September 30, 2005 Source: University of New Brunswick - Saint John:
http://www.unb.ca/news/view.cgi?id=849 SHARON RICH JUMPS INTO UNBF DEAN OF EDUCATION ROLE September 30, 2005
UNB Fredericton News Release: D370
Brad Janes, Public Relations Officer (506) 458-7969 Adaptability and a willingness to accept new challenges without wavering can describe today's student. Those descriptions can also be applied to Sharon Rich. The new dean of education at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton has not stopped learning, meeting challenges and figuring out just how to get around campus and the city of Fredericton since landing here. Talk about a whirlwind introduction following her arrival at UNBF from the University of Western in London, ON. "I was still teaching at Western up until Aug. 19 and I packed Aug. 20," said Dr. Rich. "On the 22nd, the truck left Ontario with all my furniture and I hit the road for Fredericton on the 23rd. When I got here, I didn't have any furniture in my house so I came right to work. I figured I may as well get started." Thankfully the frenetic pace has slowed somewhat in terms of straightening out every day life. She's still adapting to her new role as dean, however. "The learning curve has been steep, but the faculty and staff here have been fabulous," Dr. Rich said. "They're all willing to help me find which end is up." How the former associate professor and chair of continuing education at Western's Faculty of Education arrived at UNBF is an interesting story. Her husband, Michael, was a biology professor at Western who had been coming to New Brunswick since 1970, the bulk of his research at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews. In fact, the couple purchased vacation property in Charlotte County and was making a habit of spending summertime in New Brunswick. "Our long-term plan was to stay in New Brunswick and then the dean's job came up at UNB," she said. "Michael is on administrative leave and retires at the end of June, so things couldn't have worked out better. It was sooner than we anticipated, but the move was fast tracked after a successful application." As the new dean of education, there's a lot at stake in the continuing evolution of educators. Dr. Rich has an extensive background in building a team environment toward a common goal of enriching programs. She helped Western become a recognized Ontario leader in development and provision of online learning courses for teachers. She was also active within the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Ontario College of Teachers to lobby for programs teachers insisted were instrumental in learning. She has already sat down with the New Brunswick Department of Education, the New Brunswick Teacher's Union and others with education at the forefront of their efforts. "I am getting to know the education system in New Brunswick and it didn't take long to know the educators want bridges and partnerships built to make it better for all of us involved," Dr. Rich said. "We're in an exciting time for education, but it's also a difficult time. There are issues surrounding accountability and testing levels. New Brunswick has to pay attention to its students and keep them from leaving the province." Dr. Rich has already been impressed what she believes is an innovative faculty of education at UNBF. The in-house daycare centre, second language learning and depth of faculty research she has witnessed only enhances her desire to help UNBF evolve. "My history shows I'm innovative, but I really do want the faculty of education to have a high profile," she said. "The role of an educator is to help young students, but it's not only teaching. If you only teach, you won't last or be effective. Teachers have to figure out how to learn and how to adapt to become co-learners. How do we multi-task? How do we learn a new field? Those are some of the challenges for educators. As a teacher, we demonstrate and model all the time. Our graduates have to be models of learning. We want our teachers to be excited and that means they can't stop learning." Changing with the times is something all universities are coping with in this highly technological world. That's where Dr. Rich's strength in innovation will be put to a test as she continues to evolve the faculty of education to meet an ever-changing globe. Certainly the research of professors is critical and can be an individualistic pursuit, but Dr. Rich's stamp is collaboration through innovation. She doesn't mind saying she's a team player. "In the academic world you're rewarded for being rugged and individualistic for all of your competitions," she said. "We're now finding out that funding for research isn't being considered unless there's collaboration. We need to develop collaborative skills to move the planet forward. How can we channel all those hopes and dreams? We have to listen to start." - 30 -
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