Sheridan recognized with award for leadership development

At a virtual ceremony honouring leaders in the field of professional and technical education and training hosted by the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) on Nov. 27, Sheridan was presented a bronze Award of Excellence for Leadership Development. Sheridan is one of four Canadian institutions recognized in the fourth-annual awards program with other recipients hailing from Australia, Brazil, China, Fiji, Kenya, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Sheridan’s leadership programming is facilitated by its Centre for People and Organizational Development (CPOD). The WFCP Award of Excellence is a nod to CPOD’s Leadership Institute Talent Management strategy, which encompasses a deliberate and planned process for identifying, tracking and developing leadership talent. For the past five years, CPOD staff has focused on creating and delivering courses within a cohort-based program including topics like inspiring the leader within, leadership foundations and leadership essentials.

“Investment in leadership development is a key differentiator at Sheridan,” says Amanda Pike, Chief Change Officer, who has been instrumental in building the Leadership Institute. “This focus allows us to create an increasingly effective pool of leaders within the organization and ensure we have the ‘bench strength’ to sustain and support Sheridan’s strategic goals.”

Sheridan’s Leadership Institute is a sustainable, in-house model that provides employees opportunities for continuous improvement over time. The nearly 600 employees who have participated in its programming have provided consistently positive feedback on the value of its courses to their professional trajectory. Other indicators of success include Sheridan’s 2020 ranking as one of Forbes Magazine’s top 100 list of Canada’s Best Employers and the notable number of employees who’ve dedicated upwards of 30 years of service to Sheridan recognized at an annual long-service awards gala.

“I strongly believe that Sheridan’s people are one of our greatest assets,” says Dr. Janet Morrison, President and Vice Chancellor. “Stability in leadership and a commitment to continuous learning and innovation by senior leaders can impact all areas of an organization, which makes the exceptional work of Sheridan’s Centre for People and Organizational Development all that more significant. I’m tremendously proud that its team is being recognized on a global scale.”

Sheridan and fellow Awards of Excellence honourees will be featured in the WFCP’s third volume of the digital World’s Best Practice Guide in Professional and Technical Education and Training and invited to share their success stories in a webinar series.