Confederation College Releases Strategic Plan

Confederation College is out with its three year strategic plan.
The plan centres around strengthening college programs at the nine regional campuses and contains three main pillars; improving access to learning and supporting the success of learners, supporting and advancing aboriginal learning and serving northwestern Ontario.
College President Jim Madder released the strategy at community meetings in Dryden and Red Lake this week.
Madder says the plan was developed following feedback and discussions with over 200 groups and individuals.
The theme of the strategic plan is ‘Wiicitaakewin’, an Anishinaabe word that describes the process of helping or assisting others.
Madder stresses Confederation College will be in smaller communities and ensuring students have the resources to improve numeracy and literacy skills.
He adds a main priority is implementing a “Virtual College” to establish learning in remote communities or even at home.
Madder says more than half of the students at Confederation College have an aboriginal heritage.
He says they want to work with area schools to help area aboriginals at a young age.
Other goals include strengthening regional campuses and improving housing issues in those communities.
Another one is working with Lakehead University to offer some University programs in area communities and supporting dual credit programs at local High Schools.
Madder adds there’s a need to attract more students from outside northern Ontario.
There are roughly 200-international students at the school right now.