2024/2024 Annual Report

2023/2024

Niagara College acknowledges that we are gathered on the shared traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. We offer our sincere gratitude to them as the stewards of this land, which is protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum agreement’s three principles: to take only what you need, leave enough for others, and always keep the dish clean. Today, many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities from across Turtle Island continue to live and work in this territory. Acknowledging the peoples whose territory we are on, and the agreements that guide their stewardship of the land, reminds us to reflect on and respect their unique relationship to this land. It also is an invitation for all of us to identify and engage in actions that respect and reinforce our commitments to Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous Rights, including the Colleges and Institutes Canada Indigenous Education protocol.

Mishka Balsom Chair, Niagara College Board of Governors

Letter from the Chair of the Board of Governors

The past year was one of growth and celebration at Niagara College as we welcomed our largest class of graduates into the Niagara College alumni family; expanded our global reach with increased study/work abroad opportunities, project delivery, and international student enrolment; and were named the #1 applied research college in Canada according to ResearchInfosource’s annual rankings.

Niagara College’s student-focused ethos and deep connection to community and industry has driven innovation across the College, from responsive academic program development through student housing strategies and significantly expanded initiatives related to the implementation of the EDI Blueprint. I am inspired by the resilience and determination of our students to achieve their dreams, and by the passionate dedication of our remarkable employees to support our students to turn those dreams into realities.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am tremendously proud of the achievements of our college over the past year. Each time I visit one of our campuses, I remark upon the incredible breadth of activity. Our campuses buzz with the energy of students and employees engaged in education and training that serves the frontline of our economy and in every key sector. Niagara College’s unique organizational culture is palpable and is a valuable asset as we fulfill our mission and vision.

I am confident that every person who steps onto our campuses feels the shared commitment to student success. Our students are our future, and we are tremendously proud of our more than 120,000 alumni, and our current students, who are succeeding and leading in Niagara and around the world. Thank you for choosing NC and know that wherever you go, you will always have a home at NC.

As I complete my final year on the Board of Governors, it has been a privilege and honour for me to serve on the Board and as Chair since 2022. I look forward to remaining closely connected and to supporting the outstanding work of Niagara College. 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 2023-2024 in this Annual Report, I hope you will be inspired to Dream Big with us.

We are proud to recognize our 2023/24 Board of Governors

School

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

Lora Tisi Senior Retail Strategist

Janet Allan Retired Partner, KPMG LLP

Rashmi Biswas Co-owner, Lake and Associates Canada Inc.

Nick Farnell

Academic Staff Representative, Niagara College

Poppy Gilliam

Administrator, District School Board of Niagara

Kate Hagen Support Staff Representative, Niagara College

Andrew Harber CEO, Abatement Technologies

Linda Franklin Retired CEO Colleges Ontario

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

Grace Stanley Student Representative, Niagara College

Orel Ruiz Administrative Staff Representative, Niagara College

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

Matt Giff en Founder, Bench Brewing

Sean Kennedy President

Message from the College President

I am pleased to provide the 2023-2024 Annual Report for Niagara College, highlighting significant accomplishments over the past year, including accolades and recognition earned by our students and employees provincially and nationally. I am proud of the many initiatives and innovations that advanced teaching and learning, applied research, student and employee wellness, and others, about which you will read in this year’s report.

Niagara College is a special place to learn, work, and grow. With our strong shared commitment to our mission and vision, our access mandate, and the evolving needs of our students and employees, NC consistently demonstrates Who We Are: student-focused, trailblazing, welcoming, and passionate.

We pride ourselves on nimbly adapting and responding to new and changing needs in the economy and in the industries and employment sectors that fuel our communities. Our people are our greatest strength: their expertise and passion enable us to support our students, employers, and communities as we work together to secure a bright future.

We are grateful for the many friends and partners of the College - employers, community agencies, government, donors, alumni, volunteers, and provincial and national associations – who are integral to our success. We are fortunate to share an exceptional partnership with the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NC SAC), with whom we collaborate in support of a wholistic student experience.

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 of invaluable support to the College.

I hope you enjoy reading about the incredible initiatives happening here in Niagara and around the globe in this year’s report, as we Dream Big together in the years ahead.

Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan

2023-2024 marked the second year of the College’s ambitious 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, which was 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 in postsecondary education, 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.

The Strategic Plan articulates six areas of focus: wholistic student experience, academic excellence, global reach, alumni and partner engagement, social inclusion and environmental responsibility, and operational excellence. These area of focus drive our goals, actions, and accomplishments.

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.

Through a partnership with Calm – a leading mental wellness app designed to help users manage stress, sleep better, and live a happier, healthier life – NC provided 500 students with a free one-year subscription to the app to help ease anxiety and promote positive mental health.

