2022/2023 Annual Report: Niagara College Canada

Annual Report

We acknowledge the land on which Niagara College is located is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples and acknowledging reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous peoples.

Mishka Balsom Chair, Niagara College Board of Governors

Letter from the Chair of the Board of Governors

The past year was one of renewal, achievement and celebration at Niagara College as we began to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and welcomed a fulsome return to campus; launched an ambitious new Strategic Plan 2022-2027; and graduated more than 4,800 students into the Niagara College alumni family.

Niagara College’s commitment to deliver outstanding applied education for a changing world was reinforced by the consultations that informed the development of the Strategic Plan. The College’s student-focused approach to education and training continues to drive action and spark the imagination and innovation of our remarkable employees. The determination and resilience of our students to achieve their dreams inspire all that we do.

The trailblazing, passionate, and welcoming spirit of the College was evident in the many ways we supported and celebrated students, employees and community partners through innovations and initiatives, including the United Way community garden, the Feed the Community program, the inaugural President’s Award for Innovation in Student Learning and Success, advancements in mental health and wellness supports, and the launch of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am tremendously proud of the achievements of our college over the past year. Our employees exhibit the College’s values in their daily work, which nurture and strengthen the student-focused culture that makes Niagara College a unique and special place to learn and work.

Our students are our purpose. Their dreams fuel our passion, their accomplishments motivate and inspire us, and their success is our vision realized. On behalf of the Niagara College community, we are tremendously proud of you, our students, and your ability to persist, thrive and succeed – skills that will serve you well as you embark on the next stage of your educational and career journeys. Thank you for choosing NC.

It has been a privilege and honour for me to serve as Chair this past year and I look forward to continuing my work with my fellow Governors in support of the College’s mission. I would like to acknowledge the work and commitment of my fellow Governors, whose passion for the College is as valuable as their expertise and professionalism. As we look back on 2022-2023 in this Annual Report, I am confident you will feel the palpable sense of pride that is a hallmark of Niagara College.

We’re proud to recognize our 2022/23 Board of Governors.

Thank you to those individuals who dedicate themselves to leading Niagara College. You help our students achieve their dreams with unparalleled experience and satisfaction.

Mishka Balsom (Chair) CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Caroline Mann (Vice-Chair) Retired Vice-President, Finance Haver & Boecker Canada

Janet Allan Retired Partner, KPMG LLP

Rashmi Biswas Co-owner, Lake and Associates

Nick Farnell Academic Staff Representative, Niagara College

Poppy Gilliam School Administrator, District School Board of Niagara

Kate Hagen Support Staff Representative, Niagara College

Andrew Harber CEO, Abatement Technologies

Carolyn Hurst President, Westcott Vineyards

Sean Kennedy President, Niagara College

Shane Malcolm Associate Director of Career Education, Brock University

Michael Mann Partner, Lancaster Brooks & Welch LLP

Rob Nicholson Former Member of Parliament (MP), Niagara Falls Riding

Dipal Patel Student Representative, Niagara College

Hafsah Shaikh Administrative Staff Representative, Niagara College

Kevin Smith Chief Systems and Strategy Officer, BC Emergency Health Services

Lora Tisi Senior Retail Strategist

Message from the College President

I am pleased to provide the 2022-2023 Annual Report for Niagara College, highlighting some of the key achievements over the past year.

The college community was thrilled to welcome a fulsome return to campus this past fall, following several years of pandemic-related restrictions. A true sense of joy permeated our halls as students and employees enjoyed the opportunity to resume campus life, reconnect in person, and reinstate cherished traditions. Our delight was shared by the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), with whom we continue to be grateful to share an exceptional partnership in support of a wholistic student experience.

2022-2023 marked the launch of the new Strategic Plan (2022-2027), which creates a bold vision for the college’s future and identifies six connected areas of focus that will drive our actions: Wholistic Student Experience, Academic Excellence, Global Reach, Alumni & Partner Engagement, Social Inclusion & Environmental Responsibility, and Organizational Excellence. This report details some of our significant accomplishments, including the launch of the student Massage Therapy clinic, the opening of the Welland Campus digital media lab and makerspace, the creation of the virtual Accessibility Hub, partnership with the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, the return of Be World Ready international mobility programs, and many initiatives and innovations that advanced teaching and learning, applied research, student and employee wellness, among others.

Sean Kennedy President

As always, our students and employees demonstrated the college’s welcoming, passionate, and trailblazing characteristics in 2022-2023, earning recognition and accolades provincially, nationally, and internationally for initiatives and accomplishments including:

> Matt Mackie (3D Digital Game Art) and Jake Boekestyn (Welding) won gold at the 2022 Skills Ontario Competition, advancing to the Skills Canada National Competition where Mackie earned second place and Boekestyn won third place

> 18 students formed the second-place team at the Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition, and a team of students won first place at the 2023 Human Resources Professionals Association Student Case Competition

> Murray Brewster (1985) and Erica Williams (2018) were among seven winners of Colleges Ontario’s prestigious Premier’s Awards 2022, marking the first time two NC alumni won Premier’s Awards in the same year

> The Accessibility Hub received a Minister’s Award of Excellence in the Equality and Opportunity category and Chef Professor Olaf Mertens was honoured with an Everyday Heroes Award for his leadership of NC’s Feed the Community initiative

> The College received a 2022 Award of Excellence from Colleges and Institutes Canada, earning silver in the Global Engagement category; and received a bronze award for Global Citizenship from the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics

> Niagara College was recognized as a top research college, earning the No. 2 rank in Canada and the No. 1 spot in Ontario in a special report released by Research Infosource

We remain focused on our mission and vision, our access mandate, our partnerships with industry, community, and government, and the evolving needs of our students and employees. Our ability to respond to emerging needs and trends in the economy is supported by the passion and expertise of our faculty and staff, who represent Niagara College ably and well in local, provincial, national and international organizations.

I would like to thank the members of the Board of Governors for their invaluable commitment to Niagara College. Each year, the Governors volunteer their time to our Board and participate in community, government, and business events as representatives of the College. The Board’s engagement and feedback continues to be an invaluable resource.

I hope you enjoy reading about the incredible initiatives happening here in Niagara and around the globe in this year’s report, a testament to the welcoming, passionate, and trailblazing characteristics that define Niagara College.

College Accomplishments

2022-2023 marked the first year of the College’s ambitious 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, which envisions a college that is diverse, inclusive and highly engaged; socially and environmentally aware; with trailblazing academic programs that are immersive, flexible, accessible, and meet the changing needs and expectations of students and employers alike.

Developed through more than a year of intense consultation engagement within the college and the broader Niagara community, the Strategic Plan responds to a unique time in postsecondary education, marked by increased competition, rapid technological change, students who are more diverse and globally aware, and a community in economic recovery and in urgent need of a highly skilled and stable workforce.

Strengthened by the student-focused, welcoming, passionate and trailblazing qualities that characterize Niagara College, and a commitment to the six areas of focus of the plan – wholistic student experience, academic excellence, global reach, alumni and partner engagement, social inclusion and environmental responsibility, and organizational excellence – we excitedly embarked upon a significant return to campus for students and employees following several years of restrictions during the pandemic.

