A message from President Sean Kennedy:
It is with mixed emotions that I announce that Vice President, Student Affairs Rick Anderson has accepted the role of Chief Operating Officer at Six Nations Polytechnic, and will leave Niagara College at the end of August.
Rick joined NC in 2021 as the Vice President, Student Success and since that time he has provided exceptional leadership of a portfolio that includes Student Services and Wellness, Libraries and Academic Support Services, Planning and Institutional Research, Enrolment Services, Athletics and Student Engagement, and Marketing and Recruitment.
As Vice President, Student Affairs he has made outstanding contributions to our college that reflect the passionate advocacy for student success and commitment to access and wholistic student experience that have marked his long and successful career as a postsecondary leader.
Rick played a significant role in the development of our Strategic Plan and has led important work that reflects the Plan’s areas of focus, including the development and expansion of services and experiences that support the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health of our students; initiatives that respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action; and strategic enrolment management and planning.
I’m also grateful for his important contributions to our Master Plan – our ambitious, long-term guide for growth and success at Niagara College.
Rick’s collaborative approach has also enhanced our college’s strong relationship with our student leadership – a partnership that is unique in the postsecondary sector.
I should also note that Rick’s appointment in 2021 marked his return to NC – he also served as Director of Student Services from 2012 to 2016, including a temporary appointment as Acting Vice President, Student Services in 2014-2015.
Rick begins his new role at Six Nations Polytechnic on September 5, and his last day on Campus at NC will be August 31.
I am pleased to announce that Dorita Pentesco will fill the role in an interim capacity for the Fall and Winter terms while recruitment for a new Vice President, Student Affairs is underway. We look forward to welcoming Dorita and her breadth of experience in Marketing, Recruitment, Communications, and International to the Executive Team as she takes on leadership of the Student Affairs portfolio.
Please join me in thanking Rick for his remarkable contributions to Niagara College and wishing him every success as he assumes his new role at Six Nations Polytechnic.