Athletics and Recreation utilized Dream Big funding to leverage technology – including performance trackers, heart rate sensors, and camera equipment – to help students and varsity athletes enhance and improve their fitness outcomes using an evidence-based approach.

The KickSTART program offered students a sneak peek into college life to help ease their transition and give them a chance to explore NC’s campuses and meet fellow classmates and college staff. In small group settings, students could collect information about their academic program, student services, and supports and involvement options available for them at NC.

NC partnered with SpacesShared, an innovative online home-sharing platform, to help solve the growing challenge of affordable student housing in the Niagara region. SpacesShared is a novel homesharing technology that lets students who are looking for a safe, affordable place to stay quickly and affordably connect with older adult hosts.

Throughout January and February, NC hosted opportunities for students to talk about their mental health and participate in activities that focus on their overall wellbeing, coinciding with the national Bell’s Let’s Talk campaign.

NC hosted its first Annual Student Mental Health Retreat in February. The full-day retreat featured mindfulness and meditation sessions and workshops on mental health best practices. Students also had the opportunity to participate in focus groups at the event to share their lived experiences with mental health.

Recreation Therapy students certified in DROM Practice, a unique activity that combines drumming (the DRUM) and meditation (the OM) to bring clarity and energy while drumming on an exercise ball or on tables and chairs.

Staff and faculty from NC travelled to India to conduct pre-departure sessions for students coming to study at NC in the spring. Predeparture sessions offer international students the opportunity to connect with NC staff and faculty in advance of their arrival in Canada. Sessions were held in four different cities in India and enabled NC staff to engage with nearly 200 incoming students

Academic Excellence

In an atmosphere of constant innovation in teaching and learning, Niagara College provided valuable experiential learning for students, and leveraged new technologies to make programs more flexible, accessible and responsive to the needs and expectations of students, industry and employers.

Niagara College transitioned to a new Learning Management System, D2L’s Brightspace, which will transform the teaching and learning experience. Brightspace is used by more than 1,100 organizations worldwide and across the education spectrum, from K-12 to higher education and corporate customers.

New pre-apprenticeship training programs in Automotive Service Technician, Electrician – Construction and Maintenance, and Industrial Millwright Mechanic were launched to help tackle Ontario’s historic labour shortage. Funding from the province made the 45-week program available to 45 students, blending academic upgrading and job readiness with in-class theory and industry-lab exposure.

A new Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree program received approval to launch in Fall 2024, expanding options for students in nursing education to help meet the urgent demand for more registered nurses in Niagara and beyond. The program was designed with an emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusivity, and holistic care for aging adults, young children, young families and underserved populations.

NC co-hosted a first-of-its kind event for over 150 educators across Canada - Seachange in Coaching in Education –which gave faculty the chance to explore the connection between coaching practices and teaching. The event culminated a two-year pilot in which participants learned about coaching tools and practices through webinars, assignments, and one-on-one coaching..

NC staff and volunteers from the John Howard Society participated in the Niagara College Dementia Experience (NCDE)—a simulated learning experience that helps participants better understand the effects that aging with dementia has on an individual –marking the first time the NCDE has been offered to a community organization.

The first graduates of the Massage Therapy program became alumni in Fall 2023. The program launched in September 2021 and prepares clientcentered graduates dedicated to providing evidence-based treatment and positive client outcomes.

For the second year in a row, Cooperative Education and WorkIntegrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) and CEWIL’s iHub provided funding to operate a Sport Communications Lab, where students completed sport communications tasks during Knights home games for more hands-on learning.

Global Reach

As Canada’s leading global college, Niagara College engaged and celebrated diverse cultures to create world-ready graduates through partnerships and program delivery outside of Niagara, and 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 hosted students and staff from Ireland’s Atlantic Technological University’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program for a learning and cultural experience that included joining ECE classes, visiting ECE sites, and touring the Niagara Region. The reciprocal visit followed a group of NC students who visited ATU during a Be World Ready International Field Study in Ireland.

A customized capacity-building program was delivered virtually to educators at the Chandrakasem Rajabhat University (CRU) in Bangkok, Thailand. The CRU Faculty Development Training for Educators Program strengthened learners’ English language skills and enhanced their English pedagogical skills. Two NC facilitators delivered live online classes to enhance learners’ engagement, alongside asynchronous activities.

NC completed the Crafting Women Brewmasters in Bhutan Project with the goal of supporting female and young brewers in Bhutan, South Asia. The project, initiated in 2020, was part of a sevenyear program developed and funded by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development (CTIF) and carried out through a partnership between NC and Ser Bhum Brewery Private Ltd, a Bhutanese craft brewery.

Niagara College hosted a delegation from Vietnam, comprised of members from the Government of Lao Cai and Khoi Nguyen Investment Group (KNI). NC and KNI entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further collaborative activities towards the development and operation of a high-quality Vietnam-Canada International College to be established in Lao Cai. The MoU also creates opportunities to collaborate and explore new possibilities in research, student mobility, capacity building, and curriculum and program development.

