Biology faculty member Tonia De Bellis is stepping into a new role as Associate Dean of Science, Medical Studies and Engineering.

“In a lot of ways, this feels like a continuation of what I’ve always loved about teaching and coordinating,” Tonia said. “Supporting student success and helping colleagues bring new ideas to life is something I’ve always enjoyed. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to develop courses, create new learning experiences, and collaborate with dedicated colleagues. I’m excited to continue that work on a broader scale and contribute to the ongoing growth of our programs.”

Tonia began teaching at Dawson in 2006, just before completing her PhD in Ecology at Concordia University in 2007. In 2009, she became coordinator of the Environmental Science profile, a role that gave her the opportunity to develop new ecology courses and expand the ecology curriculum at the College.

In her new job, Tonia looks forward to taking a broader view of the student experience and thinking about how students move through a program from start to finish, identifying opportunities to make that experience smoother, richer, and more rewarding. “This includes encouraging hands-on learning, collaboration across disciplines, and supporting faculty who are interested in trying new approaches to teaching and learning,” she said.

For Tonia, the best part about working at Dawson is the people. “Throughout my time at Dawson, I’ve had the chance to work with faculty, academic advisors, OAD (Office of Academic Development), the Registrar’s Office, the Office of Sustainability, administrators, and staff across the College,” she said.

“What I’ve really liked is how willing people are to help. I’ve also found that people are open to new ideas and willing to find ways to make things work. That kind of environment is a great place to work and learn!”