College announces new Dean

College of the Rockies is pleased to announce the appointment of Russell Workun as a new Dean of Instruction.

Workun, who will join the college in August, will be responsible for Trades and Apprenticeships, Timber Frame, Adult Basic Education, Office Administration and Fire Training programs.

Coming to Cranbrook from Fairview, Alberta Workun brings to the college an extensive background in developing and delivering customized training programs throughout northern Alberta having managed Continuing Education departments for Fairview College, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton and Grande Prairie Regional College. He has also worked closely with regional industry to facilitate education and skill development.

“I am very excited about joining College of the Rockies. I have been reading all I can about the college and am eager for my first day of work to arrive,”  Workun said. “I believe my knowledge and experience will be a good fit with the vision at the college.”

A captain with the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, Workun is a certified Cold Water Rescue trainer and has authored a Hybrid Vehicle Safety for First Responders course. He has also written and developed workshops for Cross Culture Awareness, Cultural Diversity in the Workplace and has volunteered his time with Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources through the development of programming.

“We are pleased to have someone of Russell’s calibre joining our management team. I have no doubt his experience and background will be of great benefit to the college,” said vice-president of Education, Doug McLachlan. “We look forward to his contributions to our community.”

Workun will be joined in Cranbrook by his wife, Karen.  They have three grown children.