Claude Brulé and Laura Stanbra Appointed New Vice Presidents

Yesterday, Algonquin College President Robert Gillett announced the appointment of Claude Brulé and Laura Stanbra to Vice President, Academic and Vice President, Student Services, respectively. Claude will begin his duties on August 7, while Laura’s first day in her new position will be August 20.

Claude Brulé – Vice President, Academic

Claude has served for five years as Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Trades, where he has been responsible for overseeing the School of Advanced Technology, the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence, and the Heritage Institute in Perth.

Claude’s accomplishments include the construction of three state-of-the-art facilities that have helped to re-energize their respective areas and the College as a whole. His exemplary leadership skills have also been used to help launch the Algonquin Leadership in Education Institute; re-introduce the College’s Strategic Enrolment Management Committee; and develop new programming, including the recently submitted 4-year Bachelor of Building Science degree. In 2002, Claude received the Algonquin College Administrative Staff Award.

He first joined Algonquin in 1999 as Academic Chair of the Information and Communications Technology Department (formerly the Computer Studies Department), and was also an officer in the Canadian Forces in the Air Force occupational branch of Communication and Electronics.

Claude graduated from the Royal Military College in Kingston in 1982 with a Bachelor degree in Engineering Physics, and again in 1990 with a Master’s degree of Science in Mathematics. He was an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (CFSCE) from 1985 to 1987, and lectured in the Mathematics and Computer Science department at the Royal Military College as an assistant professor from 1989 to 1993. After 23 years with the Canadian Forces, he retired in 1999 at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

As Vice-President, Academic, Claude is looking forward to continuing to work closely with faculty and staff to increase student access, improve student retention, launch relevant new programs and implement appropriate technologies to enhance student learning.

Claude has been happily married for 30 years to his wife Carol, a manager at the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). They have one daughter, Véronique, who is doing her Master’s degree in Biology at McGill University in Montreal.

Outside of Algonquin, you can find Claude hiking, mountaineering, canoeing, and cycling. “I like the outdoors, gardening, reading, and listening to music,” he says.

Laura Stanbra – Vice President, Student Services

A relative newcomer to Algonquin, Laura takes on the position of Vice President, Student Services with 27 years of post-secondary experience in the fields of student services, development and alumni relations. Prior to joining the College as Director, Student Support Services in 2011, Laura served in progressively more challenging roles at Concordia University including, University Registrar, Managing Director, Student Services and Director, Financial Aid and Awards.

She led the strategic planning as well as the daily administration of Concordia’s student services team which comprises the departments of Counselling and Development, Advocacy and Support Services, Residence Life, Health Services, the Dean of Students Office, Recreation and Athletics, and the Financial Aid and Awards Office.

Laura moved to Ottawa for her significant other, but only once she found a job in the field she loves and has experience in. “I only wanted to work in post-secondary education,” says Laura. “I was drawn to Algonquin because it is a large, dynamic College with a great reputation and a wonderful relationship between the College and Students’ Association.”

As Vice President, Student Services, Laura’s plans include overseeing the launch the new co-curricular record, expansion of online services, and the implementation of a new service delivery model in the Student Commons.

In her spare time, Laura enjoys running, golf, and gardening. She recently completed her first half marathon and plans to do more.

Please join us in congratulating Claude and Laura in their new roles!