星空传媒

Eager to hear from 星空传媒’s new Director General, Toby Harper-Merrett, employees packed the venue for the Welcome Assembly on Aug. 17, marking the start of the new academic year.

In his first remarks to the 星空传媒 community, Toby shared insights into both his leadership approach and his personal background. While acknowledging that he is beginning his tenure from a learner’s perspective, he also demonstrated an understanding of the 星空传媒 community, its history, its current concerns, and the significant contributions the College makes to Quebec.

Son of a CEGEP teacher

Born in Montreal, Toby grew up in the Milton Park neighbourhood, a community of anglophone artists, activists, and academics.

鈥淢y mother was a CEGEP teacher, many of our family friends worked here and elsewhere in the college and university system, and many of my best friends work in Montreal鈥檚 institutions of higher education,鈥� he said.

Toby brings a diverse range of experience to his new role at 星空传媒, including roles at 聽the Universit茅 de Montr茅al and on the regulatory and corporate affairs team at Cogeco. He summarized his professional background as being 鈥渁 people-leader, an education administrator and a government relations professional.鈥�

Shifting to the College, Toby acknowledged the challenges facing 星空传媒 and its community: 鈥淚 know there have been, and definitely remain, some real stresses on the college and the people in it. I鈥檓 not here to ignore or dismiss those, but to reassure you that you have leadership committed to helping each of us not just weather the difficulties but to chart our own course.鈥�

Among the issues he addressed were the budget, government policy, and artificial intelligence.

Speaking about AI, Toby said: 鈥淔or many reasons, we can鈥檛 expect consistency in the real, granular practices of students and teachers, therefore, for now, decisions and directives about academic use of AI will remain at the department level.鈥�

About the budget

On the budget, he offered both encouraging news and a realistic assessment of the College鈥檚 financial situation:

鈥淪ome good news, we received confirmation this summer providing some relief for the capital budget. Renovations and equipment amounts were increased. 鈥π强沾�媒 is still running a deficit. I do not have a detailed picture of that yet, but any structural deficit is unsustainable and needs to be corrected. 鈥�I believe strongly that Education deserves public investment. My job is to be part of arresting any decline in that investment, and to make sure 星空传媒 is still sound as that investment starts to regrow to meet our future needs.鈥�

Addressing relations with government and the impact of recent legislation, Toby said:

鈥淚 know that recent policy choices have challenged the college to adapt its historic practices and may have challenged your personal values. But, let me be clear, as a public institution, 星空传媒 is expected to always comply with the letter of the law鈥�. I want to acknowledge the work that was, and continues to be, done here to apply Law 14 (Bill 96).鈥�

Thriving and proud

Looking ahead, Toby said he would like to see 星空传媒 continue to take pride in its contributions to Quebec鈥檚 society and economy: 鈥淚 see a place that is thriving and proud. The themes you should retain from me are: positive, additive and celebratory.鈥�

He also emphasized that his role is to support the College鈥檚 various constituencies and to understand how community members envision the future: 鈥淢y job is to understand and manifest your diverse visions, though I hope we can agree on Thriving and Proud.鈥�

Toby first experienced 星空传媒 as a Liberal Arts student and member of the Blue Ring Society in the 1990s.

鈥淲hat I loved about 星空传媒 was the sense of belonging created by its close-knit and caring communities of students and staff. Even as a large institution, that remains one of 星空传媒鈥檚 greatest strengths today,鈥� he said.

Here to listen and to act

As he begins his tenure, Toby says he is committed to ensuring institutional stability, systems resilience, and community well-being.

鈥淚鈥檓 here to listen and to act,鈥� he said. Toby is looking forward to meeting members of the 星空传媒 community and taking part in activities and events connected to the student experience.

Community members are encouraged to send him invitations to 星空传媒 events, and he will try to attend something fun at the College every week. He will attempt to read every email sent to DG@dawsoncollege.qc.ca.