McMaster University welcomes Mohammad Salhia as the new Senior Director of McMaster Continuing Education (MCE), starting on Oct. 27, 2025.
An experienced leader in professional and continuing education, Salhia joins McMaster at a pivotal time for students, workers and institutions navigating fast-paced technological and economic change.
He brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education and health care. Salhia joins McMaster from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, where he served as managing director of Recruitment, Admissions and Business Development, and previously as managing director of Specialized Programs.
Before Rotman, Salhia led Continuing Education and International portfolios at the Michener Institute of Education at the University Health Network (UHN), where he expanded programming across health disciplines and secured national recognition and funding for AI learning initiatives.
"Mohammad joins McMaster at an important moment for lifelong learning," said Maureen MacDonald, provost and vice-president (Academic).
"Mohammad's leadership will help strengthen our ability to support learners at every stage of their journey, from traditional students to professionals returning to upskill or retool, while deepening MCE's connection to McMaster's academic mission and community impact."
MCE is a cornerstone of McMaster's efforts to expand access to learning and to meet the evolving needs of the workforce.
In a time marked by economic uncertainty, artificial intelligence and shifting employment requirements, continuing education is increasingly important to ensuring that individuals and organizations remain adaptable and future-ready.
"The landscape of work and learning is changing rapidly," said Kim Dej, vice-provost, Teaching and Learning.
"MCE is uniquely positioned to help people gain the skills, flexibility and confidence to thrive in this environment.
"Mohammad brings both the strategic perspective and the human-centred approach that will ensure MCE continues to lead in this space."
Salhia said his desire to join McMaster was driven by the university's reputation for excellence and the opportunity to help shape the future of continuing education.
"McMaster is a world-class institution, one of the leading universities in the country, and known for its innovative culture," he said. "My professional passion has always been continuing education and professional development, so when I saw a role that brought those two worlds together, it felt like a perfect match."
He added that he wants to explore opportunities for MCE to evolve.
"For me, it's about understanding where the opportunities for growth are and how we can collaborate across campus to realize them. There's so much promise here and I'm excited to help bring that to life."
Salhia sees continuing education as a powerful bridge between universities, industries and communities, a space that helps individuals and organizations navigate the profound shifts transforming work and society.
"Lifelong learning has always been important, but right now it's absolutely essential," he said. "In this day and age, developing and redeveloping skills is imperative, certainly in response to emergent and changing technologies like AI, but also to adapt, lead and innovate in a world where change is becoming a constant."
Salhia has taught in faculty development programs and developed courses for the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education's (OISE) Continuing & Professional Learning Continuing Education pilot certificate, and Michener's Advanced Diploma in Digital Health and Data Analytics, giving him a broad perspective as both an academic and an administrator.
"The pace of change we're experiencing, in technology, in the economy, in how people learn, is unprecedented," he explained. "Continuing education divisions like MCE have a vital role in helping universities remain responsive, adaptable and financially sustainable."
That includes creating new pathways that connect for-credit and non-credit programs and expanding the ways McMaster supports learners throughout their careers.
"We should think about lifelong learning as a continuum, from undergraduate study to advanced professional development," said Salhia.
"By linking these pathways, we can make education more accessible, relevant and integrated for learners at every stage of life."
In the months ahead, Salhia will focus on connecting with colleagues across McMaster, learning from the MCE team and engaging with partners across sectors to help shape a shared vision for the division's next phase of growth.
"This is about collaboration, about building on what already works and identifying where we can have the greatest impact," he said. "McMaster Continuing Education has an incredible foundation. My goal is to honour that work and help position it for the future of learning."
Salhia is currently completing a PhD in Higher Education at OISE, building on an MEd in Leadership, Higher and Adult Education and an Honours BSc from the University of Toronto.
