It gives me great pleasure to present the 2023/2024 Annual Report. As you will see, it has been another busy and productive year for the college. The stories we tell in our annual report give you a sense of our activities and how well we are measuring up to the expectations we outlined in our strategic plan. Visit our website and explore our news stories and blog posts to read more about the accomplishments of our students, faculty, and staff.
In August of 2023 I was invited by the Board of Governors to accept a two-year extension to my contract as President and CEO of the college, and I was honoured to do so.
The dedication and commitment of the instructors and staff members who interact with our students consistently result in student satisfaction rates of close to 98 percent; but we should not forget the contributions of staff across the college community. Our teams in Finance, Facilities, Ancillary Services, Integrated Technology Services, Human Resources, Applied Research, Institutional Planning and Marketing and Communications all play a large part in the smooth operation and success of our college.
The college has faced some challenging times in the past few years. The support of our partners in government and industry, and especially that of our Board of Governors, has been an essential element in our continued success. We will continue to ensure that we prepare our students with the skills and knowledge they need to participate in the labour force and contribute to our communities.
Dr. Alexander “Sandy” MacDonald
OUR VISION
OUR MISSION
Inspiring Today. Creating Tomorrow.
OUR VALUES
Empowering diverse, student-focused learning, strengthening communities, and supporting future prosperity.
Our values guide our every move. They build upon our past and shape our future. We make every effort to do better and go further.
INNOVATION
We believe in being ahead of the curve. Seeing what’s coming down the line and ensuring our students, faculty, and staff are aware of the latest developments and have access to the latest techniques, trends, and technologies.
APPLIED LEARNING
We have a rich history as the provincial community college for Prince Edward Island. We honour that legacy as the applied learning institute by ensuring the skills and applications we offer prepare student to be leaders in their chosen fields.
INCLUSION
When we acknowledge and celebrate our differences, we strengthen who we are. Holland College strives to offer a welcoming and safe environment for all who come through our doors. We are especially interested in those who are underrepresented in our labour force market.
ENGAGEMENT
We want every student, faculty, and staff member to feel heard, included and inspired. We encourage continuous learning, teamwork, and open communication. Our college is a part of our greater provincial community, and we will continue to be an active member right across the province.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Our decisions today impact the communities we operate in and their futures. We aim to reduce our carbon footprint and reconnect with nature.
INSPIRATION
We embrace the responsibility to inspire and guide students toward their future careers and life paths.
INNOVATIVE & FLEXIBLE PROGRAMMING
Preparing students for the future requires us to consider how we use techniques and technologies to innovate and promote excellence.
■ INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING
■ POST-GRADUATE PATHWAYS
■ TEACHING EXCELLENCE
COLLEGE OFFERS C2R2 TRAINING
Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) is a coalition of colleges, cégeps, institutes and polytechnics from across Canada working together to lead the transition to a clean economy. C2R2 was established with a vision to build back better from the COVID-19 crisis. Colleges are uniquely positioned to quickly develop thousands of training and research opportunities to help Canadians access good jobs, support the transition to the low carbon economy, and foster inclusion, diversity, and equity.
Prepare your workforce for a low-carbon economy.
This year, Holland College offered the following C2R2 courses:
• Climate Smart Agriculture: Data Management Systems
• Agriculture and Watershed Collaboration
• Electric Vehicle Maintenance Training
• Carbon Mitigation Through Best Management Practices
• Carbon Sequestration in Watersheds
• Agriculture and Watershed Collaboration
• Using LiDAR to Understand Ecosystems
• Building Envelope Science
• GMP and Problem Solving
• GMP and Positive Work
• Climate Smart Agriculture: Livestock Systems
• Climate Smart Agriculture: Cropping Systems
• Climate Smart Agriculture: Fundamentals
• Climate Smart Agriculture: Data and Information Management
• Technologies for Data-Informed Agriculture
• Indigenous Leadership for Renewable Energy
• Climate Smart Agrology for Economic and Sustainable Production
BIOSCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM WELCOMES RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS
The Bioscience Technology program is a perennial favourite with both domestic and international students. The program’s blend of applied and theoretical learning prepares graduates to enter the field with the skills employers are seeking. In addition, the program offers three different streams to accommodate students at various stages of their education. These options are attracting highly talented students. So many students, in fact, that this year Bioscience Technology welcomed its largest class ever — almost doubling the number of students expected to graduate from the program.