We continued to provide an exceptional NC experience, grew our partnerships, achieved national recognition, and supported our communities through innovations and collaborations that mark our College as a leader in the pandemic recovery period. Highlights are outlined within this report.

VISION MISSION

Enriching lives and fulfilling dreams.

To provide outstanding applied education and training for a changing world.

Wholistic Student Experience

With a focus on the well-being of the whole student, Niagara College nurtured and leveraged its unique relationship with student leadership, created new co-curricular activities and opportunities for community engagement; new mental health and wellness strategies that recognize and respond to a more diverse college community; and new and vibrant learning and living spaces.

Niagara College received $100,000 in funding over two years from the Bell Let’s Talk Post-Secondary Fund. The funding will support the development and implementation of a Mental Health and Well-Being Framework and knowledgebuilding campaigns to increase awareness of mental health supports, reduce stigma, and create a culture of understanding and action that supports student mental health and well-being.

A two-day summer transition program was introduced for incoming students with disabilities to help them with the transition to college, providing an opportunity to meet their support team and peers, and build skills to feel prepared for the start of term.

Thrive@NC, a five-week program to build and enhance resilience and thrive personally and academically; and

KORU Mindfulness, a fourweek mindfulness course for students, were delivered in the Fall and Winter terms. Meditation Mondays provided an opportunity for students and employees to practice mindfulness, reduce stress and anxiety, increase calmness and relaxation, and improve concentration, physical and psychological well-being.

A special canine, Teddy, an Australian Shepherd, Blue Heeler mix and Certified Therapy Dog, was welcomed to the NC community to help students manage stress. Studies have demonstrated the benefits that therapy animals provide to students to help with stress reduction and an improved sense of calm and well-being.

Gratitude Wednesdays launched in Winter 2023 to promote thankfulness and positive mental health for students. Gratitude booths collected notes of gratitude from students that were added to a ‘Garden of Gratitude,’ within the Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (HWAS) offices.

Professor Joanna Cielen launched The Pursuit of Happiness: A Practical Guide to Mindfulness, a unique course that blends mindfulness with the science of happiness and workplace preparation. The innovative course launched virtually in Winter 2022 with more than 80 students.

The Niagara College Therapeutic Recreation Activity Collective, known as ‘nc-TRAC’, reopened in Fall 2022, offering students meaningful resources; therapeutic recreation activities to promote physical, social, cognitive, spiritual and emotional health; drop-in guided relaxation and meditation; cultural programs; and is home to virtual-reality headsets, two Snoezelen rooms and a BroomX Projector – an immersive, interactive multimedia device that transforms the space into a relaxing refuge for students. The Collective also offers valuable learning and volunteer opportunities for Recreation Therapy students.

Indigenous Education celebrated the grand re-opening of the Welland Campus Indigenous Lounge. The new space provides Indigenous students access to a range of amenities and resources, and a lounge area to gather and meet. The celebration, held during Treaty Recognition Week, also marked the designation of the HWAS office as a smudge-friendly space.

NC’s Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) held a dedication event to unveil the newly renamed Saundra Patterson Wellness Lounge. The space honours Saundra Patterson, the devoted partner of long-time NC President Dan Patterson, who is currently President Emeritus.

Saundra, who passed away in January 2021, was loved by the college community for her compassion and leaves behind a legacy of tireless commitment to student success. The lounge is a special indoor space for students to drop-in and engage with trained wellness peers about challenges, such as loneliness, sadness, and stress, and to access wellness resources.

ncLibraries + Learning Commons celebrated the grand opening of the new digital media lab and makerspace at the Welland Campus. Known as the ‘Exploratory,’ the space features a range of technology, software, and equipment for filming and editing videos, recording audio, designing graphics and creating prototypes with a 3D printer, sparking imagination and innovation for students, faculty and staff.

The Career Fair returned to an in-person format for the first time since 2020, providing students and community members with a venue to explore a multitude of job opportunities available in the Niagara region.

Academic Excellence

In an atmosphere of constant innovation in teaching and learning, Niagara College provided valuable experiential learning for students, whether on campus, online, local or global. NC innovators looked for opportunities to leverage new technologies to make programs more flexible, accessible and responsive to the needs and expectations of students and employers, ensuring programs meet and exceed provincial quality benchmarks. NC also leveraged connections with industry, employers and alumni to enhance pathways and opportunities for students.

The first recipients of the President’s Award for Innovation in Student Learning and Success were announced in 2022. The Award recognizes individuals and teams at the College who have made an impact on student engagement, learning, or success in remarkable ways by innovating aspects of their work or by creating new opportunities.

Five innovations by 15 innovators received the award:

> Virtual Innovation in Esthetician Retailing by Susan Paone and Lisa Maurice, professors in the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport

> Lightboard by Shauna Gupta, professor in the School of English Language Studies

> Entrepreneurial and Experiential – New realms of discovery by Cammie Jaquays and Melanie Sodka, professors in the School of Business and Management Studies

> Sustainability Ambassador Program by Lindsay Taylor, student, Taryn Wilkinson and Amber Schmucker, staff from the Office of Sustainability

> NC Virtual Preschool by Angela Hayes, Lindsay Milligan, Cathy Teixeira, Kelly Wilcox, Drew Kean, Jodi-Lynn Noble, and Wendy Coxon, staff and faculty from the Early Childhood Education program.

NC launched a new Accessibility Hub, leveraging $230,000 in funding from the eCampus Ontario Virtual Learning Strategy grant. The team behind the Accessibility Hub developed articles, checklists, videos, and resources with straight-forward recommendations for educators to simplify the creation of accessible web content, learning materials, and experiences for students.

History was made in Niagara at the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, and Niagara College was thrilled to be part of the inspiring sports and culture legacy of the transformational event in many ways, including as Experiential and Digital Production Partner Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) Professor and Program Coordinator Peter “Dutch” VandenBerg, served as Chair of Broadcast Operations

& Production Services for the Games. Through his leadership, over 100 BRTF students and alumni had the opportunity to work on the event in a multitude of technical roles. NC’s mobile broadcasting units could be seen across Niagara during the two-week event, as the crew covered 90% of the Games’ competitions and events, producing over 1,000 hours of live coverage. Hundreds of NC students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteered and interned with the Games, a once-in-a-lifetime experiential learning opportunity that brought the welcoming, passionate and trailblazing spirit of NC to the multi-sport event.

The opening of the Student Massage Therapy Clinic drew in clients from the College and community, providing Massage Therapy students with hands-on experience during their third semester of the program and exposure to a wide variety of different injuries and conditions in a range of real-life scenarios to prepare them for their future careers.

The reopening of NC’s Performance Therapy Clinic provided hands-on, on-site experience for Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant students and opportunities to complete required work placement hours.

In 2023, NC and Bethesda hosted dedicated dental hygiene clinics for children with autism spectrum disorder. The clinics provided children with autism extra support to have a successful dental appointment while NC students took on the role of clinicians, participating in assessments, oral hygiene instruction, and a range of dental services.

