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is underway. A new change management
framework, with a focus on communications was
introduced.
Financial Strength
In financial health, Niagara College continues to
rank amongst the top tier of Ontario Colleges and is a
leader amongst the medium-size colleges in Ontario.
The College’s financial position at March 31,
2017 was positive with an operating surplus of
$3 million. The surplus is the result of continued
growth in international enrolment and responsible
financial management.
Preparing for the Future
STRATEGIC PLAN: The Strategic Plan 2017-
2021 outlines a path toward a bold future as
Canada’s leader in applied, experiential learning.
It was developed collaboratively over a 15-month
period, with significant engagement and input
from the Board of Governors; faculty, staff, and
administrators across the college; and external
stakeholders. The College’s Planning and
Institutional Research department provided project
management and data support to this process.
Market Research
Regular market research is conducted to
identify and respond to prospective student needs,
expectations and perceptions, and to measure the
success of specific recruitment and marketing
strategies.
Integrated Services Model
The overarching goals of the Integrated Services
project were to improve services to students,
enhance the student experience, as well as
provide redundancy and efficiency where possible
in the service areas. The amalgamation of several
distinct counters/doors for these various services
into one common front counter location has
simplified the communication for students and
applicants, and streamlined the process for those
with multiple requests.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
The College continues to have a focus on IT/
Cybersecurity and in the past year has achieved
compliance with Payment Card Industry (PCI)
requirements; In addition, ITS has worked to
enhance all NC staff awareness on phishing and
strengthened the capability of ITS staff to respond
to security incidents, as well as implement security
tools to protect the network from viruses and other
attacks and provide enhancements to critical
system redundancy.
The student experience was enriched through
the following IT initiatives:
> A major network upgrade;
> Expanded support of Microsoft cloud technologies;
> 60 classrooms transitioned to all digital and 14 computer
labs upgraded;
> In conjunction with Facilities Management Services
(FMS), the completion of 4 large capital vision projects
that included new student services, classrooms and
student gathering areas; and
> The implementation of a new student services support
system (Clockwork) which provides enhancements such
as service delivery to students with disabilities and
online booking of counselling services.
Sustainability
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS:
Niagara College continues to find ways to
minimize its impact on the environment. In May
2017, Niagara College was honoured with the
Most Engaged Member Award at the Niagara
Sustainability Initiative Evening of Recognition.
Niagara College has also been nominated by the
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce for the
Environmental Leadership Award for the 2017
Niagara Business Achievement Awards, which will
take place in June 2017.
Niagara College Canada
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