2022 Leaders & Innovators Conference Recap

Leaders and Innovators Conference Recap

Niagara Falls | September 27 and 28, 2022

Approximately 70 people attended OCASA’s 2022 Leaders and Innovators Conference at the Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel in September. The Leaders and Innovators Conference was a two-day event that provided highly relevant information, new practices, and meaningful networking uniquely designed for the college administrator. It was OCASA’s first in-person conference in three years, and the feedback from attendees and participants has been overwhelmingly positive.

The following comments were shared through the conference survey: • "Current, relevant information in the PSE environment; Networking is what I enjoyed most!" • "Good topic selection and dynamic speakers" • "Panels provide opportunity to hear and learn from others. Shared experiences help make sense of our own. And cocreating strategies is a helpful take-away in operationalizing our post-Covid world."

Other Attendee Feedback “I really appreciated the sense of rejuvenation at OCASA this year. We have not been able to connect, face to face, in a long time and it felt great to just get together and share our experiences like we used to. As a Board member I especially enjoyed this year’s event because we had a high percentage of attendees that were new to administrative roles and OCASA. It is so critically important that we mentor new leaders within our sector and help them develop the skills to do great things.” –Tony Mallette, Associate Dean, School of Health Sciences, Fanshawe College

“The OCASA 2022 Leaders & Innovators Conference was an engaging, interactive two-day event that provided important information, new practices, and networking opportunities that allowed me to connect with colleagues from across the sector. The keynote speakers delivered topics that provoked discussion and were highly engaging. The concurrent sessions allowed me to select topics that I wanted to have a great understanding about. For me, there were many highlights at the 2022 conference; the one that truly stands out was the workshop called Cultural Appreciation vs. Cultural Appropriation. Marc Forgette was the facilitator; if ever the opportunity presents itself to attend one of Marc’s workshops, YOU MUST GO!

The entire conference was thoughtfully planned and executed – from the location, meals, speakers, and valuable networking – it was obvious that a lot of time was placed in ensuring the attendees felt the time away from the office was well utilized. I highly recommend that college administrators carve out time to attend this conference.” –Sara Tuck, B.B.A., CMP – Manager, Continuing Education and Corporate Training, Georgian College

“I attended my first OCASA Conference this year (September 2022). I appreciated learning about the experiences of leaders from across Ontario on topics related to trends in higher education, employee engagement, and leading teams in a post-pandemic world.

"The Leaders and Innovators Conference was a two-day event that provided highly relevant information, new practices, and meaningful networking uniquely designed for the college administrator.

HOT TOPICS

Some of the hot topics that emerged at this year’s OCASA conference were • The Evolution of Microcredentials (Dr. Robert Luke, CEO, eCampus Ontario) • The Outlook for Canada’s PSE System (Denise Amyot, CEO Colleges and Institutes Canada) • New Three-Year Degrees (Dr. James Brown, CEO, Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board)

The Spring 2023 issue of College Administrator magazine will put the spotlight on these topics, so stay tuned!

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to engage in conversations, and share stories about our own successes and challenges leading teams in a hybrid environment, and how to best plan for the future of work in the college system. The hands-on workshop I attended focused on cultural appropriation vs appreciation which continues to build upon the cultural competencies we need to work with our diverse student populations. Overall, the conference was an excellent way to connect and share as we build on our learning as a community of leaders.” –Fiorella M. Sabadin, MSc, Registrar, Fanshawe College

Some Highlights from the Event Dr. Karyn Gordon was this year’s fantastic morning keynote speaker who really got the group thinking about emotional intelligence and relationships.

Marc Forgette taught attendees how to create an Indigenous medicine bag – thank you for sharing your knowledge in this wellreceived workshop.

Amorell Saunders N'Daw shared a presentation on creating a plan for career growth.

Kevin J. Baker shared research on innovation in the Ontario college system that included a thoughtful discussion.

Thank you to Denise Amyot, CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada, who was the afternoon keynote speaker and presented on the outlook for Canada’s post-secondary system. 