Niagara College provided teaching training to educators from Brazil. Facilitated by a partnership between Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and Brazil’s Ministry of Education through an organization called Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel, NC partnered with Fanshawe College to conduct teacher training for almost 100 educators of kindergarten to grade 12.

In collaboration with CICan, NC hosted an Ontario Capacity Building Session for International Engagement to strengthen CICan members’ ability to engage in international cooperation projects, contract training, student mobility, and student recruitment.

NC welcomed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) leaders from the West Bank for a customized International Knowledge Exchange Program. Representatives from seven TVET institutions participated in the program to share international expertise on gender equality, equity and inclusion in the Skilled Trades sector.

Alan Unwin, Dean of Business and Environment, traveled to Kenya to take part in an official Canadian delegation at the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters. The meeting was a follow-up to the UN’s Conference of the Parties (COP 15) in 2022, which focused on protecting nature and halting biodiversity loss around the world. Unwin was among the Canadian delegates at that event as well.

Educational leaders from Slovenia visited NC as part of “Challenger”, an Erasmus + program that aims to exchange best practices with colleges in southern Ontario and make connections with the local Slovenian community.

NC’s partnership with Moneague College in Jamaica through the Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) program continued with the implementation of a work-integrated learning model focused on hands-on learning and the circular economy. Students in agricultural production and food processing students created goat dairy products for the student cafeteria and the local tourism trade. The project is part of a program through Global Affairs Canada to share the expertise of Canada’s colleges and institutions with education institutions and employers in Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia.

Students and staff from Scotland’s New College Lanarkshire (NCL) were in Niagara for a two-week customized study tour, a reciprocal visit following a Be World Ready International Field Study to NCL. The partnership between the two colleges started in 2021, when NC and NCL signed a three-year MOU to allow students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to benefit from best practices in both Scotland and Canada’s applied education systems.

The spirit of Diwali illuminated the Niagara College community in November, with renowned musician Sh.Subhash Ghosh celebrating Indian culture. Ghosh gave a captivating performance that added a unique touch to a culinary experience consisting of an India-inspired three-course dinner.

Niagara College President Sean Kennedy was appointed Chair Designate of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), beginning his mandate on January 1, 2024. CBIE is the national organization dedicated to the internationalization of education and the expansion of educational partnerships between Canada and countries around the globe.

Students, faculty, and staff from Pharos University in Alexandria (PUA), Egypt, participated in a transformative series of workshops focused on technology use in the classroom. Delivered virtually in French, the workshops included presentations, interactive activities and integrated discussions. The customized learning experience was administered in partnership between NC, PUA, and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).

Alumni and Partner Engagement

The Alumni of Excellence - an annual program recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of a distinct group of NC alumni through a series of on-campus programs and events – launched in 2023. The Alumni of Excellence honourees are put forward for provincial recognition as nominees for Colleges Ontario’s Premier’s Awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions that college alumni make to Ontario and the world.

More than 100 NC alumni gathered at the Welland Campus for ReuKnighted 2023. The event kicked off with a tailgate party at the Core and continued the next day with campus tours and volleyball games versus Conestoga College.

Simplii Financial, a longtime partner of Niagara College, announced a generous $1 million commitment to expand recreation and engagement opportunities for students, across sports, extra-curricular programming, and events. Simplii’s contribution will also support the expansion of a new extramural cricket program within the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association’s (OCAA) Ontario College Recreation division.

College Drop-In, a new podcast series and collaboration between NC and the City of Welland was created to spotlight the College, its people, programs, services and research initiatives, while focusing on the role the College plays within the Welland community and beyond.

The Community Integration Through Co-operative Education (CICE) program won a Star Award from Habitat for Humanity Niagara in recognition of the work CICE students do at Habitat ReStore locations for their program field placements. The two-year Ontario College Certificate program provides individuals with disabilities and significant learning challenges the opportunity to experience college life and enhance their employability as well as their academic and social skills. Students in the Construction and Renovation Technology Program also worked with Habitat for Humanity to finish a home in Thorold.

A unique collaboration called IT’S AN IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility): Learning to Foster Authentic Inclusion for Accessibility Through VR Simulations was developed by a team of Niagara-area

educators and funded through eCampusOntario. Four virtual reality (VR) simulations were part of an interdisciplinary course at NC and Brock University. The VR simulations were developed to give students a window into the lives of people with disabilities, to raise awareness about ableist interactions, and to learn about appropriate responses and strategies for challenging ableism. The project was also featured at Colleges Ontario’s Higher Education Summit.

A set of replica doors, designed and crafted by faculty and students in the School of Trades, with custom work by carpentry and welding experts based on the original blueprints were unveiled on the front of the Carnegie building in Welland. The building was home to the former library built in 1923 and the door project marked its 100th anniversary.

The Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI), led by Niagara College, was awarded $290,000 from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) to participate in the pilot program augmenting the capacity of Ontario postsecondary institutions’ innovation and commercialization efforts. The program is part of the Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework which was first introduced by the Government of Ontario in 2022 to help colleges and universities advance the shared goal of ensuring that “made-in-Ontario” research and innovation benefits Ontarians.

A new Innovation Mentorship Program partners NC classes with a similar high-school level class and runs projects side by side with the same industry partner. For the pilot, NC partnered with the District School Board of Niagara to apply the course-based research model within a Grade 11 marketing course, mentored by NC students in the School of Business and Management.

A new agreement with International Zeolite Corp. (IZ) aims to introduce a revolutionary new growing system to assist growers, boost food production, and create opportunities for students. The MOU with IZ builds on several years of partnership and will focus on IZ’s proprietary grow system NEREA®

The Niagara Regional Police Service partnered with NC to co-host the Niagara Police & Security Career Expo on campus. Police and security partners from across Niagara and southern Ontario were on site promoting their career opportunities alongside faculty and students from the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations programs.

More than 350 students were involved in the Raising the Roof Toque Campaign and collected almost $40,000 to prevent homelessness. Students sold toques as part of the Professional Sales course. By the time the project wrapped up five weeks later, the students sold more than 1,000 toques. Funds supported Raising the Roof’s Reside project, which renovates vacant or underutilized spaces into energy efficient affordable housing through partnerships with social enterprise contractors and local housing providers. A portion of the funds also went to Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold.

A group of graduating students in Business AdministrationHuman Resources worked with the Town of Fort Erie to create its new EDI policy and develop an implementation work plan. The project required the students to provide best practices research for the Town’s EDI advisory committee and help formulate a multi-year work plan that focuses on four key areas: training and learning; a review of current processes; an assessment of physical environments to ensure openness, inclusivity and safety; and community engagement, promotion and awareness.

The Niagara College Knight Walkers once again participated in the Coldest Night of the Year event, raising in excess of $7,655 and, was the fourth largest team in Canada. The event, hosted at the Welland Campus, raised more than $91,000 for Open Arms Mission

The annual United Way Workplace Campaign raised a record total of $60,300, marking the third consecutive year NC has surpassed its fundraising goal and set a record. Funds were raised through a combination of payroll deductions, e-pledge donations, and various fundraising activities organized by NC teams and several local businesses.

Social Inclusion And Environmental Sustainability

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Blueprint was launched, reflecting a shared commitment and a clear plan to support and enhance EDI initiatives where all members of our community are engaged, valued, and supported. The plan - a living document that will evolve with the changing needs of students and employees - was informed by more than two years of work by the joint Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce and extensive consultations with students, employees, and community members.

Community Voices, a bi-monthly blog, was launched to keep the community up to date on EDI initiatives across the college, with the goal of creating greater awareness of the work to increase equity, diversity, inclusivity and accessibility within the college and across the region.

Yellow-spotted salamander, trumpeter swans, American coots and chorus frogs were among the interesting species identified by nature lovers at Niagara College’s eighth annual Spring Bioblitz. The event drew more than 120 scientists, community members and amateur enthusiasts to NC’s living lab: the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The group collaborated with students and faculty to identify and catalogue as many plant and animal specials as possible in support of biodiversity monitoring.

Niagara College honoured Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) people by participating in Red Dress Day In addition to hanging red dresses on campus, students and employees were encouraged to wear red or display red clothing as a sign of respect and recognition for the lives that have been lost as a result of this ongoing crisis in Canada.

In honour of Pride Month (June), a Living Library event titled “A Journey Taken Together,” featured NC Outreach and Education Coordinator

Alison Ryder and her mom, Ellen Schmidt. In 2022, Ryder wrote an article for a local newspaper that chronicled her experience of coming out and the unwavering support she received from her mother – a story that mother and daughter shared during the Living Library event. Also in 2023, the Pride crosswalks at both Niagara College campuses were updated with the Progress Pride design, and the inaugural NCSAC Pride event was held to celebrate inclusivity and acceptance.

Indigenous Education (IE) hosted a planting ceremony in the Indigenous Gardens at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagaraon-the-Lake. The day began with a tobacco tie offering ahead of planting the seeds and seedlings while the Niagara Regional Native Centre’s drumming group sang and drummed with the plants to provide them with a positive start.

During National Indigenous History Month, IE hosted a series of events to honour Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being. The events gave the entire College community a chance to learn about the history and culture of Indigenous communities in Canada, support NC’s Indigenous students, and promote the reconciliation process.

In the fall, on-campus events and initiatives were held in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30), to recognize and commemorate the harmful legacy of residential schools, and honour victims, survivors, their families and affected communities.