DENTAL ASSISTING STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT
Instructors and students in the Dental Assisting program at Holland College had the opportunity to participate in a unique research project recently in partnership with the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering at the University of Prince Edward Island.
The project aimed to create a realistic virtual environment for dentists to practice dental restorative techniques such as modeling curing protocols, restorative procedures, composite libraries, and a user interface to guide and assist the dentist.
The Dental Assisting students tried out two different training technologies. The first one was a patient simulator called Managing Accurate Resin Curing, which measured how precise the students were in applying curing techniques to different procedures. The second was a Microsoft Hololens-based training application developed by MSc student Eagan Boire, which provides immersive, interactive training for dental restoration curing techniques.
The data collected from these experiments will help advance immersive training in dentistry and contribute to future research in this area.
Bioscience Technology student Daniel Cangahuala.
ACCOUNTING TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS VOLUNTEER WITH CRA
MULTI-USE TACTICAL TRAINING AND RESEARCH CENTRE
Accounting Technology students have been working with the Canada Revenue Agency in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program for more than 40 years.
Through the income-tested program, people can get their return done free of charge. The students are supervised by a volunteer approved by the CRA who checks their work before the returns are submitted.
(L-R) Accounting Technology student Ava Washington and instructor Shane Kelly discuss the upcoming Community Volunteer Income Tax Program clinics with students Harper Hippenstall and Kristoff Pinder. The three students were part of the team working in the free tax clinics in March and April.
A funding agreement between the Province of Prince Edward Island and Holland College will provide $4,075,000 to cover 50 percent of the capital required to establish the Atlantic Police Academy Multi-use Tactical Training and Research Centre. The project will include an additional $3 million for renovations to APA facilities.
STRATEGIC ENROLMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED
Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) is an organizational model that identifies, prioritizes, and acts on enrolment opportunities by accessing the expertise of the college community. A network of team members was organized, and the Strategic Enrolment Management Plan was developed this year. The plan connects 38 staff and faculty from across the college to serve as committee members on four subcommittees: Academic Programs, Data Management, Marketing and Recruitment, and Retention and Student Success. All team members are encouraged to propose ideas, which are reviewed by the pertinent subcommittee and brought forward to the overarching SEM Implementation Committee.
DEGREE PATHWAYS SIGNED
Holland College’s degree pathways with postsecondary educational institutions worldwide provide graduates with diverse and enriched educational opportunities. The agreements create accessible, affordable, and flexible educational options enabling our graduates to pursue their academic and career goals. Holland College has more than 130 degree pathways agreements.
This year, the following agreements were confirmed:
Kinesiology
• UNB Bachelor of Science Kinesiology
Environmental Applied Science Technology
• Saint Mary’s University Bachelor of Science
• Lakeland University Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Management
• Cape Breton University Bachelor of Health
Bioscience Technology
• Saint Mary’s University Bachelor of Science
Wildlife Conservation Technology
• Saint Mary’s University Bachelor of Science
• Lakeland University Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Management
Music Performance
• St. Francis Xavier University Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts Honors Music
• Mount Allison University Bachelor of Music
Business Administration
• Acadia University Bachelor of Business Administration
SUPPORTS & INCLUSION
What our students learn in the classroom is only one element of the education we aim to provide.
Holland College is also about ensuring its students, faculty, and staff enter and exit our campus knowing they are welcome, supported, and seen.
■ STUDENT SUPPORT CENTRE
■ MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
■ ENHANCED DIVERSITY
■ INDIGENOUS RELATIONS
IT TAKES ALL OF US
Holland College is committed to promoting healthy relationships, preventing sexual violence, and educating all staff and students to ensure that our campuses and centres are places where everyone feels safe.
The college developed a sexual consent course, It Takes All of Us to support this commitment. The course explains why ensuring consent is so important, how to identify acts of sexual violence, how to intervene if you witness an incident of sexual violence, and how to respond if someone discloses to you that they have experienced sexual violence. It is now mandatory for all staff and students to complete this training.
