Highlights of 2022 at GBC

A new celebration started in February with Black Futures Month — four weeks of events highlighting Black innovation, excellence, and joy. Events covered various topics, including education, community, wellness, safety, personal development and alumni achievement.

We also announced the Black Futures Hub, a permanent space at the Daniels building at Waterfront Campus. It provides space for Black and racialized students to connect, access programming, collaborate, and innovate. Celebrating Black entrepreneurship, art, and design are also crucial elements of the hub.

Ensuring GBC provides equitable, accessible and inclusive learning environments is an ongoing effort. We released plans that outline tangible steps we're taking to deliver on our commitments to become an anti-racist institution and to support reconciliation.

• Anti-Racism Strategy & Action Plan
• Indigenous Education Strategy

On March 17, we signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) based at the University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus in Jamaica. Established in 2018, the centre is a global think tank focused exclusively on building resilience and managing crises that disrupt tourism.

As part of the agreement, George Brown will establish a satellite GTRCMC centre at the college that will offer incredible learning opportunities to students, particularly those at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

GBC President Dr. Gervan Fearon announced the appointment of Dr. Cory Ross as the college's first provost. The provost leads the college's strategy in the areas of academic programming, international, research and work-integrated learning.

Ross is a familiar face — he’s been at GBC since 2007, and before his appointment as provost, he was Vice-President, Academic.

"We have an ambitious and exciting vision for the college, and I am confident that we are well-positioned to achieve our goals with this appointment," Fearon said. "Dr. Ross brings a wealth of experience to the role of Provost, including experience delivering high-quality and innovative academic programs that are integral to the college's reputation, both domestically and internationally, as a leading provider of post-secondary education."

Alongside Mayor John Tory, we officially announced our interest in building a satellite campus in Mount Dennis, a neighbourhood in the Eglinton Avenue and Weston Road area in west Toronto. The area is underserved when it comes to post-secondary education and is brimming with opportunities.

"As we explore the feasibility of a post-secondary campus with our partners, I look forward to what we can achieve together to create more pathways to opportunity and economic prosperity," George Brown's Director of External and Community Relations, Kizzy Rodney, said.

We develop beverage industry leaders, and now we honour them! George Brown College took ownership of the Ontario Wine Awards (OWA) that recognize outstanding Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wines. OWA competitions and tastings draw more than 80 leading wineries and 500 wine entrants.

We signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day. As part of the three-year agreement, GBC will increase support for Indigenous learners by providing more pathways to post-secondary education and delivering additional programming.

Campus building entrances now include the MCFN logo.

"The agreement signifies a meaningful and intentional first step to building a relationship centred on trust, respect and innovation," Indigenous Initiatives Director Audrey Rochette said. "The MOU embodies layers of complex and visible changes for both partners."

After a hold on international travel due to the pandemic, Chef School students travelled to France and Italy to study global cuisine and pastry at the source.

Advanced French Patisserie students travelled to Lyon to study at École Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie (ENSP). Culinary Arts – Italian students honed their skills at ALMA, the International School of Italian Cuisine (Scuola Internazionale di Cucina). Both groups went on to complete work placements in the countries.

We launched an exciting work space outfitted with new technology and areas designed to support a hybrid model, foster collaboration and support employee well-being.

Toronto Mayor John Tory and other dignitaries joined us to celebrate the Future of Work pilot opening at 230 Richmond St. E. on October 3.

"The college has pivoted throughout the pandemic, and we are now putting into practice what we learned from this period. We saw an opportunity through the pilot to support the diverse needs and working styles of our employees, 80 per cent of whom had told us that they wanted to continue with options to work from home at least some of the time," GBC President Dr. Gervan Fearon said.

The iconic trams that trundle through Hong Kong's business district were wrapped with GBC branding when we launched our first international campaign in October.

The Hong Kong transit campaign reflects exciting changes to George Brown's approach to global engagement.

"We're always seeking opportunities to share what makes George Brown College and Toronto so great," GBC's Associate Vice-President of Global Partnerships & Education, David Begg, said.

We announced a partnership that provides a seamless pathway for GBC students to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Canada West (UCW).

Our agreement with UCW increases access to lifelong learning opportunities. It provides flexible options for students and graduates to upskill for a changing economy. 

US Ambassador to Canada David L. Cohen and US Consul Susan R. Crystal toured our food and beverage research facilities. During a campus visit, they enjoyed a lunch prepared and served by students at the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts.

"I enjoyed meeting with your exemplary culinary students and appreciated learning more about how your institution embodies diversity and inclusion," Cohen said.

We were proud to be named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers for 2023. This was the seventh straight year we've received the honour.