Kristen Adams

This document presents St. Clair College's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, which outlines a vision of 'Excellence in all we do' and a mission of 'Quality education that transforms lives and communities'. The plan is built upon three strategic pillars: elevating student and community impact, delivering career-focused academics, and fostering a talented and accountable organization. Key goals for 2026-27 include enhancing student well-being, supporting communities, delivering demand-driven academic programs, enhancing learning accessibility, strengthening talent development, and ensuring long-term institutional sustainability.

This document articulates a vision for Windsor-Essex, Ontario, Canada, as a dynamic and inspiring region known globally for its talent and innovation. Key focus areas include its standing as the automation capital with diverse manufacturing expertise across automotive, aerospace, food processing, pharmaceutical, and medical devices, fostered by strong academic and research institutions. The region is positioned as a pivotal North American logistics hub, committed to continuous creation and achievement, and preparing for future growth.

The meeting addressed the adoption of the agenda and included constituent reports from the Retirees' Association and the Student Representative Council (SRC), which highlighted recent events and ongoing initiatives. The President's Report covered discussions with the Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding MCURES estimates, focusing on themes like regulatory burden, funding outlook, and the impact of international student enrolment caps. The SRC President also reported on advocacy efforts at Queen's Park. Key financial discussions centered on the approval of the 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Forecast, which projected a deficit of $12 million, and the approval of the required Business Plan Accrual Budget Template (MCURES Format). Furthermore, the Board approved a request of $9,375,000 from the Deferred Maintenance Reserve for 2026-2027 projects, an increase to the capital budget for accessibility improvements, and a transfer between internally restricted reserves. Information items included updates on the Minister's Directives concerning Student Mental Health and Anti-Racism/Anti-Hate policies. Finally, the Board deferred a decision regarding the wording of the Board By-law Appendix D concerning Program Advisory Committees.

The agenda for this meeting included the adoption of the agenda, President's Report referencing Executive Limitations Communication & Counsel #2003-21, and several Information Items presented under the Consent Agenda. These items detailed updates on Strategic Pillar #1, including enhancing student well-being and success through the "Saints Experience" (focusing on mental health and belonging), supporting community success through embedding values in academics, and leveraging capacity for socio-economic solutions. Further information items covered online learning expansion and the 2026 Winter Enrolment/Registration Report. Monitoring reports included the Financial Monitoring Report for the period ending December 31, 2025. Approval Items involved requests for two new programs: Bachelor of Science (BSc) Paramedicine and Bachelor of Applied (BAC) Computing. A By-Law and Policy Review addressed the first reading of Board By-Law Appendix D: Program Advisory Committees. The President's Community Engagement Report highlighted activities such as the Battle of The Badges media launch (December 3, 2025), the Slip N' Slide Launch Party (January 14, 2026), leadership forums, research partnership visits (Invest Windsor-Essex and Wayne State University), a First Responders Career Fair (January 28, 2026), observations during Black History Month, and attendance at various public safety ceremonies in early February 2026.

The event was the seventh session of the 55th Annual Convocation Ceremony, recognizing graduates from the Schools of Comm Studies, Eng Tech, H. Sciences, Nursing, and Skilled Trades. The session included a land acknowledgment recognizing the traditional ancestral and contemporary lands of the Three Fires confederacies territories of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomy Nations. Remarks were provided by the College President, Dr. Patricia France, focusing on themes of gratitude, learning cycles, resilience demonstrated during the pandemic, and the importance of community service and integrity. Greetings were delivered by a member of the Board of Governors, reflecting on graduates' resilience and the significance of their achievements. The session also featured the Alumni Distinction honoree, Lori Kemp, who shared insights on staying true to oneself, managing self-doubt ('gremlins'), surrounding oneself with positive influences, and trusting core values in decision-making. Finally, academic awards and student leadership awards were recognized, along with acknowledgments for faculty contributions.