I am writing to provide an update following the initial Executive Team changes that I shared at the start of the Fall term.
Significant retirements and departures college wide – including three members of the Executive Team – combined with profound shifts in Canada’s postsecondary sector, have provided an important opportunity to review our organizational structure. Organizational structure is the framework by which work is organized throughout the College; it typically brings like functions together to optimize work and workflows. Reviewing and adjusting our organizational structure is important to ensure that we are aligned with our strategic plan and college goals, and it is crucial that we position the College to adapt and grow within an environment of rapid change.
In my early-September message, I announced the creation of a new Enrolment division, led by Vice President, Dorita Pentesco. Bringing all domestic and international recruitment and enrolment functions together reflects the critical strategic priority of enrolment growth as we address dramatic shifts in our enrolment driven by federal policy changes. I also announced the move of Research and Innovation and Government Relations to Advancement under a re-named External Relations portfolio led by Vice President Gord Arbeau when Dr. Marc Nantel, Vice President, Research, Innovation and Strategic Enterprises retires in Spring, 2026. The expanded External Relations portfolio brings together functions that support strategic relationships and fundraising, enhance NC’s strong reputation, and drive economic and social growth in our communities.
Since the start of the Fall term, we have worked to further define a renewed organizational structure based on the following Vice President portfolios:
The new Global Partnerships and Strategic Enterprises division represents a reimagining and broadening of how we strategically diversify and grow our sources of revenue – another key priority for NC. It will include the Institute for Global Education and Training, the School of English Language Studies, the Niagara College Learning Enterprise Corporation (NCLEC – which includes the Teaching Winery, Brewery and Distillery), non-credit training, and contracted retail services. With Vice President, International Sean Coote scheduled to retire next spring, recruitment for a new Vice President, Global Partnerships and Strategic Enterprises will begin in early 2026.
With a strengthened mandate to cultivate a wholistic student experience outside of the classroom and build a culture of inclusion and belonging across the college community, the Students portfolio will add Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Student Housing, Campus Safety, International Student Services, and Cultural and Global Engagement to its portfolio under the leadership of Vice President, Students Dr. Chris McGrath.
Maintaining and enhancing operational excellence and efficiency has never been more important. As stewards of the human, financial, information technology and physical resources of the college, College Operations, led by Senior Vice President, Pam Skinner, will include Financial Services, ITS, Human Resources, as well as an amalgamated Facilities Management Services and Planning, Sustainability and Capital Projects department.
In late August, Vice President, Academic, Fiona Allan also announced the upcoming amalgamation of the Academic and Liberal Studies division with the Centre for Academic Excellence under the leadership of Jeff Post, who will assume the role of Dean, Interdisciplinary Studies and Teaching Excellence on January 1, 2026. As part of this change, the Pre-Health Sciences programs move to the Health Sciences division. As our core business, the Academic portfolio drives new program development, innovation in teaching and learning, and expanding capacity in programs where there is excess demand – also among our key strategic priorities. Our new Vice President, Academic, Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie, will assume leadership of an academic division committed to high-quality, innovative academic programs and learning experiences upon Fiona’s retirement at the end of December.
We have endured significant disruption across our sector over the past two years, and I recognize the impact that it has had on all of us at NC. The new organizational structure will position our whole team to take on these challenges. I know that further change may be stressful, and our leadership team is committed to taking a thoughtful, phased approach as we move to a new structure. In the coming months, detailed work at the departmental level will continue, using organizational design methodologies within these new and updated vice-presidential portfolios. Teams will continue in their current roles and reporting structures while this important work takes place, with changes in reporting happening at various times. More specific timelines will be shared with departments and divisions as they become available. I encourage you to reach out to your leader if you have questions.
Niagara College is in a time of unprecedented transformation and renewal. As we operationalize a new organizational structure, we will also introduce new programs, expand our Health Education facilities in Welland, transform our student service delivery, and welcome new team members– all while bidding farewell to colleagues who are retiring or departing NC after remarkable careers in service of our college and our students. We will also continue to navigate the journey ahead together, and I have every confidence in the ability of our team to emerge even stronger.
