CanBIM spoke with Reva Bond Ramsden on her new appointment as the Associate Dean within the school of Manufacturing and Automation at SAIT Polytechnic.
CanBIM: Tell us briefly on your role before becoming being appointed as Associate Dean
Reva: I joined SAIT June 1, 2009. At the time, I had been a cost controls lead for Aecon Industrial based in their Sherwood Park Module Facility near Edmonton. A rather large contract with Shell was wrapping up when I saw the posting for an Academic Chair position in the School of Construction at SAIT. It really piqued my interest because I thought I had finally found a position where I could combine all my previous education and work experience into an exciting role. Prior to working in construction I had completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and had been a family counselor for a short time. I also went on to complete a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology because the plan had been to become a genetic counselor; but the Alberta winds were calling me back to my prairie home. Oil and gas prices were on the rise and moving back was just really great timing and I landed a role in construction as a contract administrator. Being a productive team member on multi-million dollar projects was pretty exciting. During that time I also completed my MBA at the University of Alberta. That set me up well to develop my career to take on management roles.
CanBIM: Could you highlight some of your achievements and initiatives in your previous role as academic chair at the school of construction
Reva: Working in education the past nine years has been filled with wonderful challenges. I’ve been very active in supporting workplace integrated learning and study abroad opportunities for which our students to participate. So much learning occurs outside of the classroom, it’s important to create those opportunities to flourish so students develop a passion for life-long learning. The highlights for me are, hands-down, the individual stories of student success. It’s hard to break-down the role you played in that, but you know over the long-haul the decisions you made helped to support those student success stories.
CanBIM: What are your plans for the school of manufacturing and automation, talk about new initiatives, programs etc.
Reva: Technology is ingrained in our day-to-day like never before. So much so that we take most of it for granted. SAIT, including the School of Manufacturing and Automation, knows it has a responsibility to train and educate the local workforce in the latest forms of that technology to support our economy for today and the future. Stay tuned for some new course and program offerings that will build on areas of strength that already exist in our mechanical engineering technology and welding engineering technology diploma programs: mechatronics, additive manufacturing and renewable energy. We also have existing program offerings in homeowner improvement courses, solar installation or ornamental metal works if you want to challenge yourself with some fantastic hands-on training.
Working with students to support their career goals and working with faculty to design and implement educational experiences that support achieving those career goals is very satisfying. SAIT is also keenly aware of the role it plays in building community. So, working with industry partners is essential to our student’s success and a very enjoyable part of my new Associate Dean position. During the interview for my new role, I asked the School of Manufacturing and Automation hiring panel how they would describe their school in one word. They stated, unanimously, “Maker”. SAIT is home to the Shapers, the Makers and the Originals. My goal for the SAIT School of Manufacturing and Automation is to support, recruit and develop all the future Makers.
CanBIM: Talk about your industry associations outside of SAIT
Reva: I’ve had the privilege of working with some very dedicated Calgary, Alberta and Canadian organizations: Building Industry and Land Development Association Calgary Region (BILDCR), Construction Specifications Canada (CSC), Passive House, Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), and Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) to name a few. I currently sit on the Academic Council for CHBA. CanBIM has been another great partner.
SAIT is very pleased to be a CanBIM member and we look forward to supporting CanBIM’s mission to provide professional, educational, construction, fabrication and supply chain members a collective voice dedicated to BIM. SAIT is looking forward to hosting the Calgary Satellite Session on December 7, as we are well-versed in fostering an environment of open collaboration and communication with industry stakeholders. Just like our SAIT logo, the Catalyst – an activator of change, forged by five s-shaped connectors, we strive to be the connecting hub for the Calgary market and surrounding area looking to make BIM the industry standard.
