OURA Executives2023-12-22T13:58:17+00:00

2023 — 2024 OURA Executive Officers

CATHY NEWELL KELLY
CATHY NEWELL KELLYChair – University of Waterloo
Cathy is the University Registrar at the University of Waterloo, working with a terrific team of people to steward recruitment, admissions, student awards and financial aid, records management, class and exams scheduling, and student support services. Prior to this, Cathy spent 21 years shepherding the University’s correspondence courses to fully online programs. Cathy supported the Executives of the Ontario Council for University Lifelong Learning (President, 2006-07), and the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (President, 2012-13), and helped to shape and launch the Ministry’s eCampusOntario initiative, serving as its inaugural Executive Director from 2015-2016 on loan from Waterloo. Cathy holds a BA (Economics) and an MBA.
SERGE DEMERS
SERGE DEMERSPast Chair – Laurentian University
Serge Demers is Associate Vice-President, Students, Registrar and Secretary of Senate at Laurentian University. Serge’s portfolio includes the leadership of admissions, recruitment – both domestic and international, financial aid, records, client services, varsity sports as well as chairing a number of curriculum committees. Serge holds a Doctoral and Master’s degree in Measurement and Evaluation from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at University of Toronto.
BEN PETO
BEN PETOVice-Chair – OCAD University
Ben Peto is the University Registrar & Director, Enrolment Services at OCAD University. Ben is leading a modernization project in the Office of the Registrar aimed at transforming their delivery of student services. He works with a fantastic team that supports students in the areas of records and registration, scheduling and curriculum management, student advising, and financial aid and awards. Prior to joining OCAD University, he held various positions at Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto. Having worked in postsecondary for 20 years, Ben has experience in a broad range of areas including finance and administration, data analysis, policy development, facility management and human resources. He is passionate about issues of social justice and strives to integrate anti-oppression and decolonization principles into all aspects of his work. He holds an HBA (Gender and Equity Studies) and an MA (Sociology and Equity Studies) both from the University of Toronto, where he also played varsity rugby.
DEBRA IAFRATE
DEBRA IAFRATETreasurer – Nipissing University
Debra Iafrate is the Registrar at Nipissing University, a position she has held since 2017. In this role, she is responsible for recruitment, admissions, registration, records and academic advising. She also serves as Co-chair of Nipissing University’s Strategic Enrollment Management Committee.

Debra has worked in the post-secondary education sector for over 30 years including at the University of Toronto, George Brown College and York University.

She holds a Bachelor of Administrative Studies from York University, as well as a Master of Education in Leadership in Higher Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.

Debra is passionate about improving access to education, removing barriers, and supporting students through their journey from application to graduation.

Geraldine Jones
Geraldine JonesSecretary – Brock University
Geraldine is the University Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Enrolment Services at Brock University. With more than 20 years working in higher education, Geraldine has gained experience in a range of areas including student housing, recruitment, scholarships and awards, records management, admissions, and strategic enrolment management. In her current role for the last 6 years, she has led transformative change in admissions, client service and enrolment management. Geraldine holds a BA from Toronto Metropolitan University and an MA from Brock, she also recently completed a Graduate Certificate in SEM from Royal Roads University.

Ex-officio non-voting members of the Executive

PositionNameInstitution
Chair, Ontario University Council on Admissions (OUCA) Jen Sugar Carleton University
University co-Chair, Ontario Association of Student Financial Aid Advisors (OASFAA)  Shaun Anderson Carleton University
Chair, Standing Committee on Student Recruitment 
 Wilfrid Laurier University
Chair, Professional Development and Education CommitteeKari Pasick Stewart University of Waterloo

Ontario Registrars Listing (effective September 2023)

