From the President's Desk: October 2025

There’s a great buzz across both campuses this fall — from student activities to college events — making it the perfect time to pause, reflect and reconnect with what guides us every day at Lakeland College: our values. Our mission and vision are built on six core values — Learner Success, Integrity, Respect, Community, Excellence, and Innovation — which define who we are, guide our decisions and foster an environment where people and ideas can flourish.

• Integrity reminds us to act with honesty, accountability and fairness.
• Respect calls us to value each other’s perspectives, listen carefully and create a sense of belonging.
• Learner Success inspires us to empower students to reach their potential and ignite their passion for learning.
• Community emphasizes our shared connection — across campuses and within our regions.
• Excellence motivates us to continuously improve and deliver high-quality results.
• Innovation drives creativity, adaptability and bold ideas for the future.

Together, these values are the compass that guides our actions and ensures that Lakeland College remains a place where learners and ideas thrive.

Recently, Lakeland’s board chairs and I met with Alberta’s minister and deputy minister of advanced education as well as economist Jack Mintz, to discuss the findings of the Post-Secondary Institution Funding and Alberta’s Competitiveness Report findings. The report highlights the essential role of a strong public post-secondary system in Alberta — one that supports students, research, and economic growth — while also emphasizing the need for efficiency and collaboration within the system.

The ministry has signaled that implementation of recommendations will be collaborative, with timelines depending on staffing and available resources. Areas of focus include:

• Enrollment, teaching and the student experience
• Community impact
• Research — both applied and pure

The report also suggests the introduction of key performance indicators (KPIs) and potential public reporting tools, such as a red–yellow–green accountability model. A key takeaway from the discussion was that “a strong Alberta doesn’t mean one size fits all.” Each post-secondary institution — including Lakeland — has a unique role in shaping the province’s educational and economic future.

As Alberta’s post-secondary system evolves, Lakeland College is ready to embrace new opportunities and challenges, guided by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. By staying true to its mission and working closely with students, staff and community partners, the college will continue to deliver high-quality learning experiences, drive meaningful research, and contribute to the success of the regions it serves.

Until next time,
Alice