Niagara College’s Board of Governors has approved a new Strategic Plan that will that point Niagara College toward a bold future as Canada’s leader in applied experiential learning.

Niagara College’s 2017-2021 Strategic Plan forms a road map that will guide the college as it faces a postsecondary landscape marked by significant and rapid change.

The plan envisions a student-focused, inclusive learning community offering a breadth of programs that respond to key sectors of the Niagara region, Ontario and the broader global economy; immersing students in a unique, highly experiential learning environment; producing innovative and entrepreneurial graduates who possess global and cultural competencies; and leveraging the College’s expertise in the pursuit of new sectors and markets at home and around the world.

“Our strategic plan provides bold strategic directions that will guide our initiatives and decisions as we face the challenges and opportunities created by demographic shifts, an increasingly competitive postsecondary sector, and the evolving needs of learners and employers alike,” said Niagara College president Dan Patterson. “Through a collaborative process that generated input ideas from within and outside our college, we have developed a plan that builds on our strengths as an innovative learning community with a strong history of effectively anticipating emerging trends and opportunities in education, industry and business.

“Teaching and learning remain at the heart of who we are and everything that we do. Our collective commitment to the success of our students is woven throughout our strategic plan.”

The plan, which is available online at www.niagaracollege.ca/strategicplan includes three key strategic directions, built on an institutional foundation of collaboration and resourcefulness that values innovation and entrepreneurship in the College’s programs, services and operations. The strategic directions include:

• A more culturally and globally engaged college, focused on inclusivity and engagement, more diverse in enrolment, with a broad range of programs that infuse new skills and competencies that align with the changing needs and expectations of learners and employers;
• A significant enhancement of Niagara College’s model of experiential learning, leveraging the College’s unique location and expanding learning enterprises and other opportunities for work integrated learning; and
• Leveraging the college’s culture of creative, innovative and entrepreneurial thinking to meet the evolving needs of students and employers alike; fostering the development of intangible skills in students while developing innovative programs to meet the needs of emerging and existing industry sectors.

“At a time when economic growth is so closely tied to highly skilled and adaptable workforces, Niagara College has developed a forward-looking strategic vision and commitment to excellence that will serve to further differentiate it from its peers across the postsecondary education sector and beyond,” said Carolyne Watts, chair of Niagara College’s Board of Governors.

Currently celebrating its 50^th year as a College of Applied Arts and Technology, Niagara College is a leader in applied education and a key contributor to the economies of Niagara and Ontario. A regional college with a global reach, Niagara College offers more than 100 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs. Learn more at www.niagaracollege.ca

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Media inquiries, contact:

Susan McConnell
Media Advisor, Niagara College
905 641-2252 ext. 4330