A group of people sitting at a boardroom table with laptops, paperwork and glasses of water, with people tuning in on a Zoom call on a wall-mounted screen

Program Advisory Committees

Georgian has more than 70 Program Advisory Committees (PACs) guiding curriculum development and influencing the work-integrated and experiential learning opportunities we offer our students. These committees are critical in helping to ensure course content is inspiring, relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of graduates, employers, our economy and the communities we serve.

Role

Georgian’s PACs provide timely advice on existing programs and influence the development of new ones.

Committee members:

  • bring a broad range of experience and expertise
  • are recognized as significant contributors to both their profession and career
  • share crucial insights on current, emerging and future industry and technology trends
  • devote time and energy in service to the committee and our students
  • are capable of independent action and advice separate from that of a particular interest group
  • advise in the overall best interests of the college
Georgian College logo
Kevin Weaver, Georgian College's President and CEO, in a suit and tie
Georgian is incredibly grateful to have so many dedicated volunteers generously giving their time, expertise and counsel in support of our programs and students. Together, we’re fostering future generations of highly skilled workers, innovators, changemakers and compassionate citizens in Central Ontario and beyond.Kevin Weaver, President and CEO

Responsibilities

PACs are accountable for:

  • advising on
    • academic matters, e.g., program design, content, resources, graduate profile, environmental scan
    • suitability of facilities, equipment and/or resources as they relate to learning outcomes (and assisting in obtaining those resources)
    • availability and suitability of college services, resources and industry support for all work experience components, e.g., co-op, clinical, field placement, internship and apprenticeship
    • human resource trends related to current and future needs
  • assisting in obtaining and developing student awards, scholarships and bursaries, and other fundraising activities as appropriate (in consultation with Advancement and Alumni Relations)
  • maintaining an active public relations profile for the program and for Georgian within industries and communities at large
  • ongoing public awareness of current and emerging career opportunities in the industry/sector
  • ensuring the program reflects changing demographics
  • supporting the development of a diverse perspective across courses and the program
  • encouraging students and graduates to be accountable citizens within their respective workplaces and communities
  • reporting annually to the Board of Governors on progress and ongoing activities
Angela James receiving her Order of Canada certificate from David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill

Congratulations to Angela James, member of our Sport Administration PAC, who received the Order of Canada. Angela’s significant and varied accomplishments include Women’s World Hockey Champion and being inducted into several sports halls of fame, including the Hockey Hall of Fame. She’s described as “the first superstar of modern women’s hockey” and was the first and only Black woman to captain Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team.

Terms of reference

Membership

  • Minimum of five members per committee; 10 or more preferred
  • Nominations can be made by the committee or Georgian employees
  • Maximum term is three years, with the opportunity for one three-year renewal (approval beyond this is on a case-by-case basis)
  • Voting members are external to the college and appointed, e.g., employers, professional associations, trade unions, other educational institutions, social and government agencies, graduates, students
  • The Chair is a current member of the committee elected by existing membership for a maximum three-year term
  • Georgian employees are encouraged to attend PAC meetings in a non-voting capacity and frequently make presentations, act as a resource, support and contribute to the committee’s success

Meetings

  • Held a minimum of two times per year, at the call of the Chair
  • Members may participate in meetings remotely, e.g., via Microsoft Teams
  • Voting members are expected to regularly attend committee meetings; absences for two consecutive meetings will be reviewed and addressed
  • The Chair, in conjunction with the dean or designate, prepares the agenda
  • College reports must be submitted with the agenda prior to the day of the meeting or attached with previous meeting minutes
  • Action from the meetings can be pursued via the development of sub-committees and working groups, depending on the topic; for example, an alumni sub-committee may be permanent while a focused team may respond for a short period of time to a specific issue
  • A simple majority comprises quorum
  • Meeting minutes are distributed prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting
  • The Vice President, Academic, receives notice of all meetings and may attend in a non-voting capacity as their schedule permits

Communications

  • PAC members are encouraged to regularly access GeorgianCollege.ca for updates
  • Email distribution lists are set up by the committee/academic area so members can communicate, as needed
  • The office of the Vice President, Academic, manages a distribution list of all Chairs and organizes one meeting annually inviting them to discuss current issues and future trends related to learning and our students

Conflict of interest

When PAC members have an interest in college business (monetary or otherwise) that may compete with or supersede their duties and responsibilities on the committee, a conflict of interest must be declared – be it real, potential or perceived. This includes any access to and the direct gain or indirect benefit that might accrue from inside or confidential information.

The Chair of the committee, in their sole discretion, decides on the member’s participation in specific meetings, debate, voting and other related activities. In the event the Chair has a conflict, the committee rules on the declaration in consultation with the dean overseeing that academic area.

How to be a Georgian ambassador

PAC members are strongly encouraged to:

  • follow Georgian on social media. You can find us on InstagramFacebookLinkedIn, Snapchat (@TeamGeorgian), Twitter and YouTube
  • retweet or repost interesting content we share on our social media channels and website; tag @georgiancollege and use #ExperienceGeorgian
  • tag us in any of your Georgian-related content using @georgiancollege and #ExperienceGeorgian

#ExperienceGeorgian

Why Georgian?

130+programs across a wide variety of disciplines
88.1%of our graduates find employment within six months of graduation
100%of our programs emphasize practical, hands-on learning
5,000+Georgian students enrolled in co-op programs

Contact us

Have a question? Want to become a PAC member?

Contact the Office of the Vice President, Academic

Email: pac@georgiancollege.ca