Niagara College strengthened key community partnerships and celebrated the success of its graduates during two alumni employer events held June 1 at the Niagara Region and at Walker Industries. The visits brought together College leadership, organizational partners and alumni working across both organizations, highlighting the important role NC graduates play in supporting communities throughout Niagara.
Niagara Region
At Niagara Region headquarters, NC’s executive leadership team joined Niagara Region’s senior management team to discuss current collaborations and future opportunities. Conversations focused on shared priorities including healthcare workforce development, economic development, public health, research and innovation, student pathways, and strategies to help address evolving labour market needs across the region. The meeting provided an opportunity for leaders from both organizations to strengthen relationships and explore new ways to work together in support of students and Niagara residents.
L to R: Vince Malvaso, Vice President, College Operations; Mabel Watt, Director, Government Relations; President Sean Kennedy; Sean Coote, Vice President, Partnerships and Enterprises; Gord Arbeau, Vice President, External Relations at the Niagara Region dental clinic.
The visit also involved a tour of Niagara Region headquarters, specifically the Region’s dental clinic, which provides services for eligible residents participating in public dental programs. The visit offered an opportunity to learn more about the clinic’s role in supporting community health through dental screenings, preventive care and oral health education.
The employer event concluded with an alumni social gathering that brought together over 150 NC alumni employed by Niagara Region, along with Niagara Region employees and NC representatives. Alumni, employees and NC representatives joined to connect over coffee and baked goods, celebrate their accomplishments and learn more about collaborative projects making a difference across Niagara. Refreshments were provided by fellow NC alumni, including coffee from Wandering Spirits, co-founded by Public Relations graduate Katie MacCabe (2019), with support from Assistant General Manager and Head of Events Chelcie Armstrong, an Event Management graduate (2019). Baked goods were provided by Culinary Management graduate Elizabeth McIntee (2006), owner of Niagara Food Company, further highlighting the success and community contributions of NC alumni.
The alumni gathering also provided an opportunity to celebrate the strong and longstanding partnership between NC and the Niagara Region, and the many ways it continues to benefit communities across Niagara.
Welcoming attendees, Niagara Region Chief Administrative Officer Ron Tripp said the event was about more than celebrating alumni success.
“Today provides not only a chance to celebrate the many amazing staff who are NC alumni, but it’s a chance to recognize the partnership that is making a real difference for our residents across Niagara.”
Tripp noted that alumni themselves represent the success of the relationship between the two organizations.
“In many ways our alumni are the best examples of this partnership,” he said.
Several partnership initiatives between NC and the Niagara Region were showcased during the gathering, giving attendees an opportunity to learn about collaborative projects making a positive impact across Niagara. Among them was the Fins, Feathers and Fur project, led by NC’s Healthy Aging and Wellness Innovation Centre (HAWIC), which explores the use of therapeutic robotic animals to support individuals living with dementia living in long-term care. Attendees also experienced an innovative technology demonstration highlighting tools designed to improve documentation, enhance care delivery and strengthen engagement between residents, caregivers and families. The projects highlighted the impact of student-community partnerships, providing NC students with valuable hands-on learning experiences while enhancing wellness and quality of life for seniors in the Region.
NC President Sean Kennedy also addressed the group, describing the gathering as feeling like a family reunion and reflecting on the many ways NC alumni contribute to communities and workplaces across the region.
“We’ve always known how integral Niagara College is to all aspects of life in Niagara,” said Kennedy. “You cannot turn around without running into a proud NC alum, student or employee,” a sentiment he frequently shares when speaking about the alumni impact across the region.
President Kennedy also highlighted that NC remains focused on offering programs that respond to current regional and community needs.
“We’re so proud of the impact we have in supporting our communities and it’s so aligned with everything the Region does,” he said. “We’re always thinking about how we can expand programming and develop new programming to strengthen Niagara and our communities.”
Looking around the room filled with several NC alumni, President Kennedy noted that the graduates in attendance reflected the wide range of programs and career paths supported by NC.
“This is an amazing gathering,” said Kennedy. “The range of grads in this room reflects the incredible breadth of what we do at Niagara College,” he said. “There are so many ways we can continue to work together to build stronger communities and a more resilient economy and serve all parts of Niagara.”
Walker Industries
In the afternoon, NC leadership visited Walker Industries, a long-standing college partner with deep roots in Niagara. The visit included a tour of parts of the company’s 1,200-acre landfill and resource recovery facility, led by Walker Industries Environmental Division Vice-President Mike Deprez, providing an overview of the organization’s operations, environmental systems and sustainability initiatives. Discussions also focused on the strong partnership between the two organizations and opportunities to further expand experiential learning, workforce development and sustainability-focused initiatives.
For years, Walker Industries has supported NC through guest lectures, curriculum-integrated projects, facility tours, student placements and resource-sharing initiatives. The company has also been a longtime supporter of the College through sponsorships, donations and support for events such as the Niagara College Golf Classic and Gala, helping to advance student success, innovation and campus initiatives. The visit highlighted the many ways this partnership continues to connect students with real-world experiences while advancing innovation, environmental stewardship and community engagement.
The meeting ended with an alumni social gathering where NC graduates employed throughout Walker Industries gathered with NC leaders and colleagues to celebrate their shared connection to the College. Over coffee and baked goods provided by NC alumni-owned businesses (Wandering Spirits and Niagara Food Company), attendees connected with fellow graduates, shared experiences and celebrated the impact of NC alumni throughout the organization.
Welcoming attendees, Lisa Benger, who recently joined the College’s Board of Governors, reflected on the strong presence of NC graduates throughout the organization.
“This is an opportunity to get together, connect and celebrate our achievements as graduates,” said Benger. She also noted the important role NC plays in preparing talent and connecting graduates with employers such as Walker Industries.
NC President Sean Kennedy addressing the group of NC alumni employed by Walker Industries.
President Kennedy also addressed the group highlighting the shared values that continue to strengthen the relationship between the two organizations.
“Our two organizations share a really common set of values, working hard, innovating and being trailblazing, but at NC we also view ourselves as integral to the Niagara region and supporting our communities in so many different ways, and I know that’s what Walker Industries does as well,” he said.
President Kennedy also thanked alumni for serving as ambassadors for NC and helping strengthen the connection between education, industry and community.
“Our alumni are our best ambassadors,” he said. “It’s truly a pleasure to come out to these employer events where there are so many NC alumni. It gives us a chance to meet you and say thanks for everything you do.”
The two employer events showcased the lasting impact of NC alumni and reinforced the value of partnerships that create opportunities for students, strengthen local organizations and enhance the quality of life across Niagara communities.