Algoma University (Ken Scullion)ken.scullion@algomau.ca
Brock University (Geraldine Jones)gjones@brocku.ca
Carleton University (Janice O’Farrell)janiceofarrell@cunet.carleton.ca
University of Guelph (Lisa Latif)lisa.latif@uoguelph.ca
Lakehead University (Andrea Tarsitano)andrea.tarsitano@lakeheadu.ca
Laurentian University (Serge Demers)sdemers@laurentian.ca
Wilfrid Laurier University (Shelagh Pepper)spepper@wlu.ca
McMaster University (Sarah Robinson)sjrobin@mcmaster.ca
Nipissing University (Debra Iafrate)debrai@nipissingu.ca
OCAD University (Ben Peto)bpeto@ocadu.ca
Ontario Tech University (Joe Stokes)joe.stokes@ontariotechu.ca
University of Ottawa (Sonia Cadieux)scadieux@uottawa.ca
Queens University (Tracy Al-Idrissi)tracy.alidrissi@queensu.ca
RMC (Karl Michaud)Karl.michaud@rmc.ca

karl.michaud@forces.gc.ca

Toronto Metropolitan University – formerly Ryerson (Robyn Parr)robyn.parr@ryerson.ca
Trent University (Heather Crowley)heathercrowley@trentu.ca
University of Toronto (Angelique Saweczko)a.saweczko@utoronto.ca
Université de l’Ontario Francais (Danielle Bennett)danielle.bennett@uontario.ca
University of Waterloo (Cathy Newell Kelly)cnkelly@uwaterloo.ca
Western University (Marisa Modeski)mmodesk@uwo.ca
University of Windsor (Ray Darling)ray.darling@uwindsor.ca
York University (Darran Fernandez)darran@yorku.ca

Executive Officers – Archives

Chair – Serge Demers – Laurentian University
Vice-Chair – Catherine Newell Kelly – University of Waterloo
Past-Chair – Ray Darling –University of Guelph
Secretary – Geraldine Jones – Brock University
Treasurer – Melissa Pool – McMaster University

Chair – Ray Darling –University of Guelph
Vice-Chair – Serge Demers – Laurentian University
Past-Chair – Dr. Joe Stokes – University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Secretary – Catherine Newell Kelly – University of Waterloo
Treasurer – Melissa Pool – McMaster University

Chair – Dr. Joe Stokes – University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Vice-Chair – Ray Darling – University of Guelph
Secretary – Catherine Newell Kelly – University of Waterloo
Treasurer – Melissa Pool – McMaster University

President – Robyn Parr – Ryerson University
Past President – Dr. Joe Stokes – University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Vice – President – Shelby Verboven – University of Toronto Scarborough
Secretary – Dr. Kristen Boujos – University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Treasurer – Heather Palmer-Saettone – Ryerson University
Website Administrator – Aman Dhisa – Western University
Member at Large – Heather Crowley – Trent University
Recruitment – Craig Chipps – Wilfrid Laurier University
Records & Systems – Carolyn Posa – Ryerson University
Undergraduate Admissions – Tatum Bizony – University of Waterloo
Student Finances – BrendaDenomme – University of Waterloo
Graduate Studies – Cherie Mongeon – Wilfrid Laurier University
Service Committee – Christopher Rooney – Trent University

President – Dr. Joe Stokes – University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Vice – President – Robyn Parr – Ryerson University
Past President – Tracy Al-idrissi- Trent University
Secretary – Shelby Verboven – University of Toronto Scarborough
Treasurer – Manuela Sheehy – University of Guelph
Communications Officer – Necia Martins – Wilfrid Laurier University
Website Administrator – Aman Dhisa – Western University
Member at Large – Julie Zahab – Ryerson University
Member at Large – Erika Danizger – Ryerson University
Recruitment – Soeun Outh – Ryerson University
Records & Systems – Stella Holley – University of Guelph
Undergraduate Admissions – Tatum Bizony – University of Waterloo
Graduate Studies – Zarine Ahmad – University of Toronto
Scholarships & Awards – Lisa Lamanna – University of Toronto Scarborough