NC faculty and students and residents at Radiant Care Tabor Manor developed a virtual wellness platform for Radiant Care residents that promotes the physical and social aspects of fitness while boosting seniors’ technology skills. The project was funded by the Radiant Care Foundation and the Government of Canada New Horizons grant and was prompted by the social isolation seniors experienced during the pandemic. Students helped lead filmed fitness classes with senior resident participants, and residents were able to access the videos on technology devices that NC students taught them to use through a train-the-trainer model.

NC was the first college in Canada to adopt Pallium’s award-winning Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative Care (LEAP) Paramedic course. The course was woven into the Paramedic program curriculum and provided second-year students the chance to earn their certification from Pallium Canada. LEAP Paramedic is a blended learning course for paramedics and Emergency Medical Service professionals

that teaches the essential practical knowledge, attitudes, and skills to provide a palliativecare approach on-site.

The Wellness Connection Tour, funded by the Niagara Community Foundation and spearheaded by Club Wellness Niagara, gave NC students in the Recreation Therapy and Social Service Worker programs hands-on experience and a chance to help people across Niagara connect with supports and services. The tour stopped in one Niagara community per week to give people access to free wellness programming and resources, such as housing support, employment services, medical care and substance-use programs. NC students engaged participants in recreational activities and connected them to community resources.

The new Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division and a new culinary service model launched in 2022, amplifying the student experience with events and initiatives driven by curriculum that allow students to showcase their skills to the college community and the public. Events included culinary pop-ups, where students cooked an eclectic range of cuisine for guests to purchase, and final exam dinners, where students prepared and cooked a five-course meal for guests in Benchmark.

The new foodservice model also increased opportunities for students to participate in the Feed the Community program, spearheaded by Professor Olaf Mertens, who received a Minister’s Award of Excellence for the initiative. Culinary students prepared and packaged 300 meals per week for delivery to local food banks, putting students’ classroom skills and knowledge to work while learning about social responsibility.

The popular Caps, Corks and Forks event returned in 2023. Guests enjoyed a five-course meal prepared by culinary students led by Chef Professors Tony DeLuca and Kyle Landry. Each course was paired with both a wine and a beer, carefully

selected by two teams of students – Team Wine and Team Beer (Winery and Viticulture Technician, and Brewmaster and Brewery Operation Management programs, respectively), who poured, served, and introduced their beverage selections at the

event. Baking and Pastry Arts students prepared dessert, Hospitality and Tourism students presented the meal, and Artisan Distilling students crafted and served a signature cocktail for the pre-dinner reception.

In partnership with the City of Welland, NC hosted the first-ever Welland Girls Sports Day – a free event for girls ages six to 12 to try out a variety of sports. Staff, faculty and students from multiple areas of the College contributed to the event, including Knights varsity coaches and student-athletes, who ran stations to teach the technical aspects of each sport. Recreation Therapy faculty and students made the event accessible for all participants, while Hairstyling students taught participants how to style hair for sport.

A new English-style garden was unveiled to honour the memory of Saundra Patterson – the College’s long-time ‘first lady’ and partner of NC President Emeritus Dan Patterson. The Saundra Patterson Memorial Garden was designed and built by students and faculty from the School of Environment and Horticulture, and staff from the Teaching Greenhouse. As a special applied learning project, more than 150 students participated in the creation of the garden.

Team Beer celebrates their win at the 2023 Caps, Corks and Forks event

Students in the Educational Assistance and Adult Supports program gained real-world experience supporting literacy development in children through a new initiative called Developing Readers, which partnered with DSBN schools to provide reading partners to students spanning from kindergarten to grade two.

In collaboration with the DSBN, NC welcomed 120 high school students to the Trades has no Gender event, a series of sessions for secondary students covering the fields of carpentry, electrical, technology and industrial automation, motive power, and welding. Students participated in lab activities to learn about programs in the trades and STEM pathways.

Students from the Educational Assistance – Adult Supports and Recreation Therapy programs learned about accessibility through ParaSport Pathways – a leadership workshop that taught participants about inclusion in sport, recreation, and physical activity for people of all ages and

abilities. Students who attended the workshop earned their Introduction to Inclusion – Level 1 Certification, a provincially recognized certification that will help students build their resumes and portfolios as they embark on their careers.

Students in NC’s Hairstyling and Broadcasting programs showcased their skills behindthe-scenes at Canada’s Got Talent. Hairstyling students worked backstage to prepare contestants for their performances with hair,

make-up, and touch-ups.

Television Production students assisted filming crews, filmed performers, and handled stagehand and audience logistics.

The Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) and NC received close to $2 million in funding through the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to design and deliver an accelerated Early Childhood Education diploma program. The program allowed educators currently working within licensed childcare and EarlyON programs to participate in a year-long program to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator while maintaining their employment.

NC and Niagara University (NU) signed a Dual Admission agreement and an Academic Articulation agreement to create pathways for students from eligible NC diploma programs at NC to NU degree programs, and for students in eligible programs who maintain required academic averages to gain guaranteed and automatic acceptance to NU degree programs.

Photonics researchers and industry experts from across Canada visited the Photonics Engineering programs, the only dedicated programs of their kind in Canada, as part of the 2022 Photonics North Conference Nearly 200 delegates toured the facilities, experiencing equipment demos by faculty and students and visiting the photonics flex lab, high-power laser lab, spectroscopy and additive manufacturing lab, optical fabrication space and more.

Global Reach

As Canada’s leading global college, Niagara College engaged and celebrated diverse cultures to create world-ready graduates and continued to expand global operations and program delivery outside of Niagara, as well as Be World Ready global learning opportunities. At the centre of the College’s global strategy is a focus on creating an inclusive and integrated campus community where students support, engage with and learn from one another.

NC welcomed 50 educational partners from over 27 countries for its first annual Study in Niagara Familiarization (FAM) Tour since 2019. The participants assist prospective students with learning about Canadian education and provide services to help students navigate the processes required to arrive and study in Canada. The FAM tour allows educational agents to develop the first-hand experience and knowledge to support, inform and engage students abroad.

In Fall 2022, NC’s signature Be World Ready (BWR) program returned with new initiatives to offer life-changing opportunities for students, staff, faculty, as well as global communities. BWR supports leadership development in students by providing diverse, global perspectives and opportunities, allowing students to develop intercultural skills and global citizenship

values. International Field Studies engaged NC students in trips to Ireland, Costa Rica, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. BWR welcomed 13 inbound exchange students, including four through the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program – a scholarship program providing students from the Caribbean and Latin America with shortterm exchange opportunities for study or research in Canada.

NC’s global projects supported educational partners and communities to help advance gender equity and inclusion:

Canada (CICan) and funded by the Government of Canada, is a seven-year program to strengthen alternative pathways to education, employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship for women and girls.

> NC collaborated with the Government of Saint Lucia to support the United Nations Development Programme’s Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience (EnGenDER) project, which benefits nine Caribbean countries.

> NC completed a project with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) including 14 countries in Africa and Latin America, focused on building Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to deliver career guidance and support to young women to become engaged in STEMrelated fields.

> In Kenya, NC and Sheridan College are working with 26 TVET institutions to increase women’s engagement in the workforce through Young Africa Works– Youth Employability Through TVET, a five-year program, in which NC is developing processes

and policies that promote safe learning environments, especially for female learners.

