as I’m thrilled to be back in a physical classroom with students,” says the Associate Professor with the Department of English Language and Literature.

“As we continue to manage the latest stages of the pandemic, I think we have an opportunity to learn some valuable lessons about the promises and challenges of online teaching and learning,” he says.

Allard looks forward to bringing his experiences as a teacher and a department Chair to his new role helping faculty navigate procedural complexities while always putting students and pedagogy first.

He is also eager for students outside the Faculty to see how Humanities courses can complement their programs.

“Humanities has a tremendous opportunity to reach out to students in other Faculties and help them to see what taking some courses with us as part of their existing programs can do for them,” he says. “There are courses in Humanities disciplines that will help develop research and communication skills or immerse students in some of the various communities and cultures they will engage with in their professional lives.”

Elizabeth Vlossak, Associate Professor with the Department of History, has taken on the role of Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies to support faculty and graduate students’ research and creative work.

Vlossak is looking forward to using her expertise as a researcher, teacher, manager and mentor in her new role. She is particularly interested in finding more opportunities to share Humanities research and creative work within Brock and the Niagara community.

“I especially enjoy collaborating and engaging with the local community,” says Vlossak, who has worked with a variety of community organizations in her own teaching and research. “As the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, I want to continue to strengthen the ties between the Faculty of Humanities and the Niagara community.”

Vlossak brings her past experience as Graduate Program Director for the Department of History and Director of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts to her new position.

The University relies on accomplished researchers and teachers like Allard and Vlossak to step forward and serve in these kinds of administrative roles, says Carol Merriam, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities.

“Drs. Vlossak and Allard are both respected by their colleagues, dedicated to service and experienced in the administrative work that makes the University function,” says Merriam.  “I’m looking forward, very much, to working with them for the Faculty of Humanities and its members over the next three years.”