Lambton College has selected a new president and CEO, and he's being promoted from within.
Board Chair Janice-McMichael Dennis announced Monday that Rob Kardas will take over for the retiring Judith Morris as of July 1, 2021.
Kardas, who is the current VP of Academic and Student Success, will be the 11th president in the college's history.
He said it's an honour to have been chosen.
"It's not lost on me the many people who have helped me get here, the many mentors that I've had," said Kardas. "I'm very much appreciative of our board of governors, our board executive and Janice McMichael-Dennis our board chair who have shown great faith and trust in me. I know it's probably the most important decision that a board makes, and I'm just thrilled to have been selected."
He said his family has been supporting him through the entire process.
"I'm very grateful for my family and the support my wife Heather, who is the head of guidance at Wallaceburg High School has provided me, all of the love and support" he said. "My two kids Fayth and MacKenzie, I just love being their dad. That's job number one for me and always will be."
Kardas said a priority is the continued development of a post-COVID vision for the college, including building on online learning.
He is credited for developing a comprehensive partnership with the college’s Student Administrative Council that resulted in the building of the new athletics and fitness complex.
Kardas began at Lambton College in 1997 as a professor in the Sports & Recreation Administration program, and has had leadership positions in academic operations, student success, community engagement and campus services.
He holds Master of Human Kinetics and Bachelor of Human Kinetics degrees, both from the University of Windsor.