[{"id":1632028,"date":"2026-06-19T11:40:52","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T15:40:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/?p=1632028"},"modified":"2026-06-19T11:41:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T15:41:39","slug":"nc-celebrates-alumni-and-strengthens-community-partnerships-at-june-employer-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/06\/19\/nc-celebrates-alumni-and-strengthens-community-partnerships-at-june-employer-events\/","title":{"rendered":"NC celebrates alumni and strengthens community partnerships at June employer events"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Niagara Region<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p><\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, co-founded by Public Relations<\/a> graduate Katie MacCabe (2019), with support from Assistant General Manager and Head of Events Chelcie Armstrong, an Event Management<\/a> graduate (2019). Baked goods were provided by Culinary Management<\/a> graduate Elizabeth McIntee (2006), owner of Niagara Food Company<\/a>, further highlighting the success and community contributions of NC alumni.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Welcoming attendees, Niagara Region Chief Administrative Officer Ron Tripp said the event was about more than celebrating alumni success.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

Tripp noted that alumni themselves represent the success of the relationship between the two organizations.<\/p>\n

“In many ways our alumni are the best examples of this partnership,” he said.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n\n\t\t