As we approach the mid-way mark of our Fall 2019 Term, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our successes thus far and thank our entire college community for the incredible work that’s resulted in a strong start to the academic year.
We kicked off the year with an energizing Niagara Day, which welcomed one of the largest cohorts of new staff and faculty in recent memory, and celebrated some of the remarkable achievements of that dedicated team.
In September, we officially opened the new Marotta Family Innovation Complex at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, a state-of-the-art facility that has given us new student and industry spaces, and will be a hub for industry research in Niagara’s agri-food sector. The Complex is joined by other new campus spaces that are already enhancing our student life experiences, including renovated libraries and learning commons, a new Segal Family International Centre at the NOTL Campus, and new offices for our Student Administrative Council.
NCSAC has also been hard at work creating an exceptional campus life experience for our new and returning students, from exciting and engaging Orientation Week activities, to student-led barbecues that have raised funds for worthy causes. This week we also celebrate the installation of a rainbow crosswalk at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, another collaborative project prompted by students, championed by NCSAC and facilitated by the College, which demonstrates our shared commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive space for all our students.
As Sean Kennedy and Steve Hudson announced earlier this fall, we instituted several new initiatives this year to support student success, including adjusted admission standards, online and in-person preparation modules and workshops for new international students, and increased faculty and staff support.
I’d like to thank all faculty and staff for the hard work and dedication that has gone into the smooth start to the academic year. It’s important to recognize the collaborative effort that goes into the academic programming, student services, supports and programs that define the unique student experiences Niagara College is known for. All of this is accomplished through our shared passion for student success, a key part of our NC DNA, and it is a personal source of pride that our college community is so successful in its mission to support our students as they begin their studies.
I hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend, and have the opportunity to relax and connect with family and friends. Once again, a very sincere thank-you to all of our staff and faculty who have helped create a successful start to the year for our students.
Best wishes for a very happy Thanksgiving.
