As we conclude a successful return to in-person convocation ceremonies and look toward the summer months, I want to provide an important update on the key investments in people and in innovation and ideas – as outlined in my spring message – regarding the 2022-2023 Business Plan and budget.
We’re at a historic moment for our college; we’re emerging from one of the most challenging times in our history, buoyed by our ambitious new strategic plan that responds to this unique environment with clear, connected areas of focus for the next five years: a wholistic student experience; academic excellence; global reach, alumni and partner engagement, social inclusion and environmental sustainability, and organizational excellence.
As announced previously, our pursuit of the actions outlined in our Strategic Plan will be supported by significant investments in our people and the new Dream Big fund.
Investing in our people
As I announced at Day of Reflection, we are thrilled to be adding a record number of new people to our organization over the next two years – more than 100 faculty, counselling, support, and administrative staff – to give us additional bandwidth to support our students and our learning and service environments. New faces mean new ideas, energy and opportunities to collaborate, all of which are most welcome at NC and fundamental parts of our trailblazing nature.
We find ourselves in one of the most competitive labour markets in history. Just as we all have a role to play in attracting students to NC, we also all need to be “recruiters” when it comes to attracting talented, passionate and diverse applicants for the many positions for which we’ll be hiring over the next couple of years.
Niagara College offers an outstanding, welcoming, and student-focused workplace culture, flexible work environments and opportunities to innovate. Our employees at NC have truly set the bar high for new talent. There are no better ambassadors for Niagara College than you – our dedicated employees. Please share with your networks the exciting news that NC is undertaking significant hiring, share NC postings with them, and encourage them to regularly check our career opportunities website.
Dream Big Fund application now live
Since beginning as President in early 2020, I have had the pleasure to speak with many of our students, faculty and staff and have been impressed and inspired by the incredible ideas and dreams you have for the future of our remarkable college.
I am excited to launch the Dream Big Fund, which is designed to support and cultivate trailblazing ideas that align with the key areas of focus in our Strategic Plan, to boost our capacity to take advantage of new opportunities, and to advance initiatives in areas including but not limited to:
- Student experience
- Programs and services
- Research and innovation
- People and organizational development
- Community partnerships
- Fundraising
- Alumni relations
- Learning enterprises
- Experiential learning
- Co-curricular opportunities
The Dream Big Fund is a $1 million fund outside of regular budget allocations to enable us to more nimbly and quickly approve pilot initiatives and activities that further one or more of our Strategic Plan objectives. In short, to enable us to say yes to more ideas, more quickly.
I have heard terrific ideas from so many of you – and often, what we need to turn a dream into a reality is seed funding. It is my hope that the Dream Big Fund provides a way forward to transform ideas and dreams into concrete actions and initiatives that will help NC continue to evolve into a place and space even more welcoming, trailblazing, and innovative than we are today.
The Dream Big Fund Request Form is now available here and requests will be reviewed and approved on a continuous basis. I encourage you to discuss your ideas with your direct supervisor and to apply. I truly look forward to seeing the unique and innovative advancements that grow from the Dream Big Fund to expand opportunities for students, support our communities, and further distinguish Niagara College on the provincial, national and international stages.
Wishing you a great week and an enjoyable Canada Day weekend,