FREE MICROCREDENTIALS FOR NEWCOMERS
Holland College was selected as a key partner in the Skills Enhancement for Newcomers program, an initiative aimed at preparing newcomers to Canada to better enter the workforce. The two-year national program is delivered by Colleges and Institutes Canada and funded by the Government of Canada’s Skills for Success program. The online training is in the form of microcredentials, which are short, flexible courses, to equip newcomers with the essential skills sought after by Canadian employers. There is no charge for eligible newcomers to take the microcredentials.
The college offered three microcredentials focused on communication, collaboration, and adaptability—skills necessary to thrive in Canadian workplaces. These microcredentials complement the existing professional skills of newcomers and provide them with an understanding of Canadian workplace nuances.
HOLLAND HURRICANES ATHLETICS
The Hurricanes competed in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA), Atlantic Football League (AFL), Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), and the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball Association (ACBA).
The Hurricanes hoisted Atlantic Championship trophies in women’s soccer, women’s rugby, and women’s hockey, while also earning the CCAA National bronze medal in women’s soccer. The Hurricanes played host to two championships this year: the 2023 CCAA Women’s Soccer National Championship in Summerside in November, and the 2024 ACAA Basketball Championships in Charlottetown in March.
The Hurricanes also ran ‘Canes Camps, Hurricanes Academies, and countless fitness classes, intramural events and recreational clubs throughout the year.
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR: EMILY LEPINE (SOCCER) BRYCE CORLESS (BASKETBALL)
104
SCHOLARATHLETES
43 CONFERENCE/ NATIONAL ALL-STARS
26 ACADEMIC ALL-CANADIANS
10 MAJOR CONFERENCE AWARDS
HOSTING IN 2024/25
ACAA Cross Country Running Championships ACAA Volleyball Championships
COUNSELLING SERVICES STATS (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024)
ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES STATS (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024)
HEALTH CLINIC SERVICES STATS (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024)
3,244 Patient Appointments
994 Patients Seen
1,203 Vaccination Appointments
Participated in Wellness Expo
Monthly Collaborative Meetings with Nurse Practitioner and Mental Health Team
Social Media Promotions
Classroom Health and Wellness Presentations
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
Today’s decisions define the Holland College of tomorrow. Knowing this, we move into the future aware of our impact locally and as a member of a global community. We will take concerted action in support of our shared environment.
■ CLIMATE LEADERSHIP
■ GREEN INNOVATION
■ TRANSPORTATION IMPACT
■ BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ISO 50001
Holland College has been approved for funding of $307,000 from NRCan’s Office of Energy Efficiency to develop an Energy Management program for Holland College over the next three years.
ISO 50001 is an international standard that provides a systematic framework for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an energy management system to enhance energy performance and efficiency.
CLEANTECH ACADEMY TO BE ESTABLISHED IN GEORGETOWN
The establishment of the Cleantech Academy was announced this year. The academy is a collaborative initiative between the Government of PEI, Holland College, and the University of PEI. It will be housed in the Cleantech Innovation Centre, which will open in 2025 in the 60-acre Cleantech park in Georgetown.
Cleantech Academy students will work collaboratively with local industry to develop cutting-edge environmental solutions that can be brought to market. The inaugural program is a post-graduate certificate in Sustainable Business Leadership. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, essential skills, and practical experience required to guide organizations toward sustainable practices and implement innovative cleantech solutions. The Sustainable Business Leadership program will start in the fall of 2024 in the Tourism and Culinary Centre and will relocated to the new CleanTech Innovation Centre when it is ready.
GREENING TECHNOLOGY INCLUDED IN FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
Some operational areas of the college have been underfunded for several years due to financial constraints. The college’s threeyear fiscal sustainability plan is built to include increasing investment in key areas, including the Integrated Technology Services department, which will receive $550 thousand annually for computer greening and improved cyber security.
EV CHARGERS INSTALLED IN COLLEGE LOCATIONS ACROSS THE PROVINCE
Ten additional chargers were installed across the province with funding from Efficiency PEI. In total, the college has 13 chargers, so every college owned location has at least one EV charger.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROJECT
The college has prepared a $2 million dollar funding proposal that aims to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and our operating costs while creating a more comfortable learning environment for our students.
This will be achieved by upgrading our building automation systems in key buildings, installing carbon dioxide demand control sensors that help govern ventilation rates, upgrading end-of-life HVAC system components, replacing LED lighting, and improving insulation.
