Taylor to retire from Canadore

Canadore College Board of Governors
News Release

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At the December 15th meeting of the Canadore College Board of Governors, as Board Chair, I announced President Barbara Taylor's intention to retire as of April 8th, 2010. President Taylor has been the President and CEO of Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology since 2002. Prior to this appointment, she was Canadore's Vice President, Academic and Student Services for four years. Before joining Canadore College, Ms. Taylor was with George Brown College for 18 years as both a faculty member and an administrator. Her career in the college sector spans more than 30 years.

The Board has accepted her resignation for the purpose of retirement with regret. The Board wishes to acknowledge her leadership both at Canadore College and across the province of Ontario. President Taylor is a passionate educator and leader. As President and CEO of Canadore she has been a superb advocate for college programs and services. Her presence and accessibility at the College and in the communities served by Canadore are notable and appreciated. President Taylor has worked tirelessly for the College overseeing and leading a dedicated group of employees. During her time as President there have been many achievements including the development of the Canadore 2012 Strategic Direction; the establishment of over a dozen new programs; the significant growth in enrolment and retention of Aboriginal students; the strengthening of support for students who have special needs; the fundraising for new facilities including the $25 million Learning Library in partnership with Nipissing University and a new campus for Parry Sound; and numerous agreements and collaborations with community and education partners.

Barbara Taylor served as the Chair of Ontario colleges' Committee of Presidents from 2006 to 2008. In the region and provincially Ms. Taylor has served on many committees and work groups. These include the Contact North/Contact Nord Distance Education Network, the North Bay General Hospital Board, the WoodWORKS steering committee and numerous provincial committees and working groups. Ms. Taylor served as Honourary Colonel of the 51 Aerospace Control and Warning (Operational Training) Squadron from 2004 to 2006.

Those who have heard President Taylor speak at college events or in the community will acknowledge her eloquence and genuine interest in Canadore's students, its employees and the municipalities and First Nations of northeastern Ontario. She is recognized for her
participation in both formal and informal college and community activities.

The Board of Governors wishes President Taylor the very best as she begins her transition into retirement. We look forward to working with her in the coming months and, during this time, a search will be undertaken by the Board in order to retain a new President who will build upon the success of the last eight years. Employees, students, community members, partners and stakeholders will be called upon to provide input in this process.

Canadore College serves the districts of Nipissing and Parry Sound with three campuses in the City of North Bay; one shared with Nipissing University, one focused primarily on Trades and Technology, and one a specialized Aviation campus at the City's Jack Garland Airport; as well as community campuses in the towns of Mattawa, Parry Sound and West Nipissing. The College also partners with the Anishinabek Education Institute of the Union of Ontario Indians, First Nations Technical Institute and Seven Generations Education Institute to deliver culturally appropriate programming to Aboriginal students. With a full-time enrolment of 3,500 access, apprenticeship and postsecondary students and over 4,000 part-time registrations a year, Canadore College is a major economic driver in the region. The College takes pride in its environment for learning, its exceptional student services, and its outstanding retention rates, particularly for the Aboriginal students who make up over 10% of Canadore's enrolment.

Colin Vickers
Chair, Board of Governors

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