Niagara College has officially joined the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C), affirming its commitment to supporting active Canadian Armed Forces personnel, veterans, reservists and their immediate family members.
By signing the consortium’s national Guiding Principles, NC joined a growing network of Canadian postsecondary institutions – including 48 colleges and universities, plus eight additional institutions through the Association of Atlantic Universities agreement – committed to adhering to shared principles and standards of support.
For military-connected learners, membership means the College is making it easier for them to navigate institutional systems, access campus support and services, advance recognition of prior military education and training, and pursue postsecondary credentials.
The initiative supports an existing community at the College with well over 100 students currently enrolled who have self-identified as military connected learners through the application process.
As part of its consortium commitment, NC is working toward a specialized Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) framework designed to assess and recognize prior military training. Initial pathways will focus on in-demand vocational trades slated for rollout by early 2027, with additional vocational professions to follow. In addition, NC offers a variety of online programs that offer accessible learning opportunities for service members and military families.
“Joining this national consortium represents a meaningful step forward in how we serve those who dedicate their lives to serving our country and their families,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “Coming just days after Remembrance Day, this commitment serves as a timely reminder of our responsibility as educators. Our goal is to ensure that active personnel, veterans and their families feel welcome, understood and championed from the beginning of their NC journey through to graduation.”
The CMVF3C – enabled through collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs Canada, and Military Family Services – fosters knowledge sharing, data exchange, and evidence-informed best practices across postsecondary institutions in Canada. Through its membership, NC contributes its existing engagement with CAF partners, regional partnerships, and defence-related educational initiatives to the national network – supporting applied research, innovation, and workforce development that advance Canada’s broader defence, security and sovereignty priorities.
The consortium is military member, veteran and family-centric, collaborative, evidence-based, culturally competent, trauma-informed, and strengths-based.
“We are delighted to welcome Niagara College’s continued commitment to the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium,” said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Co-Chair of CMVF3C. “Niagara College is demonstrating how postsecondary institutions can translate their commitment to military-connected learners into meaningful action through education, partnerships, and institutional support.
“By connecting these local efforts through a national network, we can strengthen opportunities for those who serve, have served, and their families, while contributing to Canada’s broader workforce development, defence readiness, and national resilience.”
To assist military-connected learners with navigating admissions, accessing services and exploring credit transfer options, NC has launched a dedicated webpage at niagaracollege.ca/enrolmentservices/military/.
The partnership was celebrated during a signing ceremony at the Welland Campus on November 13. Attendees included representatives of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, Welland Mayor Frank Campion (recently appointed Niagara Region Chair) and St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens.
For more information about the CMVF3C, visit https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/cmvf3c/home
A leader in applied education, Niagara College offers diploma, bachelor degree, post-graduate and apprenticeship programs at specialized campuses in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland. Consistently ranked among Canada’s top research colleges, NC is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world that provide students with important hands-on-experience. NC welcomes students from across Niagara, Ontario, and around the world who are studying in in-demand programs that support key sectors and industries in Niagara and beyond, with graduates making important contributions in all corners of our community. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
Media inquiries, please contact:
Julie Greco
Communications Consultant, Niagara College
905-328-2532
Alex Petruk
Strategic & Engagement Manager, (CMVF3C), University of Alberta
780–802–8019