—From the desks of Maggie Matear, President, and Taya Whitehead, Vice-President, Education & Students   

As we announced in the March 17 newsletter, Selkirk College is reorganizing the current Education & Students portfolio into two divisions: 1) Academic and 2) Students & External Relations. This change, which takes effect April 1, 2026, is a strategic move meant to better align leadership functions in response to current challenges in our sector. 

The Academic Division will report to Taya Whitehead, whose title will change to Vice-President Academic and Provost to align with most of her counterparts in the college sector. This division includes: 

• The School of Academic Upgrading and Development 

• The School of Arts and Technology  

• The School of Health and Human Services 

• The School of Hospitality and Tourism 

• The School of Industry and Trades Training 

• The School of University Arts and Sciences  

• Selkirk Innovates 

• A school that merges Environment and Geomatics and Business; the new name is still under consideration 

• The Library and Learning Commons. The Library and Learning Commons will also welcome the Learning Skills Coordinators, who were previously part of Student Access and Support.  

This realignment will also include portfolio changes for deans and directors. Allison Alder will continue as the dean for the School of University Arts and Sciences and the Mir Centre for Peace. She will add the Library and Learning Commons to her portfolio. Tiffany Snauwaert will continue to lead the newly merged Schools of Environment and Geomatics and Business, and will also oversee the School of Academic Upgrading and Development. Tammie Clarke will continue to lead the School of Health and Human Services and the Teaching and Learning Centre. Tracy Punchard will continue to lead the schools of Hospitality and Tourism, Industry and Trades Training, and Arts and Technology. Terri MacDonald’s role as Director of Selkirk Innovates remains unchanged. 

As noted earlier this month, Brier Albano, currently Associate Vice-President, Student Success, will continue to lead:  

• Student Engagement and Wellness 

• International Education and Development 

• Registrar’s Office 

• Institutional Research, which will now formally be part of the Registrar’s Office  

New to Brier’s portfolio are: 

• Continuing Education and Workplace Training 

• Communications and Public Engagement, which contains the Marketing and Communications and Advancement teams 

• Privacy (as part of the Registrar’s Office) 

• An enhanced role in external and community relations 

Reflecting these additional responsibilities, Brier will assume the role of Vice-President, Students and External Relations, effective April 1, 2026. 

These changes directly align with our new strategic plan. They respond to shifting institutional requirements, student needs, funding realities, and community expectations. We believe this new structure will enhance internal communication and coordination and generate opportunities for growth and sustainability—a welcome and hopeful development following a period of significant disruption.  

We’re looking forward to working within this new structure, and we’re confident it’s going to further strengthen the collaborative working relationships we have among our schools and departments. We’ll post updated organizational charts on selkirk.ca in the coming weeks.