> In Jamaica, NC is contributing to a Government of Canada-funded program to strengthen demand-driven and competency-based training programs offered by Caribbean institutions and to attract and retain marginalized students.

> In Tanzania, NC and Seneca College are supporting the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to improve economic participation by women and adolescent girls. The Empowerment through Skills Program, implemented by Colleges and Institutes

As part of a Crafting Women Brewmasters in Bhutan Project, NC hosted partners from Ser Bhum Brewery Private Ltd (SBB), a Bhutanese craft brewery, to share best practices of Niagara’s craft beer industry and explore the impact of businesses within the beverage industry. The project is part of a seven-year program developed and funded by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development (CTIF) aiming to enhance the brewery’s operations and management capabilities and access to new markets, and provide economic and professional development opportunities to women in Bhutan’s brewing industry.

NC assisted international students impacted by the war in Ukraine with a range of supports – both financial and emotional – through the Global Emergency Relief Fund, established in 2020 to provide financial assistance to students during the COVID-19 pandemic and other global emergencies. To assist Ukrainians in Niagara, NC began offering scholarships to its English for Academic Preparation (EAP) program

Alumni & Partner Engagement

In 2022-2023, Niagara College celebrated alumni through our “once a Knight, always a Knight” culture. The College supported industry and economic development through applied research and innovative, responsive academic programs, and fostered positive relationships with partners in education, government, and communities.

Niagara College strengthened relationships with its alumni community – a network of more than 100,000 – by reintroducing alumni initiatives and launching new traditions. Alumni and their families gathered at ReuKnighted 2022 to connect at an exclusive indoor tailgate party and cheer on the NC Knights varsity teams.

grants are for NC-led multiinstitutional projects to support craft breweries in Canada, and to expand the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI).

NC received provincial and federal government funding in support of its applied research activities, while several Ministers, government officials and industry partners visited and toured NC campuses in 2022-2023. The visits allowed the College to highlight its expertise across various program areas and showcase its unique learning enterprises.

NC researchers welcomed a $4.43-million investment from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). NSERC’s College and Community Innovation (CCI) program announced three new Applied Research and Technology Partnership (ARTP) funding grants for NC, the largest award made in Canada through the ARTP program. One grant will support a project in sustainable cannabis and hemp production research, and two

NC received a $3.25-million investment through the College and Community Innovation program (CCI), managed by NSERC, in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The five-year Mobilize grant will help the College to significantly expand its collaborative work with local companies by bringing more researchers, students, and industry partners together to address innovation challenges, resulting in the creation of more jobs for graduates while contributing to economic growth in the region and beyond.

Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, visited to announce a $1.2 million Skills Development Fund grant for a partnership between NC and the Niagara Home Builders’ Association. To help meet the demand for skilled trades workers in the residential construction industry, the funding supported the delivery of the Construction Skills Certificate of Completion program to 80 participants.

A new alumni tradition debuted with the inaugural Internal Alumni Coffee Hour at both campuses attended by 100 alumni employees. The event offers NC employees who are also NC graduates a chance to meet and mingle on campus.

NC received a donation of 12 new Chevrolet Equinox transmissions from General Motors St. Catharines to be used for hands-on learning in the Motive Power Technician program.

Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop visited NC several times in 2022-2023 to tour both campuses, engage with students, and discuss ways to support and enhance programming and key areas of growth in alignment with provincial goals. The Minister toured the Schools of Trades and Technology to see leading-edge instructional equipment and learning resources purchased through a provincial investment from the College Equipment and Renewal Fund of $825,000 The Minister also learned about NC’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage division and learning enterprises and attended the

College’s signature Caps, Corks and Forks event.

Members of the Ontario Federal Liberal Caucus – including the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance – visited the Niagara College Teaching Winery during their strategic retreat. The visit made NC history for the greatest number of federal cabinet Ministers on campus. NC was pleased to host several other cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament to campus for tours, discussions and funding announcements in 2022-2023.

Minister Dunlop visited both campuses to learn more about programs in Trades, Technology, Culinary, Tourism and Beverage studies

Board of Governors Chair Mishka Balsom, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, President Sean Kennedy, SAC President Sam Jemison, and Board of Governors Past Chair Wendy Wing welcomed the Ontario Federal Liberal Caucus to the Teaching Winery

Minister Kamal Khera visited the Welland Campus and connected with students in the Dental programs

As Germany works to develop legislation to legalize recreational cannabis, a delegation from the governing coalition sought the expertise of the Niagara College Cannabis Institute for its leadership in the field of cannabis research and technology. Members of the German Federal Parliament’s Committee on Health along with the Commissioner of the Federal Government of Germany for Drug and Addiction Policy visited NC to learn about best practices.

President Sean Kennedy took on a leadership role with United Way Niagara as Chair of the organization’s 2022 regional campaign, which kicked off in September. The campaign raised $5,270,000, surpassing its $5-million goal and achieving a fundraising record for the organization. The NC Cares United Way workplace campaign raised $60,000 for United Way Niagara setting a new record for the third

consecutive year. Funds from the campaign were raised through staff and faculty pledges and revenue from a variety of internal fundraiser events.

NC and United Way announced an expanded partnership to help increase food security in Niagara through the new United Way Niagara Garden Hub, featuring 39 garden beds, a greenhouse, and gazebo. The inaugural growing season produced over 750 lbs. of fresh herbs and vegetables, distributed through 14 different agencies, pop-up markets and food programs across Niagara.

Joining teams from across Canada, the NC Knight Walkers participated in the 2023 Coldest Night of the Year to battle hunger and homelessness and raised more than $11,000 for the Open Arms Mission, a volunteer-driven organization that provides food, personal care and other items to those in need. The Welland leg of the national fundraising walk was hosted at the Welland Campus.

Members of the NC community cycled in the Big Move Cancer Ride, organized by Niagara Health Foundation. Team NC raised nearly $5,000 in support of the Walker Family Cancer Centre in its fourth consecutive year as an official team.

Social Inclusion & Environmental Sustainability

Through 2022-2023, Niagara College made great strides to support the betterment of the environment, the community, and society as a whole. Initiatives supported Truth and Reconciliation calls to action; equity, diversity, and inclusion; sustainability; and modeling social responsibility for students and the community.

Phyllis Webstad, the Founder and Ambassador of the Orange Shirt Day movement, visited the College to share her story, the impacts of the residential school system in Canada, and the origins and importance of Orange Shirt Day, which coincides with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. At the event, NC announced the new Dr. Phyllis Webstad Indigenous Scholarship as a tribute to Webstad’s visit and her important work through the Orange Shirt movement. More than $41,000 was raised to launch the scholarship.

The REDress Project raises awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited people in Canada and was observed at the College as a tribute to lives lost and forever impacted by colonial

violence. Dress displays were featured at both campuses, and the NC button – a life-size logo located at the campuses’ main entrances–was illuminated red in support of the initiative.

The inaugural cohort of My Path of Worthwhile Educational ReEngagement (MPOWER) completed the program for Indigenous youth between the ages of 18 to 30 who are eager to transition to post-secondary education. Delivered alongside community partner NPAAMB – Indigenous Youth Employment & Training, MPOWER teaches essential academic and applied skills, while incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and being into the curriculum.

