Aimee Calma, president of Conestoga Students Inc., the college’s student association, has been appointed to the province’s new College Task Force.
The Task Force was announced on April 6 by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development and is comprised of faculty, college representatives, students and education experts who will make recommendations to support the delivery of high-quality, career-oriented post-secondary education. The Task Force is expected to release its recommendations by late 2018 after exploring a range of topics that include:
- Student success and labour market readiness
- Program pathways and support for students, including student mental health
- Staffing models that would enhance program quality and improve the student experience
- Academic governance structures and intellectual property policies in the college system
Calma said students require and deserve a voice at the table to represent their needs: “The Task Force provides unique opportunities to set the stage for what colleges will accomplish in the next 50 years and beyond."
In addition to her role at Conestoga, Calma is president of the College Student Alliance which advocates on behalf of Ontario's college students in partnership with student leaders.
“Ontario’s colleges play such an important role in preparing people for jobs in our growing and changing economy,” stated Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, in a press release. “It’s been 50 years since Ontario’s college system was created, so this task force will look at how to make the college experience a better one for everyone. I’m especially pleased that student success will be at the center of all these discussions, and that students have a strong voice on the task force.”
Visit the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development for more information.