Niagara College hosted the 2023 Niagara Climate Change Summit alongside partners at the Niagara Region, Brock University and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. The event was a forum to discuss energy resilience and carbon reduction efforts with local energy leaders, municipalities, organizations, environmental groups and businesses. Information gathered from the Summit will help to inform a Niagara Region Community Energy Plan, a collective vision to work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for local communities.

NC and the Black Student Association hosted the Black Student Panel, an initiative aimed at elevating Black student voices at Niagara College. The panel featured insights from three NC students, who each shared their personal experiences and offered thoughtful suggestions to foster a more welcoming environment at NC.

Organizational Excellence

For the second consecutive year, Niagara College was named a Hamilton-Niagara Region top employer for 2024 Top Employer recipients were evaluated on eight criteria: physical workplace, work atmosphere and social, health, financial and family benefits, vacation and time off, employee communications, performance management, training and skills development, and community involvement.

NC finalized an updated Master Plan that provides the College with a bold, long-term guide for growth and future development at our Niagara-based campuses. The plan details a vision for NC’s campuses that includes investments in significant projects over the next decade including new and renovated buildings and spaces.

For the second time in less than five years, Niagara College hit the Number 1 spot for colleges in Canada for research funding. The College moved up one spot from the previous year’s standings. It’s the ninth year in a row NC has been in the top 10. Research Infosource Inc. announced the rankings based on total research funding numbers for 2022. Its special report Canada’s Innovation Leaders includes a national study “Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges.”

A dedicated website was launched for NC’s Dream Big Fund, a program to provide seed funding for pilot initiatives outside of regular budget allocations. In 2023, the Dream Big Fund enabled the purchase of an electric vehicle (EV) conversion kit to transform a 1979 Chevy pick-up with gasoline engine into a working electric vehicle; a partnership with the College of the North Atlantic to co-host a first-of-its kind event for over 150 educators across Canada to learn about coaching in the classroom; and the creation of an Indigenous Education Cultural Consultant, among other projects.

Construction commenced on a new, state-of-the-art greenhouse–that will include a horticulture laboratory to meet research needs, as well as a new vertical grow room to expose students to vertical controlled environment agriculture.

A third cohort of NC leaders completed Management Success, a six-week program designed for new and experienced leaders to increase their ability to manage effectively within the NC context, understand and apply best practices, and through discussions with peers, mentors and guests, engage in learning conversations and reflective practice.

Advisory College Council

Chaired by President Sean Kennedy, the Advisory College Council (ACC) is a cross-functional body whose purpose is to promote communication and consultation within the College. The ACC provides a forum through which students and employees can provide feedback regarding strategic issues and input to the President on matters of importance to students and employees.

In 2023-2024, the ACC provided valuable feedback on several key strategic initiatives including: the NC Brand review project, washroom signage and renovations, employee engagement events, and the comprehensive fundraising campaign.

The 2023-2024 Council members are listed below in appreciation of their service to the Council:

Jennifer Babin, Health, Wellness & Accessibility Services

Prabin Bajal, NC Student Administrative Council

Kerry Bederski, Enrolment Services

Baljit Bhamber, Campus Safety

Rushali Biswas, International

Jeff Collee, Facilities Management Services

Heather Craig-Morton, Allied Health & Nursing

Pete D’Elia, School of Trades

Jenn Dey, Community and Employment Services

Len Ferry, School of Academic & Liberal Studies

Marissa Ditto, Enrolment Services

Chris Fullerton, NC Student Administrative Council

Fernando Gama, International

Melissa Graham, NC Student Administrative Council

Ryan Morris, Information Technology Services

Leah Neamtu, School of Academic & Liberal Studies

Nishchay Pal, NC Student Administrative Council

Shanyn Porter, Workforce Development

Paula Reile, Research & Innovation

Gavin Robertson, School of Wine, Beer & Spirits

Derek Schulze, School of Environment & Horticulture

Becky Sciliberto, International

Krishna SenGupta, School of Business & Management Studies

Jennifer Smith, Development & Donor Stewardship

Michael Villaspin, NC Student Administrative Council

Charles Voth, School of English Language Studies

Student and Alumni Achievements

> Students from the School of Business and Management earned honours at provincial and national competitions. Teams from NC earned a third-place finish at the Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition, and placed among the Top 6 in Canada at the Scotiabank Vanier College National Marketing Case Competition.

> The women’s basketball team came home from the 2023-2024 OCAA Women’s Basketball Championships with their second bronze medal in three years and the eighth medal in the program’s history.

> Evan Sawatsky (Game Design) and Erin Dobell (Graphic Design) found themselves atop the podium at the 2023 Skills Ontario Competition, winning gold and a chance to represent Ontario at the Skills Canada National Competition in Winnipeg, where they earned silver and bronze medals, respectively. In addition, a Game Development student and Hairstyling student each won silver, and an Esthetician student won bronze in their competitions at the 2023 Skills Ontario Competition.

