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Corporate Information A Brief History of Niagara College Since opening its doors in 1967 in Welland and expanding into other parts of Niagara, Niagara College has grown to become a leader in education and training and one of the most enterprising colleges in Canada. Niagara College is also recognized as a leader in student satisfaction. According to annual Key Performance Indicator surveys mandated by the province of Ontario, Niagara College has ranked number one among all Ontario colleges in student satisfaction for an unprecedented six consecutive years. The survey also gives Niagara College high marks in graduate employment rate, graduate satisfaction and employer satisfaction. College enrolment now totals over 8,000 full-time students and more than 15,000 Continuing Education registrants annually. The College offers more than 90 post-secondary diploma and post-graduate certificate programs, skills and apprenticeship training programs and two bachelor’s degree programs: International Commerce and Global Development and Hospitality Operations Management. Niagara College has two main campus locations in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. In fall 2008, the College embarked upon an ambitious $90 million campus redevelopment project designed to increase capacity in programs that serve key industries in Niagara, and create new state-of-the-art learning environments. The project includes the construction of an Applied Health Institute, a new state-of-the-art Technology Skills Centre, classrooms and labs, student centre, athletic centre, and library and learning commons at the Welland Campus. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus includes the construction of the Wine Visitor + Education Centre, which opened in November 2009, as well as expanded culinary facilities. The Welland Campus, set on 100 acres of green space, is home to programs in technology, skilled trades, media, health and community, policing and public safety, and automotive. The Campus is currently undergoing an extensive transformation, with over $80 million in construction taking place over two years. The Welland Campus, recognized for its “community” focus, is also home to the Niagara Centre YMCA, the Children’s Safety Village, a Niagara Regional Police training centre and a Ball Hockey International complex. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus is located at the base of the Niagara Escarpment – a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve – and features ecological lagoons, wetlands, landscaped gardens and a 40-acre teaching vineyard. This environment serves as a “living lab” for our environmental, horticulture, food & wine, hospitality & tourism, and business programs. The campus also provides students with state-of-the-art learning environments and a range of practical experiences through “learning enterprises”: the Niagara Culinary Institute, Niagara College Greenhouse, Niagara Waters Spa, the Wine Visitor + Education Centre, the award-winning Niagara College Teaching Winery, the first commercial teaching winery in Canada, and Canada’s first teaching brewery, opening in late summer 2010. In addition to the two main campuses, Niagara College offers programs and services at three other locations throughout the Region. The Maid of the Mist Campus in Niagara Falls serves as a dedicated industry development and training resource for Niagara’s important hospitality and tourism sector. Niagara College’s Ontario Street satellite site in St. Catharines is located within a Niagara Health System hospital and is home to the College’s Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker programs. |