President – Tracy Al-idrissi- Trent University
Vice – President – Joe Stokes – University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Past President – Serge Demers – – Laurentian University
Secretary – Robyn Parr – Ryerson University
Treasurer – Manuela Sheehy – University of Guelph
Communications Officer – Necia Martins – Wilfrid Laurier University
Website Administrator – Andy Moonsamy – McMaster University
Member at Large – Julie Zahab – Ryerson University
Member at Large – Christopher Rooney – Trent University
Recruitment – Lionel Walsh – University of Windsor
Records & Systems – Margaret Bura – University of Toronto
Undergraduate Admissions – Erika Danziger- Ryerson University
Graduate Studies – Alice Brummell – University of Toronto
Scholarships & Awards – Lisa Lamanna – University of Toronto Scarborough

President – Serge Demers – – Laurentian University
Vice-President – Tracy Al-idrissi- Trent University
Past President – Charmaine Hack – Ryerson University
Secretary – Robyn Parr – Ryerson University
Treasurer – Manuela Sheehy – University of Guelph
Communications Officer – Necia Martins – Wilfrid Laurier University
Website Administrator – Andy Moonsamy – McMaster University
Member at Large – Geraldine Jones – Brock University
Member at Large – Christopher Rooney – Trent University
Recruitment – Marlin Gold – York University
Records & Systems – Neil Neebar – University of Toronto
Undergraduate Admissions – Erika Danziger- Ryerson University
Graduate Studies – Almey Tse Soriano – York University
Scholarships & Awards – Valerie Sarkany – Western University

President – Charmaine Hack – Ryerson University
Vice-President – Serge Demers- Laurentian University
Past President – Lucy Bellissimo – York University
Secretary – Beth Natale – Brock University
Treasurer – Manuela Sheehy – University of Guelph
Communications Officer – Samantha Read – Ryerson University
Member at Large – Jen Sugar – Carleton University
Member at Large – Christopher Rooney – Trent
Secondary School Liaison – Paula Johnson – McMaster University
Records & Systems – Dave Marasco – Algoma University
Undergraduate Admissions – Parisa Memari – University of Toronto
Graduate Studies – Matt Dumouchel- Western University
Scholarships & Awards – Valerie Sarkany – Western University

2014 – 2015 OURA Executive

President – Lucy Bellissimo – York University
Vice-President – Charmaine Hack – Ryerson University
Past President – Effie Gatsinos – University of Guelph
Secretary – Beth Natale – Brock University
Treasurer – TBD
Communications Officer – Samantha Read – Ryerson University
Member at Large – Yvette Ali – University of Toronto
Secondary School Liaison – Paula Johnson – McMaster University
Records & Systems – Margaret Bura – University of Toronto
Undergraduate Admissions – Parisa Memari – University of Toronto
Graduate Studies – Deborah Russell – Wilfrid Laurier University
Scholarships & Awards – Valerie Sarkany – Western University

President – Lucy Bellissimo – York University
Vice-President – Aaron House – Brock
Past President – Effie Gatsinos – University of Guelph
Secretary – Beth Natale – Brock
Treasurer – Shari Nemirovsky – Western
Communications Officer – Vacant
Member at Large – Ray Darling – Laurier
Member at Large – David Marasco – Algoma University
Admissions – Nancy Weiner – Waterloo
Graduate Studies – Terry McAfee – Ryerson
Liaison – Amelia Burton – Waterloo
Records & Systems – Mwinchande Chande – Brock
Scholarships & Awards – John Arnou – St. Jerome’s University (Waterloo)

President – Effie Gatsinos – University of Guelph
Vice-President – Lucy Bellissimo – York University
Past President – Robert Perrier – Lakehead
Secretary – Lee Ann Wilson – The University of Western Ontario
Treasurer – Shari Nemirovsky – Western
Communications Officer – W. Aaron House – Brock
Member at Large – Melissa Pool – McMaster
Member at Large – Lori-Ann Beckford – Nipissing
Admissions – Jan Sage – OCAD
Graduate Studies – Sarah Hildebrandt – York University
Liaison – Craig Chipps – Laurier
Records & Systems – Stella Holley – Guelph
Scholarships & Awards – Brenda Denomme – University of Waterloo
COU – Erica Simmons – COU

Leadership

Cooperation

Information Sharing

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