Niagara College News and Media

6,500 students to start fall classes September 2

Niagara College is projecting a total enrolment increase of close to 10 percent when classes begin next week.

Current information from the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) indicates that Niagara College’s confirmations are up 10.8 percent compared to 6.2 percent for the Ontario College System. Niagara’s total enrolment is expected to reach close to 6,500 students, including more than 3,900 first-year students.

“This past year marked our fourth straight number-one ranking in student satisfaction,” said Al Vaughan, Director of Enrolment and Registration Services. “This success is reflected in the steady growth we’ve seen in our enrolment. Clearly, more and more students are looking to Niagara College as their pathway to a successful career.”

Seven new programs begin this fall, including Acting for Film and Television, Construction Renovation Technician, Hairstyling Techniques, Advanced Lasers, Business-General, Pre-Media and Design, and Wine Business Management.

Orientation activities for incoming students get underway the morning of September 2 with program information sessions at all campuses.  The Welland Campus will host an afternoon of Orientation activities focused on welcoming students to Niagara College and the Niagara community.  The event includes a Vendors Village, entertainment and giveaways, plus a free barbeque lunch followed by a live concert featuring a major recording artist.  Transportation between campuses will be provided.

Other activities taking place during the first few weeks of school include the annual Community Service Fair, open gym and varsity try-outs, a volunteer fair, vendor fairs and comedy nights.   Detailed information is available at www.niagaracollege.ca/orientation.

Niagara College offers more than 90 certificate, diploma, post-graduate and degree programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include hospitality and tourism, viticulture, technology, community safety, and media studies. The College is home to the globally recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and to Canada’s first commercial teaching winery.

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For more information, contact:

Gordon Hunchak
Director, Marketing & Communications
905 735-2211 ext. 7567
905 650-7820 (cell)
ghunchak@niagaracollege.ca

Niagara College has honoured three top employees with Employee Awards of Excellence.

Programmer/Analyst Mike Sciliberto, Fitness and Health Promotion Professor Judy Halaiko and Human Resources Manager Nicole Perreault were announced as winners of the annual awards at this week’s Niagara Day staff event.

“The success and growth of Niagara College is built on the hard work and commitment of all staff,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “For these individuals to distinguish themselves among such a talented and dedicated group truly makes them the best of the best.”

Mike Sciliberto (Award of Excellence – Support Staff)
Mike Sciliberto is a programmer/analyst in the College’s Information Technology Services Department, and plays a crucial role in the development and technical support of the College’s Blackboard online course management program. Mike is a Niagara College graduate, and began working at the College as a co-op student five years ago. Mike resides in Welland.

Nicole Perreault (Award of Excellence – Administration)
Nicole Perreault is Manager of the College’s Human Resources Department, a position she has held for 14 years. She is a past chair of the College’s United Way campaign, and a graduate of the Leadership Niagara program, were she worked as part of a team that developed a video to promote youth volunteerism. Nicole is a Niagara College graduate and resides in Welland.

Judy Halaiko (Award of Excellence – Faculty)
Judy Halaiko is a professor and coordinator of the College’s Fitness and Health Promotion programs. She has worked at the College for 22 years, and has also taught in the Recreation and Leisure Services program. Judy is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, the University of Toronto and the University of Edmonton. She resides in Jordan.

The Niagara College Awards of Excellence are presented annually to an employee from each of the College’s three employee groups. The award was created to honour individuals who exemplify outstanding characteristics in the areas of personal qualities, work performance and customer service.

With 6,500 full-time students and more than 500 full-time employees, Niagara College offers more than 90 certificate, diploma, post-graduate and degree programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include hospitality and tourism, viticulture, technology, community safety, and media studies. The College is home to the globally recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and to Canada’s first commercial teaching winery.

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For more information, contact:

Gordon Hunchak
Director, Marketing & Communications
905 735-2211 ext. 7567
905 650-7820 (cell)
ghunchak@niagaracollege.ca

Dr. Joyce Engel, Vice President Academic, announced today that Dr. Ben Cecil has been appointed Dean of Technology at Niagara College.

Dr. Cecil comes to Niagara College from the University of Regina, where he has been a faculty member for the past seven years, and has served as Head of Geography and Head of the School of Journalism. He has also served as the Inter-University Prairie Studies program coordinator, a partnership between the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan and the First Nations University of Canada. Dr. Cecil is also the former co-editor of the Great Lakes Geographer.

Prior to joining the University of Regina, Dr. Cecil was the Executive Director of the Centre for Advanced Management Education, Leadership and Organizational Training. He is the recipient of the Barry M. Moriarty Award for scholarly contributions to the Southern Regional Science Association, and he is an accomplished researcher, with more than 35 publications.

Dr. Cecil received his Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario, specializing in financial and corporate geography with additional specializations in cooperative business behaviour and technology partnerships. Last year, he completed the College and University Administrator’s Program offered through the University of Manitoba.

“Dr. Cecil is an accomplished educator and administrator with a very broad experience in postsecondary education,” said Dr. Engel. “We’re very pleased that he will be joining Niagara College’s Technology Division and we look forward to his contributions and leadership.”

As Dean of the Technology Division, Dr. Cecil will lead an academic department that includes more than 20 academic programs at the diploma, degree, graduate-certificate and apprenticeship level. The division includes the technology skills centre, which houses facilities for technology and skilled trades training and is currently undergoing a 15,000 square-foot expansion. The responsive, applied programs in the Technology Division play a critical role in Niagara College’s response to the shortage of skilled labour in Niagara and Ontario.

“I’m very pleased to become part of the Niagara College team,” said Dr. Cecil. “My background in technology, consulting and manufacturing brings a hands-on, applied perspective to the needs of our students, their future employers and our community partners.”

Dr. Cecil will relocate to the Niagara Region with his wife Lynn, who is a writer and artist, and their two children. His appointment is effective August 18.

With 6,500 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 certificate, diploma, post-graduate and degree programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include hospitality and tourism, viticulture, technology, community safety, and media studies. The College is home to the globally recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and to Canada’s first commercial teaching winery.

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For information contact:

Michael Wales
Senior Communications Officer
905-735-2211, ext. 7773
mwales@niagaracollege.ca