NC hosted its first Moose Hide Campaign event, in partnership with Brock University. Staff, students and community residents gathered at the Indigenous Gardens where a sacred fire was lit. Participants were invited to take a pledge to honour, respect and protect the women and children in their lives, to work to end gender-based violence, and take action towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Culminating two years of meaningful dialogue, deliberation, and consultation, NC’s Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce paved the way to include the College’s commitment to creating a more inclusive, diverse, culturally and globally engaged college community, in the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan and in NC’s final EDI blueprint. The blueprint is a combined strategy and implementation plan that aligns and reflects the voice of NC community members.

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, NC hosted a Living Library event with Professor Jolie Phuong Hoang. At the event, Hoang discussed her books Anchorless (2019) and Three Funerals for My Father (2021) – both of which are about her family’s harrowing journey fleeing Vietnam in the 1980s – to shed light on the pain of human displacement.

Premier’s Award winner (2022) and founder of Erica’s Embrace Support Services Erica Williams (Social Service Worker, 2018), headlined NC’s Black History Month celebrations with In Conversation with Erica Williams, a virtual event highlighting Williams’ transformational work and community advocacy distributing Black hair-care and beauty products to women’s shelters across Southwestern Ontario. Inspired by Williams, the NC community rallied to support Erica’s Embrace raising $1,500 for the organization at two culinary pop-up events, and facilitating a donation of Black hair-care products through the Hairstyling program faculty and staff.

Broadcasting students kicked off their 2023 season of Inside Niagara with an episode honouring Black History Month, which featured interviews with local historian Rochelle Bush, blues and country legend Big John “T-Bone Little,” jazz musician Juliet Dunn, and Brock University Professor Dolana Mogadime, a consultant for the Nelson Mandela Exhibit at the Human Rights Museum in Ottawa.

A panel of NC experts - Elysia Dardarian, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator; Leah Hogan, Associate Director, Indigenous Education; Sam Jemison, NCSAC President; and Jamie Oresar, Professor, School of Academic

and Liberal Studies – gathered for International Women’s Day, for a public discussion related to advancing equity for students and staff through their work on campus, in the community and abroad.

Brewmaster students marked International Women’s Day by releasing five student-crafted Pink Boots beers at the NC Teaching Brewery. Pink Boots brew days are part of a global initiative launched by Pink Boots Society, an international nonprofit that assists, inspires, and encourages women in the fermentable beverage industry through education in a supportive environment.

In support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, NC hosted a fireside chat for students and employees to learn about Trans Day of Visibility, which is dedicated annually to celebrating trans people and raising awareness of the discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide. Attendees heard from Samah Sabra, Workplace EDI Manager, Whit Ross, Educational Developer (Inclusivity), Bruin Pol, President of the NCSAC club the NC Rainbow Knights and Pre-Health Sciences student, Chelsea (Sea) Long, NC Rainbow Knights member and Computer Programming and Analysis student.

During Earth Week 2022, students and employees took action to help protect and conserve the natural environment. 43 Pawpaw trees were planted in the wetlands area at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-theLake, thanks to support from the Sustainability Action Fund Micro-grant program. A virtual BioBlitz and an on-campus cleanup rounded out Earth Week initiatives, led by a team of Student Sustainability Ambassadors.

The Wine Visitor + Education Centre hosted a special announcement from the Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Global Geopark (NPAGG), which is pursuing UNESCO Global Geopark designation for the Niagara Peninsula to advance sustainable tourism in the area. NC, with its areas of expertise in hospitality and tourism, environment and sustainability, business, culinary and agriculture, is a Bedrock Partner of the initiative.

Willowbank School of Restoration Arts, globally recognized for its expertise in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NC to explore mutually beneficial opportunities ranging from joint research projects to the creation of academic pathways.

At Niagara’s first Climate Change Summit, NC signed the Niagara Region Climate Change Call to Action, which aligns with the goal of 50-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. NC employees and students participated in panel and roundtable discussions on topics including climate change action, agriculture, food and wine, and sustainable transportation.

New electric vehicle charging stations were added to the Welland Campus, made possible in part by grant funding from Green Economy Canada, and support from the NC Student Administrative Council.

Fashion retailer H&M donated more than $16,000 to green space restoration at NC, that will support a Seed Orchard, pollinator gardens, and habitat projects at NC’s wetland system, including native plantings and species monitoring. The donation creates valuable opportunities for students and the college community to learn more about nature-based solutions that have positive climate impacts on campus and in the community.

NC deepened its commitment to sustainability by signing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Accord and the Nature Positive Pledge. The SDG Accord signals the College’s commitment to embedding the UN’s 17 urgent calls to action within its education, research, leadership, operations, administration and engagement activities to help tackle climate change. The Nature Positive Pledge links NC to a global higher-education collective – Nature Positive Universities – working to restore species and ecosystems on campuses.

Organizational Excellence

In 2022-2023, Niagara College demonstrated a commitment to the excellence of its operations, the development of its people, and the continued financial security of the institution. Key actions to support these goals include multi-year enrolment strategies; the development of new experiential learning opportunities; investment in the professional development of our people; supporting a culture of innovation; growing access to student financial supports, and the continued diversification of revenue sources.

The Board of Governors approved a new five-year strategic plan that includes six inter-connected areas of focus, as outlined in this Annual Report: Wholistic Student Experience, Academic Excellence, Global Reach, Alumni and Partner Engagement, Social Inclusion and Environmental Responsibility, and Organizational Excellence.

After a three-year hiatus during the pandemic, the Niagara College Gala – Celebrating Dreams returned in full force to support student success, with record attendance and a $1 million pledge from NCSAC for student scholarships. In addition to raising funds for student success initiatives, the event provides valuable applied learning opportunities for NC students, who assist the Advancement team with event planning and execution.

To support the Strategic Plan, a new Vice President, Advancement, Gord Arbeau, joined the College in January 2023. Arbeau leads the communications, development and alumni relations, and community relations and events

functions. His work at the College focuses on significantly growing NC’s endowments and raising funds in support of students and learning environments, along with enhanced alumni and partner engagement.

Recognizing the importance of continuous learning for faculty and staff, the Tuition Assistance Program was expanded to support the College’s goal to attract, retain and develop a strong team. Each year, the program assists qualifying employees to pay for a portion of the tuition costs associated with eligible educational endeavors.

As part of a comprehensive review of its Learning Management System (LMS), extensive consultations identified the digital learning priorities that will take NC into the future. An LMS is an essential tool to support teaching and learning and a hub for communication, content-sharing, assessment, and feedback with and among students, staff, and faculty.

Advisory College Council

Chaired by Senior Vice-President of College Operations, Pam Skinner, in 2021-2022 the Advisory College Council (ACC) provided valuable feedback on several key strategic initiatives including: the Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce, the College’s COVID-19 safety protocols, and the Employee Engagement Survey. ACC was also consulted in a dedicated meeting of the Conversations with the President initiative, a set of open discussions that informed the development of the Strategic Plan 2022-2027.

The ACC continues to act as an engaged and focused group for new initiatives and emerging college business. The Council serves as a cross-functional team and can always be relied upon to put forward thoughtful, helpful recommendations and advice.

