Vanier College is pleased to announce that Rhys Adams and Mina Yazdanpanah have been elected as faculty members to the Vanier College Board of Directors. Each member will be serving a 3-year term, effective 7 February 2025.
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the College. Members come from various groups within the internal and external community and all nineteen members carry out their duties with independence in the best interests of the College for the realization of its mission.
Rhys Adams, a physics teacher at Vanier College since 2006, is passionate about teaching, and continuously adapts his methods to meet students' diverse needs. Beyond the classroom, Rhys is actively involved in committees, research, and workshops at Vanier, the CEGEP network, and as a global STEM advocate.
Reflecting on his eighteen years of teaching, Rhys, a parent of two teenagers about to attend CEGEP, now hopes to contribute in a new way to shaping the future of Vanier College. His recent recognition with the 2024 Minister of Higher Education Award highlights his dedication and experience, making him a valuable addition to the Board of Directors.
"I look forward to the opportunity to bring my diverse experience and passion for education to our Board of Directors and continue to contribute to the growth and success of the Vanier community."
Mina Yazdanpanah holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Concordia University and has over a decade of teaching experience. As a professor and internship coordinator in Electrical Engineering Technology at Vanier College, she strives to cultivate strong connections with students, faculty, and industry partners, linking academics with real-world applications. Mina is passionate about student success, creativity, sustainability, and crossdisciplinary collaboration, advocating for innovative teaching practices, and nurturing an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic college environment where everyone can thrive.
"I am deeply grateful for the trust the faculty of Vanier College have placed in me by electing me to the Board of Directors. I am committed to working diligently to bring constructive and positive insights, helping to shape our college into an even stronger institution one that champions excellence in education, which extends far beyond teaching. True education is about fostering an environment where mutual respect, meaningful relationships, and lifelong learning are not only valued but actively upheld."
The College would like to take the opportunity to welcome the newly elected members to the Board of Directors and thank them for their commitment and dedication. Also, a heartfelt thank you to the candidates who participated in the election, those who cast their votes, and to Sevak Manjikian and Mark Cohen, outgoing faculty members of the Board.