> A team of third-year students from NC’s Game Development program won second place, Best Technical Innovation and second place, Best Artistic Achievement for their game Beyond Dark at the 10th annual Level Up Showcase. Students from the dual-credential NC and Brock University GAME Program won first and second place People’s Choice Awards and an Honourable Mention, Best Artistic Achievement category.

> Seven members of NC’s alumni community were nominated for Colleges Ontario’s Premier’s Awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions that college alumni make to Ontario and the world: Christine White, Jason Ofield, Mark Carl, Mark Suknanan/Priyanka, Dorothy Urschel, Jessica Garrett and John Zambakkides. The group also represents the first cohort of Niagara College’s annual Alumni of Excellence honourees.

> For the second year in a row, Photonics Engineering Technician students were awarded the Eichenholz-SPIE Photonics Technician Scholarship Students Harsha Gopi and Janvi Patel are among the four recipients of the $2,500 scholarships awarded on behalf of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics.

> Cassidy Baldwin, who achieved a 93% average in Honours Bachelor of Business Administration –Hospitality, and Clarysse Go, who achieved a 98% average in Business – International Business, received prestigious academic medals awarded by the Governor General of Canada during Spring convocation. Baldwin was awarded a Governor General’s Academic Medal at the Silver level for a degree program (a first at Niagara College), while Go was presented with a Governor General Collegiate Bronze Academic Medal for the highest GPA within the College’s diploma programs.

> Public Relations graduate certificate program student

Brenna McCutcheon received the inaugural Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Notified Student Award of Excellence, a national award that recognizes student excellence in the field of PR.

> Varsity athletes were celebrated at the 54th Annual Athletic Awards

Banquet Janee Harrison and Carter Thurman were named the Niagara College Knights Female and Male Athletes of the Year

Matthew Takacs and Sam Cormier were honoured as the Knights Male and Female Rookie Athletes of the Year across all sports. Aidan Mcvey was selected as the Knights Male Tournament Sport Player of the Year

Jamira Rousseau and Reggie were named Female and Male Leadership Award recipients across all sports. Tori Hultink was named the top Female Scholastic Award recipient (96% GPA) and Ethan Alino-Dela Cruz was recognized for the second time in two years, with the top Male Scholastic Award (91% GPA).

> Culinary Innovation and Food Technology (Co-op) student Max Thach won a $3,000 scholarship and an educational travel grant to attend the SQF Unites event for the global safety quality community. Thach was the only student from a Canadian post-secondary institution and the only college student on the list of winners. He was one of 15 outstanding food safety scholars awarded by the FMI Foundation, in partnership with the FMI Foundation and The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI).

> Niagara College alumna Brooke Husband was awarded the Paul Pender Memorial ‘Rising Star’ Award at the Ontario Wine Awards in June. The award honours the late Paul Pender, an award-winning winemaker and distinguished alumnus of Niagara College, and recognizes individuals who embody the qualities that made Pender a true winemaker’s winemaker –talent, selfless generosity, mentorship and innovation.

Staff Achievements

NC’s Student Administrative Council (NC SAC) awarded William Boehlen, a full-time professor in the School of Media Studies, Christine Wilkinson, a full-time professor in the School of Community Services, and Ashley Potts, a part-time educator in the School of Allied Health the title of Niagara College’s 2022-2023 Educators of the Year. More than 135 submissions were received from students who were eager to recognize the educators who have made a positive impact during their time at NC.

Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) Program coordinator Peter VandenBerg – affectionately known to students, colleagues and friends as “Dutch” – received two prestigious 2023 Awards of Excellence: a gold Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and an Outstanding Educator Award at the silver level from the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP).

Five innovations by 11 outstanding employees and collaborators received the 2023 President’s Award for Innovation in Student Learning and Success. The recipients were: Christine Wilkinson, Erin Wilkie and Abby Silver for NC Therapeutic Recreation Activities Collective (nc-TRAC); Nick Farnell for his Project Portfolio Website (Business Analytics Capstone); Gordana Vitez, Siscoe Boschman and Matt Bohun for ncLibraries Exploratory digital lab and makerspace; Barbara Morris for the Developing Readers Program; and Jamie Consoli, Christina Abounassar (York University), and Sam Katerji (Wilfrid Laurier University) for Ontario BIPOC Counsellors Group.

Danielle Notarianni, Manager, Energy & Assets, was a featured panelist in the Climate Challenge Network’s 2023 Post-Secondary Climate Challenge (PSCC) Report Webinar. The PSCC is a collaborative, data driven program, bringing together postsecondary institutions to work on deep reductions in energy use, utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Representing NC as a leader in the sustainable energy field, Notarianni spoke to the College’s exemplary performance in electricity and gas reduction.

