June 2022 Edited by: Afshaan Purvez and Devin Andrade

Dear Colleagues,

As we officially enter the second half of the summer semester, I want to take a moment to thank all FCAD employees for their extraordinary contributions this year.

I believe that one common element in all of our programs is the importance of story. FCAD’s story this year has been one of resilience, innovation, and teaching excellence. A few recent examples:

• The Animation program ranked number five in the world and number three in Canada by Animation Career Magazine
• A unique sustainability-focused partnership with the Dust of Gods design house, and our School of Fashion
• The upcoming launch of a new Marketing Agency that will provide our students with more experiential learning opportunities with external companies and clients

Our story also includes the departure of two of our leaders: Professor Lauretta Wood is retiring after 24 years at Seneca, and Chair Chris McCracken is moving on to a new role as the Dean of the Faculty of Continuing Education and Training. We wish them well on this new chapter. They both have our gratitude for all they have done for our students, for FCAD, and for Seneca.

Like many of you, the FCAD newsletter will be taking break over the summer. We will resume publication in August, when I am sure we will have many more updates and success stories to share.

Until then, stay well, and stay safe.

Kurt

Seneca's Animation program has been ranked fifth in the world and third in Canada for animation training by Animation Career Review. This annual ranking is based on academic reputation, employment data and more.

With our ongoing strong global ranking in Animation, Seneca continues to demonstrate its strong leadership in the creative sector around the world. This will become even more evident with the launch of our wholly redesigned Animation program this Fall, and our introduction of the Seneca Animation Model." - Mark Jones, SCAA Chair

Aoi Takeda won first place, and was awarded with a $1500 grant and an opportunity to intern at the Dust of Gods studio.

Her design was inspired by the art of mending & darning and the silhouette of a traditional Japanese garment – Kataginu.

Allyson Gail Ped came in third place and was awarded with a $500 grant!

Allyson’s design was inspired by military encampment, and the techniques – macramé, fabric weaving, and printmaking were used to mimic the characteristics of the tent.

Cosmetic Techniques and Management student Lovish was chosen as one of three Upcoming Artists by NYX Professional Makeup Canada’s Upcoming Artist Pride 2022 Program! Lovish sent in their PRIDE: Paint Your Story video, which the judges described as “touching and inspiring”. Their three different make-up looks blew away the panel.

Journalism student Rahma Shafi won the Radio Television Digital News: Global News Diversity scholarship for her story on Black Canadians in Politics.

"I completed it as an assignment, then submitted for the Global News Diversity Scholarship. 6 weeks later, I received a congratulatory letter from the RTDNF with the amazing news! I was NOT expecting to win this scholarship as a second semester student who is still very new to all thing's journalism. Included was also a $2000 prize, tickets to the annual 2-day RTDNA conference and gala and a one-hour mentoring session was just icing on the cake. I am forever grateful and beyond excited for what the future holds." - Rahma

Some great news for Seneca and bittersweet news for our Faculty — Chris McCracken has been promoted to Dean, Faculty of Continuing Education and Training (FCET). Chris has done a remarkable job during his tenure with FCAD. He joined Seneca as the Chair, School of Marketing in 2018 before coming over to FCAD and adding the School of Media to his portfolio in 2020.

Chris’ many accomplishments include co-leading the development of the Honours Bachelor of Communications and Media (the first-ever degree in the School of Media), spearheading the launch of a new Marketing Agency, and most recently, leading the Last Mile Soft Skills Initiative. Chris is a collaborative, innovative, and empathetic leader. The only blemish on his record is that he is a Leafs fan. We will miss him.

But with change comes new opportunity, and we look forward to building more partnerships with FCET with Chris at the helm.

The search is underway for Chris’ replacement. Stay tuned!

EXCERPT

For someone who never imagined being on television, interior designer Debra Salmoni has found the perfect role on screen, doing what she does best.

“I meet with contractors and clients, just being myself,” said the Seneca graduate who co-hosts Scott’s Vacation House Rules with HGTV star Scott McGillivray. “It’s such a natural role for me. I ignore the camera completely.”

Before she was offered the role on the hit show, which debuted in 2020, Mrs. Salmoni had no television experience.

“They literally found me on Instagram, interviewed me and hired me, and I was shooting in a week,” she said. “It was the quickest turnaround they’d ever seen.”

After 24 years at Seneca, Lauretta Wood is retiring on June 30. Lauretta has been the program coordinator of the Graphic Design program for 22 of those years and has seen the program through many changes and evolutions in the industry. Lauretta's students will miss her "motherly" watchful eye on their progress through the program, which now includes generations of graduates that have gone on to successful careers. Moving into the GRA coordinator role starting in September will be Kinmond Smith, who has been the coordinator of the Interactive Media Design program since 2018. Jasmine Bashaj, who became full-time faculty within SCAA in 2021, will assume the program coordinator role of INM. Finally, Donna Saccutelli, faculty in GRA, will begin a new role as program coordinator of the new Inclusive Design for Business program, currently a series of micro-credentials and soon to include a full college certificate.

In collaboration with Seneca's international partners, Chio Lecca Fashion School, Professor Philip Sparks and Fashion Arts Program Co-ordinator Zoran Dobric, led a group of 18 students in Peru on a Faculty-led Program Abroad. Students spent two weeks trailblazing from Cusco, Peru, through the Sacred Valley, and towards Machu Picchu as they learned about Andean Fashion from local master artisans.

"The Andean Fashion faculty-led program abroad was a life-changing experience, not only for students but for teachers as well. Our host institution Chio Lecca provided unique opportunities for cultural exchange. Students were inspired by the skill, openness and vitality of the local communities, weavers and teachers we met along the way. Students and faculty have come back to Toronto with new ideas and creative energy, ready to put forward final projects that aim to help preserve the ancient textile traditions of the region. I cannot wait to take a group again next year." - Philip Sparks

Doug Hammond has been appointed Director of the new Customer Support department. The department will serve as a first point of contact for students accessing services at Seneca. It is part of the new service delivery model reflecting the Au Large initiative of a more virtual Seneca.