Niagara College has officially kicked off its Fall 2025 term, welcoming thousands of new and returning students to both the Welland Campus and the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake for Orientation on September 2.
This year marks a milestone for domestic enrolment at NC, with the College proudly welcoming its largest cohort of domestic students since 2019, a sign of growing demand for NC’s career-focused programs. At the same time, NC continues to navigate the impacts of federal changes to Canada’s international student program, which have affected international enrolments across Canada’s postsecondary sector.
“Every September is a fresh start filled with energy, possibility and renewal,” said Niagara College President, Sean Kennedy. “Our commitment is to give every student the best possible start to their Niagara College journey by providing the supports they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.”
To help students transition into college life, NC will host a robust six-week schedule of Orientation activities across its campuses, including campus tours, a student services fair, networking opportunities, and social events aimed at fostering a sense of belonging and connection from day one.
This fall also marks the launch of two exciting new graduate certificate programs in the School of Business and Management – Project Management and Data Analytics – expanding the College’s academic offerings in areas of growing demand and preparing graduates with the skills to thrive in evolving industries. NC is also broadening access to its School of Wine, Beer & Spirits by offering part-time courses for non-program students.
As part of its long-term growth and renewal strategy, NC is also moving forward with major construction projects at the Welland Campus. Site preparation is already underway for a 75,000-square-foot Health Expansion, a transformative project that will enhance NC’s capacity in nursing and allied health programs. Once complete, the expansion will allow the College to train an additional 800 urgently needed skilled healthcare professionals. Later this fall, construction will also begin on a new student residence at the Welland Campus, further supporting enrolment growth and the student experience.
“As we begin this new academic year, we are focused on growth and innovation,” added President Kennedy. “By adding new programs and investing in new state-of-the-art labs and classrooms, we are ensuring that Niagara College students are not only ready for today’s opportunities but also equipped to lead in the workplaces and communities of tomorrow.”
Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
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