The 2022-23 Council members are listed below in appreciation of their service to the Council:

Matt Sajn, Academic Studies

Len Ferry, Academic Studies

Terri Champion, Business and Management Studies

Jessica Morris, Community Services

Pete D’Elia, Trades

Derek Schulze, Environment & Horticulture

Jenn Dey, Community and Employment Services

Gavin Robertson, Wine, Beer & Spirits

Jennifer Babin, Health, Wellness and Acessibility Services

Shari Walsh, Academic Advising & Career Services

Jennifer Smith, Development and Alumni Relations

Paula Reile, Research & Innovation

Maxine Semple, International

Jason Lennard, International

Katie McQuestion, Campus Safety & Parking

Claire Rosati, Information Technology Services

Soffia Kutiepova, Student Administrative Council

Sam Jemison, Student Administrative Council

Urooj Rajput, Student Administrative Council

Jake Forsyth, Student Administrative Council

Jeff (Jack) McKinnon, Student Administrative Council

Student Achievements

> Game Development student

Matt Mackie and Welding Technician student Jake Boekestyn struck gold as first-place winners in the 3D Digital Game Art and Welding competitions respectively, at the 2022 Skills Ontario Competition. NC students also captured second place in 3D Game Art, third place in Carpentry, and fourth place in Welding. Mackie went on to become the second-place winner in the 3D digital Game Art competition at the Skills Canada National Competition, while Boekestyn was the third-place winner in the welding competition.

> Photonics Engineering Technician students Samantha Turmel, Ishita Paragkumar Soni, and alumnus Chris Dipardo (2022), were the recipients of the 2022 Eichenholz-SPIE Photonics Technician Scholarship, the international society for optics and photonics.

clinical experience. The award, which is the highest monetary award granted to one student at the College, is funded by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities in memory of the victims of the 2020 Ukrainian airliner crash in Iran in January 2020.

> Alex Moruzi (Brewmaster) was the 2022 winner of the $4,500 Matt Soos Memorial Scholarship. Her specialty beer Dragon’s Breath, which was both her year-end project and entry into the Project Brew competition, won judges over due to her confident use of a tricky ingredient –habanero peppers.

Governor General Academic Medal, the most prestigious award a Canadian student can receive in recognition of academic excellence.

> Glenda Mendes (Fitness and Health Promotion), a second-year student from India, was the 2022 recipient of the $10,500 Ontario Remembrance Scholarship. Mendes, who worked as a trained physiotherapist in India, was selected for demonstrating a passion to achieve excellence, commitment to her program, and positive inter-connected focus on wellness, while leveraging her previous

> During NC’s week-long 2022 Spring Convocation in June, eight ceremonies celebrated more than 3,650 Class of 2022 graduates and 11 Dean’s Award winners, while nearly 1,200 new graduates were celebrated at 2022 Fall Convocation in October. International student Jonhel Ampil (Recreation Therapy) graduated as the top student from the Class of 2022. A native of Philippines, Ampil earned a 98.046% average and was awarded the

> Sophia Cole (Public Relations) received the prestigious Canadian Public Relations Society – Hamilton chapter Student Award of Excellence. This was the fourth consecutive year that a Public Relations student from NC has won this award.

> Welland native and Knights volleyball and soccer athlete Natasha Desjardins had the honour of carrying the Roly McLenahan torch as part of its 1,200 km journey from Ottawa to Niagara for the opening ceremonies of the Canada Summer Games. Desjardins ran a one-kilometre stretch along Niagara College Boulevard at the Welland Campus with teammates and NC supporters by her side.

> During the 2022-2023 varsity season, the Knights women’s curling team won the OCAA/ CCAA silver and the mixed doubles team picked up OCAA silver. The women’s soccer team made history in 2022, winning bronze at the OCAA Championships – the program’s first OCAA medal.

> The College’s varsity athletes were celebrated at the Knights’ 53rd Annual Athletic Awards Banquet in March 2023. Female Athlete of the Year was awarded to Sidney Sica (women’s soccer) and Male Athlete of the Year was awarded to Delroy Grandison (men’s basketball). Curling Head Coach Bryant Karner received the Ralph Nero Memorial Award for coaching excellence and outstanding contributions to student recruitment and retention.

> 18 NC students were part of the second-place team at the Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition (OCMC) 2022, and two teams of NC Business students competed at the 2023 Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)

Student Case Competition. One of the NC teams took home first place at the competition, which included students Madison Emery, Jessica Chang, Julia Krasovec, and Camille Houston

Alumni Achievements

> Local artist and alumnus Shaun O’Melia (Graphic Design, 2014) was selected from a group of more than 45 artists to design the medals for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games. His design was unveiled at a celebration event livestreamed by students in the BRTF program.

> Multi-award-winning journalist Murray Brewster, (BRTF, 1985) and Founder of Erica’s Embrace, Erica Williams (Social Service Worker, 2018), were among seven winners of Colleges Ontario’s prestigious Premier’s Awards 2022. The double win marked the first time that two NC alumni won Premier’s Awards in the same year. Five other NC alumni were also nominated, including Matt Vandermolen (Computer Programmer; Interactive Media, 2006), Monique Belair (Law and Security Administration, 1985), Anthony Spiteri (Business Administration – Marketing Management, 1989), Derek Christensen (Nursing, 1991) and Christine White (Automotive Certificate of Qualifications, 2006).

> Karen Steele (BRTF, 1992), received the 2022 Rosalie Award that recognizes Canadian women who have blazed new trails in radio. Steele is Program Director of 99.9 Virgin Radio (CKFM-FM) Toronto.

> Alumnus Andres Coimbra Castedo (Game Development, 2019) dazzled viewers on the big screen working as a lighting artist on the 2023 Oscar award-winning film by Guillermo del Toro, Pinocchio

> Members of NC’s alumni community competed at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. Christina Picton (Graphic Design, 2015) and Rod Crane (Recreation Therapy, 2013) represented Canada on the biggest international stage for their sport. Picton competed in Para Nordic skiing and Biathlon, and Crane played on the Para Ice Hockey team.

> BRTF alumna Amy Audibert (2012) was hired by the NBA’s Miami HEAT as the team’s radio analyst and television studio analyst. Prior to working with the Miami HEAT, Audibert was a courtside reporter and analyst for the Toronto Raptors on Sportsnet.

> Married couple Alex Marischuk (Recreation and Leisure Services, 2005; Early Childhood Education, 2008; and Early Childhood Education Resource Teacher, 2009) and Matthew Marischuk (Recreation and Leisure Services, 2004 and Mechanical Techniques, 2007), were the winners of NC’s inaugural alumni couple contest, after submitting the story of how they met at NC.

Staff Achievements

Three members of the Niagara College team were honoured for their exceptional service and accomplishments through NC’s prestigious Awards of Excellence for 2022: Maria Cassford, Administrative Assistant, School of Hospitality & Tourism (Support Staff category); Maxine Semple, Manager, Cultural & Global Engagement (Administration category); Jamie Oresar, Professor, School of Liberal Studies (Faculty category). The 2022 Team Award of Excellence went to NC’s ‘COVID Safety Response Team’ consisting of Darren Williams, Health & Safety Specialist, and Katie McQuestion, Emergency Management/Fire

Altoft, Professor in the School of Environment and Horticulture, for her commitment towards college recruitment efforts.

