By getting involved in global awareness activities, Niagara College faculty and staff have unique professional development experiences while playing an impactful role in supporting students who dream of pursuing higher education in Canada.
Earlier this year, Culinary Professor Michael Olson and his wife, celebrity chef Anna Olson, visited Mexico to participate in events with prospective students and educational agents. Also, this year, the Dean for the Community Studies, Justice, and Fitness programs Carol Phillips, and the head coach of the NC Knights women’s basketball team, Chris Rao, travelled to the Bahamas to participate in a basketball tournament and information sessions for prospective students.
NC’s Global Business Development team organized the events to deliver comprehensive information on the Canadian postsecondary education system and why NC and the Niagara region are outstanding options to live, study and work.
“Moving to a different country requires clear and transparent information, meticulous planning and resilience to overcome challenges in adapting to a diverse culture,” said Fernando Gama, Senior Advisor to NC’s Vice-President of International. “Through providing information, care, and support for international students on their journey to Canada, faculty and staff contribute to changing people’s lives through international education opportunities.”
World ready graduates and staff
Global awareness activities also benefit faculty and staff, as they gain valuable knowledge of international students’ perspectives and how to support them better.
“I was impressed to see that families with kids as young as 14 years old were at the event to start the planning process to come to Canada,” said Olson. “I also learned about the complicated web of rules they must navigate to study abroad as well as their concerns, fears, and stress. This also helped me understand the role of an educational agent and how much work there is in getting a student from their home country to our campus.”
Events of this nature also provide an opportunity for students and partners to engage directly with NC faculty and staff, who are passionate, welcoming, and student-focused.
“Being in the event will help me connect with international students in meaningful ways, empathize with them, and create spaces that reinforce a sense of belonging at NC,” said Phillips. “Our presence in the event affords potential students a platform to ask and have answered specific program and student life questions and for parents to be reassured that we will care and respect the dreams and uniqueness of their children.”
The event in Mexico was organized by NC’s Global Business Development Officer (GBDO) for North & Central Americas, Maria Fernanda Viramontes Sosa, and took place in March at the NH Hotel Mexico City. It included presentations about Niagara College and Question and Answer (Q&A) sessions for over 40 students and educational agents, and an interactive experiment created by Chef Olson to illustrate how applied learning differs from traditional pure theoretical sciences and why Canadian college education could be an option for students.
In the Bahamas, the May event occurred at the Sir Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, Nassau, organized by NC’s GBDO for the Caribbean, Geno Bullard. Rao had a private workout session with Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA) girls’ basketball team, which he coached during the tournament. Phillips spoke with potential students and parents at the NC information booth, hosted private sessions for local schools, and accepted an appreciation and partnership award from NPA to Niagara College.
Chris Rao (middle), Head Coach of the NC Knights women’s basketball team, travelled to the Bahamas to participate in a basketball tournament and information sessions for prospective students.
Global engagement events are one example of NC’s global reach – one of the key areas of focus in the College’s Strategic Plan. Faculty and staff interested in getting involved in global awareness activities are encouraged to contact their supervisors to explore future opportunities with the International Division.