CORPORATE INNOVATION
Shaping our future cannot be accomplished without taking a hard look inward. We are proud of who we have become, but recognize that we are evolving. To do so strategically, and toward our collective vision, we must be transparent, accountable, and work hard. We must ensure our lines of communication remain open and that we remain focused on our shared direction.
Applied Research supported 133 college research collaborations and technical services with industry partners and community groups this year. Through these collaborations, dedicated research staff and college faculty and students work directly with businesses and not-for-profits to solve challenges. Students from over 16 college programs participated in applied research activities and Holland College placed 42nd nationally in the Top 50 Research Colleges list.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Received the second largest award in the college’s history –$2.4 million over five years to support capacity building in the college’s core research areas: Food Product Development, Applied Biotechnology, Data Analytics, Agri-Environmental Watershed Management and Social Innovation.
Data Analytics team working on a project at the Business Analytic Centre. Junaid Maqsood, Research Associate; Joseph Boaheng, Student Research Assistant; Edson Owusu, Student Research Assistant.
• Completed work on several exciting research projects with funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC)’s Applied Research Technology Partnerships program. The funding supports projects involving students, staff/faculty, and industry to work on innovative applied research initiatives.
Student researchers working on ARTP projects in the bioscience lab. Grace Manu Kurien and Ishraq Zaman, Student Research Assistants.
• Work wrapped up on an ARTP Level 2 funded project, a unique collaboration between Nova Scotia Community College, College of the North Atlantic, Holland College and Canada’s Smartest Kitchen. Several kelp-based food prototypes were developed and presented at various conferences in Atlantic Canada.
Chef Andrew Smith, Food Product Developer at CSK; Chef Eliott Senechal, Food Product Developer at CSK working with Kelp samples.
• Received more than $95,500 through an NSERC Applied Research Tools and Instruments grant. The funds were used to purchase a BUCHI Universal Extraction Unit E-800 and recirculating chiller. The equipment will result in significantly enhanced extraction capacity, allowing for considerably more research and development and student training with industry in the agriculture, aquaculture, and food development sector, and the college’s Applied Biotechnology Research Group.
BUCHI Universal Extraction Unit E-800 and recirculating chiller installed in the lab.
• 13 projects were funded by the National Research Council - Industrial Research Assistance Program Contribution to Organizations fund. This funding enables faculty and researchers to apply their expertise to solve technical challenges for local companies. The college provided process improvement, validation, and extraction support to local bioscience companies as well as support for new packaging, sensory evaluation, and product development for local food processors.
Shawn MacDougall, Director of Applied Research; Tim McRoberts, Director of Canada’s Smartest Kitchen; Ronda Gosselin, National Research Council - Industrial Research Assistance Program Industry Technology Advisor; Varvara Satanina, NRC-IRAP Industry Technology Advisor.
• MITACS, a non-profit agency, provided funding for four new student research positions. Students from the Administrative Assistant, Computer Information Systems, Human Services and Human Resource Management programs participated in applied research projects with an industry partner.
Sara Clow, Human Resource Management graduate and MITACS student intern for Brackley Bay Oyster Co.
MY HC
An intranet implementation team comprised of Integrated Technology Services staff and Marketing and Communications staff launched My HC, the college’s intranet. The intranet is a private network that allows staff to effectively communicate with team members and other college staff. The initial roll out was for staff only, students will be given access to the intranet in the next stage of the project.
AROUND THE COLLEGE
Around the College is an online newsletter for staff and faculty. The newsletter was developed after an internal communications audit revealed that staff wanted more information about the college community but were also finding the amount of email they received onerous. The first edition of Around the College was published in February, with subsequent issues published twice a month during the academic year. Staff feedback about the newsletter has been very positive.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
This year, the college awarded $31,043 to 18 faculty and staff for the following credentials: 12 master’s degrees, two undergraduate degrees, one diploma, and three specialty certificates.
Faculty and staff were invited to attend 17 different professional development sessions on a wide variety of topics including diversity, indigenous cultural awareness, sexual harassment training, responding to microaggressions, Islamophobia, mental wellbeing, workplace harassment, strategies to deal with burnout, and several Microsoft workshops. In total, 528 employees participated in the sessions.