Exceptional leadership in education to the perennial industry earned professor Paul Zammit the 2023 Educator Award from the Perennial Plant Association (PPA). Zammit was presented with the award during PPA’s 2023 National Symposium in Niagara Falls. The Educator Award is one of eight Special Recognition Awards handed out annually by PPA.

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program team was recognized by the Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) at the Early Learning and Child Care Awards of Excellence, which highlights the significant contributions that high-quality early childhood education programs make to children and families in Niagara. Professors Angela Hayes, Drew Kean, Cathy Teixeira, Kelly Wilcox and Lindsay Milligan, and Placement Officers Jodi Noble and Roxane Hendrie—received the 2023 Exceptional Volunteer and Contributor Award for their role in developing the College’s Accelerated ECE program, created in partnership with ECCDC in 2022 through funding from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to support the need for more Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) in Niagara.

Head Distiller David Dickson, Assistant Distiller Ian Bickle (Artisan Distilling, 2021) and Artisan Distilling Professor and Lab Technologist (Chemistry Beverage labs) Jaclyn Harriman and all achieved certification through the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) tasting exam. The Beer Judge Certification Program is a worldwide certifying organization for judges of beer and related fermented products. Judges are certified through an examination covering technical aspects of brewing, world beer styles, the purpose of the BJCP judging procedures, and by demonstrating practical judging skills.

Paul Willie authored a new textbook for Hospitality training which will be used at NC and beyond: A Guide to Hospitality Management in Canada This is Willie’s fourth textbook project and he is currently working on the second edition of a law textbook, which is expected to be published in 2025.

Nine members of the NC community were recognized with Awards of Excellence for their exceptional service and accomplishments: Carol Phillips, Dean, Community Services, Justice and Fitness Studies (Administration Award); Charmaine McNeil, Administrative Assistant, Student Services (Support Staff Award); Lora Miani, Professor, School of Liberal Studies (Faculty Award); and Nursing Lab team Carmel Andrews, Shannon Gervais, Richele Martinello, Brenda Milne, Brittany School and Catherine Tirone (Team Award).

College Recognition

The NC Teaching Winery was recognized with several accolades during the year, including three Ontario Wine Awards for its Balance Brut N/V (gold), Dean’s List Merlot 2020 (gold) and Balance Muscat 2020 (silver). The Winery earned another two golds, two silvers and a bronze at the WineAlign National Wine Awards.

The NC Teaching Distillery won two silvers and a bronze at the 2023 U.S. Open Whisky and Spirits Championship Silver medals were awarded for Spirits 101 Single Malt Whisky (Canadian Whisky category) and Spirits 101 Spiced Rum (Rum Spiced/ Flavoured category) while School Spirits Vodka (Vodka category) won bronze. Maclean’s Magazine highlighted NC’s Artisan Distilling graduate certificate program as one of the most interesting college programs in Canada.

The NC Teaching Brewery won a number of medals over the course of the year: two medals at the Ontario Brewing Awards—a gold for Beer 101 Bock (Amber Malty European Lager category) and a silver for Beer 101 Strong Ale (Strong British Ale category)—and five medals (two gold, two silver and one bronze) plus the top title at the U.S. Open College Beer Championship. The Teaching Brewery was also awarded a gold medal for Beer 101 Bock and a silver medal for Beer 101 Strong Ale at the Ontario Brewing Awards.

Report on 2023-2024 College Goals

Annual Operational Goals

2023/2024 Goal

1 Create a new suite of academic programs that reflects NC’s trailblazing spirit and supports students, employers, enrolment growth and diversification.

New academic programs developed. Academic Excellence

2 Enhance learning, work, and student spaces.

3 Complete the assessment phase and identify a new learning management system (LMS) to meet the evolving expectations and needs of our students.

Multi-year campus development master plan finalized, and construction begun on priority capital projects; existing learning, work and student spaces refreshed through renovation.

New LMS identified and implementation plan developed.

Wholistic Student Experience Academic Excellence Organizational Excellence

> Program approvals received for new program intakes:

> Pre-Health Sciences-Pathway to Advanced Diplomas & Degrees (Fall 2024 - Online)

> Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Fall 2024)

> Practical Nursing Bridge (Fall 2026)

> Baking and Pastry Management diploma program (Fall 2024)

> Partnered with Niagara Home Builders Association to deliver trades training supported by the Skills Development Fund.

> Massage Therapy program received full accreditation by Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation

> Developed and successfully launched Seniors Freshmen Year: The Intergenerational College Experience Intergenerational Programming project with Heidehof Long Term Care Centre. Project received the Community Connections Award from Advantage Ontario.

> Prime consultants for the Outdoor Recreational Field as well as the Wine VEC expansion retained.

> Project Refresh prototype areas selected with construction to commence in June 2024.

> Space Utilization Inventory has been completed to inform space management guidelines.

