The national spotlight is shining on global engagement at Niagara College, with a new Award of Excellence from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).
CICan’s 2022 Awards of Excellence were presented at its annual conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 26. The annual awards celebrate excellence and leadership, and acknowledge individual or collective achievements that contribute to making colleges and institutes dynamic learning institutions.
NC received a silver Excellence in Global Engagement Award, which recognizes institutions whose initiatives exhibit innovation, creativity and leadership in their internationalization.
“This award is so important because it highlights the value that colleges and institutes bring to Canada by building relationships with partners abroad, by offering new opportunities to Canadian and international students, and by contributing to positive change through international development,” said CICan President Denise Amyot. “Congratulations to Niagara College on winning the silver award for Excellence in Global Engagement.”
NC’s Vice President, International Sean Coote noted that he is proud of the College’s accomplishments in Canada and around the world, as it seeks to provide global engagement and experiences for its students and staff members.
“This award is a testament to the commitment Niagara College staff and faculty have to enriching lives and fulling dreams around the world,” said Coote, who attended CICan’s conference and accepted the award on behalf of NC. “To be recognized on a national stage for our global reach further distinguishes Niagara College as Canada’s leading global college. This is made possible through NC’s dedication to student success and to providing culturally diverse and inclusive learning environments and experiences, infusing global competency development into its work, and fostering collaborative partnerships in Canada and around the world.”
Nominees for CICan’s Excellence in Global Engagement Award were evaluated based on inbound and outbound student mobility for diversification on campus, international cooperation, joint international research and teaching, innovation in global engagement, and for meeting targets outlined in the institution’s internationalization strategy.
For NC’s International Division, receiving CICan’s Excellence in Global Engagement Award recognizes its many years of commitment to global work. It also demonstrates the innovation, creativity and leadership that its staff and faculty members have shown in bringing the world to NC, and NC to the world, while preparing world-ready graduates and staff.
“We are very proud of the passion and dedication of our entire team, the collaboration across the College as well as our exceptional partners across the globe, who we are very honoured to work with, and learn from on a daily basis,” said Director of Global Engagement, Holly Catalfamo, PhD. Catalfamo, who attended this year’s conference to accept the award, is also a past recipient of a CICan Award of Excellence.
NC’s 2022 Award of Excellence follows a series of awards from CICan over the past decade, including:
- (2020) a Distinguished Service Award to former NC President (current President Emeritus) Dan Patterson;
- (2018) a gold Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty to Holly Catalfamo, PhD (then Program Coordinator of Human Resources);
- (2018) a silver Applied Research and Innovation Excellence Award;
- (2017) a bronze Leadership Excellence Award for Students to Alice Mary Nakiwala (then President of the NC Student Administrative Council);
- (2016) a silver Internationalization Excellence Award;
- (2013) a gold Program Excellence Award for NC’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program; and
- (2012), a silver Program Excellence Award for its Bachelor of Applied Business International Commerce and Global Development program.
For more information about CICan’s Awards of Excellence visit awards.collegesinstitutes.ca
– With files from Madison Smith, International Division
