Cumberland College Set to Assist with “Transformational Change”

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by pnationtalk on July 26, 2016581 Views


July 26, 2016

Well, now that the Saskatchewan provincial budget has been released (on June 1), and post-secondary institutions in the province have a better sense of what’s in store for them, it’s time to reflect on a few issues which have been brought up as a result of the budget.

First of all, Cumberland College and Saskatchewan members of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan – a national association whose members work with industry and social sectors to train 1.5 million learners at campuses serving 3,000 urban, rural, and remote communities in Canada) are pleased that this provincial budget is essentially a “good news” budget.  During a time of strong economic decline within the province, and at a time where the provincial government is carrying a large deficit, our budgets are essentially status quo.  This is good news for Cumberland College and other Sask colleges as it means we can continue the good work we’ve been undertaking for many years.

As well, we need to reflect on what the provincial government means by “transformational change” and what this might imply for the post-secondary system in Saskatchewan – there has been much talk within the media (radio and newspaper) about what exactly the provincial government means by their notion of “transformational change.”

“Transformational Change”
Transformational change (and transformational leadership) is a concept of much discussion and debate within leadership programs throughout North America.  Most, if not all, university graduate programs in educational leadership and policy discuss transformational leadership thoroughly.  Furthermore, transformational leadership is ubiquitous within the leadership literature (books and magazines).

Within the leadership literature, “transformational change” tends to focus on change of significant magnitude or stature.  Cumberland College and the members of CICan have been engaging in these types of change – in partnership with their communities – for many years now.  These include a number of exciting initiatives which are fairly new to the college system in Saskatchewan and include Applied Research, International Education, Strategic Enrolment Management, and Indigenizing the College.

Applied Research
Colleges in all other provinces and territories across Canada are heavily engaged in Applied Research (and thereby promoting innovation with business and industry within their communities).  For example, in 2014-15, colleges and institutes provided research-based solutions to 5,502 companies across the country.  The majority of these partnerships were with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), defines as having 5 to 500 employees.  Cumberland College is now eligible for federal government research grants (after going through an extensive evaluation process) and will be engaged in very similar research initiatives in partnership with business, industry, and community organizations.  For example, Cumberland College is developing a research partnership with the Kelsey Trail Health Region around determining the reasons for the cessation of breast-feeding in young mothers (breast-feeding is a very important determinant of infant health and early bonding between mother and infant).

Two things are particularly exciting about Applied Research: First, through leveraging the expertise of faculty and students, college Applied Research brings innovation and growth (more jobs!) to SMEs who often do not have the time nor the inclination to engage in research on their own.  Second, Applied Research involves incredible experiential learning opportunities for students and it connects students directly to the workforce (industry and community-based organizations will often hire students engaged in Applied Research once they see the good work they undertake).  Applied Research is the first example of how Cumberland College supports the provincial government’s move toward transformational change.

International Education
Recently, a new international food production company has taken root in Nipawin.  With ties to China and offices in Regina and Vancouver, Hanfood International has become interested in promoting Saskatchewan-produced honey in China (marketed as “Ice Honey”).  In fact, based on demand and initial market research, Hanfood believes they will soon need to double the production of honey in north east Saskatchewan!  Cumberland College stands ready to provide the programming needed to support this increase in overseas market share.

As an offshoot of Hanfood’s involvement in Nipawin, Cumberland College is partnering with a Saskatoon-based company to develop a revenue-generating, after-school ESL program in China.  This is a second example of the transformational change which Cumberland College is involved in.

Strategic Enrolment Management
Another transformational change initiative in which Cumberland College has been engaged is Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM).  SEM is an important area which focuses on student recruitment, retention, and success.  SEM involves three key phases including (1) initial student contacts (getting bums in seats and optimizing provincial resources), (2) implementing student interventions in a timely fashion (focusing on student retention and ensuring students are successful), and (3) post-program student supports (helping students to find employment and connecting them with employers).

As a result of the Strategic Enrolment Management approaches which Cumberland College is taking, College technical programs and ABE were 100% full in September 2015 – this has never happened before at Cumberland College!  Furthermore, the College’s technical programs are also currently full for this coming Fall (Sept. 2016), indicating once again the transformative power of implementing a strong SEM initiative – transformational change #3!

Indigenizing the College
Indigenizing the College is another transformational change initiative at Cumberland College.  In support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) calls to action on education, Indigenizing the College is a process for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples which includes cross-cultural learning, understanding, and knowledge exchange.  Through the leadership of its First Nations and Métis Advisory Council (FNMAC), Cumberland College is the only Saskatchewan college to specifically engage in an Indigenizing the College initiative.  This initiative will bring greater awareness, understanding, and student success on all initiatives related to Indigenous education.  This is our fourth area of transformational change.

Thanks to the recent provincial budget, Cumberland College can continue its important work to support the provincial government’s plans in transformational change in four key areas – Applied Research, international education, Strategic Enrolment Management, and Indigenizing the college.  Cumberland College does this not only to support the provincial government, but to better serve our students and to better serve our communities.  These transformational change initiatives will help Cumberland College to make Saskatchewan a stronger province with greater opportunities internationally and locally.

“This budget will help Saskatchewan colleges and institutes bring transformational change to their communities. It will help them catch up to institutions across the country who have developed valuable expertise in Applied Research over the past decade, and allow them to fuel innovation here at home,” explains Tavia Laliberte, President of North West College and Board Director of Colleges and Institutes Canada.  Jim Thiessen, Board Chair of Cumberland College concurs: “this budget helps Cumberland College and colleges throughout Saskatchewan to remain current, responsive, and to address the emerging needs within their communities.”

So let’s support the provincial government in its budgetary measures during these tough times of declining provincial revenues.  Through these transformational change initiatives, we all benefit and Saskatchewan grows stronger!

Dr. Tom Weegar
President, Cumberland College

For more information, contact:

Brenda Mellon
Marketing and Continuing Studies Manager
Cumberland College
Phone: (306) 752-8105
Fax: (306) 752-3484
bmellon@cumberlandcollege.sk.ca

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