> Renovations underway in a number of academic labs:

> Paramedic

> Greenhouse

> CICE Life Skills

> Allied Health “The Apartment” simulation space

> Benchmark kitchen

Wholistic Student Experience Academic Excellence

> New LMS, Brightspace, was implemented across all academic schools in January 2024. Full integration has been completed, with all faculty utilizing new and enhanced components of the system.

Annual Operational Goals

4 Extend NC’s global engagement. New international partnerships developed.

Alumni and Partner Engagement

Global Reach

5 Leverage NC’s position as a leading applied research institution. Expanded research funding, projects and opportunities for faculty, students, and partners.

Wholistic Student Experience

Academic Excellence Alumni and Partner Engagement Organizational Excellence

> New education partnerships developed in Ireland, Norway, Spain, Thailand, UAE, and Vietnam, along with expanded partnerships in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and South Korea

> Launched SOCL1128: Be World Ready Course, with topics including intercultural awareness, indigenous perspectives, community engagement, career development, intercultural reflective learning and leadership

> Achieved the #1 ranking for applied research colleges in Canada in Research InfoSource’s 2023 rankings. Launched a major publicity campaign across multiple media platforms to profile the #1 ranking.

> Launched the College’s Research Opportunity Fund, a program by which any employee may apply for internal funding to conduct research projects aligned with the College’s Strategic Plan.

> Application for renewal of FedDev Ontario funding for our NC-led Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) submitted. SONAMI added Queen’s University and Fleming College as new members.

> NC-led Greenhouse Technology Network expanded to welcome Brock University and University of Windsor as new members.

6 Launch a new fundraising campaign to support achievement of NC’s Strategic Plan. Fundraising campaign developed and launched.

Alumni and Partner Engagement

> Launched Together – Our College. Our Future, the largest fundraising campaign in NC history.

> Three donations totaling $2.4 million announced as foundational gifts toward the $50 million campaign.

> Alumni engagement strategy developed and launched with a focus on reconnection and activation.

Annual Operational Goals

7 Strengthen our welcoming and inclusive culture. Implement initiatives related to the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint and Mental Health Framework.

Academic Excellence

Wholistic Student Experience

Organizational Excellence

Social Inclusion and Environmental Responsibility

> Awarded additional funding from MCU over two years for Integrated Pathways to Mental Health initiatives to support students with complex mental health needs and addictions.

> Implemented permanent raising of Indigenous flags (on rotation) at each campus to welcome Indigenous, Métis and Inuit students, staff and visitors, and to reflect the College’s commitment to inclusivity, Truth & Reconciliation, and the CICan Indigenous Education Protocol.

> Completed accessibility and inclusiveness updates to washroom spaces and signage.

> Identified employee Catalysts for Change, acting as project leaders for the actions identified in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint.

> Expanded EDI learning and development workshop offerings and website resources.

> Multi-year implementation of Workplace Mental Health Framework continued with the following key initiatives for 2023-24 completed:

> 2023 Employee Engagement Survey

> Expansion of long service awards to include non-full time periods of work

> Harassment and Discrimination Prevention training for all staff

> Completed the eCampus-funded project, “It’s an IDEA” in collaboration with Brock University, to create a virtual reality tool to enhance understanding of the lived experiences of people with disabilities on post-secondary campuses.

> New Indigenous general elective course “INDG 1150: On Indigenous Lands” developed.

8 Grow and develop our people. Enhanced employee recruitment and engagement strategies and professional development opportunities. Academic Excellence Organizational Excellence

9 Steward our campus environments Integrated grounds planning and launch of NC’s new Sustainability Plan. Wholistic Student Experience Social Inclusion and Environmental Responsibility

> NC recognized as a Top Hamilton-Niagara Employer in the annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers campaign.

> Successfully launched new EDI training, professional and leadership development programs.

> Expanded Tuition Assistance subsidy program to assist more employees in completing additional degrees, diplomas, certificates, and other credentials.

> Hosted an Academic Integrity Symposium for 260 employees focused on artificial intelligence tools in postsecondary education.

> New Sustainability Plan completed.

> Received approval through the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to rehabilitate salamander spawning habitat at the base of the escarpment.

> Phragmites management project initiated.

> Grounds Working Group established with a multi-campus focus to enhance collaboration, consistency and outcomes on a range of sustainability and accessibility initiatives.

Financial Strength (2023-2024)

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 $62.81 million or 14% as at March 31, 2024.

The surplus increases the internally restricted net assets to $131.85 million providing the College with $121.85 million for future capital investments that will fund the new multi-year campus master plan 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 2023-2024.

Financial Report Summary

Year ended March 31, 2024 (in thousands ‘000)

Revenue

Summary of Advertising & Marketing Complaints

For the period April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, 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.

Nature of Complaint

Date Received How Resolved or Addressed

Date Resolution Communicated to Student

# of Working Days to Resolve