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Zabudsky leaves Sheridan for international prospect by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 13 | Friday, July 22, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Sheridan College President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jeff Zabudsky is retiring from his role effective Dec. 31. The announcement was made Wednesday (July 20). Zabudsky, who presented his resignation to Sheridan, said he is leaving to pursue an international opportunity in higher education. "It's a prospect that has always been of interest to me professionally," he said. "I deeply enjoyed the honour and professional challenge of being Sheridan's leader. Together, with the board and my management team, I believe that we have accomplished great things. I will leave with the confidence of knowing that we have positioned Sheridan well to make the next step toward recognition as a university." Sheridan's Board of Governors announced Dr. Mary Preece, provost and vice-president academic at Sheridan, will take over as president and vice-chancellor commencing Nov. 1 and carry on through Dec. 31, 2017. Zabudsky is Sheridan's sixth president, a position he assumed Feb. 1, 2010. Prior to joining Sheridan, he worked at post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta, and served for six years as president and CEO of Red River College in Winnipeg, Man. "It is with mixed feelings that I announce Dr. Zabudsky has submitted his resignation," said Bryan Dawson, chair of Sheridan's Jeff Zabudsky Board of Governors, in an email sent to all Sheridan employees and students. "Jeff's leadership over the past six and a half years has been marked with multiple successes for Sheridan, including the addition of $200 million in capital development over Sheridan's four campuses, growth in operating revenue from $195 million to $320 million, the addition of 11 new four-year Bachelor's degree programs, and a 40 per cent increase in overall student enrolment with growth in international student enrolment rising from 700 to 5,000 students." Dawson also looked to Zabudsky's leadership of Sheridan's quest to become a university. "Jeff has laid a solid foundation," he said. "We are confident that Sheridan's efforts will result in the successful achievement of this goal, which remains fully on track. I know I speak for the entire board when I say that we are happy for Jeff and his family, but that we will greatly miss his leadership." During his tenure, Zabudsky has been deeply engaged with the communities served by Sheridan. He is a past chair of the United Way of Oakville, serves on the Mississauga Healthy City Stewardship Centre, as well as the Peel Children and Youth Initiative, and is a current member of the board of Halton Healthcare and current chair of the board of Food for Life, among other commitments. "We suspect that Jeff's departure will also be felt outside our campuses given his involvement with many organizations in the communities served by Sheridan," said Dawson. CharterAbility needs more volunteer help as popularity hits a peak ple with physical limitations or other personal challenges. With a fully-accessible dock on Sixteen Mile Creek, adjoined to Busby Park on Water Street, the organization operates two pontoon boats to take people along the creek and into a wildlife sanctuary in downtown Oakville. Trips are provided free-of-charge, courtesy of donations CharterAbility receives and the commitment of its volunteer boat operators. Last year, the organization held 325 boat rides, while this year, it is on pace to exceed more than 400. Rides are offered to autistic and developmental children and their families, youths and adults, and nursing home, retirement and long-term care centre residents, among others. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact CharterAbility at charterability@hotmail.com. Volunteer captains and first mates are needed to join the CharterAbility team. Formed 13 years ago by Stephen Cull, CharterAbility provides an accessible boating experience for peo- AIRPORT OAKVILLE'S LOWEST RATES!!