Message from Steve Hudson and Sean Kennedy: Supporting Student Diversity

This coming fall, Niagara College will continue to reflect significant change. The growing diversity of the student body at Niagara College is changing the face of the College. Our Strategic Plan envisions an increasing proportion of our student population to be out-of-region domestic students and international students. Nearly 60% of our students now originate from outside the Niagara region, and the majority of our graduates may also be looking for employment outside the region. While expected, the shift in our student population has crystallized the need for more effective supports for our students, faculty and staff.

We will implement a range of changes and supports across the institution for this fall and future terms, championed by both Academic and Learner Services, and the International Division.

Some of these changes will impact the students now applying to come to Niagara College; these will be explained more fully in later communications. We are developing a range of items, from per-departure and on-site orientation improvements to intake language assessments for different programs.

Other changes are focused on ensuring that students with us in the fall have a positive experience, but are also meeting our institutional expectations. It is critical that we ensure that students who come to Niagara College have an appropriate understanding of the demands and challenges of college programs. We will be enhancing our college level communications about expected conduct and the impact of breaches, as well as reviewing and updating our resources for faculty and staff.

The Library and Learning Commons will be expanding the hours available for students to get writing assistance at both campuses. There are also research, academic misconduct and other resources for students. We will monitor and adjust these services over the term based on demand and identified needs. The resources available to faculty are on the web site, or available through contacting the Library at either campus.

A number of professional development opportunities have been developed and initial offerings are on the Centre for Academic Excellence website. Better Understanding Our student workshops have been developed by International and with CAE are being made available. A number of schools and departments have already initiated departmental meetings where these resources, processes and supports will be provided and explained more fully. Other schools are encouraged to contact the Centre for Academic Excellence, which will work with the International Division to provide similar programming during the Break Week or at another appropriate time.

A new education developer is being recruited for the Centre for Academic Excellence, with a mandate to expand our support for faculty and staff in this area.  For the fall, Mary Wilson, director of the CAE, will be the contact point and can arrange supports for faculty from either CAE or a peer faculty network in development.

We strive to have a respectful environment, but we have a wide range of cultures and personalities and issues do occur. If you have concerns with student conduct that are not related to academic work, please contact Hafsah Shaikh, Student Rights and Responsibilities in Student Services. The office will carry out investigations and implement the College’s student non-academic misconduct policies.

As always, your associate dean is your primary contact for support in accessing and implementing College policies and resources.  Please contact your associate dean if you need additional information or support.