Chris Hall, Coordinator of the Vanier Language School, doesn’t stay stumped in front of a problem or roadblock for long. He finds a way to solve it usually by creating something new. It’s to salute his inventive can-do spirit that Chris Hall is the winner of the 2009-2010 Innovation Award. Created by Vanier College Director General, Gilbert Héroux, this award recognizes and honours employees who are innovative thinkers and creative implementers and who motivate and inspire the people around them through their vision.
“There is no doubt but that through innovative strategies Chris has been able to advance the work of the Language School to accomplish many goals of the College,” states Judy MacDonald, Coordinator of Learning Enrichment & Support Services – Programs. “His work has recruited students, enhanced the reputation of the College, brought international and local partners to Vanier and contributed to funding the College.”
Chris has been quick to understand how to use internet tools such as Facebook and You Tube! to advertise Language School services and reach out to potential clients all over the world. But he doesn’t use these tools just for marketing. They are an inherent part of how he communicates with new students – to inform them about services, to welcome them to Montreal, and to let them know what is happening not only at the Language School but in Montreal.
Chris has also been innovative in program development. Ever alert to the needs of Language School clients and of the Montreal community, Chris has responded to requests and established a growing French program which will soon also include written French courses.
Judy Macdonald who understands the intricacies of the Cegep application process indicates that, “The introduction of SRAM at first limited our ability to schedule courses, but then Chris realized he could schedule courses between Rounds One and Two of the application process so that more students would have opportunities to improve their English skills and so be able to apply to Vanier.”
Chris has implemented new time management strategies by fully exploiting Outlook to use his time as efficiently as possible. Sharing these techniques as well as information technology strategies with colleagues at Cégep international meetings has enhanced the reputation of Vanier.
With a view to enriching the lives of fulltime Vanier students, Chris involved regular students in the home stay program of visiting international language students during the Danish Exchange. Danish students lived with our students for a month, much to the delight of both visitors and host families who embraced the opportunity for discovery and friendship.
“There is no doubt that Chris Hall’s innovation has benefitted and will continue to benefit the Language School and the College,” asserts Judy Macdonald. “He uses his innovative strategies with the highest integrity, influencing colleagues to examine their own practices and become more innovative themselves.”
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