Summer brings an opportunity for the NC community to find some time to rest, relax and refresh as we prepare for the fall term. I hope each of you enjoyed time to disconnect and recharge with friends and family.
With the end of August upon us, there is much to celebrate as we look to the new academic year: strong enrolments, a growing team, and ambitious plans for expansion and renewal.
I’m excited to welcome new and returning students and a significant number of new employees to our community this fall, who bring their fresh ideas and energy to our trailblazing, innovative, welcoming and passionate NC community.
As we begin this new term and anticipate the excitement and energy that September brings, I am pleased to report the College is in a strong position to serve our students and many partners.
The past eight months brought uncertainty and change for colleges and universities across the country. In January, the federal government announced significant new rules regarding international students that required revised strategies, practices and approaches for our team in NC International, and across academic and student service areas.
I would like to thank all of you for your remarkable commitment to NC and our students and for the outstanding dedication you continue to demonstrate as we move through these uncharted waters. Thanks to your commitment, creativity and hard work, we begin the term anticipating healthy enrollments that will sustain the momentum we’ve experienced in recent years and continue to place NC in a strong financial position.
Over the past several years we’ve increased investments in our domestic student marketing and recruitment activities. Thanks to these additional efforts, along with the extraordinary programs and services consistently delivered by our caring faculty and staff, this fall we are welcoming our largest intake of domestic students since 2019, in addition to a strong cohort of international students. As ever, I look forward to the vibrancy and diversity all our remarkable students bring to our campuses and community.
Our history of prudent financial management, including establishing a solid reserve fund, will allow us to continue to invest in key academic and student priorities. Through BuildNC, our robust plan to expand and renovate our campuses, this coming year will see the advancement of many significant capital projects including new student housing, a new recreation field and outdoor facility in Welland, an expanded health and community services building, a new student centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake and an expanded Wine Visitor + Education Centre.
September always brings great excitement and energy. I am so proud of the NC community, our team and our students, who strive every day to fulfill our mission and whose dedication and commitment to each other is second-to-none.
I look forward to celebrating the kick-off of the term at our LauNCh events at both campuses tomorrow. See you there!
