Trudi Mason, a collaborative academic and administrative leader, has been named the new Dean of the Centre for Justice and Human Services at Lethbridge College. She starts the new position March 1.
“Trudi is a relational leader who encompasses the next level of student success at Lethbridge College,” says Dr. Samantha Lenci, Lethbridge College’s Vice President Academic and Provost. “She is committed, focused and inclusive of people in her decision-making and idea formulation. With Trudi’s leadership and support, this well-established team will continue to develop their learner-centred teaching while building extensive partnerships with industry and community.”
Mason served as associate dean of the centre from April 2019 to August 2021, and then took over as interim dean starting in September 2021 after the departure of Dr. Jeanine Webber. Mason came to the college in 2012 to work as an educational development specialist in the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation, where she supported instructors in all stages of their careers and developed and facilitated teaching orientations. Before that, Mason’s professional roles revolved around her training as a professional musician, as she taught trumpet, music history and fundamentals of music as an assistant professor at the University of Lethbridge, among other teaching and performing experiences.
Mason says she sees important similarities between the work of a musician and the work of students and faculty in the Centre of Justice and Human Services.
“The work our students do can be very skill-based,” says Mason. “Like musicians, our students have to put theory into practice. We see our faculty teaching them this essential skill daily – how to apply theory to real-world situations. This leads to deep learning and prepares them for the next step in their journeys.”
Mason says she is excited to lead what she described as “an incredible team.”
“We have an exceptional group of people in this centre, and I feel very supported by them,” she says. “CJHS serves our community, all of our programs deal with people. The values in these programs are very much in alignment with my values.”
Mason says she sees exciting opportunities for growth for the centre, including in applied research projects, the building of microcredentials, working with industry partners and responding to community needs. “There are all kinds of places we can grow and develop,” she says.
The Centre for Justice and Human Services includes programs in the School of Human Services (Early Childhood Education, Educational Assistant and Child and Youth Care); the School of Justice Studies (Criminal Justice – Policing, Correctional Studies, Bachelor of Applied Arts – Justice Studies); and Inclusive Post-Secondary Education.