Brian Poser
Director, Aboriginal and Mature Student Services
Brian Poser joined the Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students as Associate Director in August 2008.
He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at York University and he holds a Master of Education degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Brian’s academic interests include computer-mediated learning environments, distance education, student self-regulated learning, adult development, and retention.
From 1990 to 2004, Brian served as Learning Skills Counsellor with the Counselling and Development Centre at York University. During that time, he also was an instructor in LLS1800 (Language and Learning Seminar for students with Learning Disabilities) and co-authored the Fundamentals of Learning Program, a structured retention program for at-risk students. In 2005, Brian joined the Student Community & Leadership Development team as Manager Student Activities and Organizations, working in the areas of orientation and co-curricular student experience. In 2006 Brian assumed the role of Manager, Student Success & Retention with a mandate to integrate orientation and transition programming with ongoing student success support and pan-university retention initiatives. Brian joined ACMAPS as Associate Director in 2008 and assumed the role of Director in 2012. Brian has worked extensively with students on academic skills, time management, academic writing, learning styles, and personal success.
T. Navinie Somaroo-Durga
Coordinator, Mature Student Success, ACMAPS
Navinie Somaroo-Durga is one of the friendly faces at ACMAPS. She is a graduate of York University who holds an Honours BA, Double Major, in Law and Society and Sociology. While pursuing her degree she held a work-study student position at the Schulich School of Business, Executive Education Centre.
After graduating, Navinie held various positions at York, which included being the Enquiries Secretary for the Atkinson Writing Programs and Essay Tutoring Centre. Prior to her position at ACMAPS, Navinie was the Administrative Secretary for the School of Arts & Letters, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies.
Navinie brings with her a broad knowledge of the University and its student support resources. Being a former student of York University, she will be able to inform students on how to navigate York’s resources with ease. Navinie looks forward to meeting and assisting mature and part-time students.
Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt
Founding Director, ACMAPS / Associate Vice-President Academic Learning Initiatives (August 2007- June 2011)
Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt entered York University as a mature student five years after she graduated from Canada’s National Ballet School. During those five years, as a member of the National Ballet of Canada, she toured throughout North America and Europe. Once she arrived at York, she never left! After earning her Honours BA, she was invited to teach ballet technique in the Dance Department at York University. An advocate of life-long learning, she later went on to complete her MFA in Dance at York and then her Doctorate in Dance from Temple University (Philadelphia). In her capacity as an Associate Professor in the Department of Dance at York, she has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of ballet technique, dance history, research methods, dance and technology, and dance education.
Dr. Fisher-Stitt has been an Associate Dean in both the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Fine Arts. Dr. Fisher-Stitt was on the Board of the Society of Dance History Scholars for six years, and currently is a member of their Editorial Board. In 2010, her book on the history and evolution of Canada’s National Ballet School was published. She has presented papers at conferences held by the Society of Dance History Scholars, the Society for Canadian Dance Studies, the European Association of Dance Historians, the Association for Canadian Theatre Research, Dance and Technology, as well as conferences related to Retention and the International First Year Experience.
As Director of ACMAPS and AVP Academic Learning Initiatives, Norma Sue interacted regularly with students and was always ready to hear what ACMAPS could do to ensure that mature and part-time students had a rewarding experience at York University. Starting July 1, 2011, Norma Sue will resume her teaching in the Department of Dance, Faculty of Fine Arts and assume the role of Graduate Program Director, Dance Program.
