Conestoga’s Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Dr. John Tibbits will continue to serve as president of the college as the result of a new agreement that extends his term through August 31, 2020.
The decision was announced by Peter Benninger, chair of the Board of Governors, following a board meeting on June 26.
“I am very pleased to announce that President Tibbits has agreed to extend his term to guide Conestoga through major infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives that will provide new opportunities for learners and transform our community,” Benninger said. “His unwavering support and dedication to the college have been instrumental in its strong history of growth and success as a leader in polytechnic education.”
Over the next three years, Conestoga will focus on building capacity to create additional educational opportunities and contribute to community prosperity. The college will build on community and sector partnerships for the development of facilities, programming and opportunities for students, and expand applied research activities in priority areas such as e-waste recycling and cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, food technology innovation and seniors care.
A major renewal and expansion project currently underway at Conestoga’s Waterloo campus includes the development of a new Culinary & Hospitality Institute that will provide increased capacity for education and training programs to address urgent labour market needs and help position Waterloo Region as a destination for culinary tourism. The campus will develop new talent for high-demand areas such as information and digital technologies and management excellence, key drivers for economic development, and provide opportunities for new Canadians, job-seekers and other individuals in transition to access services and programs that will lead to personal and professional success.
Support for the Waterloo campus expansion has been provided by the Government of Canada through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund and by the Government of Ontario.
Additional projects include the development of a new Applied Research Hub in the Gaslight District in Cambridge as well as a new campus in Milton to be developed in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University.
“There are many exciting opportunities ahead for Conestoga,” said Tibbits. “I look forward to working with the Board and the college community as we continue our efforts to build a world-class institute for polytechnic education.”
John Tibbits has been president of Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning since 1987. Prior to joining Conestoga, he held senior administrative positions at Dawson College in Montreal, Touche Ross & Partners in Ottawa and Canada Post Corporation in Ottawa. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Diploma in Education from McGill University, a Master of Education from the University of Vermont and a Doctorate in Education from Boston University.
For media questions, contact Brenda Cassidy, 519-748-5220 ext. 3336 or bcassidy@conestogac.on.ca