On Nov. 4, Gabrielle Gayrard began her new role as Associate Director, Corporate and Legal Affairs. Gabrielle is the first person to hold this position at Dawson. A member of the Bar, she comes to Dawson from the exact same position at Cégep du Vieux-Montréal. She will be working with Megan Ainscow, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs.

Prior to working in the CEGEP network, Gabrielle practiced civil and family law. A graduate of Cégep de Thetford, she holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Université de Sherbrooke.

“I would like to invite members of the Dawson community to reach out to me if you have legal questions, especially regarding the protection of personal information,” she said. Gabrielle is looking forward to meeting new people and learning about the Dawson way of doing things.

Patrick Khoueiry began his new job as Associate Director of Facilities Management responsible for auxiliary services on Oct. 15.

At Dawson, Patrick is responsible for the following services: Purchasing, the Bookstore, PARC, the Print Shop, Health and Safety, Security, Parking, and the cafeteria.

Patrick comes to Dawson from Abu Dhabi where he was head of procurement and auxiliary services at Sorbonne University. He holds an MBA from Princely International University and a Master’s in Social Research from Sorbonne University in Paris.

Patrick is excited about “the opportunity to contribute to a vibrant learning environment. I am passionate about ensuring that our resources and services enhance the educational experience for both students and faculty. Being part of a community that values innovation and creativity truly energizes me every day.”

─Photo by Zachary Mercier, Dawson student in Professional Photography

It is with enthusiasm and pride that Patrick Cavanagh took up his duties as Director General of CRISPESH on August 12, 2024.

Patrick holds a master’s degree in education and training management and a coaching certification. His 25 years’ experience in the education network, including 20 years in management positions, is a valuable asset to CRISPESH as the Centre continues its work in the achievement of its mandate to advance the knowledge, development and promotion of innovative practices that target the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Most recently as director of services at CSS Sorel-Tracy and at CSS Marie-Victorin, Patrick’s set of professional experience includes a variety of positions of ever-increasing responsibility in the education network. He takes on this new challenge with a strong motivation to reinvest the experience he has acquired working with children and adults with disabilities to lead CRISPESH on the path towards forward-thinking research and practice. He is committed to empowering, mobilising and supporting the team in place in implementing research projects and innovating the Centre’s service offer.

Patrick looks forward to meeting and collaborating with Dawson community.

-Submitted by the CRISPESH team

Timothy Miller was appointed Associate Dean of Science, Medial Studies and Engineering on Aug. 5.

“My new role is centered on supporting the faculty and staff of the sector in their delivery of high-quality programs,” he said. “Put simply, my role is to ensure that the faculty and staff have all the resources and support they need to offer the best learning opportunities and experiences for the students.”

Prior to his appointment, Tim was a teacher of Physiotherapy and Physical Education at Dawson since 2020. Over the last decade, he has held a number of roles in the college, including leading interprofessional education and working with senior management on securing and designing a new space to accommodate it. Tim has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master of Business Administration, both from Concordia University.

Tim is really looking forward to working with the team of teachers and staff. He says: “Even in the early days of this role, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people who are truly passionate about their work. To me, every conversation is a chance to connect, learn, and help in a meaningful way. Whether it's sharing knowledge, offering support, or just having a chat, the human connection is what I am really looking forward to.”

Tim loves Dawson and says it is a great place to work. “In my opinion, the success of our college is deeply rooted in its people,” he said. “From dedicated faculty who inspire and guide, to passionate students who bring energy and creativity, to managers, support staff, and professionals who ensure everything runs smoothly—each person's contribution is vital. When everyone works together with a shared commitment to learning and growth, this is when Dawson thrives as a vibrant, successful community.”

Photo by Dawson Professional Photography student Zachary Mercier.

Elias Azar joined Dawson’s Facilities Management team on May 6 as the new Associate Director of Projects and Renovations. His role is to evaluate the condition of buildings and make recommendations for maintenance, improvements and renovations.

“In the renovation department at Dawson, there’s a lot to be excited about!” he said. “The opportunity to transform spaces and improve the campus environment is incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s modernizing classrooms, enhancing common areas, or upgrading facilities to be more sustainable and energy-efficient, each project brings its own set of challenges and achievements.”

Before joining Dawson, Elias worked for the Centre de services scolaire de la Pointe-de-l'Île as a Senior Project Manager in the facilities management department. He oversaw school renovation projects in the east and north regions of Montreal. Elias is a mechanical engineer and has 22 years of experience in high-end residential and commercial projects.

“It’s exciting to be part of a team that is dedicated to creating modern, functional, and inspiring spaces,” he said.

Photo by Dawson Professional Photography student Zachary Mercier.