NC received two Awards of Excellence from the Minister of Colleges and Universities: the Accessibility Hub, designed for educators and non-educators alike to build accessibility-first habits into all aspects of their work, received an award in the Equality and Opportunity category, while Chef Professor Olaf Mertens was honoured with an Everyday Heroes Award for his leadership of NC’s Feed the Community initiative.

NCSAC announced the winners of its Educators of the Year awards for the 2021-2022 academic year: Marsha Baddeley, a full-time Professor in the School of Media Studies, and Jeffrey Ko, a part-time School of Nursing Professor.

Counsellor Jamie Consoli received an Award of Excellence in Counselling Practice by the Ontario College Counsellors (OCC/CCCO). Consoli, who is Mushkego Cree and a member of

Safety Coordinator. The 2022 Niagara Champion Award was presented to Katie

the Moose Cree First Nation, is a staunch advocate for Indigenous mental health.

Annie Michaud, Professor in the School of Environment and Horticulture, was interviewed on The Water Rangers: The Ripple Effect about her role at NC and

the importance of communitybased water monitoring, Niagara Coastal, of which Michaud is a founding member.

Baking and Pastry Arts Professor and Program Coordinator Catherine O’Donnell was one of five chefs inducted into the Canadian Culinary Federation Honour Society in 2022. O’Donnell, who owns Willow Cakes and Pastries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, was chosen for her long-time involvement with culinary teams, branch involvement, community involvement, and dedication to her students at NC.

Wayne Schaefer, Professor and Coordinator of the Industrial Automation Program, became a published author after having his story and expertise featured by Engineering.com. His piece focused on using 3D machine simulation to enhance skills, efficiency and quality for young engineers and skilled technical support workers. Schaefer, was selected to speak at the inaugural Ontario Society of Professional Engineers Engineering Conference in 2021, where he first gained recognition from Engineering.com

Alan Unwin, Dean of Business and Environment, was a member of the Canadian Delegation at the 2022 UN Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biodiversity. The MontrealKunming Global Biodiversity Framework agreement was finalized at COP, setting firm global targets to protect nature over the next decade. Unwin was also among Canadian delegates who visited Switzerland at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Showing its commitment to building a stronger and more prosperous Niagara, NC participated in the 2022 Niagara Economic Summit, hosted by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce and livestreamed by BRTF students and faculty. Jeff Murrell, Associate Dean, School of Trades, was among a group of panel experts who discussed how businesses can navigate the gap between Niagara’s needs and its labour force.

College Recognition

Niagara College was recognized as a Hamilton-Niagara Region Top Employer for 2023. NC earned the designation for providing exceptional maternity and parental-leave salary top-up benefits, retirement-planning assistance, contributions to a defined benefit pension, and its longstanding history of celebrating employee success through the annual Awards of Excellence.

For the eighth year in a row, Niagara College ranked among the top 10 colleges in the country for research funding, according to a special report released by Research Infosource. Niagara College earned the No. 2 spot in Canada as a top research college, and the No. 1 spot in Ontario

The College received a 2022 Award of Excellence from CICan, winning a silver in the Global Engagement category, which recognizes Canadian colleges whose initiatives exhibit innovation, creativity, and leadership in the internationalization of their institution. The College was also recognized by the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics with a bronze award in the category of Global Citizenship. Additionally, the Leading National Academy (LNA) of Niagara College Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (NC KSA) was recognized as the “Most Impactful Diversity & Inclusion Initiative” at the 2022 Middle East People Awards.

NC achieved two wins at the 2022 Grow Up Industry Awards in September. The Commercial Cannabis Production graduate certificate program – launched in 2018 as the first of its kind in Canada – won the Cannabis Education Award, while one of the program’s first graduates from 2019, Stacie Hollingworth, was named Master Grower of the Year

The Niagara College Aurora Armoury, designed by Gow Hastings Architects, was recognized with two design awards for its innovative transformation of one of Ontario’s oldest armouries. The Armoury, which opened in 2019 through a partnership between the Town of Aurora and NC, picked up the Preserve + Restore Award from the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario and the Paul Oberman Award for Adaptive Reuse (LargeScale) from the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. A prominent community gathering hub and vibrant culinary-arts space, the College runs shortterm and part-time culinary, wine and beer classes on site, as well as catering in the community event space at the historic armoury.

The Niagara Home Builders Association (NHBA) named Niagara College as the 2022 recipient of the Nick Basciano Company of the Year Award for playing a pivotal role in shaping the youth of today and addressing gaps in the skilled trades tomorrow.

Accolades poured in for NC’s Teaching Distillery, Winery and Brewery in 2022.

The Teaching Distillery won two golds and one bronze at the 2022 U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championship, which ranks the best distilleries, whiskeys, and spirits among entries from across the United States and Canada. The Teaching Distillery’s Twisted Berry Gin earned one of two gold medals, and the Chocolate Porter Liqueur won gold in the Flavored Whiskey category.

The Teaching Winery won the Best Sparkling Wine of the Year for the Balance Brut along with a double gold medal in the Sparkling Wine Traditional Method category at the All Canadian Wine Championships

The 2020 Balance Dry Riesling won the double gold ‘best of category’ (Riesling Dry). The 2019 Dean’s List Botrytis Affected Chardonnay won a bronze (Late Harvests category), as did the 2019 Dean’s List Savant Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine (Red Icewines category).

At the Ontario Wine Awards, NC won a silver for Balance Dry Riesling 2020 (Quench Magazine Riesling Dry Award), silver for Dean’s List Viognier 2020 (Dry White Varietals Award), and bronze for Balance Gamay Noir 2018 (George Brown Centre for Hospitality and

Culinary Arts Gamay Award). The team also won two golds, three silvers and a bronze at the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada out of the 1,890 wines and ciders entered (the 2020 Dean’s List Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Les Marmitons Chardonnay were each awarded gold medals, the 2020 Dean’s List Merlot, the 2020 Dean’s List Meritage and 2020 Balance Dry Riesling were each awarded a silver medal, and the Balance Brut earned a bronze. In addition to the medals, Niagara College alumnus Paul Pender was posthumously awarded the Winemaker of the Year Award for his many contributions to the Ontario wine industry.

At the 2022 Global Fine Wine Challenge, the Dean’s List Savant Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2019 won gold in the Dessert Wines category. At the 2022 U.S. Open Cider

Championship NC was awarded a gold for Cidre Fermier (farmhouse cider) in the Heritage Cider category, and a bronze for its Cider 101 in the Modern Cider – Sweet category.

The Teaching Brewery brought home two medals from the inaugural Canada Beer Cup national competition for Beer 101 Strong (gold in the English Style Old Ale/ Scottish Style Wee Heavy/ Scotch Ale category) and Beer 101 Bock (gold in the Bock category).

