THE PREEMPTIVE COLLEGE

Niagara College is a leader in Ontario’s college system. By anticipating the factors that have transformed post-secondary education over the past decade, Niagara College has positioned itself well to overcome the challenges that lay ahead. Niagara is a “preemptive” college whose success can be tied to a clear focus on student success, built on a strong team of educators, sound strategic planning and targeted investments that have placed Niagara College ahead of the curve. Offering hands-on learning environments that support a unique model of applied education, Niagara College is founded on supporting the local communities it serves, with key areas of strength that respond to provincial needs and beyond. Our strong local ties are enhanced by an expanding global reach and perspective. Niagara College also benefits from its unique location and global name recognition, allowing it to create specialized learning environments in a broad range of program areas – from environment to wine, culinary and tourism.

The 2013-2016 period offers a clear snapshot of the achievements and initiatives that reflect Niagara College’s growth and success as a post-secondary leader. Within this span, Niagara College students, faculty and alumni earned provincial, national and international recognition in a range of program areas, and in the case of Junior Culinary Team Canada, represented our country on the global stage.

The construction of the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre significantly enhanced the College’s capacity for applied research projects in support of Niagara’s advanced manufacturing sector, while the growing global demand for responsive, hands-on education and training, and Niagara College’s reputation as an outstanding provider have driven increased international student enrolments and created new opportunities to deliver projects and programs abroad. A strong focus on applied research has enhanced student experience, community engagement and economic development. Niagara College has emerged as a national leader and advocate for applied, industry engaged research, as reflected in Niagara College’s Top Ten ranking among Canada’s colleges according to Research Infosource’s report, Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges. Niagara College activities have helped to place colleges at the center of the national research discussion.

Niagara College established an institutional quality framework that supports a culture of improvement in its programs and services, and a $50-million capital expansion launched in 2014 has significantly enhanced the student experience and modernized our learning environments.

Over the past decade we have implemented a strategy to expand international operations, notably through international recruitment to our domestic campuses, and increased revenues through the development of operations and engagements in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world.

A move toward integrated student services and increased investment in student leadership and co-curricular programs has significantly enhanced student experience, satisfaction and success, while increased online resources and courses have enhanced current delivery – and provided greater flexibility for students.

Niagara College was also an early adopter of differentiation, a key priority for the government as it looks to transform postsecondary education. In addition to providing strong programs connected to our local economy, Niagara College has also continued to develop niche programming in areas of strength responding to emerging trends and market needs – including food technology, commercial beekeeping, renewable energies, and craft brewing.

Strategic allocations to support experiential learning through the Applied Health Institute, the expansion of learning enterprises, the Canadian Food and Wine Institute and the Wine Visitor + Education Centre catapulted the College’s brand across the region and the province, creating the conditions to diversify enrolment and the College’s regional economic impact.

A commitment to sustainability, including ambitious targets for waste, water, paper and energy consumption and the integration of new green technologies has reduced Niagara College’s carbon footprint, led to new efficiencies in operations and created a culture of environmental responsibility.

Each of these contributed to a financially strong Niagara College, delivering exceptional student experience and expanding the College’s global brand while affirming the College’s capacity to grow and adapt to a changing operational landscape marked by decreasing domestic enrolments, increased competition and a climate of fiscal constraint. More importantly, our success confirms a readiness to embrace a transformational shift that will propel the College to become a global education leader.