LIFEWORKS LAUNCHES EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PLATFORM
LifeWorks, the college’s Employee Assistance Program provider launched a new, easy to use website and app. LifeWorks offers a wide variety of programming including counselling services and free legal, financial, and physical health support.
STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Several employees were honoured at Holland College’s annual Staff Appreciation Day at Credit Union Place in Summerside. In addition to long service awards, and retirement recognition, four excellence awards were presented, and a new President’s Award was introduced.
Paula Silliker received the Teaching Excellence Award. She has been teaching math and physics to adult learners at the college for more than 30 years. The recipient of the Leadership Excellence Award was Richard MacDonald, Manager of IT Services. MacDonald, who is retiring this year after 30 years of service to Holland College. Sandi White, Senior Executive Assistant, President’s Office and Board of Governors, was presented with the Staff Excellence Award. She has been a member of the Holland College family for 25 years, serving in her current role for the past 17 years. Kyle Stevenson, a general maintenance labourer at the Tourism and Culinary Centre received the Facilities Support Services Excellence Award.
A new award was presented for the first time this year, the President’s Award. The President’s Award was created to celebrate an individual whose contributions have helped to advance the supports and inclusion commitments outlined in the Shaping Futures strategic plan, including contributions made as a community leader, efforts to improve mental well-being among students and employees, promoting inclusive practices and an overall impact on the greater Holland College community.
Josh Silver, the lead instructor in the Heritage Retrofit Carpentry program is the recipient of this year’s award.
Of the employees being recognized for milestone work anniversaries, Debbie King, administrative support for the Business and Sport programs, stood out. King is celebrating her 50th year at the college. King started working at the college as a summer student in 1973 and became an employee in October of that year.
(L-R) Richard MacDonald, Manager of IT Services; President Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald; Sandi White, Senior Executive Assistant, President’s Office and Board of Governors; Tracey Campbell, Quality Coordinator; Heritage Retrofit Carpentry instructor Josh Silver; and Craig Roche, Program Manager - Industrial Tech & Trades.
FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS
Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually to alumni who have graduated 10 or more years ago and have demonstrated professional excellence and leadership. This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients were Penny Walsh-McGuire, Event and Conventions Management, 2000, and Jennifer Driscoll, Police Science, 1998.
In 2023 Holland College and the Holland College Foundation celebrated the launch of Thrive, a $2.5 million campaign to support the establishment of a visible and accessible centre for student wellness, resilience, and success on the Prince of Wales Campus.
In 2023 the Holland College Foundation announced the retirement of Jeff Squires from the Holland College Foundation Board of Directors, and welcomed new board member Lloyd Compton.
Holland College Foundation’s alumni e-newsletter, Thrive –Holland College Alumni Insider, was produced and distributed to more than 17,000 alumni four times during the 2023/24 year. In addition to sharing college news and alumni success stories, each edition invited alumni to participate in initiatives, benefits, discounts, and contests.
The 23rd Annual Holland College Golf Classic took place in September 2023 at Belvedere Golf Course under the leadership of volunteer co-chairs Quentin Bevan, Jennifer Evans, and Ron Keefe. The event raised approximately $80,000, which will support the initiatives of the Holland College Foundation and Holland Hurricanes Athletics.
GROWTH W IMPACT
2023 to 2024
REVENUES
Holland College Foundation donations and investment income exceeded $ 2.6 MILLION
ENDOWMENTS
FOUR new endowments were established in 2023/24, all designated to fund SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES, AND AWARDS.
ON-CAMPUS FOOD BANKS
STUDENT AID
Scholarships, bursaries, and awards given to students in 2023/24: 460
Approximately $ 577,000 has been awarded to deserving students in 2023/24
EMERGENCY AID
$ 30,000 has helped students facing UNFORESEEN FINANCIAL CHALLENGES . More than $ 7,000 was provided to our on-campus food banks.
STATISTICS: SUMMARY OF ENROLMENT
POST-SECONDARY STATISTICS
Students registered from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Students registered from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024
n LINC = 496
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
n LINC SUMMER = 168 Participated in classes during July & August
n EAP = 41
English for Academic Purposes
n EAL = 5
English as an Additional Language (no longer offered)
TOTAL = 710
ADULT EDUCATION
Students registered from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Students registered from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024