At the 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship, NC was awarded silver medals for Beer 101 Bitter (Bitter category), Ukrainian Golden Ale (Ukrainian Golden Ale category), and Resist – Anti Imperial Stout (Resist Anti Imperial Stout category). The Teaching Brewery became the only Canadian brewery to achieve a medal in the two Ukrainian beer categories at the competition. At the same competition, Brewmaster student Ian Morrison’s saison beer, Saison du Temps Presse and Aaron Grandguillot’s American porter, Lights Out, were awarded gold medals, while Matt Hand’s dark Belgian strong, Strong Hand, earned a bronze. Changing Lanes, a white IPA beer brewed by the 2022 class, also brought home a bronze.

Report on 2022-2023 College Goals

Annual Operational Goals

2022/2023 Goal Outcome Strategic Plan Focus Area Result

1 Launch new programs and grow enrolments

Enrolment targets achieved, new programs launched, and a multiyear strategic enrolment management plan developed

Academic Excellence

Global Reach

Organizational Excellence

> Enrolment targets achieved.

> Graduate Certificates launched in Supply Chain Management, Social Media Management and Business Analytics.

> Launched new Barbering stream in Hairstyling program.

> Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program approved by the Post-secondary Education Quality Assessment Board.

> Increased enrolment capacity in Social Service Worker, Office Administration - Health Services, Personal Support Worker.

> Multi-year strategic enrolment management framework developed.

2 Ensure all programs meet or exceed the college quality assurance audit process (CQAAP) standards

Action plan developed in response to the 2022 CQAAP recommendations

Wholistic Student Experience

Academic Excellence

Organizational Excellence

> Action plan drafted in response to the College Quality Assurance Audit Process (CQAAP).

> Awarded full accreditation status (June 2022-2027) for the Pharmacy Technician program.

> Completed Accreditation process for Advanced Care Paramedic and Primary Care Paramedic programs.

> Practical Nursing Program achieved an accreditation score of 100% with full approval from the Colleges of Nurses of Ontario.

3 Enhance teaching and learning technologies and systems to better support flexible learning and access to digital resources

Review completed, and learning technology enhancement plans developed, including a library e-resources strategy

Wholistic Student Experience

Academic Excellence

Organizational Excellence

> Completed review process for the new Learning Management System.

> Incorporated virtual reality technology into several programs to enhance student experience.

> Extensive development of Open Educational Resources to provide free learning resources to students.

> Canada Summer Games broadcasting equipment donation expanded access to digital resources.

> College Equipment Renewal Fund Proposal secured funds to acquire new Electromechanical Power Systems, Smart Automation & Augmented Reality equipment.

Annual Operational Goals

4 Strengthen alumni and donor engagement

Enhanced alumni communications and events, and increased donor outreach

Alumni and Partner Engagement

Organizational Excellence

> VP Advancement recruited and onboarded.

> Multi-year Advancement Strategy finalized and presented to the Board of Governors.

> Sold-out Niagara College Gala and Golf Classic events with record funds raised.

> Secured a $1M gift from the Niagara College Student Administrative Council in support of international student bursaries and scholarships.

> Seven NC alumni nominated for the Ontario Premier’s Awards; two nominees named as Ontario Premier’s Award winners.

> Hosted nearly 700 alumni for a Virtual Graduation Reunion.

> Launched NC Staff Alumni chapters and events.

5 Foster a culture of innovation Dream Big fund introduced, with expanded research and innovation activities identified, supported and implemented

Wholistic Student Experience

Academic Excellence

Alumni and Partner Engagement

Organizational Excellence

> Dream Big fund successfully launched, supporting a wide range of initiatives across the College.

> Ranked #1 in Ontario and #2 in Canada on Research Infosource’s list of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges, by research funding.

> Launched the Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre.

> Secured $290,000 from Intellectual Property Ontario to support the commercialization of IP generated with industry partners on projects funded through the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI).

6 Grow our people and college community

Implementation of initiatives focused on organizational culture, collaboration and leadership development

Wholistic Student Experience Organizational Excellence

> Expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program to include noncredit certificate programs and coursework towards professional designations.

> Successful launch of NC’s new Management Success program.

> NC Leadership Practices framework incorporated into HR and management practices in Spring 2023 performance evaluation cycle.

7 Nurture and develop a culture of equity, diversity & inclusion

EDI Blueprint finalized and launched Wholistic Student Experience

Social Inclusion and Environmental Responsibility

Academic Excellence

> EDI Blueprint and Action Plan launched.

> College events held in recognition of Black History Month, International Women’s Day, International Transgender Day of Visibility, and hosted Orange Shirt Day founder, Phyllis Webstad.

> Participation by a wide range of employees in several initiatives including Queen’s Mental Health Leadership Certificate Program, and National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities.

Annual Operational Goals

8 Create vibrant campuses, learning and student spaces

Updated campus, major capital and facility renewal plans, with construction commenced on new labs and a research greenhouse

Wholistic Student Experience

Social Inclusion and Environmental Responsibility

Organizational Excellence

Academic Excellence

9 Improve student engagement and communications

An enhanced NC Student App developed and implemented

Wholistic Student Experience

> Updated Master Plan noting major capital and facility renewal plans approved by the Board of Governors.

> Completed renovations and upgrades in academic labs and classrooms, including a new Nursing lab

> Successful opening of the Saundra Patterson Memorial Garden and the Saundra Patterson Wellness Lounge.

> Plans for a new greenhouse finalized, with construction to begin in spring 2023.

> Completed a survey of students to gauge success in communications activities and to identify new opportunities and gaps.

> Added messaging capability (push notification) to existing NC app.

> RFP for student engagement app under evaluation.

10 Increase oncampus housing opportunities

A new student residence strategy formulated and launched

Wholistic Student Experience

Social Inclusion and Environmental Responsibility

11 Bolster opportunities for students to engage with and support local and global communities

12 Diversify revenue streams to ensure financial sustainability and enable strategic investments to support students, academic excellence and innovation

Be World Ready program expanded

Wholistic Student Experience

Global Reach

Alumni and Partner Engagement

Increased entrepreneurial revenue Global Reach Organizational Excellence

> New student residence strategy developed.

> Successful post-pandemic return of the Be World Ready program with International Field Study trips to Ireland, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Portugal, and Puerto Rico.

> Significant growth in entrepreneurial revenue attributed to the enrolment growth at Niagara College Toronto resulted in record year-end surplus of $41.1M.

> Investment income from a strong cash position and high interest rate environment realized $8.9M over the approved budget.

Financial Strength (2022-2023)

The Audited Consolidated Financial Statements are part of the public record and made available on the College website. niagaracollege.ca/about/administration/plans-reports/

As reflected in the audited financial statements, Niagara College achieved an operating surplus of $41.15 million or 12% as at March 31, 2023.

The surplus increases the internally restricted net assets to $72.85 million providing the College with $62.85 million for future facilities and equipment investments and maintains the $10 million contingency fund available to respond to unforeseen events. Niagara College has continued to meet and exceed all the provincial Financial Health Indicator benchmarks in fiscal 2022-2023.

Financial Report Summary

Year ended March 31, 2023 (in thousands ‘000)

Summary of Advertising & Marketing Complaints

For the period April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, as specified in the Minister’s Binding Policy Directive on the Framework for Programs of Instruction, which sets out college program advertising and marketing guidelines, Niagara College has received no complaints from its students regarding advertising and marketing of College programs.